It never fails….the State Fair is over, Labor day was here and gone, the kids are back in school and within days the high temperature is not getting above 70 degrees!  Here in Minnesota it seems like the seasons change fast and the snow is just around the corner. 

Time to get your investment properties ready for the winter.  Every year I say I am going to do it earlier in the fall and I end up waiting until November (and do it when it is an emergency).  Why not tackle those projects and prep items when the weather is still relatively nice and you have time.  Even if you don’t live in Minnesota, here are some items to review at your investment properties before the weather turns any worse:

Inside the building:

• Remove all window air conditioners.  Take a hose and clean out the inside and outside condenser fins.  A/C units should be cleaned every single season as a clogged condenser can increase power consumption by 150%
• Close all storm windows.  Close and lock all interior windows to insure tight weather proofing.
• Start the furnace or boiler.  If it has been more than 3 years or there has been construction or pets in the unit, consider having the furnace or boiler professionally cleaned.  Confirm it is working correctly.  Check the unit for any corrosion or damage.
• Buy a large supply of furnace filters and leave them at building.  Ask the tenants to replace them for you.
• Make sure your smoke detectors have new batteries in them.  Consider installing carbon monoxide detectors in each unit.
• Test all exterior doors and make sure you can’t see light around the edge of the door.  If you can, add necessary weather stripping.

Outside the building: 

• Confirm who is responsible for removing snow at each of your properties.  If you have driveways, make sure your snow plow guy/company is still around and planning to do your building.  Who is responsible for shoveling the sidewalks?  Do you have a shovel and salt ready at each building?
• Clean out any gutters on your properties (best left until the majority of the leaves have fallen).  Make sure the down spouts point away from the building and hopefully away from any walking areas.
• Turn off the inside valves to any outside faucets.  Drain them down and remind the tenants to not use them until spring.  Remove the hoses from the faucets, blow the water out of them if possible, and put into storage.
• Trim shrubs and cut the grass one last time.  Remember now is also a great time to plant new shrubs and grass (and those items are generally on clearance at the hardware store).

These easy items can be done now at your leisure over the course of the next couple week.  They should save you having to go out to light a furnace on the first cold night of the fall or having a frozen outside spicket.