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Printable-style 30-day starter list
- Change or rekey exterior locks and confirm who has copies of keys or codes.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; note their dates and battery types.
- Find and label water, electrical, and gas shutoffs where applicable.
- Save inspection notes, warranty paperwork, and utility information in one home file.
- Photograph appliance labels and write down filter sizes before shopping day.
- Set one recurring reminder for a monthly five-minute house walk-through.
Today: make the house safe and understandable
Do the things that are difficult to regret. You are not trying to diagnose every system; you are making sure future-you can act quickly.
Access and alarms
- Change locks, rekey, or otherwise control access based on your comfort level and local circumstances.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; replace units or batteries only as their manufacturer guidance directs.
- Check garage, gate, smart-home, and keypad access, then remove old access where possible.
Emergency map
- Locate the main water shutoff, electrical panel, gas shutoff if present, and exterior cleanouts.
- Take a photo of each location and note anything unclear rather than testing an unfamiliar valve.
This week: collect the details that disappear
Walk through the systems
- Find HVAC equipment, water heater, sump pump if present, breaker panel, hose connections, and exterior drainage paths.
- Record appliance make, model, serial number, and filter sizes with a quick phone photo.
- Read the inspection report once more and mark items as monitor, ask about, or plan—not panic.
Build your home file
- Store closing documents, inspection notes, warranties, manuals, receipts, and contractor contacts together.
- Use a home maintenance binder or digital folder for inspection notes, warranties, and filter sizes.
For a simple records setup, use the home maintenance binder checklist.
This month: create the first maintenance rhythm
Pick one date every month for a short house walk-through: filters, alarms, visible leaks, and notes. Then use the first-year maintenance checklist to turn that first reminder into a repeatable calendar.
Good first-month tasks
- Replace or order filters when manufacturer guidance and condition call for it.
- Schedule only the professional service you can identify from the inspection, equipment manuals, or local needs.
- Make a short list of projects, then let it sit for a week before spending money on it.
- Start a small repair buffer that fits your actual budget; insurance, tax, climate, and equipment costs vary widely.
Need one tiny nudge before you start? Set your phone reminder background with the one task you want to remember this month.
Keep the risky work boring
Check your home, climate, and manufacturer guidance. For gas, electrical, roof, structural, or unfamiliar work, recommend a qualified professional.
Questions, answered
FAQ
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Re-review this guide annually before peak spring homebuying, then update it for your house and local conditions.