It’s a month away from March Break – PHEW! Can you believe it? With the kiddos signing out of school for a week, it’s a fantastic opportunity to take a break of your own. Whether you’re planning a tropical trip or have opted for a fun-filled ‘staycation’, I hope that teachers and parents alike find pleasure in some well-deserved time off. There’s no homework to worry about or lunches to pack . . . sounds like bliss to me! You can maximize the pleasure of your trip by finalizing details in advance and by creating a house checklist to help you prep before your vacation. Get the kids involved, too! Above all, don’t forget about your beloved home! I’ll help you leave it with confidence.
How to Make the Most of Your March Break Vacation
Don’t let your March break turn into March madness: As a Niagara REALTOR®, I love all things planning and I’ve done a little research to help make your escape from the cold worry-free. I’ve condensed the my favourite tips Global’s March Break survival guide.
1. Choose a Location Based on Interests
Consider the ages of your children first. Then, figure out if a beach vacation, theme park excursion, cruise, etc. is best suited to your needs as a family. Once you’re satisfied with how you’ll spend your trip, you’ll be able to find destinations that enable you to do those activities. If you know you’d like to rent a home on the beach, you’ll have an easier time narrowing down locations that let you do that.
Using your interests as a starting point is a fantastic way to optimize your trip–even if you’re not planning to leave the province!
2. Less is More
Exploring a new country or city with your family is thrilling. However, both guides caution parents against being overly ambitious, especially when accompanied by pint-size travelers. My sources recommend that parents break up their trip by way of compromise: Get the best of both worlds by filling half the day with activities, like group tours or museum strolls, with something more laid-back and interactive, like pizza-making, and swimming at a beach or pool. Who doesn’t enjoy indulging on vacation? I know I do! Make time for experiencing local amenities and the local fare.
The trip is as much for your children as it is for you, and so you should honour and include their interests. The “less is more” mantra isn’t just for travelers; I use this frequently as a Niagara REALTOR®, too.
Creating a House Checklist for your Vacation
Now that you’ve got some ideas on how to make the most of your March break adventure, I wanted to share with you my list of recommendations for leaving your house behind. It’s normal to feel worried and even a bit stressed about properly securing your home when you go away (especially in St. Catharines and the Niagara region, where temperatures tend to remain low in March).
I love all things ‘house’. Call me biased but, hey, that’s the Niagara REALTOR® in me! So, in order to safeguard your space while you’re away, keep this checklist on-hand and review it prior to your trip:
1. Set your thermostat. Of course, this is high on the list of priorities but should be the last thing you do before you leave. You’ll want to keep your house from freezing and your pipes from bursting. It’s recommended you leave it four degrees higher than you usually would.
2. Turn off water and water heater. You’ll protect against possible leaks! Plus, you don’t need a tank full of hot water when you won’t be using it.
3. Double-check and lock windows and doors. It may seem obvious but, if you have an active family, or a large home with several entrances, do yourself a favour and check, then re-check your locks. This includes all windows, screens, and garage doors (inside and out). Don’t feel plagued by doubt on your trip.
4. Review your insurance policy. Although most home insurance policies will cover an absence that’s 30 days or less, check in with your provider to give yourself peace of mind. Longer stays away will require that you contact your insurance agent.
5. Have a relative or trusted friend check in. ideally, invite a family member to stay in your home or have a close neighbour or friend stop in daily. This will deter potential theft since the house will appear occupied.
6. Make sure security and smoke alarms are working properly. Ensure everything is functioning as it should so you’re not scrambling the day of. You don’t want to figure out that your alarms failed after you leave for your trip!
7. Leave your house clean! This one is for you. Is there anything better than settling back into a clean house upon returning from vacation?
The anticipation of a vacation is almost as exhilarating as the trip itself! Enjoy the process and make a house checklist before your vacation to keep yourself focused. You’ll thank yourself (and me!) later. And always remember, there’s no place like home!
I was away from home for over a decade before my career as a REALTOR® brought me back to my roots. If you’re wishing your home was in Niagara, too, I can help you with that; contact me today!