12 Pre-Travel Tasks Every Homeowner Should Perform

You toss your duffel bag in the trunk, triple-check your boarding pass, and hit the road. But halfway to the airport, that nagging feeling creeps in Did you lock the back door? Or worse, did you leave the AC running full blast?

Whether you’re heading out for a long weekend, a scouting trip, or a full-blown escape from the tyranny of your inbox, skipping basic prep can lead to costly headaches. Here are twelve pre-travel tasks every homeowner should perform.

1. Shut Off the Main Water Valve

A burst pipe while you’re lounging poolside? Hard pass. For any trip longer than three days, it’s best to turn off the main water valve to thwart indoor flooding or plumbing disasters. You’ll usually find the valve near a basement wall, garage, or crawlspace—on the side of the house closest to the street.

Are you leaving a house sitter behind? Fine, but clearly label the valve and make sure they know how to shut it off in case of an emergency.

2. Prep the Fridge and Freezer

Coming home to sour milk and liquefied spinach isn’t ideal. Clean out the fridge two days before you leave, especially dairy, bagged greens, and that questionable takeout container no one’s claiming.

Adjust your refrigerator to 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer to 0 degrees. And here’s a pro move: place a cup of ice cubes in the freezer. When you return, a pile of melted-together cubes is your subtle clue that the power went out while you were gone.

3. Set a Realistic Lawn Care Plan

Do you plan to be away for more than a week? That’s your cue to figure out how to make sure your lawn is maintained while on vacation. Your grass won’t stop growing just because you’re on a beach somewhere.

An overgrown lawn screams “nobody’s home” and can invite burglars and HOA complaints. Line up a landscaping service, ask a buddy to mow, or fine-tune your irrigation system so that it doesn’t flood the neighborhood.

4. Toss Insect Bait

Ants, roaches, and spiders absolutely love an empty house, and they’ll throw a housewarming party while you’re gone. Placing a few bait stations around the home can foil an infestation before it starts.

Drop one in the kitchen, another in the bathroom, and a third near the garage door about three days before departure. Then wipe down countertops and seal up open food sources to cut off their midnight snack supply.

5. Prep Smart Lighting (Not Just Any Lighting)

A single lamp on a dusty plug-in timer isn’t fooling anyone anymore. A better strategy is to stagger a few lights on different timers to mimic natural movement between rooms.

And if you really want to outsmart the burglars, swap one bulb for a smart bulb and control it remotely through your phone. This is ideal for when travel plans shift—or when you extend your trip just because you can.

6. Secure Your Valuables and Documents

Before you jet, stash important documents and valuables in a safe or lockbox. That includes passports, insurance papers, and anything irreplaceable. Avoid leaving these out in the open or in obvious places like your nightstand drawer.

Consider investing in a fireproof safe if you don’t have one. For quick access, generate a digital backup of essential documents stored securely on the cloud. This simple step cuts stress if you need proof while away or in an emergency.

7. Forward the Mail and a Few Extras

Holding your mail is easy; just set it up with USPS online up to 30 days in advance. But mail isn’t the only thing that shows up while you’re gone.

Scroll through your recent orders and pause any recurring deliveries, such as soaps, razors, supplements, energy drinks, or that oddly aggressive snack subscription. Otherwise, a porch stacked with boxes might say, “I’m not home,” louder than you’d like.

8. Update Emergency Contacts and Access

Even with the best planning, things can go sideways. A neighbor’s tree might fall, or your alarm could go haywire. When it does, who gets the call?

Prior to departure, choose someone local to act as your backup. Leave them a smart lock code or a labeled spare key. Make sure they know how to reach you and when you’ll be back.

9. Check Your Home’s Climate Controls

Your HVAC system deserves some pre-travel love, too. Set your thermostat to energy-saving temperatures—around 78 degrees in summer and 55 degrees Fahrenheit in winter. This keeps your home protected without racking up utility bills.

Make sure your humidifier or dehumidifier settings suit your region. This prevents mold or dry air damage during your absence. Also, notify your HVAC provider if you have a smart system so that they can monitor or adjust it remotely if needed.

10. Check What’s Visible Through Windows

Most people don’t think about doing this, but they should. Peek through your street-facing windows and ask yourself, “If I were a thief, what would catch my eye?”

Tuck away laptops, video game systems, Bluetooth speakers, and your fancy bourbon collection. Clearing clutter from countertops makes your place look a little less tempting and a lot more organized.

11. Take Inventory If You’re House-Hunting

Are you heading out of town to explore a potential new zip code? Smart. Exploring places like Richmond, Virginia—or anywhere you might eventually call home—is a great way to shake things up.

But before you go, take a quick inventory of valuables at your current place. Snap photos of electronics, furniture, and collectibles. If anything goes missing while you’re gone, you’ll thank yourself during the insurance claims process. And who knows, this prep might come in handy when you relocate to a new city to make a positive change in your life.

12. Write a “Yes, I Did That” Checklist

We’ve all had that moment mid-flight, “Did I unplug the coffee maker?” Instead of playing mental gymnastics, make a checklist and use it.

Turn off the lights. Unplug the TV. Check the back door. Set the alarm. Once everything’s done, leave the list right on the kitchen counter. Coming back to find it checked off? That’s peak peace of mind.

Don’t Come Back to Chaos

After a long trip, the last thing you want is to crash into a pile of laundry and a crumb-filled bed. So set future you up for success.

Completing these twelve pre-travel tasks every homeowner should perform doesn’t just protect your home; it guarantees a smoother landing when you return.