Preparing Your Avalon or Stone Harbor Home for the Off-Season
Preparing Your Avalon or Stone Harbor Home for the Off-Season -
As another beautiful season winds down on Seven Mile Island, many Avalon and Stone Harbor homeowners are beginning to prepare their shore homes for the quieter months ahead.
Whether your property will be closed for the winter, visited occasionally on weekends or enjoyed year-round, fall is the perfect time to make sure your home is ready for colder weather.
Start With the Exterior
Shore homes are exposed to salt air, wind and coastal weather throughout the year. Before winter arrives, take some time to walk around the exterior of your property and look for anything that may need attention.
Check decks and railings, siding, outdoor showers, windows and doors. Clean gutters and make sure exterior drains are clear. Outdoor furniture, umbrellas and other loose items should also be cleaned and stored or securely protected from winter storms.
A little preventative maintenance now can help avoid larger problems later.
Protect Your Plumbing
If your Avalon or Stone Harbor home will be vacant for extended periods, protecting your plumbing is especially important.
Depending on how your home is used during the winter, you may want to have the plumbing professionally winterized. Outdoor showers, hoses and irrigation systems should also be properly shut down and drained before freezing temperatures arrive.
If you plan to keep the heat on, make sure your heating system is serviced and your thermostat is set appropriately.
Check Your Heating, Smoke Detectors & Security
Fall is also a good time to replace batteries and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Have your heating system checked before cold weather arrives and make sure security systems, exterior cameras and smart-home devices are working properly.
For homeowners who live several hours away, remote thermostats, water sensors and security cameras can provide some extra peace of mind during the off-season.
Don't Forget the Inside
Before closing up your shore home, remove perishable food, take out all trash and thoroughly clean the kitchen and appliances.
Check windows and doors to make sure they're securely locked and look for any signs of leaks or moisture. It's also a good idea to unplug unnecessary electronics and appliances.
Arrange for Someone to Check Your Home
Even a properly prepared home shouldn't necessarily be left unattended for months.
Regular property checks can help identify storm damage, leaks, heating problems or other issues before they become costly repairs.
At Avalon Stone Harbor Real Estate, our property management services include a Winter Watch Program, as well as seasonal home opening and closing services and full-service home management.
Our goal is to help homeowners enjoy their time at the Shore—and worry less about their property when they're away.
Fall Is Also a Great Time to Plan Ahead
While you're preparing your property for the off-season, it's also a good time to start thinking about next year.
If you're considering selling your Avalon or Stone Harbor home, we can help you understand its current market value and discuss the best time to list.
If your property is a vacation rental, now is also the time to begin planning for the 2027 rental season.
And if you're looking to purchase your own place on Seven Mile Island, fall and winter can be excellent times to explore available properties without the pace of the busy summer season.
At Avalon Stone Harbor Real Estate, we're here year-round for all of your Avalon and Stone Harbor real estate, rental and property management needs.
Enjoy the quieter season on Seven Mile Island—and let us help you take care of the rest.
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