Tips and Quips

Bucking up for the summer in our Coachella Valley:  The polo & jumping horses have headed for more refreshing climates, tennis players (and fans) are heading for the French Open, and music festival-ers moved on to other cooler venues (pun intended).  Many of our seasonal residents are following suit and returning to their “other” homes in the much more temperate areas of our country .  The following is a basic check list that helps with closing your desert home for the summer.  This is only a guide and not applicable to all properties.  Many items affect the specific needs of closing each home for the roasting summer months.   For example art collections, vital electronics, wine collections et al will require cooler temperatures during the scorching summer months in our valley.   Of course we strongly recommend a regular, biweekly physical inspection by an authorized property management technician.  For Pete’s squeaks, that IS what we do…  Now on with the list

• LOCK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS
• SET AC SYSTEM TO 86 – 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. PULL BLINDS & OR CLOSE SHUTTER TO REPEL SUN.  IF USING STYROFOAM PANELS AT WINDOWS, DO NOT PUT SHINY SIDE OF FACING OUT TOWARDS EXTERIOR OF HOME.  This is a very property specific adjustment item and will vary widely depending on contents remaining in residence – especially when any vital electronics and fine art (original paintings etc) are involved
• COVER INTERIOR SIDE OF SKYLIGHTS AND WINDOWS, IF APPLICABLE, WITH BROWN KRAFT PAPER OR EQUIVALENT AND PAINTER’S BLUE TAPE. SHADE CLOTH WITH CLIPS AND "ZIP POLE" SUPPORTS CAN ALSO PROVIDE GOOD HEAT PROTECTION
• TURN OFF ALL OFFICE EQUIPMENT (COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, FAXES)
• CLOSE VALVES TO ALL WATER APPLIANCES (TOILETS, SINKS, WATER HEATERS. IF SHUT DOWN WATER AT MAIN SUPPLY – IF APPLICABLE - DISCONNECT OR SWITCH OFF THE HOT WATER CIRCULATING PUMP. 
• VALVE IRRIGATION VALVE ON
• RAISE THE RUNNING TEMP OF REFRIGERATORS TO THE UPPER END OF THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE
• SET WATER HEATER THERMOSTAT TO VACATION MODE
• CANCEL OR FORWARD PERIODICALS AND FORWARD MAIL
• PUT A FEW KEY LIGHT FIXTURES ON TIMERS – THE VARIABLE KIND OF TIMER IN CONJUNCTION WITH L.E.D. BULB IS BEST - TURN OFF ALL OTHER LIGHTS