First Home Insurance: How to Shop in 2026 (Step-by-Step)
The 7-step playbook for shopping homeowners insurance — coverage limits, deductibles, replacement cost, and every discount to ask for.
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 Fails First — By month 3, you'll discover the things the inspection couldn't catch — the intermittent issues and seasonal surprises.
- Month 6: What to Service — At 6 months, shift from reactive fixing to proactive maintenance. This is where smart homeownership starts.
- 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.
Related on HomeScore
- New Homeowner Checklist 2026: First Year, Step-by-Step
- First-Year Buyer Checklist: What to Do After Closing
- After Closing: First 72 Hours Checklist (2026)
- Utilities Setup Checklist for New Homeowners (2026)
- Home Maintenance Schedule by Month (2026 Calendar)
- Emergency Fund for Homeowners: How Much You Really Need