The New Homeowner Checklist & First-Year Plan
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The phased plan: day 1 · 30 days · 90 days · 365 days
Day 1 — control and safety
Rekey or replace every exterior lock, reset garage and smart-home credentials, then locate, photograph and label the water, gas and electrical shut-offs. Test every smoke and CO alarm and replace units past the manufacturer expiry printed on the back.
First 30 days — paperwork, insurance, reserves
Update your address with USPS and each account directly, confirm homeowners insurance is active with auto-pay, store the deed, title, survey and closing disclosure as PDFs, and open a separate account for home reserves. Check your county assessor for any homestead exemption and its local deadline.
First 90 days — systems baseline
Check service history and manufacturer instructions for the HVAC and water heater, record model and installation details, and arrange service as needed. Photograph the roof line and gutters from the ground. Ask a qualified professional about unknown condition or maintenance history.
Through 365 days — cadence and forecast
Run the month-by-month maintenance cadence, re-quote insurance against one alternative carrier, log every appliance model and contractor, and combine system ages, condition, service history, and local quotes into a replacement plan for year two.
Sources & methodology — how to use this plan
HomeScore editorial framework, reviewed September 22, 2026. The order below is a planning aid, not a survey or a prediction of failures. Manufacturer instructions, actual condition, inspection findings, and local professional advice take precedence. Cost guides provide planning ranges, not quotes. Record what you know and mark unknowns before deciding to replace equipment.
Continue in this guide
What needs attention now — and what can wait?
| What you find | Handle now | Can wait | Write down |
|---|---|---|---|
| An urgent inspection finding or active leak | Follow the inspection recommendation and arrange qualified assessment or repair. | Cosmetic upgrades in the affected area. | Finding, photos, quote, and next action. |
| Working equipment with an unknown history | Record the model and serial number; find the manual and service records. | Replacement based only on age or appearance. | Condition, service date, and manufacturer instructions. |
| Several repairs competing for your budget | Separate urgent repairs from routine maintenance; get local quotes for known work. | Optional purchases until the repair budget is clearer. | Quoted cost, urgency, and the reason for the priority. |
| A room you want to change immediately | Measure it and live with the layout while you settle in. | Furniture sets and cosmetic projects that depend on that layout. | Measurements, practical problems, and a spending limit. |
Your first year in the home
- Month 1: What to Check — Your first month is about documenting what you have and addressing anything urgent from the inspection.
- Month 3: What to Observe — Use the first months to record how the house performs in everyday use and changing weather.
- Month 6: What to Service — Review the service schedule against your equipment manuals, climate, and known maintenance history. Some tasks will be due sooner.
- Month 12: What to Budget — After a full year, you know your home's personality. Now build a forward-looking plan for the next 1–5 years.
First-year questions
What should a new homeowner do first?
Secure exterior access, locate shut-offs, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and review urgent inspection findings. Arrange professional help where needed. Follow utility and manufacturer instructions when checking equipment.
What can wait after moving into a new house?
Cosmetic projects, furniture sets, and replacement of working equipment can often wait while you learn the house. Urgent inspection findings, active leaks, and safety concerns need separate attention. Use condition, service history, and local quotes to decide the next step.
How much should I set aside for maintenance in year one?
Start with known repairs and local quotes, then add routine service and a reserve you can fund. Keep maintenance, replacements, and optional improvements separate. Generic planning ranges cannot predict your home's first-year bill; update the plan as you learn the condition and history of its systems.
What is the difference between a new homeowner checklist and a first-year plan?
The checklist covers one-time setup: access, paperwork, accounts, and system records. The first-year plan adds recurring maintenance, repair priorities, and a budget that changes with actual spending. Use both to turn a move-in list into a working home record.