Everything you need to do before leaving your South Florida home for the season.
Every spring, tens of thousands of seasonal residents pack up their Jupiter, FL homes and head north — leaving behind beautiful waterfront properties, new-construction estates, and beloved second homes to face one of the harshest residential environments in the country. South Florida's heat, humidity, hurricanes, and wildlife are genuinely unforgiving to an unattended property.
We've seen the results firsthand: mold colonies that started in an AC vent and spread through an entire condo, a burst washing machine hose that destroyed three floors of a Abacoa townhome, a slow roof leak that went unnoticed through four months of summer rains. Every one of these disasters was preventable with proper preparation and regular home watch inspections in Jupiter, FL.
This guide gives you a complete pre-departure checklist covering every system in your home — and a free, printable download you can take room to room before you leave. Bookmark it, share it, and give a copy to your home watch provider.
Why This Checklist Matters for Jupiter, FL Homeowners
Jupiter and the surrounding communities — Tequesta, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, and Hobe Sound — attract a significant seasonal population every winter. When the season ends and snowbirds head north, a large percentage of homes in Palm Beach County sit vacant for four to seven months. That's four to seven months of Florida summer: tropical storms, 90°F+ heat indexes, 80% humidity, and peak hurricane season.
Unlike homes in cooler, drier climates, a vacant Florida home is never truly "dormant." Your HVAC system is still running, pests are still probing your perimeter, and humidity is actively working to grow mold inside your walls. The homes that come back in the best shape are the ones whose owners prepared methodically and hired a local home watch professional to keep watch in their absence.
PRO TIP: Some homeowner's insurance policies require you to notify your insurer if your property will be vacant for 30 days or more. Check your policy before you leave — a lapse in notification can void a claim.
Download and print our checklist.
Security & Access
The first and most fundamental step is securing every entry point and ensuring that the right people — and only the right people — can access your property in an emergency.
- Lock all doors, windows, sliders, and garage doors
- Test all deadbolts, smart locks, and keypad entry codes
- Change alarm system code & share emergency access with your home watch service provider
- Verify security cameras are online, charged, and notifications are active
- Remove spare keys from common hiding spots
- Set up USPS mail hold or cancel newspaper delivery
- Notify HOA or property management of your departure date
- Provide your home watch company with a signed property access authorization
HVAC & Climate Control
This is arguably the single most critical system for a vacant home in South Florida. Never turn your air conditioning completely off before leaving your Jupiter home for the season. Without active cooling and dehumidification, temperatures inside a closed home can reach 100°F+ and relative humidity can climb above 80% — conditions that trigger explosive mold growth within 24–72 hours.
Set your thermostat to 78–80°F with humidity control enabled if your unit supports it. If you have a smart thermostat, confirm it's connected to your home's WiFi and that you can monitor it remotely.
- Set thermostat to 78–80°F (humidity control ON)
- Replace all HVAC filters before departure
- Schedule HVAC inspection if unit is 5+ years old
- Confirm smart thermostat is remotely accessible
- Clean dryer vent and check for lint buildup
- Check that all supply & return vents are open and unobstructed
Plumbing & Water
Water damage is the most common and most costly loss category for vacant homes in Florida. A pinhole leak, a slow toilet tank leak, or a failed appliance hose can silently discharge hundreds of gallons before anyone notices. If you plan to be away for 30 days or more, serious consideration should be given to shutting off your main water supply.
- Locate and test your main water shutoff valve
- Consider shutting off main water supply for absences of 30+ days
- Turn off the water heater or set to "vacation" mode
- Flush all toilets to confirm none are running
- Disconnect washing machine hoses from supply lines
- Check under all sinks and around appliances for active leaks
- Test whole-home water shutoff sensor / leak detector (if installed)
- Run garbage disposal with ice and citrus; clean drain
Electrical & Appliances
Unplugging non-essential electronics accomplishes two things: it eliminates phantom electrical loads (which can add $15–$50 per month to your bill) and it removes potential ignition sources in the event of a power surge or electrical fault.
- Unplug all non-essential electronics (TVs, small appliances, chargers)
- Leave refrigerator running OR empty, clean, and prop open
- Run dishwasher cleaning cycle; leave door slightly open
- Turn off ice maker or empty and clean bin
- Test GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms & garage
- Test smoke detectors & CO detectors; replace batteries
- Confirm stovetop and oven are off; clean surfaces
Exterior & Landscaping
Jupiter's lush tropical landscaping is beautiful — but it requires active management. Overhanging limbs, overgrown hedges, and blocked gutters become major liability during summer storms. In Palm Beach County, overgrown vegetation also attracts iguanas, raccoons, and other nuisance wildlife that can cause structural damage to an unattended home.
- Trim tree limbs overhanging the roof or near windows
- Store or strap down all patio furniture and decor
- Clean and cover the grill; shut off propane tank
- Arrange lawn care & irrigation maintenance service
- Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts
- Confirm pool service is scheduled for regular visits
- Adjust irrigation timer for wet season (June–October: reduce frequency)
Hurricane & Storm Preparedness
Jupiter, FL sits in Palm Beach County, which has been impacted by numerous named storms in the past two decades. If you are leaving before June 1 and returning after November 30, your home will be unoccupied through the entirety of Atlantic hurricane season. This is not a minor risk — it demands proactive preparation.
- Confirm hurricane shutters or impact glass are intact and operational
- Test hurricane shutters and lubricate tracks if needed
- Store all outdoor items that could become projectiles
- Photograph all rooms and valuables for insurance documentation
- Review homeowner's and flood insurance policies; update if needed
- Provide home watch provider written authority to act in storm emergencies
- Share insurance policy copies with a trusted off-site contact
Interior Preparation
A clean, well-sealed interior dramatically reduces pest pressure, eliminates odor sources, and prevents the kind of slow environmental damage that builds up invisibly over a long absence. Invest an afternoon in a thorough interior walkthrough — it will save you hours of remediation when you return.
- Deep clean all bathrooms and kitchens
- Remove all trash, recycling, and perishable food
- Wash and bag all bedding in sealed storage bags
- Place DampRid or moisture absorbers in closets and under sinks
- Remove valuables, jewelry & important documents to a secure location
- Document serial numbers of all electronics and appliances
- Do a final walkthrough of every room, closet & storage area
Why Every Seasonal Resident in Jupiter Needs a Professional Home Watch Service
This checklist represents everything you should do before you leave. But preparation alone isn't enough for a four-to-seven month absence in South Florida. You also need eyes on your property while you're gone.
What does a home watch service do in Jupiter, FL?
A home watch service performs regular visual inspections of your property while you are away, checking for water intrusion, HVAC issues, storm damage, pest activity, security concerns, and any other changes from your last visit. After every inspection, you receive a written report with photographs.
How often should a home watch company visit my Jupiter home?
Most professionals recommend visits every 7–14 days. During hurricane season (June–November), more frequent checks are advisable. Some homeowners insurance policies require visits at a minimum interval — check yours before choosing a service frequency.
What temperature should I set my thermostat before leaving my Florida home?
Set your thermostat to 78–80°F with humidity control enabled if available. Never turn the AC off completely — South Florida's heat and humidity will cause mold, mildew, and structural damage to a closed home within weeks.
