"The Snowbird Checklist"
5 Steps Before you Fly South

Preparing a home for a Northern Ontario winter while you are away requires more than just locking the door. The extreme cold in Sudbury (often dipping below -30°C) presents specific risks to your plumbing and insurance validity.

Here are 5 critical things to do to prepare your Sudbury home for a winter absence:

1. 📄 The "Insurance Trap" (Don't Get Caught!)

Most Ontario home insurance policies have a strict rule: if you are away for more than 4 days (and sometimes just 24 hours!), your water damage coverage could be void. The Fix: Assign a trusted friend or family member to enter the home and check the heating system daily or every 48 hours to keep your policy valid. ✅

2. 💧 Stop the Water, Stop the Worry

The only 100% guarantee against a burst pipe flood? Turn the water off at the source! The Fix: Locate your main water shut-off valve in the basement and turn it off.

🛑 Then, open the highest and lowest taps in the house to drain the lines, and give the toilets a final flush to empty the tanks. 🚽

3. 🌡️ The Magic Number: 16°C

While you want to save on hydro, a Sudbury cold snap is no joke. If the house is too cold, pipes inside exterior walls can freeze. The Fix: Keep the thermostat set to at least 15°C - 16°C. PRO TIP: Open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warm air circulate around those hidden pipes! ❄️➡️🔥

4. 🚜 Don't Let Snow Blow Your Cover

Nothing says "I'm on vacation" like a driveway buried in 2 feet of fresh snow. It makes your home a target. The Fix: Arrange for professional snow removal or a reliable neighbor to keep the driveway clear. This keeps thieves away and ensures your "house checker" can actually get in the front door safely! 🕵️‍♂️🚫

5. 🔌 Unplug the "Vampires" & Set the Scene

Sudbury winter storms can bring power surges that fry sensitive electronics. The Fix: Unplug "vampire appliances" like toasters, coffee makers, and TVs to protect them and save energy. Then, grab a cheap mechanical timer for a living room lamp so the lights go on and off at night—making it look like you're still home. 💡⚡

"Whether you’re heading to the Caribbean or just hibernating here in town, I hope you have a fantastic (and warm) month. If you have any questions about winterizing your property—or if you're thinking of making a move this spring—just hit reply. I'm always here to help."

REGGIE, HOLLY, SKYLER, AMANDA

MY FAVOURITE ARTICLES THIS MONTH

1. Sudbury's housing crisis

2. Northern Ontario homesteader

3. North Bay woman won’t drink the tap water

4. Affordable apartment complex in North Bay

5. Sudbury council approves 3.9 % tax increase

6. Landlords give mixed reviews to new Airbnb rules

7. Doug Ford made it legal to create bird 'death traps'

8. Sudbury social services say gov’t plans for housing fall short

9. Ontario mobile homeowners struggling to sell properties

MARKET UPDATE

Click the links below to read all about the market conditions straight from the Sudbury Real Estate Board.

Click Image

To enjoy some great views of Greater Sudbury

COMMUNITY CORNER

Social Media Campaign

Hey everyone!

We are inviting you to join us on our social media channels so you never miss a beat. We kicked off our brand-new video series in December 2025, and we’re going full throttle into 2026!

What to expect: We’re dropping 3 new videos every week designed to be both educational and entertaining. It’s the best way to stay smart about real estate while having a little fun.

👉 Please hit that subscribe button, like, and comment—it helps us reach more people and we love hearing from you!

Thank you for your incredible support as we start this new year. If you have friends or family looking to buy or sell in 2026, send them our way. We’d be honored to guide them through the process.

Cheers, Reg

PS: Click the links below to subscribe!

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT MONTH!

Follow Us

Copyright © {{right_now.year}}  {{location.name}}, All rights reserved.

Our e-mail address is:
{{location.email}}

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can unsubscribe from this list.