Before your snowbird clients
depart for warmer climes, you’ll want to meet with them to review their investment portfolios and budgets and discuss tax issues. You can take that opportunity to give them a few housekeeping tips.

Snowbirds should take the following steps:

> Have their bills sent to them at their vacation home or arrange to have bill payments automatically debited from their bank accounts.

> Make sure they are getting money from all their pensions.

> Make sure home insurance coverage is in force while the house is vacant. Some policies require a house to be checked every few days while owners are away.

> Arrange for home security.

> Arrange to have the driveway and walk shovelled after a snowfall.

> Arrange to have a friend or neighbour check the home regularly to collect flyers and mail.

> Cancel newspaper delivery while they are away.

And make sure you have a phone number and e-mail address in order to keep in touch with them.