What we’ll cover
- What to handle before move-in day while the house is still empty
- How to get utilities, locks, and insurance sorted
- Which shut-offs you should locate immediately
- What to do after you move in to stay on top of your home for the long run
- How to build a maintenance routine and appliance inventory that actually stick
- Which paperwork to keep (and where to keep it).
- Our recommendation for a digital home management system so you aren’t managing the whole house in your head (hi, eeva!)
You got the keys. Congratulations, this is a huge win! Now comes the part that makes it feel like YOUR home (it also happens to be the part nobody warns you about).
Buying a home comes with a mountain of paperwork, and then a second, quieter mountain. Who do you call about the water? Where’s the breaker box? Is that noise normal? When does the furnace filter need changing, and did the previous owners ever change it?
It can feel overwhelming (trust us, we know), but it’s all very manageable when you take it in the right order. This first-time homeowner checklist splits it into two phases: what to do before move-in day when the house is empty, and what to set up after so your home stays in good shape for years to come.
Part 1: What to do before moving into a new house
Before move-in day, focus on the jobs that are easiest with an empty house: set up utilities, change the locks, deep clean, find your shut-offs, and confirm your insurance.
An empty house is a gift! There’s no furniture to move, no boxes to dodge, and no one trying to use the kitchen. Use this window wisely.
1. When should you set up utilities in a new home?
Contact providers one to two weeks before move-in day, since some (internet especially) can take days to schedule an install.
Make sure you cover the essential services:
- Electricity and gas — set a start date in your name, and ask whether the previous owner’s account needs to be closed out
- Water, sewer, and garbage — in some areas these are billed through your municipality rather than a private provider
- Internet and cable — book the install as early as you can, and ask whether a technician needs to access anything inside the home
- Home phone, security, or alarm services — if the house comes with an existing system, find out whether it’s active and who monitors it
💡 Pro tip: Keep a record of each service, with the provider contact and plan details in one place (like in the eeva app!). Makes it a lot easier to find that account number when you need it.
2. Should you change the locks on a new house?
Yes. Rekeying or replacing the locks is one of the cheapest ways to start homeownership with real peace of mind. You don’t know how many copies of your keys exist from previous owners, contractors, neighbours, a cousin who once watered the plants.
While you’re at it:
- Reset any garage door codes and remotes
- Change codes on keypad locks and smart locks
- Ask the sellers about any hidden or spare keys, then collect them
3. Deep clean while it's empty
You will never again have such easy access to every cabinet, closet, and corner. Clean before the furniture and boxes arrive.
- Wipe down the inside of cabinets, drawers, and closets
- Clean inside the fridge, oven, and dishwasher (and pull out the dishwasher filter while you’re there)
- Scrub bathrooms and floors before rugs and furniture go down
- Touch up paint or tackle any small repairs while walls are clear
- Check for signs of pests or moisture in the basement, attic, and under sinks, and take photos of anything concerning
If you’re planning any bigger projects, like painting or refinishing floors, now is by far the easiest time to do them.
4. Where is your main water shut-off valve?
It’s usually where the main water line enters your home: in the basement, a utility room or crawl space, or near the water heater. In warmer climates, it may be outside near the foundation.
Knowing where your main water shut-off valve is can be the difference between a minor leak and a flooded basement. Take 15 minutes before move-in to locate and test:
- Main water shut-off valve — turn it off and on to confirm it actually works, and make sure it isn’t stuck
- Gas shut-off — find it, and learn who to call if you ever smell gas
- Electrical panel — find it, and check whether the breakers are clearly labelled (if they aren’t, now’s the time to label them by testing which switch controls which room)
- Individual fixture shut-offs — under sinks and behind toilets
Then show everyone in your household where they are. A burst pipe at 2 a.m. is not the time to start looking.
5. Who to notify when you move
Start with your home insurer, then work through the postal service, your bank, employer, driver’s licence and vehicle registration, and any subscriptions.
Home insurance is typically required by your lender, so it will probably already be in place by closing. Double-check that the policy details are correct and know what it covers. It’s worth reading it over at least once.
Then work through your address changes:
- Postal service — set up mail forwarding
- Banks, credit cards, and your employer
- Driver’s licence and vehicle registration
- Subscriptions and online accounts — it’s easy to forget a few, so make a list
- Family, friends, and your doctor’s office(s)
💡 Pro tip: Start gathering your important documents now, especially digital copies. We’ll cover exactly what to keep in step 10.
Part 2: What to do after buying a house
Once you’re in, set up the systems that keep your home running: an appliance inventory, a maintenance routine, an emergency plan, and a repair fund.
6. Build an appliance inventory
Walk through your home and record the make, model, serial number, and install date of every major appliance, then file each manual and warranty with it.
Your home came with appliances, and you probably have no idea how old they are, who made them, or whether any are still under warranty. Even if you bought new ones, it’s best to start them off right by getting the following sorted.
- Find the sticker inside the door or on the back. That’s where the make, model, and serial number live.
- Note the purchase or install date if you have it.
- Track down the manuals and warranty paperwork, and file them somewhere you’ll find them (ideally digitally).
It takes about an hour and pays off the first time something breaks. For the full walkthrough, see our guide on why every homeowner needs an appliance inventory.
💡 Pro tip: Skip the hunt entirely! Scan the label with eeva, and it’ll automatically pull the model, manual, and warranty details for you.
7. Start a maintenance routine
Home maintenance is mostly small tasks done on a schedule. You can seriously save thousands by giving your things a little attention from time to time. A few things to put on your calendar right away:
- Replace your HVAC filter every month (more often if you have pets)
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every 3 months
- Clear your gutters in spring and fall
- Flush your water heater once a year
- Clean your dryer vent once a year
- See our guide on home maintenance tasks most people skip for more!
8. Make a household emergency plan
When you rent, a lot of emergencies are someone else’s problem. When you own, they’re yours. And in today’s uncertain world? Having a basic plan in place to minimize future panic is a no-brainer:
- Know your exit routes and agree on a meeting spot
- Keep an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and any necessary medications
- Keep a list of emergency contacts including neighbours/family, and also a plumber, an electrician, and an HVAC technician before you need one
- Know your insurance claim process and where your policy documents are stored
Most household emergencies aren’t dramatic disasters. They’re burst pipes, power outages, and lost documents. Our free Household Emergency Toolkit gives you checklists to cover all of it, and you can read more in how to feel prepared for emergencies.
9. How much should you save for home repairs?
Even a small, dedicated buffer for maintenance and repairs, like $50-100 per month, takes a lot of stress out of surprises.
Here’s the thing realtors are afraid to say out loud: something will break, and it won’t be on a convenient schedule. The water heater doesn’t care that you just made a down payment.
It’s also worth getting familiar with the age and condition of your big systems (roof, furnace, water heater, AC), so you know which replacements are coming up and can plan for them (your appliance inventory from step 6 makes this much easier!).
Everyone’s finances are different. If you’re unsure how much to set aside, a financial advisor can help you work out what makes sense for your situation.
10. What paperwork should you keep after buying a house?
Keep anything that proves what you own, what you paid, and what’s covered, for as long as you own the home. That includes:
- Closing documents and your deed: your proof of ownership and the terms of the sale
- Mortgage paperwork: your loan agreement, rate, and payment schedule
- Home inspection report: a snapshot of your home’s condition on day one (and a handy to-do list)
- Home insurance policy: so you know what’s covered before you need to file a claim
- Property tax records: plus any other tax documents related to the home
- Renovation and repair receipts, plus any permits: these can matter when it’s time to sell
- Appliance manuals, warranties, and purchase receipts: most warranty claims need proof of purchase
Store the originals somewhere safe, like a fireproof box, and keep digital copies so a flood or fire doesn’t take everything with it.
That’s a lot of paper to keep track of, and that’s before the warranties start expiring. You could dig through a filing cabinet for the next ten years, or you could use…
One tool to get it out of your head
Everything on this list is doable. What’s hard is keeping track of it all while you’re also unpacking boxes, learning a new neighbourhood, and getting on with the rest of your life.
eeva is purpose-built to be your home sidekick through all of it! It helps you:
- Scan and track your appliances so model numbers and warranty details are always on hand
- Troubleshoot when something breaks, with advice specific to your exact appliance
- Set recurring reminders so maintenance tasks never slip
- Digitize and organize important household documents like your deed, tax docs, and insurance policies
- Keep track of bills and subscriptions so you know what you’re paying every month
- Assign tasks to household members so the responsibility gets shared
And the best part? eeva is free for everyone!
Want more tips on managing your home? Sign up for eeva’s Household Dispatch: a monthly drop of hot hacks to lighten your life at home!
Related reads:
- Why every homeowner needs an appliance inventory
- Home maintenance tasks most homeowners skip (and what it costs them)
- How to feel prepared for emergencies (and why it matters)
- How to manage your home: A guide for the household CEO
- DIY Home Maintenance Checklist: Essential Tasks Every Homeowner Should Know
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