The Ultimate New Homeowner Checklist: 15 Things to Do Immediately
Congratulations on your new home! The keys are in your hand, but the journey is just beginning. To help you get organized and start off on the right foot, here is the ultimate checklist of 15 things every new homeowner should do right away.
Section 1: Security and Safety (The First 24 Hours)
- Change the Locks: You have no idea who the previous owners gave a key to. Rekeying all exterior locks should be your absolute first priority.
- Test Smoke and CO Detectors: Ensure every smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the house has fresh batteries and is functioning correctly.
- Locate Water and Gas Shutoff Valves: In an emergency, knowing how to quickly shut off the main water and gas lines can save you from catastrophic damage.
Section 2: Getting Settled (The First Week)
- Set Up Your Utilities: Make sure the electricity, gas, water, and trash services are officially transferred to your name to avoid any interruption in service.
- Forward Your Mail: Officially change your address with the post office and update your address with banks, credit cards, and subscriptions.
- Deep Clean Before Unpacking: Clean the house from top to bottom while it’s still empty.
- Meet Your Neighbors: Introduce yourself to your new neighbors. They can be a great resource.
Section 3: Getting Organized (The First Month)
- Review Your Closing Documents: Read through your closing disclosure, deed, and other title documents.
- Secure Your Important Documents: Create a single, secure place for all your critical home documents, like the deed, insurance policies, and mortgage statements.
- Create a Home Inventory: Begin the process of creating a detailed inventory of your belongings for insurance purposes.
- Set Up a Home Maintenance Schedule: Use a digital tool or calendar to set reminders for recurring tasks.
- Understand Your Property Taxes: Find out when your property taxes are due and how they are paid.
- Review Your Homeowner’s Insurance: Read your policy carefully to understand what is covered.
- Assemble a Home Emergency Kit: Prepare a kit with essentials like a first-aid kit, flashlights, and water.
- Save for a Home Repair Fund: Start setting aside money in a dedicated savings account for when things inevitably break.
How DomiDocs Makes it Easy
As a new homeowner, getting organized is your biggest challenge. DomiDocs is the perfect digital command center to tackle this checklist.
You can use DomiDocs to secure your important documents (#9) in our bank-level secure vault. Our platform has a purpose-built tool to help you create a home inventory (#10) easily from your phone. You can also set up a home maintenance schedule (#11) with our automated reminders. By starting with DomiDocs from day one, you build a strong foundation for a secure and organized life as a homeowner.
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See how DomiDocs and HomeLock™ can protect your home in this Press Release! This layered approach protects both your legal ownership and your financial identity. For more information, read our article on how HomeLock™ can protect you from Title and Deed Fraud.