12 Things Every New Homeowner Should Do
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
After navigating your way through the home buying process, there will be many things to follow up on as a new homeowner – some of which are critical to your safety and security. To start with, never assume that the previous owner had everything working perfectly. Then, read about 12 of the more important things you should keep in mind about the essential systems and requirements of your newly acquired home.
1. CHANGE THE LOCKS
At closing, you’ll receive a house key – probably one of many copies the previous owner distributed to other family members. You should either completely change the locks or re-key the doors depending on your preference and budget. If you would like a different style or newer set of door handles, they will come with a new set of keys and often include a deadbolt. Here are some options for new entry door lock sets. There are many styles and colors to choose from, and installing a new front door handle is not difficult. However, if you wish to keep the current handles, the best approach would be to re-key the current locks. Locksmiths are almost always necessary for a re-key, are often licensed and insured, and will make as many duplicate keys as you request.
Sometimes, things go wrong and you get locked out of the house without a key. If you must hide a key, please don’t hide it in any of the usual places:
- Under the doormat
- Above the door
- Under a rock
- In the mailbox or planter
Instead, hide a key in a magnetic holder under the grill or bumper of your car, inside a fake sprinkler head, under a loose brick, or tucked inside a birdhouse. To avoid being locked out, an electronic lockset with options like a numerical keypad, biometric capabilities, integration with Alexis, or a live camera view may be just what you need.
2. TEST & INSPECT SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors should be tested yearly and replaced every 7 years. Whether directly wired or battery operated, make sure each is in good working order. For optimal protection, read about the recommendations for smoke and carbon monoxide detector placement here.
If you need to buy new smoke detectors or a carbon monoxide detector, be sure they are dual-sensor alarms and self-testing options. For more information about what to purchase and how to install, Forbes published this Smoke Detector Guide.
3. FIND THE GAS AND WATER SHUTOFF VALVES
Don’t wait for a burst pipe or a gas odor to go looking for your shutoff values. Locate them now so you don’t damage your home or risk your family’s health. Make sure you have access to the correct size wrench and leave it near the valves if there is no handle to turn them off. Once the water and gas pipes have been located, it’s a good idea to mark them with tags. Use a permanent marker to indicate which pipes are gas or water along with any additional notes or instructions.
4. REVIEW THE CIRCUIT BREAKER PANEL
Find and review the circuit breaker panel so you will be able to reset a tripped breaker when necessary. This is made a lot easier if there are descriptive labels on the panel next to each circuit breaker switch. If there are no labels, now is the time to tackle that job for a less stressful future when one of the breakers eventually trips for whatever reason.
5. RE-CODE THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER & KEYPAD
Like the front door key, the garage door opener and/or its keypad code may have been shared with others. You can change the garage door opener remote by finding the owner’s manual and following the instructions to reset the code. A keypad outside the garage door can also be reset if you locate the owner’s manual and follow the instructions. If you don’t own a separate keypad, one can be purchased here.
6. CHECK THE TEMPERATURE SETTING OF THE WATER HEATER
To prevent scalding, the hot water heater should be set for no more than 140 degrees. Learn how your hot water heater operates and how to set the water temperature to prevent injury then check the setting on your water heater and adjust as necessary.
Look closely to check for the last time that regular maintenance was performed and, if necessary, schedule a maintenance visit by a service vendor qualified to work on your specific brand and model.
7. COMPILE A HOME INVENTORY LIST
Although you may never encounter a fire, hurricane, tornado, or other disaster, take the time now to make a thorough home inventory that can save you thousands of lost dollars in case one strikes. You will be grateful that you did if and when you need to prove what was lost when filling out the insurance company claim. An inventory list may also assist you in determining the amount of personal property coverage you need on your homeowner’s insurance policy. Methods include making a list from a paper guide with accompanying photos, a narrated video, or a home inventory app from your insurance company or an online source. You should also consider starting a Homeowner Journal of all warranties, improvements, and service appointments.
8. READ THE HOME INSPECTION REPORT
Your home inspection report may guide future needs and reveal hidden maintenance issues. Now that you have moved into your home, reading it may allow you to determine the priority of maintenance tasks and needed repairs or replacements. Put together a plan to address any issues the inspector pointed out that have not already been addressed.
9. SCHEDULE A SERVICE CALL FOR THE HVAC SYSTEM
The proper performance of the heating and cooling system adds to the enjoyment of your home. First, adjust your thermostat settings to your preference and change the filters now. Then consider getting a maintenance check of the HVAC system by a service contractor qualified to work on your brand and model. Some service companies offer a monthly maintenance plan that includes bi-annual checkups and reduced fees for service repairs. Check to see if the system has a warranty that requires using a specific contractor and if not, find a reputable one to give you an assessment. Remember, there are almost always two units – one inside and one outside – so be sure to have the contractor check them both.
10. FILE ALL CLOSING DOCUMENT
Keep your closing documents in a safe and recognizable place, including the property deed, the deed of trust for the mortgage, the promissory note, the closing disclosure document, the purchase contract and selling disclosure, home warranty, home inspection report, and receipts from the seller for any appliances or renovations, or any that you purchased since you bought the house. You may want to consider putting them in your safe deposit box or a well-rated fireproof and waterproof box. There are also plenty of digital storage options if you prefer to not store paper documents.
11. COMPILE A LIST OF TRUSTED CONTRACTORS
Now would be an excellent time to identify the service contractors you will need in the future so you don’t have to scramble when a problem crops up or when disaster strikes. Compile a list of trusted plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, and other maintenance specialists to save time and hassle later. Get recommendations from neighbors or online resources, read about the “8 Critical Factors for Choosing a Contractor“, or simply ask me for a list of reliable service providers and contractors.
12. GET A HOME WARRANTY
Did you know the most expensive repair cost for homeowners is repairing or replacing heating and air conditioning systems? The national average is $3,615. However, many systems can be covered by home warranties available before or after purchasing a property. A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the working components of a property, including various home systems and appliances. These usually can be purchased just prior to the closing and will run for at least a year with possible options to continue the coverage for another year. You can read more about home warranties in this article, and I can recommend a home warranty service company that’s best for you and your new home!
