What to Do After Buying a House: The First 30 Days
What to Do After Buying a House: Your First 30 Days Checklist
Congratulations on your new home! The closing documents are signed, the keys are in your hand, and you're officially a homeowner. But the work doesn't end there. Knowing what to do after buying a house—especially in those critical first 30 days—sets the foundation for years of successful home ownership.
Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, the period immediately following your purchase is crucial. You'll want to settle in, understand your home's systems, and establish a documentation routine that will serve you well down the road. This guide walks you through the essential tasks you should tackle right away.
Secure Your Home and Change the Locks
Your first priority after buying a house is security. You don't know how many copies of the previous owner's keys exist, so changing the locks should be one of your first calls.
Contact a Locksmith or Hardware Store
You have two options: hire a professional locksmith or rekey the locks yourself. A locksmith typically costs $75–$200 per lock, but the peace of mind is worth it. If you're handy, many hardware stores sell rekeying kits for $10–$25 per lock. Either way, get this done within the first few days.
If your home has a smart lock system, change the access codes immediately and remove any previous user profiles.
Collect All Home Documentation
One of the most important things to do after buying a house is gathering all existing documentation. Ask the previous owner or their real estate agent for:
- Warranty information for appliances and systems
- Maintenance records and service agreements
- Manuals for HVAC systems, water heaters, and built-in appliances
- Home inspection reports
- Any permits for renovations or additions
- Receipts for recent repairs or upgrades
This documentation is gold. It tells you what's been maintained, what warranties are still active, and what to expect from your home's systems. Stop losing warranties by tracking appliance coverage in one place—organize everything you receive now so you can easily find it later.
Understand Your Home's Major Systems
Within your first week, locate and familiarize yourself with your home's critical infrastructure:
Electrical Panel
Find your electrical panel (usually in the basement, garage, or utility closet). Photograph or label each breaker to know which circuit controls which rooms. This knowledge is invaluable in an emergency.
Water Shut-Off Valve
Locate your main water shut-off valve. In an emergency—burst pipe, major leak—you need to know exactly where this is and how to use it. Test it to ensure it works.
HVAC System
Find your furnace, air conditioning unit, and thermostat. Note the model number and age if available. Understanding how long an HVAC system lasts helps you prepare for eventual replacement costs.
Gas Shut-Off (If Applicable)
If your home uses natural gas, locate the shut-off valve outside or at the meter. Know how to turn it off in case of a gas leak.
Schedule Home System Inspections
Your home inspection was done before closing, but it's worth scheduling follow-up inspections for critical systems in your first month:
HVAC System
Call an HVAC technician to do a full inspection and cleaning. This is an ideal time to set up a maintenance plan. Create an HVAC service record template to document all future service calls.
Roof and Gutters
If you can safely access your roof, inspect it for damaged shingles. Understanding why your roof's age matters will help you track its maintenance and plan for replacement.
Plumbing and Water Heater
Check your water heater's age and condition. Keep a water heater maintenance log from day one to track service history.
Appliances
Test all built-in appliances and note their age and condition. This helps you anticipate replacement timelines using a home appliance lifespan guide.
Update Homeowner's Insurance
Before closing, you'll have secured a homeowner's insurance policy. In your first 30 days, take these insurance-related steps:
Create a Home Inventory
Build a home inventory for insurance claims by photographing or videoing your possessions and noting their estimated values. This documentation is crucial if you ever need to file a claim.
Review Your Policy
Read through your insurance documents carefully. Understand your deductible, coverage limits, and any exclusions. Ask your agent about discounts you might qualify for.
Document Pre-Existing Damage
Photograph any existing damage or wear in your home. This creates a baseline should anything happen later.
Register Warranties and Create a Tracking System
Now that you've collected warranty information, register appliances and systems with their manufacturers. Many warranties only apply if you register within a certain timeframe.
Organize and Document Everything
Why you should track every home repair cost and how to do it is foundational knowledge for new homeowners. Whether you use spreadsheets, cloud storage, or a dedicated app, create a system now. Start tracking your home for free with HomePacket, which lets you document warranties, maintenance records, and home improvements in one centralized location.
How to Organize Home Warranty Documents
Store physical copies in a safe, accessible place—a filing cabinet, safe deposit box, or binder. Back up digital copies to cloud storage.
Complete Essential Utility Transfers
Make sure all utilities are properly transferred into your name:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water and sewer
- Internet and cable
- Trash and recycling
Verify that the previous owner's accounts have been closed and confirm the service start dates.
Address Any Home Inspection Red Flags
If your home inspection turned up issues, prioritize addressing them. Serious problems like structural issues, mold, or failing systems should be handled quickly. Less urgent items can be scheduled over time, but having a plan is essential.
Update Your Address Everywhere
Notify important institutions of your address change:
- Post office (file a change of address)
- Mortgage lender
- Insurance companies
- Tax assessor's office
- Voter registration
- Driver's license and vehicle registration
- Banks and credit card companies
- Subscriptions and memberships
Start Planning Your Maintenance Schedule
With your home systems identified and documented, create a month-by-month home maintenance schedule for the year ahead. This prevents you from missing critical tasks like furnace filter replacement.
Document What You've Done
As you complete these tasks, record them. Document:
- Who you contacted and when
- What inspections or services were performed
- Any recommendations from professionals
- Photos of major systems and components
- Receipts for any early repairs or upgrades
This documentation becomes invaluable when you eventually sell. How to prove you maintained your home to buyers relies on exactly this kind of record-keeping.
Why Documentation Matters Now
You might wonder why all this documentation matters when you've just bought the place. The truth is, establishing these habits immediately makes everything easier. When you eventually want to sell, you'll have proof of home maintenance history that increases your home's value and helps buyers feel confident in their purchase.
Even if you never sell, tracking everything helps you stay on top of maintenance, budget for future expenses, and avoid costly emergencies from neglected systems.
Take Action in Your First 30 Days
What to do after buying a house boils down to three core activities: securing your home, understanding its systems, and establishing documentation practices. The first 30 days set the tone for your entire homeownership experience.
Don't try to do everything at once. Spread these tasks across your first month, prioritizing security and critical system inspections first. Then move into documentation and long-term planning.
Start tracking your home for free with HomePacket so you have a centralized place to document everything—from the day you buy until the day you sell. Your future self (and your future buyers) will thank you.