Heading to Naples for the season should feel exciting, not overwhelming. If you live in Huntley, you know Illinois winters can be tough on a home, and the details of a long stay in Florida can add up fast. This checklist shows you exactly what to do and when, so you protect your Illinois property, set up life in Naples, and avoid costly oversights. Let’s dive in.
Your seasonal move timeline
3 months before departure
- Decide whether you will keep Illinois residency or establish Florida domicile. This affects taxes, voter registration, vehicle title and insurance.
- Call your home and auto insurance agents to discuss seasonal occupancy and vacancy rules.
- Schedule baseline maintenance: furnace service, chimney inspection, roof and gutter check.
- Compile vetted contacts for home-watch, snow removal, lawn care, plumber, and electrician.
4 to 6 weeks before departure
- Book winterization tasks: pipe insulation, sprinkler blow-out, water heater checks.
- Sign snow removal and ice-mitigation contracts for driveways and walkways.
- Choose a mail plan: USPS Hold Mail, Change of Address forwarding, or digital mail services. Set e-billing for utilities and HOA.
- If shipping a car, get written quotes and reserve a spot.
7 to 14 days before departure
- Finalize your home-watch agreement. Provide keys, alarm codes, and insurance info.
- Pack seasonal items and set up smart thermostats or remote access if available.
- Pay or schedule property taxes, HOA dues, and recurring bills.
1 to 3 days before departure
- Run final checks: shut off main water if winterizing, or confirm heat and water settings. Test backup sump pump and batteries.
- Unplug non-essential appliances, set fridge and freezer as needed, and secure doors and windows.
- Give emergency contacts to neighbors, close family, and your home-watch provider.
While you are away
- Request inspection logs with photos from your home-watch service.
- Keep digital access to bank and utility accounts to approve any invoices.
- Monitor weather in Illinois and Florida. Adjust contractors or travel plans for extreme cold or storms.
Key timing note: Many insurers consider a home vacant after 30 to 60 days. Clarify your policy language and inspection requirements with your carrier.
Winterize your Illinois home
A well-prepped home prevents freeze damage and surprise bills.
- Heating: Service the furnace or boiler and replace filters. Set the thermostat to no lower than 55 to 60 degrees if heat stays on.
- Water system: Either keep water on with heat maintained or shut off the main and drain lines. If you shut off water, drain the water heater, faucets, and toilets as your contractor recommends.
- Sump pump: Test the pump and confirm a battery backup or generator is ready. Replace batteries before you go.
- Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes in basements, attics, and exterior walls.
- Irrigation: Schedule a professional blow-out to clear sprinkler lines.
- Appliances: Turn off and empty icemakers. Disconnect water lines as needed.
- Exterior: Clean gutters, check for loose shingles, and trim branches that could fall under snow or ice load.
- Security: Use timers or smart lights and confirm all entry points are secure.
Set up reliable home-watch
A qualified home-watch provider is your eyes and ears while you are in Naples.
- Start with vetted providers. The National Home Watch Association is a helpful place to begin your search.
- Expect core services like interior and exterior checks, photo documentation, heat and water checks, sump and HVAC status, storm follow-ups, and emergency coordination.
- Verify insurance and bonding, references, a written inspection checklist, and reporting format with timestamps and photos.
- Define emergency authority in writing. Set a spending limit for urgent repairs without your prior approval.
- Prepare a homeowner packet: valve maps, alarm codes, contractor list, appliance manuals, and insurance policy details.
Snow removal and exterior care
Snow and ice management protects your property and makes it accessible for inspections.
- Put response times, salting policy, and scope of work in writing. Include walkways, driveways, and roof service if needed.
- Give access instructions and where to pile snow so it does not block drainage.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and confirm who is responsible for any damage.
Mail, billing, and digital access
Avoid missed bills and late fees with a simple system.
- Choose your USPS plan: request a Hold Mail service for short trips, set a Change of Address to forward to Naples, and consider Informed Delivery for scanned previews.
- Use a private mailbox or scanning service if you need packages accepted or mail opened and scanned.
- Switch utilities, mortgage, and HOA to e-billing with autopay. Add an emergency contact to utility accounts.
Insurance and liability must-knows
Seasonal occupancy affects coverage. Get clarity in writing before you leave.
- Vacancy clauses: Many policies restrict coverage if a home is vacant for 30 to 60 days. Ask your agent about seasonal occupancy endorsements and inspection requirements.
- Water and winter damage: Confirm whether burst pipes or water damage are excluded if the home is vacant.
- Vendors on site: Verify that your home-watch and snow contractor carry their own insurance.
- Personal property: If you move valuables between homes, ask about scheduled property riders.
- Florida policies: Expect separate hurricane or windstorm deductibles in Naples. Review coverage details with your Florida carrier.
- Auto insurance: If a vehicle will be primarily used or garaged in Florida, notify your insurer. Ask about storage or limited-use options for cars left in Illinois.
Residency, taxes, and registrations
If you are considering Florida domicile, plan the steps and timing before you move.
- Florida residency: Many snowbirds obtain a Florida driver’s license, register to vote, and may file a Declaration of Domicile. Confirm current requirements with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
- Homestead exemption: If Naples will be your primary residence, review eligibility and deadlines with the Collier County Property Appraiser.
- Illinois considerations: Illinois may still consider you a resident if you maintain strong ties. Consult a tax professional before changing domicile.
Moving your car to Florida
Choose the option that fits your timing, budget, and risk tolerance.
- Drive yourself: You control timing and can bring extra items. Weigh weather, lodging, and wear and tear.
- Ship your car: Open carriers cost less, enclosed carriers add protection. Door-to-door is convenient, terminal-to-terminal may be cheaper.
- Book early during peak snowbird season. Get multiple written quotes and read insurance limits closely.
- Vet carriers with the FMCSA Company Snapshot. You can also review companies on trusted consumer sites, and verify standing with the Better Business Bureau in your area.
Documents and contacts to prepare
- Insurance policy numbers and agent contacts for home and auto.
- Mortgage and HOA accounts with online access and autopay.
- Home-watch packet: emergency contacts, contractor list, valve and shutoff maps, alarm details, appliance manuals, spare keys.
- Vehicle title and registration documents if transporting a car.
- If pursuing Florida residency: documents for driver’s license, voter registration, and any Declaration of Domicile.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the conversation about vacancy clauses with your insurer.
- Leaving the thermostat too low or not testing the backup sump pump.
- Forgetting to drain or insulate vulnerable lines.
- Relying only on mail forwarding without e-billing or Informed Delivery.
- Not giving local emergency contacts to neighbors and service providers.
- Waiting too long to book car transport during peak season.
Ready for Naples, with a local partner
You deserve a smooth, stress-free seasonal move. With dual-state experience in Huntley and Southwest Florida, I help you plan the timeline, connect with vetted local pros, and coordinate the details so your Huntley home is protected and your Naples stay feels like vacation. If you are weighing residency questions, service options, or the right community for a second home, let’s talk through your plan.
Have questions or want a personalized checklist for your situation? Connect with Karen Czarny for concierge guidance tailored to your move.
FAQs
What temperature should I set my Huntley home while away in winter?
- Most contractors recommend keeping heat at 55 to 60 degrees to help prevent frozen pipes, paired with insulation and a working sump pump backup.
How do USPS options work for a seasonal move from Hunltey to Florida?
- Use Hold Mail for short trips, Change of Address to forward mail to Naples, and Informed Delivery for scanned previews so you can decide what needs attention.
When do I need a Florida driver’s license and vehicle registration as a snowbird in Naples?
- New Florida residents are expected to obtain a Florida license and register vehicles within timelines set by FLHSMV. Confirm current requirements before changing domicile.
What does a home-watch service do for a vacant Illinois home?
- A qualified provider performs interior and exterior checks, documents conditions with photos, monitors heat and water, checks sump and HVAC, and coordinates emergency repairs per your instructions.
Is open or enclosed auto transport better for an Illinois to Naples move?
- Open carriers are common and cost-effective. Enclosed carriers offer more protection at a higher price. Book early, compare written quotes, and confirm insurance coverage in the contract.
