I will return occasionally, so want to leave on water, gas and electric. What things can I do to prevent any damage? It's still my primary residence, do I need to let insurance company know that I'm not living there all the time?
2007-07-26 13:46:06 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It's in your best interest to have the utilities turned on so prospective buyers can check that it has hot water, the air conditioning works, the stove works, the shower works, etc. If someone else is showing your house to prospective buyers then talk to them about how comfortable they are with turning on the water, gas and electric before they show it. If they are able to turn on the utilities as needed then you should be o.k. closing the main water and gas valves and shutting off the main electric breaker. However, it is not uncommon for the utilities to be off during the initial visits then turned on for the official home inspection.
It is a good idea to discuss your options during the pre-sale period with your insurance agent. You probably won't have any problems with home insurance since you say the home is still your primary residence. However, if it looks vacant (no furniture and such) and you are living someplace else and something happens then you might have a problem getting your insurance company to honor a claim.
If you foresee extended periods of time when you will not be at the house and it will not be shown for sale then definitely talk to the insurance agent about this and you may want to check on the possibility of temporarily suspending utility service. People with winter and summer homes often have arrangements with the utility companies to temporarily suspend service or go on a lower rate during periods of inactivity.
Best wishes with the home sale and for your future plans.
2007-07-26 14:12:10 · answer #1 · answered by Jim B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insurance is in effect if you are there or gone--make sure you have water damage and flood coverage--a lot of people forget that, leave everything on--but if you want to, turn off the hot water heater--keeps warming water for no reason--just turn off the water heater electric or the gas. The water will be ok in there--just not warm. Turn it on when you come back. Heats up fast. Stop the mail and advise the police of the vacancy period--they will ride by every once in a while. Leave a timer light ON--and do not tell everyone you are gone--kids will probably get in and party--or steal stuff. Put the valuables in a SAFE or remove them. Empty the refrigerator and freezer--turn the controls to the lowest setting--saves electric. Put a message on the phone--but do not say anything about your long term absense.---just ask them to call your cell. number. YES--unplug all lamps and stuff--reduce the risk of a fire. Computer too
2007-07-26 13:59:57 · answer #2 · answered by fire_inur_eyes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you live somewhere that freezes in the winter, you may need to winterize your drains, unless yours are well insulated.
I'd also cut off the gas and water, but leave the electric on with a timed light and radio if you can afford it. if not, buy a couple of the solar yard lights that charge up during the day and shine nearly all inight. (I'm in Florida, though, so it depends on your location.).
I'd say call onother insurance co. and ask them if they have a kind of discount for part year residence, or if they charge more. If you can't save money, you use the house for storage and occasional visits, and technically your utilities are on, so...it's up to U.
2007-07-26 14:00:27 · answer #3 · answered by topink 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is definitely something to talk to your insurance agent about. Since it will be unoccupied a lot of the time, it may affect the rates, and you definitely want to stay covered!
2007-07-26 13:50:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just turn main gas and water valve off. and shut electrical breaker off. That way you can turn it on and off at your will.
2007-07-26 13:51:40 · answer #5 · answered by scooby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋