Getting the keys to your new home is exciting. After weeks—or sometimes months—of searching, negotiating, inspections, paperwork, and waiting, you finally get to walk through the front door and say,

“This is ours.”

But once the excitement settles down, there are a few things you should take care of that can easily get overlooked. Whether this is your first home or your fifth, here are 10 things worth doing during your first 30 days.

1. Change the Locks

You don't know how many copies of the keys to your home are floating around. Previous owners may have given keys to family members, neighbors, contractors, house cleaners, or others over the years. One of the simplest ways to start fresh is to change the locks or have them rekeyed. Don't forget exterior doors, garage entry doors, and any other access points into the home.

2. Find the Important Shutoffs

Hopefully you'll never need them—but if you do, you'll want to know exactly where they are.

Take a few minutes to locate:

• The main water shutoff
• Individual water shutoffs
• The electrical panel
• Gas shutoff, if applicable
• HVAC controls
• Pool equipment shutoffs, if applicable

Knowing where these are before there's an emergency can save you a lot of stress.

3. Change Your HVAC Filters

This is an easy one to forget. Put new filters in your HVAC system and make a note of the size and when you changed them. Arizona homeowners put a lot of work on their HVAC systems, so keeping up with regular maintenance is especially important here. It's also a good opportunity to find out when the system was last professionally serviced.

4. Update Your Homeowners Insurance Information

Make sure your homeowners insurance policy is active and that the information on the policy is correct. It's also a good idea to review what your policy actually covers. Don't assume everything is covered simply because you have homeowners insurance. Understanding your coverage before you need it is much easier than figuring it out after something happens.

5. Set Up Your Utilities and Services

Most of this probably happened before closing, but your first month is a good time to make sure everything is working the way you expect.

Double-check:

• Electricity
• Water
• Gas
• Internet
• Trash service
• Security systems
• Pool service
• Landscaping
• Pest control

If you're moving from another home, don't forget to cancel or transfer services at your old address.

6. Make a Home Maintenance File

This doesn't have to be complicated. Create a folder—digital or physical—for important information about your home.

Keep things like:

• Roof information
• HVAC records
• Appliance manuals
• Warranties
• Pool equipment information
• Paint colors
• Flooring information
• Receipts for major improvements
• Inspection report
• Closing documents

You'll be glad you have this information later, especially when something needs to be repaired or replaced.

7. Take Photos of Your Home

Take photos of the condition of your home shortly after moving in. Photograph major appliances, HVAC equipment, the roof if accessible, pool equipment, landscaping, and other important areas. You probably won't need these photos—but if you ever have an insurance claim or need to document the condition of something, having dated photos can be helpful.

8. Don't Try to Do Everything at Once

This one might be the hardest. Once you own a home, it's easy to immediately start making a list of everything you want to change.

New paint.

New floors.

New furniture.

Landscaping.

A remodeled bathroom.

A new light fixture.

Before you know it, your weekend list has turned into a six-month renovation project. Give yourself some time to actually live in the house. You may discover that some of the things you thought you wanted to change don't bother you nearly as much once you've settled in.

9. Get to Know Your Home

Spend some time figuring out how everything works.

Where does the afternoon sun hit?

Which rooms stay coolest?

Where does water tend to collect during a storm?

How does your irrigation system work?

Which outlets are connected to which breakers?

Where are the sprinkler controls?

Where does the pool equipment turn on and off?

These may seem like small details, but learning your home can make ownership much easier.

10. Start Planning for Future Maintenance

Your home is going to need maintenance. That's simply part of owning one. The key is being prepared for it.  Look at the age and condition of your major systems and start thinking ahead.

If your water heater is nearing the end of its expected life, don't wait until it fails to think about replacement costs.

If the HVAC system is older, start planning.

If the roof has some years on it, know what you're looking at.

You don't have to fix everything immediately. You just want to know what's coming.

Your First Month Is About More Than Unpacking

Buying a home doesn't end when you get the keys. Those first few weeks are your opportunity to learn how your home works, organize important information, take care of a few basic tasks, and start creating a maintenance plan.

And then?

Take a breath and enjoy it. You've earned that part.

After all, owning a home isn't just about the transaction. It's about everything that happens after the transaction—the dinners, holidays, weekends, projects, celebrations, and everyday moments that turn a house into your home.

If you're thinking about buying a home in the Phoenix area, The Goodman Taylor Team is here to help you through the process from the first showing to the day you get those keys—and beyond.

Call or text us at (480) 382-8093, email admin@thegoodmantaylorteam.com, or visit thegoodmantaylorteam.com.