The Ultimate Snowbird Checklist

The-Ultimate-Snowbird-Checklist

Most snowbirds travel down south as the end of the fall draws near. With the holiday around the corner, the excitement that comes with it is extraordinary. As a snowbird, your ultimate goal is to enjoy the snowbird lifestyle while keeping both your homes safe and comfortable. So, your snowbird checklist should cover everything you need in preparation for a successful move. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming creating a long to-do list or trying to make the ultimate snowbird checklist.

Hence, we have provided below the ultimate snowbird checklist to help prepare for your trip from the north to your southern home. Asides from your incredibly long list, this ultimate snowbird checklist should be the top entry in your snowbird checklist.

  1. Clean Your Home

It is vital to clean the outside of your home to prevent ice dams on your roof during the winter, such as clearing the gutters so the snow can flow freely. You might also inspect your windows and exterior doors, don’t forget to take care of the inside of your home. Clean your home thoroughly to dislodge pest hideouts. Remove all traces of dirt, debris and food that could form molds or attract pests. Thoroughly clean your refrigerator and ensure you dispose of all trash and things that could expire before heading south for the winter.                                                    

  1. Shut Off All Household Appliances

Before leaving for your southern home, one ultimate snowbird checklist is to ensure you winterize your northern home in preparation for the winter season. To keep your northern home safe, some of your household appliances need your attention. Turn the heating system down and get your HVAC system serviced. You need to shut off all utilities and unplugged appliances, including your water system. It is also best to move all fragile outdoor items in your storage before you leave to prevent them from being blown away during the winter.

  1. Seek Financial Advice

Contact your bank, financial service providers and credit companies to inform them of your impending move to the south. Whether you’re leaving for Florida or Arizona, it will prevent your accounts from being flagged at your new snowbird residence. It is essential to call your insurance agents for adequate coverage as part of your checklist when leaving home for months.

  1. Plan For Mails and Bills

It is vital to adequately plan for your mails before leaving for your winter home. To avoid losing crucial mails, you can add a temporal mailing address for the winter months. You can also forward calls and messages to your phone from your northern home by contacting your phone service providers. Using the voicemail system is also an option. Since you won’t be home, you might also need to set up an automatic payment system for your monthly bills ahead of your travel.

  1. Set Up Security Systems

Another ultimate snowbird checklist is the security of your home. Most burglary and theft cases occur when the house owners are away, especially for extended periods. Due to this, you should alert the police of your travel plans, be discreet when travelling and ensure you install security systems. If you have great neighbors, you can inform them to keep an eye on your home while you head for your top snowbird destination. Also, use monitoring systems and moisture sensors to monitor the temperature and safeguard your home during your absence.

  1. Prepare Your Vehicle For Shipping

When planning to move your belongings and items, your snowbird checklist might include preparing your vehicle for travel to your new home. This might appear to be the most daunting task in the ultimate snowbird checklist.  However, rather than embark on the long drive cross country, you can ship your car. Employ the services of a professional and reliable car shipping company like Metti International to help you transport your vehicle with ease. All you need is to keep your vehicle clean and adequately maintained. Your vehicle will be inspected, picked up and delivered to your new snowbird residence.

 

As a snowbird heading south, your might have your checklist tagged ‘Snowbird Checklist Florida’ or ‘Snowbird Checklist Arizona’. Whether you’re a retiree, working snowbird, or you’re moving south with your family for the winter, this ultimate snowbird checklist above has got you covered.

Now, you can embark on your journey to your winter home without any hassle, as Metti International is here to help you ship your car. Metti International has excellent records: BBB accredited with A-plus rating, three-time award-winner of the BBB Torch Award for Ethics. We are a licensed car shipping broker with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. At Metti International, we are committed to providing excellent customer service and satisfaction. We offer a safe, timely and smooth transport experience at competitive pricing. Metti International is the top choice for your vehicle shipping needs.

Call us today on 866-620-1776 to schedule your auto transport, and you will get an instant quote. You can also visit our website at www.mettiintl.com/

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most major credit cards, postal money orders and cashiers checks are acceptable forms of payment.

As with most transport services, a deposit is generally required when placing an order. Deposits range from 10-25 % of the total shipping cost. The remaining balance will be due upon delivery.

Most auto transport companies accept cash, certified checks, and postal money orders.

Coast to coast trips usually takes between 10-14 days. Shorter trips ranges from 3-7 days, depending on the actual distance. Some factors may delay a trip, including traffic, weather, and truck breakdowns.

Yes, we request you, or a designated person, be present upon pick up of your vehicle. For your safety and your vehicle’s safety, an inspection is performed and a bill of lading must be signed that serves as proof of delivery.

The easiest way to ship an inoperable vehicle is to let us know when requesting a vehicle transport quote. There will be an additional charge, plus loading and unloading charges to your quote, if we are not informed of the vehicle’s condition prior to quoting.

Auto carriers are not licensed to carry house goods or personal items, these goods and items are not covered by the carriers insurance. Any damage to your vehicle due to household goods shifting or breaking is also not covered. Personal belongings left in the vehicle, are shipped strictly at the owners risk. Carriers will not inventory any belongings left in the vehicle and will assume no responsibility.

Your car is insured for the Blue Book value the entire time it is on the truck. Clearly listed on your Shipping Order, Agreement and Bill of Lading are occurrences not covered. At the time of pick up, a condition report is filled out and signed by both the person turning the car over and the truck driver and you are given a copy.

Upon delivery of your vehicle, this same report is presented. You should compare the condition of the vehicle to the report thoroughly at that time. If you feel damage has occurred to your vehicle during delivery, you must note it on the report before you sign it and the driver leaves. Damage done in transit does not relieve the shipper of paying for transport service performed. Claims will be handled by the vehicle carrier and insurance companies.

Metti International offers door-to-door auto transport service where possible. However, there are instances that we cannot collect/deliver directly to the door due to the size of our auto carrier’s trucks. The size of your street may prohibit direct delivery to your door. Also, some towns and cities do not allow trucks on their residential streets. If the carrier cannot get to your door, he will deliver your vehicle to the next most convenient accessible location, such as the nearest major crossing street, a shopping mall or supermarket.

Please have a no more than 1/4 tank of fuel, remove all personal items from your vehicle and have it washed and cleaned so that the ensuing inspection is easily performed. If it is a convertible, T-top, sunroof, etc. make sure all openings are closed and prepared for changing weather. You can find additional tips on how to prepare your car for transport here.