30 Things to Do After Getting the Keys to Your First Home

First 15 minutes: screen for urgent hazards

Before unpacking or changing anything, pause for conditions that can injure someone or turn a small problem into a major loss. Leave the affected area for a gas odor, an active fire or carbon-monoxide alarm, sparking or heat at electrical equipment, water near energized equipment, or a sagging ceiling. Call 911, the utility, or the appropriate licensed professional as the situation requires; do not investigate the source yourself.

Day one: complete the life-safety checks

USFA says smoke alarms belong inside and outside sleeping areas and on every level and should be tested monthly. CPSC advises placing carbon-monoxide alarms on each level and outside sleeping areas; local requirements and the current product instructions control exact installation and testing. Leave hardwired installation or damaged wiring to a qualified electrician.

• Record each alarm's location, model, manufacture or replacement date when visible, and test result.
• Build a household communication and evacuation plan using Ready.gov's plan categories: alerts, shelter, evacuation, communication, and practice.
• Save fire, police, water utility, gas utility, insurer, property manager or HOA, and trusted trade contacts in one emergency card.

Day one: map the shutoffs and service points

Locate and photograph the owner-side main water shutoff, water meter, electrical service location from a dry and safe viewing position, HVAC filter access, and the exterior of the water heater. Do not operate an unidentified or utility-side valve, remove a panel cover, touch damaged equipment, or open combustion or internal HVAC compartments.

• Take one wide photo that shows how to reach each point and one close photo of the label or valve.
• Keep access clear and note any special key, lighting, or mobility issue.
• If a valve is stuck, corroded, wet near electricity, or not clearly intended for customer use, call the utility or a licensed plumber instead of forcing it.

First week: create a room-by-room condition record

Photograph ceilings, floors, exterior walls, under-sink cabinets, toilet bases, appliance connections that are plainly visible, and the water-heater exterior. From a safe distance, note stains, active drips, odors, damaged cords, visible discoloration around receptacles, and whether a condition is changing; do not touch electrical devices. This is a baseline, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for a licensed inspection.

First week: handle only routine, user-serviceable tasks

EPA WaterSense recommends regular leak checks. For an accessible, intended user-service HVAC filter, follow the current equipment and filter instructions for inspection and replacement, and verify the size, airflow direction, and filter rating before handling it. Arrange professional service for internal HVAC, combustion, refrigerant, electrical, complex plumbing, roof, or structural work.

The 30-task priority list

Use this ordered list as a tracking system, not as permission to perform repairs outside your scope.

• 1–5: screen urgent hazards; verify smoke alarms; verify CO alarms; make an emergency plan; save emergency contacts.
• 6–10: locate and label the owner water shutoff; locate the meter; visually locate the electrical service; locate the user HVAC filter; record the water-heater label.
• 11–15: photograph every room; scan ceilings; check below sinks; look around toilets and appliances; note exterior drainage from ground level.
• 16–20: review the inspection and seller documents; list warranties; record appliance model/serial numbers; create a receipt folder; record utility account details.
• 21–25: run a no-use water-meter observation if the meter is safely accessible; review the first water bill; inspect the HVAC filter; test alarm controls as instructed; clear safe access to shutoffs.
• 26–30: classify every finding as monitor, low-risk maintenance, or professional assessment; schedule overdue professional service; set monthly reminders; set seasonal reminders; review the record at day 30.

Day 30: close the loop

Compare new photos with the move-in baseline. Escalate any spreading stain, recurring moisture, unusual odor, repeated alarm, unexplained meter movement, or condition behind a finished surface. Keep dates, photos, manuals, receipts, and professional reports together; the record improves handoff quality but does not prove cause, code compliance, insurance coverage, or repair success.