Leaving for the summer? Don’t skip the details. With five summers of experience serving Babcock Ranch, we’ve seen it all. We’ve built this comprehensive checklist to help you protect your investment while you’re away.
💧 Manage Utilities and Appliances
☐ Shut off the main water supply (unless required for sprinkler or fire systems)
☐ Set water heater to vacation mode or turn off at breaker
☐ Empty and clean refrigerator; leave doors ajar
☐ Unplug unnecessary electronics and appliances
☐ Put golf cart in sleep mode
☐ Put vehicle on a trickle charger
☐ Test or shut off water softener system if needed
❄️ Set Climate & HVAC
☐ Set thermostat to 78°F on “cool” and “auto”
☐ Set humidistat to 55–70%
☐ Replace air filters
☐ Flush A/C condensate drain line
☐ Confirm smart thermostat is connected and app-controlled
🐜 Prevent Pests
☐ Remove all perishable and open food
☐ Wipe down pantry shelves and kitchen surfaces
☐ Schedule pre-departure pest control treatment
☐ Seal gaps around windows, doors, and vents
☐ Empty all trash cans and recycling bins
🧼 Interior Preparation
☐ Vacuum, sweep, and clean floors
☐ Clean toilets and sinks; do not cover with plastic wrap
☐ Leave interior doors, closets, and cabinets open for airflow
☐ Cover furniture to reduce dust and sun fading
☐ Move furniture slightly away from walls
☐ Purchase new batteries for door locks and smoke detectors (or have replacements available)
☐ Purchase extra air filters to have on hand
🌿 Exterior Maintenance
☐ Schedule lawn and landscaping service
☐ Secure or store patio furniture
☐ Clean gutters and check roof for damage
☐ Arrange for pool maintenance if applicable
☐ Inspect for cracks or openings around exterior of home
📱 Smart Home Integration
☐ Confirm Eero WiFi system is online and stable
☐ Program smart sprinkler system (like Rachio) for proper watering
☐ Check smart doorbell, locks, garage doors, and sensors
☐ Confirm security cameras are recording and viewable remotely
☐ Set up smart home automations (lights, alerts, climate control)
🔐 Secure Your Home
☐ Lock all doors and windows (including sliders and garage)
☐ Arm your Ring security system
☐ Confirm all cameras are functioning
☐ Enable smart locks for remote access
☐ Install or test motion-sensor exterior lights
🗂️ Administrative Tasks
☐ Forward mail and pause deliveries
☐ Notify a trusted neighbor or friend of your departure
☐ Provide emergency contacts to your home watch professional
☐ Review homeowner’s insurance for vacancy clauses
☐ Sign up for weekly or biweekly professional home watch visits
At Babcock Home Watch, we’ve served hundreds of seasonal homeowners and have fine-tuned this checklist from real-world experience. Whether it’s spotting a small leak before it becomes a flood or ensuring your cameras are actually recording – our expertise, vendor relationships, and technical knowledge make all the difference. Rather have us lock up the house for you? We do that too! Call or text us at 608-797-2910.