Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
From Summerbird to Snowbird Transition from a Summer to Winter Stay in Your Warm Weather Community Many times I’m inspired to write about questions I receive seeking insight of the snowbird life. This time our repeat vacation rental guests asked about making the transition from …
Proximity to local attractions such as wineries, entertainment, sports facilities, shopping and restaurants will help bring guests to your property. [Country Heritage Winery, Laotto, Indiana] Thinking of Renting Out Your Primary Home? Checklist of 15 Considerations Prior to Placing Your Primary Property on the Rental …
Price, location, view, pet friendly and availability are all deal makers. They're also the deal breakers. However, there's more to it than that. It's the nuances of a particular rental that may or may not work for snowbirds.
Recently, I was asked to tag along on a tour of a potential rental for two Wisconsin-based snowbird friends with an adorable Golden Retriever named Cooper. My friends decided to take a look around at the options because they weren't entirely sure about returning to their current place. Their rental rates were increasing and they had other concerns about the place. Not only did they gain valuable insight to what matters to them, the tour opened my eyes to mistakes by owners. To my astonishment, after touring several properties and considering everything, my friends decided to stay where they are.
This is an account of what the deal breakers could be and why owners should listen carefully to the feedback from potential guests. It can save a ton of headaches for both parties.
Snowbirds in general, like to plan way in advance. As in a year or more. My neighbor, Elaine and her husband and pooch have always stayed in the same unit for the month of January. She said finally -- two years from now in 2026 -- they will be staying for January AND February. It has taken that long to get a booking for the full two months. Past availability was not a deal breaker in this case, but for many it easily could have been. Elaine didn't say, nor did I ask, if the current February occupant is aware of what is happening. Snowbirds, always stay connected with your property manager and/or owner so they can work with you on your future plans. No one wants to be blindsided.
On the flip side, Wisconsin Terri was told it was "too soon" to reserve the unit she was considering for next year. This is exactly the opposite of how I think. Again, not allowing to book a year in advance would be a solid reason for many snowbirds to keep looking.
Owners: if a guest wants to book for next year, take the reservation! If you have qualms about a cancellation, request a significantly larger deposit of a minimum of $1,000 and extend the pay-in-full due date to be 90 or 120 days in advance instead of 60 days or whatever the standard policy is for weekly rentals. It's a huge commitment for snowbirds and owners to pledge 60 consecutive days vs. the usual 7 days, but each party needs assurances they will have a solid deal.
Snowbirds: Make sure there is a solid, written contingency plan if an owner cancels your reservation or sells the property before your arrival. If you book through a management company with a large property portfolio, get it in writing that you will be rebooked into a similar or better property in the event of unforeseen circumstances. It is essential all deposits and pre-paid funds will be refunded if the owner and/or PM do not have a suitable property available.
Unfortunately no one is aging backwards which means at some point weather, distance and transportation increasingly become a problem for snowbirds.
Several friends are facing this issue due to age, health and concerns about driving to and from their snowbird communities. Dee from Colorado relies on her son to bring her to and from her southern home in Northwest Florida. He has asked her to consider a closer location in Arizona to make it easier for him. Except there are no beaches in Arizona, which understandably puts Dee in a quandary.
The weather this winter has been one of the worst for as long as many can remember which doesn't help Dee's decision. Time will tell if distance and weather are the deal breakers for Dee.
I've personally witnessed an increase of doorbell cameras installed on the exterior of rental properties. For some, this could be a deal breaker simply because they don't want to be photographed every time they come or go. Nor do they want their belongings, packages, guests and deliveries to be documented. Not that there's anything illicit happening, it's simply a lot for guests to accept and it could make or break a rental to snowbirds or anyone else for that matter.
Snowbirds typically stay for at least 30 days and usually 60 or even 90+ days. They may book by the week or by the month, but it's a totally different set of needs than the weekly vacationers who are in and out in seven days.
Therefore, what might be just fine for a family who is not going to be in the unit all that much for a week in peak season compared to snowbirds who have an extended stay and accordingly bring a lot more clothing and "stuff."
I kid you not, a friend toured a property that had a locked closet in the second bedroom. Presumptively it was full of the owner's possessions. Guests are expected to put their clothes on hangers dangling from three or four racks mounted at a 90 degree angle on the bedroom wall.
No! As in, "Are you kidding me?" Absolutely there is no way I would want to spend 30-60+ days looking at clothing dangling from the walls. My friend and her husband do not share a bedroom and her husband would be the one with his clothes decorating the walls. The owner refused to make accommodations and ultimately, this was the deal breaker.
Vacuum cleaners, mops, pots and pans, utensils, cleanliness, decor and more matter. Even beyond that, the details, large and small, can make or break a snowbird's willingness to rent a unit.
I know of a snowbird who didn't like the mattress in the primary bedroom. She said it was very uncomfortable and she tried every possible option to improve the situation, including sleeping on the unit's bunk bed. Worn out or sagging furniture is also another potential deal breaker.
Features such as very short vanity cabinets in the bathrooms may not be noticed in photos, but could be a problem for tall guests.
Snowbirds who can take a tour of a potential place should do so, it's worth the time to do so because you can pick up so much more than seeing photos. If it's not possible, ask a lot of open-ended questions. Prepare a list of potential deal breakers, then be honest about what your non-negotiables are. Know your limits and be patient. It can take time to find just the place. Once you find what works for you, protect your investment and plan accordingly.
-- Michael Bliss, Canadian Historian and Author
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
An example of a gulf front private home in Miramar Beach, NW Florida with full unobstructed views and two reserved off-street parking spaces Top Terminology for Snowbird Rentals 100 Terms to Know Before Renting a Vacation or Snowbird Residence As a long term member, and …
Snowbirds know a problem with your home while away is very stressful. Not only can you not personally see what is going on, you also cannot simply uproot yourself and quickly return to take care of it without a lot of upheaval, travel, logistics and more. That means you'll be relying on your home team who may or may not be able to do much.
Consider the effects of a winter power outage. Most extended outages that are more than flickering lights are due to ice storms and other severe weather conditions that adversely affect not just your home, but your surrounding neighbors for possibly days or weeks at a time. Freezing pipes, food spoilage, inoperable sump pumps and a lack of functioning security systems are just a few of the issues due to a lack of electrical power.
A whole home standby generator system is an expensive, yet solid investment to protect your primary home in the event of a power outage whether you are home or away. I won't be covering the features and specifics of installing whole home standby generator systems, nor gas vs. electric generators, travel generators or portable generators. There are many brands, types, product costs, installation costs as well as safety considerations. Instead I will discuss the significance of a whole home standby generator system as it relates to snowbirds who need to protect their home while away for extended periods of time.
A standby or back-up generator is permanently installed onto the exterior of your home, similar to a central air conditioning unit. The generator is professionally connected to a power source, such as natural gas or LP fuel and delivers power directly to your home's electrical system. Best of all, it will start automatically in the event of an electrical outage.
There are many variables such as how much wattage you need for the size of your home for the functions that will need power. You may decide to choose a system to power your entire home or only essential items. The costs increase based on the amount of power that you need for the size of your home. A mid-range back-up generator can start around $5,000+ with installation of $2,000 and up. However, it is an asset that can potentially save your home from the expense of floods due to freezing pipes and/or inoperable sump pumps as well as spoiled food. If you ever sell your home, a back-up generator is an asset that will appeal to your buyer.
Burst pipes for any reason are expensive to repair -- not only the pipes, but the water damage. Years ago, even with a house sitter we still had a burst pipe due to an exterior wall that was pounded with sub-zero winter winds while our house sitter was out for the day. The stress of being home and dealing with a significant flood is bad enough and with us being away while dealing with the aftermath and remediation of our badly flooded basement was too much. Even after we returned, it was weeks before the drywall could be repaired and our basement was fully functional again.
Many snowbirds shut the main water line off for the season. However, if anyone is taking care of your houseplants or checking on your home, they will not have access to running water unless it is turned back on again.
Investing in a whole home back-up generator eliminates the need to turn the water off or send someone over to trickle water through the faucets in the event of sub-zero temps.
A torrential rain storm or rapidly melting snow can result in a lot of water. Inoperable sump pumps can cause expensive water damage in the event of no power.
Even with a battery powered back-up sump pump, eventually the battery will stop operating. As a general guideline, a sump pump with a fully charged battery will run continuously for 5 to 7 hours or intermittently for one to three days, depending on the frequency of how often it runs. Alarm systems installed on sump pumps may not operate with no power. Even if the alarm alerts you, if you're at home or not, it doesn't take long for a sump pit to overflow.
Investing in a whole home back-up generator provides peace of mind that the sump pump will continue operating during the worst winter weather.
It doesn't take long for interior home temps to drop during very frigid weather conditions. Prior to being snowbirds, during a multi-day winter power outage we used our gas fireplace as a heat source. However, that isn't possible if you do not have a gas fireplace or are not home to turn it on.
Using a fireplace as a heat source is not ideal because it is expensive. Nor is it practical because it does not provide much heat beyond a ten foot radius of the fireplace, which puts your pipes at risk of freezing and bursting.
An unheated home is not comfortable to inhabit. We piled on layers of clothes and blankets and spent nights sleeping next to the fireplace with our dog in a very cold home. Not fun. It also is not fun to be away if your primary home is subject to no heat from a power outage because there isn't much anyone can do. A whole home generator would be a game changer.
Spoiled food due to no power is expensive and it is also a gross mess to clean up and dispose. Your spoiled meats and food will be creating a special odor in your trash bin until garbage collection day.
Although it hasn't happened to me, I know of a snowbird who lost power while away for an extended time. When they returned to deal with the spoiled food, the stench had permeated the plastic interior of their refrigerator to the point of having to start over with a new refrigerator.
As much as we try to pare down the contents of our refrigerators and freezers, it's nearly impossible to eat everything before departing for our warm weather destination. If you realize power has been lost and are able to send someone to retrieve the food, that person may or may not have enough storage space for it at their own place.
If your neighbors do not have power either, there's not much they can do to help. They have their own home and family to look after. It's too much to ask neighbors/friends/family to come over and run/monitor your portable gas generator for days at a time because you want to save your expensive food.
No one wants to be away with reduced security due to no power. Cameras and alarms are key layers to your security system. Not only that, but your overhead garage door may be unsecure, leaving your home at increased risk of break-ins.
[Ten Layers of Snowbird Security]
During the off-season even when residing at your primary home, an extended power outage adversely affects you and your home due to the same reasons as in the winter. Flooding from inoperable sump pumps, spoilage, lack of air conditioning/overheating and security remain core issues. Snowbirds who rely on medical devices such as CPAP sleep apnea machines, oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, stair lifts, chair lifts and power wheel chairs can have serious consequences from a lack of power.
Extended power outages that utility crews cannot repair in an hour or two are typically due to significant weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes or derechos combined with torrential rain storms and flash flooding.
A couple weeks ago, a severe June derecho storm brought 98 mile-per-hour straight line winds that toppled massive trees as well as major power lines in my neighborhood. A major five lane artery street was closed for a week due to downed power lines. Side streets were also affected by large trees and power lines that fell. The storm brought national and international attention to our city because of the excessively high winds and a heat dome with 97 degree temps.
Our primary home was without power for 48+ hours. It was hot and miserable for us and our dog. Despite drawing the curtains 24/7 to keep the sun out, the interior temps reached 89 degrees in just one day. We unplugged all of our electronic devices such as computers and tv's in the event of a power surge when the outage was remedied.
Several of our neighbors own or borrowed portable gas generators during the recent derecho storm. How can you tell if someone has a gas generator? For safety reasons, they are located outdoors because they emit carbon dioxide and they are very loud when operating.
Many portable gas generators are very heavy. Although portable generators have wheels, it's not easy to move them from one place to another if you are buying or borrowing one. You'll need the strength to lift it and space to transport it in a large SUV or pick-up truck. Once home, you'll need to place it away from doors and windows, such as in the driveway.
Due to safety, never place a gas generator on a wood or composite deck or on unlevel surfaces, etc. Always read the safety warnings no matter what kind of power source you are using.
Don't forget to buy very long extension cords. Our sump pump is quite a distance from the garage and a long cord is the only way to plug it into the generator. If your generator has four outlets, you'll need four extension cords plus surge protectors.
New gas generators are scarce during power outages. Retail stores sell out fast. Portable gas generators range in price from about $700 to $2,400 depending on many variables.
A decade ago, just ahead of a monster storm I had purchased a portable gas generator for about $850 and thankfully it still works. We used it to power both refrigerators, a small chest freezer, one cell phone charger, one lamp, a crock pot, coffee maker and two small fans.
We felt we had to stay with our property to run the generator during the day and preserve our food investment. Gas runs to fill our small fuel tanks to keep the generator going were much more involved due to closed roads from toppled trees/power lines and needing to drive much further to reach a gas station with power. Along the way, I saw neighbors in the hot, sunny 97 degree weather having to cut down and move fallen trunks and limbs and deal with property damage to their homes and fences.
In the morning, my husband plugged in his coffee maker. Then we swapped it for the crock pot to prepare sloppy joes. In the evening, we grilled a meal of burgers and peppers, but truly it was too hot for that.
At night, we stored our portable generator in the garage to ensure it wouldn't be stolen from our driveway, which meant no lights, refrigeration or fans for eight+ hours during the night. We used the manual lock to ensure no one opened the overhead garage door. We slept on our basement floor because the interior main floor temps reached a sweltering 89 degrees and it was too much for our Golden Retriever as well as ourselves.
Thankfully we had running water and took very short lukewarm showers to preserve the hot water in the tank. A family member suggested we soak our dog with a hose to cool him off. It's a consideration, but Golden Retrievers and other breeds are susceptible to hot spots. Not worth the health risk. Instead, I followed our dog from spot to spot and kept the two small fans pointed in his direction. It was the only way he could stay cool enough to take a nap. We spent time in our basement to escape the much higher temps on the main and upper floors.
Thankfully we had portable fuel containers stored in our garage and we used $65 of fuel in two days via three gas runs. It isn't exactly cheap, but it's less expensive than the consequences and we were grateful to have any power at all. We joked about glamping, but we know there are many people who do not have air conditioning and we are fortunate for all of the days we do have AC. Our portable gas generator got us through the derecho outage for what we hope will be the last time until we can purchase a whole home standby generator.
To date, we have been fortunate not to have lost power for an extended time while wintering in our southern home. However, the latest derecho storm made us realize how much we rely on electrical power, whether at home and especially while away. We recognize what a disaster it would be if we were not able to stay with our property during an extended winter power outage. We are not willing to take more chances and will be researching the various options for a back-up generator. We still have plenty of time to hire it professionally installed prior to the next snowbird season.
Now, during the off-season is the time to do your research on whether a whole home standby generator makes sense for your personal situation. Hopefully, you'll never or rarely need to use it. The peace of mind as well as major benefits are appealing to snowbirds who need to protect their home from damage while away for the winter season. If you are unwilling to pay for the system up front, many prominent manufacturers offer payment plans. Investing in your systems is a wise choice for not just you, but your home team who will have far less to deal with in the event of an extended power outage.
-- Brian Logue
BE THE SNOWBIRD WHO IS WELCOME BACK How to Be Irresistible to Your Hosts Snowbirds who rent their winter residences are plentiful and there is typically not a shortage of guests who want to stay in a great property, which means it is important to …
Map of The Emerald Coast, Southern Alabama and Northwest Florida LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Peak vs. Off Peak Affects the Cost of Housing As snowbirds return home to begin the off-season, much reflection goes into what can be done differently for the next season. Life changes …
Travel and snowbirds are synonymous. Snowbirds by definition seasonally migrate to a warm climate and for many that means selecting a place to stay with very basic information such as online photos, reviews and a description of the property. From personal experience, before ever selecting our snowbird community in Northwest Florida, I looked at hundreds of properties online via specialized travel sites. The photos that got my attention were taken by professionals, had great lighting and flattering angles.
I consider myself to be rather astute evaluating a property from afar, whether hotel or other type of rental; however, every once in awhile there are blunders. My sister and I spent time in Saugatuck Michigan and selected a specific, beautifully decorated ground floor suite of an expensive boutique hotel based on photos, reviews and web site. Prior to arrival we envisioned ourselves walking from the porch of our suite across the expanse of lawn and reading books while seated next to the lovely lake. Wrong. Upon checking in, we discovered the enclosed porch does not have an exterior door, a road separates the lake from the hotel and the expanse of lawn is actually not part of the hotel's property. Worse, a new residence was under construction directly across the street from our hotel. Not only was it noisy, the new home completely blocked 50% of our view of the lake. We loved the hotel and had a great weekend regardless, but finding out about a blocked view from online photos that had not been updated was not fun.
I've compiled 11 categories below to assist with selecting a rental, whether during snowbird season or the off season. As always, careful research can result in the best success.
Once you've narrowed down your top options, look at an online map and compare the distance of the property address with the online photos. Look at both 360 degree street view and the overhead bird's view. Is it physically impossible to see a great view from inside the unit, such as the water or mountains? Many times a rental listing will show supporting photos that are not actually views from the rental unit itself, but are from around the resort property or neighborhood. Just about every listing for a rental near a beach will show an image of the beach, yet the view shown in the photo isn't necessarily what you will actually see from your kitchen, living room or balcony. Same for mountains, rolling hills or even the community pool.
Of course every rental owner wants to show their listing in the most flattering manner, which usually includes professional photos that have been lightly retouched for brightness and color. Now compare those photos with actual photos guests have posted online, if available. If the decor and images tell the same story, it's a good sign. Remember, guest photos may not reflect the most current version of the property and the reverse may also be the case: the rental photos may not be current. Guest photos are likely taken with clutter in them or poor angles and/or lighting, which is to be expected. Guests typically want to share their enthusiasm for a place, but don't forget motive. If a guest is unhappy, they may unfairly post photos and reviews that show the worst or exaggerated attributes of a property.
Online reviews, when available, can reveal details that may not be obvious from the photos. Typically this might include clarification that a view is partially obstructed, that the water is much further away than it appears, that the unit's space is much smaller than it looks or that there is a road in-between the property and the beach. Most owners do not intentionally mislead their guests or do not realize that guests who have never been to the area don't have the personal experience of having seen the neighborhood in person. If there is a valid suggestion that can privately be sent to the owner to improve their listing, that is always appreciated. As mentioned before, remember the motive for reviews. If a review seems unfair or one-sided it may be because of an unhappy guest who does not have the best intentions.
Drone photos showing the bird's eye view are great for getting an overview of an area, particularly in relationship to a particular feature, such as a body of water. Be realistic of where the property you are considering actually is and what obstacles will be in the way of your rental compared to the feature shown in the photo. You are not going to be in a drone looking at the view, so don't confuse the purpose of the drone photos.
I know first-hand of guests who rented a private home with fenced private pool directly facing the gulf and beach with just a road in-between. What isn't obvious is that because of the fence, to get from the home's pool to the beach, it's necessary to walk a block West down the street to exit the housing addition, walk over and cross the main road and then walk back East another block to get to the neighborhood's beach access point. Because of the fence, it isn't as quick or simple as merely walking across the street.
Many times photos are stretched on purpose or inadvertently which causes the space to look much larger than it is. Be aware of stretched photos that may have unnatural proportions of the items that you can see are wider than taller, such as appliances. Misconceptions about the size of a space are likely to cause the most distress upon actually renting a place only to find it's smaller than they realized.
Photo angles are a legitimate method of showing the expanse of a space, but recognize that angles also can make an object appear much larger than it actually is. This is especially apparent with angles used to show features such as a yard, swimming pool or interior rooms of a home or condo. Low angles or cameras mounted on the ceiling looking downwards can make a room or feature seem much larger than it is. When you are actually in a space, you will not have the same "fly on the wall" or "worm's" view which means the space will not look as large as it does in the photos.
It's frustrating to see listings promoting rentals that don't accurately portray the property. As an example, I commonly see photos of "gulf view" properties that actually have a side view of the water from way back in a condo complex. An unsuspecting guest may not realize the view from the interior of the unit is going to be of the homes adjacent to the unit, not the water. The only way to see the gulf is by stepping onto the balcony and looking into the distance. Technically, it is a gulf view, but there is a huge difference in what that gulf view is compared to a unit where you can directly see the gulf from the interior rooms and the balcony. Ground floor units that promote themselves as "gulf view," present a different challenge. Be aware of what that gulf view might actually be. For anyone not familiar with ground floor units, your actual view may be a sliver of the gulf due to natural topography where the ground floor unit is lower than the dunes next to the gulf and it results in limited views. If you aren't sure of what view you are getting, ask for photos that are not "zoomed in."
Visual cues provide a wealth of information. Look for hints in the listing photos that show the balcony railing in the foreground and other details such as the pool, road and beach in the background. High rise photos typically show great views looking across the water and/or other natural features. However, the view looking down from say, the 11th floor, may be terrifying for you, your pet or guests. I have friends who stayed on upper floors of high rises just one time. It was too much and they returned to the same complex only in a lower location. Visual cues can indicate the distance from your potential rental unit to get to the nearest parking lot, pool, attraction such as golf course or body of water. There are many great rentals in buildings that are second or third row to the beach, just make sure you are aware of it from studying the photos.
I've seen plenty of online photos of beautifully staged rentals with props that are not likely included in the rental. This may be items such as dishware or glassware, food, beverages, napkins, accessories, beach equipment and much more. If a staged photo shows these excluded items, it should specifically say on the photo "Food and beverages are not included" to make the potential guest realize the photo is for illustrative purposes. I have also seen rental photos with items such as laundry soap, beach towels or high end barware and the description does clarify that the soap, barware and beach towels are indeed part of the rental. To be sure, read the fine print or ask the owner or property manager.
As is commonly known in psychology, don't be distracted by dazzling photos, pay attention to what is not being said or shown. Prime photos, also known as "Hero" shots might show an amazing view looking in one specific direction. However, what is to the left or the right that is not shown in the photo? Telephone poles? A privacy fence, dumpsters or other obstruction?
Does the rental have a dishwasher or washer and dryer? Photos of appliances such as an in-unit washer and dryer may or may not be shown online for various reasons, so you should clarify what is available. If in-unit washers are lacking and there's no visual cue from a listing photo, it can easily be missed prior to arriving and realizing coin-op laundry facilities are located in a common area. Similarly, distance to parking, dumpsters, elevators, stairways and much more may not be photographed. Always ask for clarification.
Don't assume every room has a nice or any view. The bedroom window in our condo looks at a covered walkway and swaying palm trees. The bedroom of the unit directly next door looks at a covered walkway and a dark stairwell. I cannot say it enough, "Pay attention to what is not being said or shown." It's ok to ask for photos showing each view or all perspectives of the rental so there's no surprises.
It is expensive to hire a professional photographer, but current photos that accurately portray a property are invaluable for potential guests as well as owners. Professional photos are designed to dazzle you, however, don't overlook the gems that may be bypassed due to poor quality photos. Over time, furniture, appliances, rugs, lighting and decorations change. If you aren't sure of how recent the photos are, don't hesitate to ask.
Overall, take your time to carefully study the promotional photos, reviews and then make an informed decision. If necessary, try out different places until you find the one you want to return to over and over again.
-- Bruno Barbey, French Photographer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.