Owning a home down the shore can be one of the best purchases you could ever make. Summer homes can be great places to build summertime memories to last a lifetime. But when the season is over and it’s time to close up for the winter you will want to make sure you remember these tips so you will have a great place to return to next summer. 
- Walk around the house and make a home checklist of everything that needs to be completed. It will make it easier to finish everything if you can mark something off your list each time you complete a task.
- Clean the gutters and drain spouts. Debris can cause serious problems if your roof can not drain properly.
- Look for any damage to the exterior – the roof, shingles, foundation, etc. Fix that damage before you leave for the winter to prevent any issues while you are not there.
- Plan for the worst weather. Coastal towns tend to have a lot of windy storms that could cause damage to your home. Also, coastal flooding can be an issue as well. Make sure your home is able to withstand the worst storms and be sure your insurance is up to date. Remember: flood insurance is not included in your homeowner’s policy and check to see if you have coverage for Backup of Sewers, Drains and Sump Pump Failure.
- Let at least one trusted neighbor know you will be leaving for the season. Give them your phone number to call you if anything looks amiss at your house during the off-season.
- Clean the interior thoroughly.
- Remove perishable foods from the house and either remove or store non-perishables in sealed pest-proof containers.
- Turn off the air conditioner and turn the thermostat to no lower than 50°F to keep pipes from freezing.
- Turning off the main water supply and draining the plumbing eliminates frozen pipe exposure and resulting water damage.
- Bring all outdoor furniture inside and replace windows and doors with storm windows and doors (if necessary).
Your summer home is one of your biggest financial assets. Keep it safe for years to come by properly closing it for the off-season.
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