You made it through closing. Now comes the part no one puts in the listing photos: taking control of the systems, security, records, and maintenance of your new home. Don’t assume the previous owner’s setup is the right one for you. A few strategic moves now can reduce risk, prevent future scrambling, and give you a much clearer picture of what you’re responsible for. Start with these 12 priorities.
1. CHANGE THE LOCKS
First priority: control access. You may receive a key at closing, but there’s no reliable way to know how many copies were made before you owned the home. Rather than guessing, reset the equation. Replace the locks or have the existing locks professionally re-keyed. If you’d like new hardware anyway, there are plenty of entry door lock sets available, many with matching deadbolts. If you’re comfortable tackling the project yourself, here’s information about installing a new front door handle. Otherwise, a locksmith can re-key the current hardware and provide the number of keys you need.
Plan for lockouts, too—but don’t make your backup plan obvious. Avoid spare keys in predictable places such as:
- Under the doormat
- Above the door
- Under a rock
- In the mailbox or planter
A professionally installed lockbox or another controlled-access solution is a smarter alternative. You can also eliminate the spare-key question altogether with an electronic lockset offering keypad entry, biometric capabilities, smart-home integration, or a live camera view. Better access control, fewer variables.
2. TEST & INSPECT SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Don’t assume a detector works because it’s attached to the ceiling. Test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector, determine its age, and check the manufacturer’s replacement recommendations. That applies whether the units are hardwired or battery-operated. You can review recommended detector placement here.
If replacement units are needed, compare features on available smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Forbes also offers this Smoke Detector Guide covering purchase and installation considerations.
3. FIND THE GAS AND WATER SHUTOFF VALVES
Emergencies reward preparation. Find the gas and water shutoff valves before you need them, make sure they’re accessible, and identify any tools required to operate them. If a wrench is necessary, keep the correct size readily available. Clearly identifying the lines with tags and simple instructions removes guesswork when time matters.
4. REVIEW THE CIRCUIT BREAKER PANEL
Find the electrical panel and determine what each breaker controls. Accurate descriptive labels turn a future electrical problem from a guessing game into a straightforward task. If the panel isn’t labeled—or the labels look like someone’s best guess from 1987—get it properly identified now.
5. RE-CODE THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER & KEYPAD
Access through the garage is still access to your home. Reset the opener remotes and exterior keypad codes so previous credentials no longer work. Find the owner’s manual for your system and follow its reset procedure. If you’d like an exterior keypad and don’t currently have one, one can be purchased here.
6. CHECK THE TEMPERATURE SETTING OF THE WATER HEATER
Learn what you’re working with. Review how your hot water heater operates, check its current temperature setting, and review guidance on how to set the water temperature appropriately for your household and equipment.
Next, look for maintenance records. If you can’t determine when the unit was last serviced, consider having a qualified professional familiar with your brand and model establish its current condition and maintenance needs.
7. COMPILE A HOME INVENTORY LIST
A home inventory is essentially evidence you prepare before you need evidence. Document your possessions so you’ll have a clear record if you ever need to file an insurance claim after a fire, hurricane, tornado, or other loss. An inventory list with photographs works, as does a narrated video or dedicated inventory app. The process can also help you evaluate whether your personal property coverage is adequate. While you’re organizing, consider creating a Homeowner Journal for warranties, improvements, and service records.
8. READ THE HOME INSPECTION REPORT
Your inspection report is still valuable after the transaction closes. In fact, now it becomes a maintenance planning tool. Revisit the report, identify recommendations that haven’t been addressed, prioritize them by urgency and cost, and turn the inspector’s findings into a practical action plan.
9. SCHEDULE A SERVICE CALL FOR THE HVAC SYSTEM
Start with the easy wins: set the thermostat and replace the filters. Then establish the condition of the HVAC system with a qualified contractor familiar with your specific equipment. Compare maintenance plans if they’re available, including what inspections and repair discounts they actually provide. Check warranty requirements before selecting a service provider, and remember that the system typically includes both indoor and outdoor equipment. Have both evaluated.
10. FILE ALL CLOSING DOCUMENTS
Your closing produced a small mountain of paperwork for a reason. Organize the property deed, deed of trust, promissory note, closing disclosure, purchase contract, seller disclosure, home warranty, inspection report, and relevant receipts in a secure location where you can actually find them. A safe deposit box or highly rated fireproof and waterproof container can protect paper records. Prefer digital? Compare these digital storage options and choose a secure system that you’ll consistently use.
11. COMPILE A LIST OF TRUSTED CONTRACTORS
Finding a contractor under pressure isn’t much of a strategy. Build your service-provider list before something breaks. Identify reputable plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, and other specialists, and keep their information where you can find it quickly. Ask neighbors for recommendations, research reviews and credentials, read “How to Choose the Best Contractor“, or ask me for reliable local service providers.
12. GET A HOME WARRANTY
Major systems and appliances can generate major repair bills, so evaluate whether a home warranty makes financial sense for you. A home warranty is a service contract that may cover repairs or replacement of specified home systems and appliances. The important word is “specified.” Compare coverage limits, exclusions, service fees, contract terms, and renewal costs rather than evaluating plans on price alone. You can learn more in this article, and I can help you compare your options and determine what fits your home.