You Got the Keys. Now What? The Complete Post-Purchase Checklist Nobody Gives You

So you closed on your home. Congratulations! You signed approximately 47,000 documents (okay, it just felt that way), handed over a check that made your stomach flip, and someone placed a set of keys in your hand. Maybe there was champagne. Maybe there were tears. Probably both.

And then you walked into your new home, looked around, and thought... now what?

Here's the thing nobody tells you: closing day isn't the finish line. It's actually the starting line for a whole new set of tasks that, if you handle them right in the first few weeks, will save you headaches, money, and stress for years to come. I've helped countless buyers navigate this transition, and I've seen what happens when people skip steps or put things off "until later." Later has a way of turning into never, and never has a way of turning into expensive problems.

In this post, I'm going to walk you through everything you need to do after you get those keys. I've organized this roughly by timeline because some things genuinely need to happen on day one, while others can wait a week or two. But fair warning: this is comprehensive. Grab a coffee, maybe a notebook, and let's get into it.

The First 24 Hours: The Non-Negotiables

Let's start with the stuff that really can't wait.

Change the locks. I know this sounds paranoid, but hear me out. You have no idea how many copies of those keys are floating around out there. The previous owners, their kids, their dog walker, their house cleaner, that neighbor who watered the plants, the contractor who did the bathroom remodel three years ago. I'm not saying any of these people are going to break into your home. I'm saying you have no way of knowing who has access, and for a couple hundred bucks, you can eliminate that uncertainty entirely. Call a locksmith or, if you're handy, buy new locks and swap them out yourself. If you have a smart lock, reset it completely and create new codes. Do this before you move a single piece of furniture inside.

Locate your main shutoffs. Before you unpack a single box, walk through the house and find three things: the main water shutoff valve, the electrical panel, and if you have gas, the gas shutoff. I cannot stress this enough. When a pipe bursts at 2 AM (and at some point in your homeownership journey, something will happen at 2 AM), you do not want to be fumbling around in the dark trying to figure out how to stop the flooding. Take photos of each one and their locations. Better yet, label them clearly if they aren't already.

Document the home's condition. Pull out your phone and take photos and videos of everything. Every room, every appliance, every wall, every floor. Open cabinets, check under sinks, look at the water heater. I know you just did a final walkthrough, but now the house is legally yours and you want a record of its condition on day one. This protects you if something breaks and you need to make an insurance claim. It also creates a baseline so you can track changes over time. Store these somewhere you won't lose them, like a dedicated cloud folder.

The First Week: Getting Your House in Order (Literally & Figuratively)

Once you've survived the first day or two, it's time to tackle the administrative stuff. I know, I know. You just want to unpack and figure out where your couch is going. But trust me, knocking these out while you still have that new-homeowner energy will pay off.

Set up or transfer your utilities. Hopefully you started this process before closing, but if not, now's the time. Electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash, internet, and whatever else applies to your situation. Pro tip: ask the utility companies if they offer any programs for new customers or if there are off-peak rate options you should know about. Some areas also have programs for low-income assistance or renewable energy options that are worth exploring.

Update your address everywhere. This is tedious but necessary. Start with the essentials: your driver's license, car registration, voter registration, bank accounts, credit cards, employer, and the IRS. Then move on to subscriptions, online shopping accounts, insurance policies, doctors' offices, and anywhere else that sends you mail. Set up mail forwarding with USPS as a safety net, but don't rely on it forever since it only lasts 12 months. I keep a running list on my phone and add to it every time I realize I forgot something.

Review and update your homeowner's insurance. You needed proof of insurance to close, but now's the time to actually read your policy and make sure it covers what you need. Does it include replacement cost or actual cash value for your belongings? What's your deductible? Are there exclusions you should know about? If you've purchased in an area prone to floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, you likely need separate policies for those since standard homeowner's insurance typically doesn't cover them. Call your agent and have an actual conversation. This is not the time to just assume everything is fine.

Start a home binder or digital folder. I'm serious about this one. Create a central repository for everything related to your home. This should include your closing documents, title insurance policy, homeowner's insurance policy, mortgage information, warranties for appliances, manuals for your HVAC system and other equipment, receipts for any work you have done, and a log of regular maintenance. You can go old school with a physical binder or create a structured folder in Google Drive or Dropbox. The format doesn't matter. What matters is that when you need to find your water heater warranty four years from now, you can actually find it.

The First Month: The Big Administrative Tasks

Okay, here's where we get into some of the meatier items that can have real financial implications if you skip them.

File for your homestead exemption. This is huge, and I'm shocked by how many new homeowners don't know about it or forget to do it. A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your primary residence, which means you pay less in property taxes. The rules vary significantly by state and sometimes by county, so you'll need to look up what applies in your area.

In California, for example, the homeowner's exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000, which translates to roughly $70 in annual tax savings. That's not life-changing, but it's also free money you're leaving on the table if you don't file. In states like Texas or Florida, the exemptions can be much more substantial and can include protections from certain creditors.

The filing process usually involves submitting a form to your county assessor's office along with proof that the property is your primary residence. Many counties now let you do this online. The deadline varies, but in most places, you need to file by a certain date to receive the exemption for that tax year. If you miss it, you're waiting until next year. Don't wait. Do this now.

Understand your property tax situation. Your mortgage lender probably set up an escrow account to pay your property taxes, but you should still understand what's happening. When is your property reassessed? Are you in any special tax districts that add to your bill? If you're in California, get familiar with Prop 13 and how it affects your tax basis. If you paid a significant premium over the previous owner's purchase price, your first reassessed tax bill might be notably higher than what the previous owner was paying. Better to know now than to be surprised later.

Set up your mortgage for success. If you haven't already, set up autopay for your mortgage. Most lenders offer a small interest rate reduction (usually 0.25%) for enrolling in autopay. Also, figure out how to access your account online so you can see your balance, payment history, and escrow information. Some people like to make biweekly payments instead of monthly, which results in one extra payment per year and can knock years off your loan. If that interests you, confirm with your lender that extra payments will be applied to principal and that there are no prepayment penalties.

Register your appliances and systems. Dig out those manuals for your HVAC, water heater, dishwasher, and any other major appliances. Register them with the manufacturers. This ensures you'll be notified of recalls and makes warranty claims easier down the road. While you're at it, note the age and model numbers of each major system. This will be useful for planning future replacements and for providing information to repair technicians.

The First Few Months: Building Good Habits

At this point, the urgent stuff is handled. Now it's about setting yourself up for long-term success as a homeowner.

Create a maintenance calendar. Homes require regular upkeep, and the best way to stay on top of it is to schedule it. Here's a starting point for your calendar:

• Monthly: Check HVAC filters and replace if needed. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Run water in unused drains to prevent traps from drying out.

• Quarterly: Check for water leaks under sinks and around toilets. Clean garbage disposal. Inspect caulking around tubs and showers.

• Twice a year: Service your HVAC system (spring and fall). Clean gutters. Check weather stripping around doors and windows. Test garage door safety features.

• Annually: Flush water heater. Inspect roof for damaged shingles. Check the exterior for cracks or damage. Have chimney inspected if you have a fireplace. Check attic for pests or moisture issues.

Put these in your phone calendar with reminders. Future you will be grateful.

Build your emergency fund. If you depleted your savings for the down payment and closing costs (which is totally normal), start rebuilding immediately. The general rule of thumb is to have 1-3% of your home's value set aside annually for maintenance and repairs. So if you bought a $600,000 home, you should be budgeting $6,000-$18,000 per year for upkeep. That sounds like a lot, and in any given year you might not spend it, but when you need a new roof or your HVAC dies, you'll be glad you have the funds available.

Meet your neighbors. I know this isn't on most checklists, but it matters. Knock on a few doors, introduce yourself, and start building those relationships. Your neighbors can be your first line of defense when something seems off at your house, they can receive packages when you're not home, they can tell you which plumber they trust and which one to avoid, and they can become genuine friends. A good relationship with your neighbors makes you feel more connected to your community and makes your daily life more pleasant.

Get spare keys made. Make several copies of your new locks and give them to people you trust. Hide one somewhere secure outside your home (not under the doormat, please). The first time you lock yourself out, you'll be grateful you did this.

The Often Overlooked Stuff

Here are a few things that tend to fall through the cracks but are worth addressing:

Update your estate planning documents. If you have a will or trust, your new home should probably be included. Talk to your estate planning attorney about whether you need to update anything. If you don't have estate planning documents, this is a good reminder to get them in place, especially now that you have a significant asset.

Consider a home warranty. Home warranties are different from homeowner's insurance. They cover repairs and replacements of major systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear. Opinions vary on whether they're worth it. If you bought an older home with aging systems, a warranty might provide peace of mind. If everything is new, you might be paying for coverage you won't use. Think about your risk tolerance and the age of your home's major components.

Check for rebates and credits. Many utility companies offer rebates for energy-efficient upgrades like smart thermostats, new appliances, or insulation improvements. Some local governments offer credits for water-saving landscaping or solar panel installation. If you're planning any upgrades, research what's available before you buy.

Think about security. Beyond changing the locks, consider what else would make you feel secure in your home. This might mean a video doorbell, motion-sensor lights, a security system, or simply trimming bushes that block sightlines to windows. You don't need to turn your home into a fortress, but basic security measures are worth considering, especially if you're in a new-to-you neighborhood.

A Word on Timing and Priorities

Look, I just threw a lot at you. If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a breath. Not everything has to happen at once. The key is to prioritize based on urgency and impact.

The first-day stuff (locks, shutoffs, documentation) is genuinely urgent. The first-week stuff (utilities, address changes, insurance review) is important but has a little more flexibility. The first-month stuff (homestead exemption, understanding taxes, setting up your mortgage) has real financial implications and shouldn't be put off indefinitely. The ongoing stuff (maintenance calendar, emergency fund, neighbor relationships) is about building habits that will serve you for years.

I recommend blocking off an hour or two each weekend for the first month to work through this list. Make it a ritual. Put on some music, make a cup of coffee, and chip away at the administrative tasks. By the end of that first month, you'll have a home that's truly set up for success.

The Bottom Line

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. But the work doesn't stop at closing. The steps you take in those first few weeks and months lay the foundation for a positive homeownership experience. File your exemptions. Protect your investment. Build your reserves. Know your systems. And don't forget to actually enjoy your new home while you're at it.

If you have questions about any of this or need recommendations for local service providers, reach out. That's what I'm here for, not just to help you find and buy a home, but to help you thrive in it once you're there.

Welcome home. :)