New homeowner guide
What to do after buying a house
The first month in a new home goes by fast. Work through this checklist in order: safety first, then the records you'll be glad to have later.
Free during the beta. Private to your household.
Week 1: safety and access
- Change or rekey the exterior locks, and reset garage and gate codes.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and note when each one should be replaced.
- Find the main water shutoff, the electrical panel and, if you have gas, the gas shutoff. Label them, and photograph where they are.
- Read your home inspection report again and list anything marked for repair or monitoring.
Week 2: get to know your appliances
Walk the house and record the major equipment: furnace or heat pump, air conditioner, water heater, refrigerator, dishwasher, range, washer and dryer.
- Photograph each rating label, which shows the model and serial number.
- Note the room, and the installation date if the seller or inspector gave you one.
- Don't guess the age. If you can't confirm it, leave it unknown until you can.
The home inventory guide lists where labels are usually found.
Week 3: collect the paperwork
- Ask the seller or builder for manuals, receipts and any warranties that transfer.
- If your purchase included a home warranty, save the policy and note its end date and service fee.
- Keep closing documents, the inspection report and any permits in one place.
A warranty tracker helps you see which coverage you can actually document.
Week 4: set up the first maintenance tasks
- HVAC filter: check the size printed on the current filter and set a reminder (often every 1–3 months, depending on the filter and household).
- Dryer lint screen and vent: clean the screen every load, and schedule the vent cleaning.
- Refrigerator condenser coils and dishwasher filter: follow the manual's interval.
- Water heater: book service with a qualified professional, following the manufacturer's guidance.
See how recurring maintenance works in Aruvello.
Questions homeowners ask
Do I need to do all of this in the first month?
No. Safety items come first. Everything else can be done one room or one appliance at a time.
What if the seller didn’t leave any manuals?
Note the model number from each label. Most manufacturers publish manuals online by model number.
Can I keep this record for when I sell?
Aruvello can create a Home Passport report, and you can send a private handoff to a buyer that leaves out receipts, policy numbers, addresses and personal notes. Handoff is in beta.
Keep reading
Start with one appliance.
We'll help you keep track of the details, documents, and care. Add more whenever you like.
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