New Homeowner Checklist
Congratulations of your new home! Buying a new home is exciting. We understand how important your new home is to you and your family and we want to help you get to know your new home’s maintenance needs.
New Homeowner Checklist – What To Look For Inside
Deep clean your new home
- This will be easier to do now rather than later since your new home is empty. It’s also the perfect time to do minor cosmetic repairs and repaint.
Check your keys and shutoff valves
- One of the first things you should do when you get the keys to your new home is either replace all the locks or get the house re-keyed and have copies made to give to your family and trusted friends. After that, make sure you have a good understanding of where all the main shutoff valves are around the home, just in case of an emergency!
Inspect and learn about your HVAC system
- Start fresh by finding and replacing all of your air filters. Once you have them replaced, make sure to remember them at least twice a year to keep your HVAC system in good working condition!
Clean your air ducts
- Remove your vent registers and use a flashlight to check for dust and damage. If you’re worried about allergens or extensive buildup, call a professional like A-Abel to have your ducts cleaned and repaired.
Learn about and assess your windows
- Windows can have the largest affect on how your new home maintains temperature. Make sure you know how to properly open and close your new windows, as well as the dates of when they were last cleaned and replaced.
Inspect your plumbing
- Know the condition of the plumbing system and how it works. Worried about the occasional odd creak or thump? If you’re in an older home, it may just be the heated water causing the pipes to expand and click. If you see water damage or are concerned about a potential issue, give a plumber a call.
Assess your electrical system
- The wires that run throughout your home need to be inspected for proper gauge and installation. Check the date of the wiring and ensure it’s up to date to avoid a potential house-fire down the line.
Inspect your appliances
- Ask yourself if you want to keep the appliances included with the sale or whether you should replace them.
Look behind the walls
- Inspect the foundation, the roof trusses and the condition of the insulation. Your inspector will have likely already done this but it’s good to regularly check, to inspect and prevent or stop termite damage.
New Homeowner Checklist – What To Look For Outside
Inspect and get to know your siding
- Know how your home is sided and the maintenance that it will need
Inspect your roof
- Look for missing shingles, potential leaks and damage
Survey your landscaping
- Look at the surrounding property and the landscape for existing and potential issues
Need help with your new home?
Give us a call today if you have questions or concerns about your home’s electrical, HVAC, or plumbing!