The First 30 Days in Your New Home: A Priority Checklist

The boxes are (mostly) unpacked, the utilities are on, and the new house keys are hanging by the door. But the first month of homeownership involves more than settling in — there are important tasks to complete that will protect your investment and your family's safety.

Change the locks immediately. You have no way of knowing who has copies of your keys from previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, or neighbors. This is a small expense that significantly increases your peace of mind. While you're at it, test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, replace any with weak batteries, and add detectors to any areas that need them.

Locate your main water shut-off valve and make sure all adults in the household know where it is. In a plumbing emergency, knowing where to run can prevent thousands of dollars of water damage. Similarly, find your electrical panel and label the breakers if they're not already labeled. Know where your gas shut-off is if your home uses gas.

Schedule any routine maintenance or repairs that were identified in the inspection but didn't hold up closing. Create a home maintenance calendar to track seasonal tasks — HVAC filter changes, gutter cleaning, exterior caulking checks, and water heater flushes. Consistent preventive maintenance extends the life of every system in your home and prevents minor issues from becoming expensive emergencies.