The Migration of the Snowbird
It is estimated that about one million snowbirds spend time in Florida each year, making a tremendous positive financial impact on local economies. Shops, restaurants, service businesses, and doctors’ offices and pharmacies benefit greatly from the patronage of our snowbirds.
While tourists contribute to some of the same segments of the economy, snowbirds make additional contributions as many own real estate in our community associations. They pay property taxes and monthly or quarterly assessments all year round for services they only use a portion of the year. Our economy and, in many cases, our associations depend on seasonal residents and their participation in our communities.
We surely have been busy this summer trying to get things taken care of while the snowbirds were away. The weather wasn’t really in our favor this season, so some of the projects might have been delayed. Sorry about that! It’s hard to work in a downpour!
Now that you are back, consider the following tips for a worry-free return.
- Let your association know that you’re back and would like to be updated on any happenings that occurred while you were away.
- Don’t forget to forward your mail, set up autopay for your bills, suspend newspaper delivery up north, let your credit card companies know that you are back in Florida, transfer prescriptions, and contact your Florida doctors.
- Turn your water heater back to regular mode from “vacation” mode.
- Make sure that all smoke detectors are working and have fresh batteries.
- Run the water in all of your fixtures to empty the pipes.
- Replace the filter in your air conditioning unit.
- Replace the batteries in your smoke & CO2 detectors.
- Reach out to your church, clubs, and other social groups to let them know when you’re heading back.
- Check all doors and windows at your home/unit and amenities. Make sure all locks and access control points are operable.
- Contact your community’s management team. This helps the staff prepare for your return and prompts them to reconnect services to your unit that had been suspended.
- Check with management for upcoming association meeting dates and times. October through April is when most budget meetings, annual meetings, and elections typically occur. Make sure you know the correct assessment amount for 2019.
Welcome back to paradise and we wish you a fantastic season. Most of all thank you for being involved and participating in the governance of your association whether it is by serving on the board or a committee or simply attending monthly meetings.
