5 Things Every New Homeowner Should Do in Their First 30 Days

Getting the keys is exciting. After months of searching, paperwork, inspections, and decisions, the home is finally yours.

But before you start thinking about new furniture, paint colors, or your first big renovation, there are a few less exciting things worth taking care of first.

Here are five things I recommend every new homeowner prioritize during their first month.

1. Change the Locks & Secure the Home

One of the first things you should do after closing is change or rekey your exterior locks.

Even when the previous owners hand over every key they have, there’s no way of knowing how many copies may have been made over the years.

It’s also a good time to reset garage-door remotes and access codes, update smart locks or security systems, and make sure every exterior door and window locks properly.

It’s simple, relatively inexpensive, and gives you a clean slate from day one.

2. Learn Where Everything Is Before There’s an Emergency

You don’t want the first time you look for your main water shutoff to be while water is pouring onto the floor.

Take an hour and familiarize yourself with the basics of your home:

• Main water shutoff

• Electrical panel and breakers

• Gas shutoff, if applicable

• HVAC system and filters

• Water heater

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Irrigation controls

You don’t have to become an expert. You just want to know where things are and how to shut them off when necessary.

3. Create a Home Maintenance Schedule

When you’re renting, a maintenance problem usually means calling the landlord. As a homeowner, that responsibility is now yours.

The easiest way to stay ahead of it is to create a simple recurring maintenance schedule.

Changing HVAC filters, cleaning gutters, checking exterior drainage, servicing major systems, inspecting caulking and keeping an eye out for leaks aren’t glamorous—but preventative maintenance can help keep small issues from becoming expensive ones.

Your inspection report can also be a useful starting point. Revisit it after moving in and make a list of items that may need attention over the coming months and years.

4. Build a Separate Reserve for the House

Your mortgage payment isn’t the only cost of owning a home.

Eventually, something will need to be repaired or replaced. It could be an appliance next month or a larger system several years from now.

Instead of treating those expenses as complete surprises, start setting aside money specifically for the property.

Even if you don’t need it immediately, having a dedicated home reserve gives you more flexibility when something inevitably comes up.

5. Don’t Rush to Change Everything

This one is easy to overlook.

After buying a home, it’s tempting to immediately start replacing floors, buying furniture, landscaping, painting rooms and planning renovations.

Give the house some time.

Live in it. Notice how the sunlight moves throughout the day. See which rooms you actually use. Learn what bothers you and what doesn’t.

You may discover that something you were convinced needed to be changed isn’t nearly as important as you thought.

A home doesn’t need to be finished in the first 30 days—or even the first year.

Start With the Fundamentals

The first month of homeownership doesn’t need to be about transforming the property.

Get familiar with your home, take care of the basics, establish good habits, and then start making it your own.

The exciting projects will still be there.

Aamir Javed
Real Estate Advisor | Roseville, California
DRE #02204037
Buying • Selling • New Construction