The last few days before leaving your Lakewood Ranch home can fill up quickly. Between packing, travel arrangements, and saying goodbye to friends, it’s easy to put home preparations off until the final morning.
A little planning makes departure less rushed—and gives the person watching your home a much clearer starting point.
Use this checklist to organize the details before you go.
1. Make a plan for air conditioning and humidity
Before an extended absence, ask your HVAC professional about settings and maintenance appropriate for your home.
Confirm that your system is operating as expected and address any known concerns before leaving. If you use a smart thermostat, check that you can access it remotely.
Write down your agreed settings so your home watch provider knows what to look for during visits.
2. Agree on water and appliance arrangements
Your departure plan should reflect your home’s plumbing, appliances, and any equipment that requires a water supply.
Discuss the appropriate steps with your plumber or relevant service professional. Share the resulting instructions with your home watch provider, including the location of the main shutoff and any equipment that needs special attention.
Avoid leaving important decisions to guesswork after you’ve departed.
3. Clear out the everyday things
Empty the household trash, remove perishable food, and check cupboards for opened items that should not remain during a long absence.
Decide how mail, deliveries, and subscriptions will be handled. Remember any recurring shipments that might otherwise arrive at an empty house.
4. Review outdoor arrangements
Walk through your lanai and outdoor areas. Decide what should be stored before departure and what may need attention if severe weather is forecast.
Confirm ongoing arrangements for landscaping, pool care, and other regular services. Give your home watch provider the relevant contact details.
5. Test access before you leave
Confirm that keys, entry codes, gates, and alarm instructions work.
If your community requires vendor registration or access approval, arrange that in advance. A working front-door code is only useful if your provider can also get through the community entrance.
6. Put your contacts and instructions in one place
Provide:
Your preferred contact information.
An alternate contact if you cannot be reached.
Your regular service providers.
Instructions for reporting concerns and authorizing work.
Your expected departure and return dates.
Mention any existing issues, scheduled appointments, or areas that need particular attention.
7. Arrange home watch before departure day
Allow time for an initial walkthrough, questions, and a discussion of your service plan. Confirm when visits begin and how you will receive reports.
Leaving for the season should feel organized. A clear departure plan and a dependable local contact can help make that possible.
Preparing to leave your Lakewood Ranch home? Contact Alison at Lakewood Ranch Elite Home Watch to arrange a complimentary consultation before you go.