Snowbird Departure Checklist for Late Spring

The Checklist Items Most People Overlook

March is creeping toward April, and if you're like many of our neighbors here in The Villages, Mount Dora, and Lady Lake, you're thinking about heading back north for the warmer months. (Yes, we know—warmer seems backward.) Before you lock the front door for the last time until October, there are a few things worth doing that a lot of folks skip.

We've watched seasonal homeowners come and go for years now, and certain items keep coming up every spring. Not the obvious stuff like forwarding your mail or stopping your newspaper—you probably have that covered. These are the things that slip through the cracks.

Inside Your Home

Adjust Your Thermostat

This one is mentioned constantly, but the details matter. Don't just set it and forget it. In late spring, our Central Florida humidity is already climbing. Set your A/C to around 78–80 degrees to keep moisture from building up inside, which can lead to mildew and mold. Check that your system is actually running before you leave—have someone verify it a few days after you go.

Empty and Clean Your Refrigerator and Freezer

If you leave perishables inside, you're inviting a smell that will require professional cleaning. Empty everything, wipe down the shelves, and leave the door slightly ajar to allow air circulation. The same goes for your garbage disposal and trash cans—clean them out completely.

Drain and Shut Off Water to Washing Machine

Washing machine hoses can leak over months of inactivity. Drain the lines and shut off the water valves behind the machine. While you're thinking about water, check under sinks for any slow leaks that might accelerate over several months.

Dispose of Medications Properly

Don't leave prescription medications in a hot, humid home. Take them with you or drop them at a local pharmacy for proper disposal. Heat and humidity will degrade them anyway.

Outside Your Home

Check Your Gutters and Downspouts

Central Florida's afternoon storms can be intense. Make sure gutters are clear of pine needles and debris so water flows properly away from your foundation. A clogged gutter that overflows can cause real problems over three or four months.

Trim Tree Branches

Have any branches hanging over your roof or near your house trimmed back. Summer storms are strong, and dead or weak branches become hazards quickly.

Check Your Exterior Doors and Windows

Make sure all locks work smoothly. Test that sliding glass doors slide easily and latches catch. A stuck door that nobody notices until fall can be an invitation to problems.

Utility and Administrative

• Ask your homeowner's insurance company if your coverage changes when you're away seasonally—some policies have different terms for vacant homes.
• Arrange for someone to check on your home periodically. Whether it's a trusted neighbor or a professional home watch service, someone should walk through every couple of weeks.
• Leave a key with that person and make sure they have your phone number and email.
• Consider leaving a list of emergency contacts for your AC company, plumber, and roofer posted inside your garage or kitchen.
• Set up a vacation hold with your water company if your area offers it—it can flag unusually high usage that might indicate a leak.

A Simple Solution

If organizing all of this feels overwhelming, that's exactly why home watch services exist. A quick phone call to arrange periodic checks can save you thousands in water damage, electrical issues, or worse. Most of us here in our Central Florida communities have been through at least one season of "I wish I'd checked on that."

Safe travels north, and we'll see you in the fall.