Being based in Arizona, Desert Dimensions Properties is familiar with the unique nature of our seasonal real estate and rental market. Those desert dwellers known as ‘snowbirds’ enjoy our beautiful state in the winter, and avoid it in the sweltering summer. Today’s tips on preparing your Arizona home for the summer will protect your home while you’re gone:
- Of course, air conditioning systems that operate year-round here really take a beating in our climate. But don’t assume that you can ignore your A/C units just because you’re not using them in the peak summer months. A routine ‘tune-up’ service can be performed for under $100 and will ensure that the coils, filters, fins and Freon levels are all in tip-top shape.
- Once you’ve locked up and left your house, other ‘friends’ are likely to move in and make themselves comfortable. We’re talking about desert critters – or in this context, pests. Scorpions, lizards, spiders, ants and termites all come out in the summer months and without you knowing, quickly create an infestation. Make sure to seal any gaps in window and door frames, remove landscape piles of debris, and use a pest control professional to spray and protect your home with a long-term solution.
- The easiest landscaping choice for a seasonal home is the low-maintenance desert style. What is that? Well, we’re recommending gravel instead of grass, Arizona native trees and resilient bushes and cactus instead of delicate flowers or water guzzlers. That doesn’t mean your yard has to be dull – the greys, greens and silvers can be stunning, and the benefits of low-maintenance include lower water use and less pruning and grooming.
- What if you’re planning to list and sell your Arizona home this summer, while you’re away? Well, in many ways, your absence makes this easier – no frenzied scramble to tidy up before a last-minute showing, for example, and you can leave the house staged to look ‘perfect.’ Don’t overlook the air conditioning though – if a Buyer walking through your house is miserably sweating, they’re not going to stay very long, and they’re not going to leave with the impression that your house is comfortable and inviting. Set your thermostat at a reasonable temperature before you leave as part of your ‘for-sale’ prep, it’s well worth the investment.
With this advice, you can go out-of-state with the peace of mind that your vacant home will be protected, clean, and ‘move-in-ready’ for your vacation renters, or your next visit back to Arizona 😀 Now, check out the Differences Between Listing Your Home in Spring and Summer.
Need help with managing your seasonal property? Call our office now at 480-270-5355 to be connected with one of our expert Realtors.