Introduction
The keys are in your hand. The papers are signed. After everything it took to get here, you're finally standing in your own home.
It's tempting to just breathe it in, start unpacking, and let the celebration carry the moment. And you should enjoy it. You've earned this.
But the first week of homeownership is also when a handful of practical steps need to happen, some of them on day one. A few of these are security matters that can't wait. Others are administrative tasks that are much easier to handle while they're fresh than after you've settled into the rhythm of daily life in the new place.
Here's what to do in your first week, roughly in the order it matters.
Day One: Security and Utilities
Change the Locks
This is the first thing to do when you take possession of a new home, before you unpack a single box. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the previous keys exist or who has them. The seller, their real estate agent, cleaning services, contractors, neighbors with spare keys, family members: any of them could still have a key that opens your home.
Rekeying the locks (having a locksmith adjust the lock cylinders so old keys no longer work) is typically $20 to $50 per lock and takes minutes per door. Replacing locks entirely costs more but gives you complete certainty. Either way, don't wait. This is the most basic security step in homeownership and it should happen day one.
While you're at it, check that all window locks work and that any sliding doors have secondary security bars or locks in place.
Locate and Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Find every smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in the home. Test each one by pressing the test button. Replace the batteries in all of them even if they pass the test, since you don't know how old the current batteries are. Most manufacturers recommend replacing detectors entirely every 10 years. If you don't know the age of the ones in the home, consider replacing them.
Make sure there is a working smoke detector on every level of the home, inside and outside sleeping areas, and a carbon monoxide detector on each level and near sleeping areas. If the home has a gas appliance or attached garage, a CO detector is not optional.
Find Your Main Water Shutoff
When a pipe bursts or a toilet overflows, you need to shut the water off immediately. If you don't know where the main shutoff is, minutes of searching while water spreads through your home is a costly mistake. Find it now, before anything happens. It's typically located near where the main water line enters the house, often in the basement, crawl space, utility room, or near the water heater. Make sure you can actually turn it (shutoffs that haven't been operated in years can be stiff) and know how.
Locate the Electrical Panel
Know where your electrical panel is and confirm that the circuit breakers are labeled. If they're not labeled, this is worth doing: plug something identifiable (a lamp) into an outlet, then flip breakers until it goes off. Label accordingly. Understanding your panel makes troubleshooting future electrical issues much easier.
Transfer or Set Up Utilities
If you haven't already arranged for utilities to be in your name, do this as soon as possible. Electricity, gas, water and sewer (if billed separately from property taxes), internet, and trash service may all require new accounts or account transfers. Some utilities transfer automatically; others require you to initiate service. Contact each one and confirm you have active accounts so there's no gap in service.
First Few Days: Administrative and Practical
Locate and Organize Important Home Documents
Create a home file, either physical or digital, where you store all the documents related to your home: your closing disclosure, deed, title insurance policies, inspection report, home warranty documents (if applicable), appliance manuals and warranties, HOA documents (if applicable), and records of any repairs done before or at closing. This file will be invaluable when you sell, when you need to make a warranty claim, or when you need to reference any aspect of the home's history.
Document the Home's Condition
Walk through the entire home with your phone and take photos and video of everything, every room, every system, every detail. Note the current condition of walls, floors, fixtures, appliances, and the exterior. This documentation establishes a baseline that can be useful for insurance claims, contractor disputes, and your own memory of what was original versus what you changed. Do this before you move furniture in if possible.
Introduce Yourself to Your Neighbors
This is one of the most underrated things new homeowners can do. Knock on the doors of the neighbors immediately adjacent to you and introduce yourself. These relationships matter more than they seem at first. A neighbor who knows you is more likely to notice and report something suspicious, to hold a package, to tell you when your lawn is starting to look neglected while you're traveling, or to give you useful history about the neighborhood and the house you just bought. In most neighborhoods, the early days are when introductions happen most naturally. Don't miss the window.
Check Your Mail and Update Your Address
Set up mail forwarding from your previous address if you haven't already, and begin updating your address with the institutions that matter most: your bank, employer, insurance companies, the IRS (Form 8822), your state's DMV, and any subscription services. The post office forward typically runs for 12 months, but relying on it indefinitely means some mail will inevitably not reach you. Update your records directly.
Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
Your homeowners insurance was set up before closing, but now that you're actually in the home, review the policy in detail. Confirm the coverage amounts are adequate for the replacement cost of the home (not the purchase price, which may be different). Understand what your deductible is and what the policy covers. If you have high-value personal property (jewelry, art, electronics), check whether those items are adequately covered or whether you need a rider. File the policy information in your home documents folder.
First Week: Get to Know Your Home's Systems
HVAC System
Learn how to operate your heating and cooling system. Find the thermostat settings and any zones if the home has multiple. Check when the air filter was last replaced and replace it if you're uncertain. Locate the furnace filter slot. Note the age of the system (visible on the equipment nameplate or in your inspection report) so you can plan for future maintenance.
Water Heater
Find the water heater and check the age (on the label). Know where the shutoff valve is and how the temperature is set. Most water heaters are set to 120°F, which balances safety (lower temperatures can promote bacterial growth; higher temperatures can cause scalding) and energy efficiency. Note whether it's gas or electric, which matters if you ever need to troubleshoot or replace it.
Appliances
Run each appliance to confirm it's working as expected. Locate and read any manuals that were left by the seller. Register your appliances with the manufacturer if you have the model numbers, which may be required to activate warranty coverage or receive recall notifications.
Exterior and Drainage
Walk the exterior perimeter and note anything that looks like it needs attention: gutters, downspouts, grading away from the foundation, exterior faucets, deck or patio condition. After a rain, check the basement or crawl space for any water intrusion. Understanding how water moves around and potentially into your home is one of the most important pieces of homeowner knowledge you can develop early.
First Week: Start Your Maintenance Reserve
Open a dedicated savings account for home maintenance and repairs if you haven't already. Start funding it from your first month of homeownership. The goal is to accumulate roughly 1% of the home's value annually as a maintenance reserve, which means setting aside approximately $300 to $500 per month for a $350,000 home.
This money won't all get spent this year, but when the water heater fails or the roof develops a leak, having the reserve means you handle it as a manageable expense rather than a financial emergency. Building this habit in week one establishes the right mindset for long-term homeownership from the start.
Final Thoughts
The first week of homeownership is a transition period between the intensity of buying and the settled routine of living. A few hours of practical attention during this window sets you up well for everything that follows.
Change the locks. Find the shutoffs. Set up your utilities. Meet your neighbors. Document your home's condition. And start your maintenance reserve. None of these take long, and all of them matter.
The home is yours now. Taking care of it starts immediately, and starting with these fundamentals means you're doing it right from day one.
Sources & Further Reading
For authoritative information on the topics covered in this article, consult these resources:
