The Ultimate New Homeowner Checklist: Your First 30 Days

February 15, 2026 · LifeStarter Team

Congratulations — you’re a homeowner! The excitement of getting those keys is unlike anything else. But once the champagne wears off, reality sets in: there’s a lot to do.

Don’t worry. We’ve helped thousands of new homeowners navigate their first month, and we’ve distilled everything into this comprehensive checklist. Bookmark it, print it, or grab our New Homeowner Starter Kit for printable templates and tracking tools.

Week 1: The Essentials

Day 1-2: Security & Safety

Change all exterior locks. You have no idea who has copies of the old keys — previous owners, their friends, old contractors, the neighbor who fed the cat. Budget $15-25 per lock for a DIY rekey kit, or $150-300 for a locksmith to do the whole house.
Test every smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm. Press the test button on each one. Replace batteries in all of them, regardless of age. If any detector is more than 10 years old, replace it entirely.
Locate your main water shutoff valve. This is critical. When a pipe bursts at 2 AM (and eventually, it will), you need to know exactly where this is. It’s usually in the basement, crawl space, or near the water heater. Turn it off and on once so you know it works.
Find your electrical panel. Label every breaker if they aren’t already. Flip each one to figure out what it controls. This is tedious but invaluable.
Locate your gas shutoff (if applicable). Know where it is and how to turn it off.

Day 3-5: Administrative Tasks

Set up mail forwarding with USPS. Do this online at usps.com — it takes 7-10 business days to kick in. Cost: $1.10 for identity verification.
Update your address everywhere. Driver’s license, voter registration, bank accounts, credit cards, insurance policies, employer, subscriptions, Amazon, doctors’ offices. Make a list and work through it systematically.
Transfer or set up utilities. Electric, gas, water, sewer, trash, internet, and any HOA accounts. Don’t assume the previous owner transferred everything — verify each one.
File your homestead exemption (if your state offers one). This can save you hundreds or thousands on property taxes. Deadlines vary by state, so check yours immediately.

Week 2: Know Your Home

Do a thorough walkthrough with fresh eyes. Now that the inspection stress is over, walk through every room. Open every cabinet, check every outlet, run every faucet. Take notes.
Photograph everything. Every room, every angle, every appliance with its serial number and model number. Store these photos in the cloud. This is invaluable for insurance claims.
Create a home inventory. List major items with estimated values. Your homeowner’s insurance requires this for claims, and you don’t want to do it from memory after a disaster. (Our Starter Kit includes a printable home inventory template.)
Find the furnace filter and check it. If it’s dirty, replace it. Set a reminder to check it monthly. This is the #1 most-neglected maintenance task, and it can shorten your HVAC system’s life by years.
Locate your water heater and note its age. Check the serial number plate — most manufacturers encode the date. Water heaters typically last 8-12 years. If yours is old, start budgeting for replacement.
Check the attic and crawl spaces. Look for signs of water damage, pests, or inadequate insulation.

Week 3: Financial Setup

Set up a home maintenance fund. The general rule: budget 1-2% of your home’s value per year for maintenance and repairs. A $300,000 home means $3,000-6,000 annually, or $250-500 per month. Start setting this aside now.
Review your homeowner’s insurance policy. Understand what’s covered and what isn’t. Flood damage, for example, is almost never covered by standard policies. If you’re in a flood-prone area, get separate flood insurance through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.
Check your home warranty. If you received one at closing (many sellers include them), read the fine print. Know the service call fee, what’s covered, and how to file a claim.
Organize all closing documents. You have a mountain of paperwork. File it somewhere safe and accessible. You’ll need these documents for taxes, insurance claims, and eventual resale.
Understand your property tax schedule. Know when payments are due and whether they’re escrowed into your mortgage or paid separately.

Week 4: Settle In & Plan Ahead

Meet your neighbors. Introduce yourself. Exchange phone numbers. Good neighbor relationships are your first line of defense for everything from package theft to emergencies.
Find your local hardware store. Not the big box store 20 minutes away — the local one where the staff actually knows things. You’ll be there a lot.
Build your vendor list. Ask neighbors for recommendations for a plumber, electrician, HVAC tech, and handyman. Having trusted contacts before an emergency is priceless.
Create a seasonal maintenance calendar. Your home needs different things in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Set it up now so nothing falls through the cracks. (The New Homeowner Starter Kit includes a complete 12-month maintenance calendar.)
Start a “house projects” list. You’ll notice things you want to fix or improve. Write them all down, prioritize, and resist the urge to do everything at once. Live in the house for at least 3-6 months before making major changes.

The One Thing Most People Skip

Here’s what separates homeowners who thrive from those who constantly feel behind: build systems, not to-do lists.

A to-do list gets you through the first month. A system — regular maintenance schedules, automatic savings transfers, organized documents — gets you through the next 30 years.

That’s exactly why we created the New Homeowner Starter Kit. It’s not just a checklist — it’s a complete system for your first year of homeownership, with templates, calendars, and budget tools you’ll use all year long.

Your home is the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Protect it from day one.

Want the complete printable version with tracking templates? Get the New Homeowner Starter Kit →

🌿 Don’t forget your outdoor space! Lush Lawns has everything you need for your first lawn, and GardeningByZone.com helps you figure out what to plant and when based on your zip code.

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