The Ultimate New Homeowner Checklist

Homeownership is a big responsibility - one that’s just beginning when you sign the closing papers.

 

“Buying a home, whether it’s your first time or your fifth, involves quite a bit of work upfront and a decent amount of ongoing upkeep,” says Kelly Boenzi of the Zimmerman Group. “A little pre-planning can make the whole process a lot easier.”

 

Our experienced agents have put together the Ultimate New Homeowner Checklist so you can make sure you’re taking the right steps to protect your biggest investment.  

 

Download the Checklist Here

 

What to Do Before You Move-In

 

There’s work to be done even before you spend your first night in your home. If you’re able to hold off on moving in before you complete everything on this checklist you should. 

 

• Change Utilities to Your Name: Contact your providers at least two weeks before you move in. It will take time for the company to set up your new service and to disconnect your old service. If you’re a first-time homebuyer or a homebuyer with a low credit score you may be required to submit a deposit along with your application. 

 

• Change Your Locks: It’s always a good idea to change out the locksets on exterior doors when you move into a new home. Not only does it provide you with additional security but you can update the hardware to match your aesthetic. 

 

• Change Your Address: Aside from letting the postal service know where to forward your mail, you’ll need to update your address in other key areas as well. Here are six places to notify of your address change:

1. 1. Your insurance company.
   2. The IRS.
   3. Your employer.
   4. Your bank and credit card companies.
   5. The DMV.
   6. The Social Security Administration.

• Review Home Warranty

 

• Have the Home Professionally Cleaned

 

• Re-Paint

 

• Make Any Necessary Repairs: Use your inspection report as a guide to determine which repairs need immediate attention. Start with those and move on from there. 

 

• Create a Maintenance Schedule: Download the Zimmerman Group’s Ultimate Home Maintenance Schedule here. 

 

Your Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

 

Joe Zimmerman of the Zimmerman Group notes, “Making a few minor repairs and updates along the way can help homeowners fend off big and costly surprises down the road.” 

Every month it’s a good idea to check your home’s safety features and the mechanical parts of your home that get a lot of use. 

Here is the Zimmerman Group’s Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist:

• Clean and Replace the Furnace Filter

 

• Test Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, and Fire Extinguishers

 

• Flush Hot Water From Your Hot Water Heater

 

• Check Indoor and Outdoor Air Vents for Blockages

 

• Check Outlets and Cords for Safety

 

• Clean Your Range Hood

 

Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

 

Fall is a great time to check your home’s exterior. You can make any necessary repairs before winter’s weather takes hold and makes repairs more difficult.

 

Here is the Zimmerman Group’s Fall Home Maintenance Checklist:

 

• Check Fireplace for Damage 

 

• Have Your Fireplace Professionally Cleaned

 

• Seal Windows and Replace Weather Stripping

 

• Clean Your Gutters

 

• Remove Lint From the Dryer Duct

 

 

Your Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

 

If you live in an area that experiences below-freezing cold or heavy snowfall in the winter you’ll need to make sure you prepare appropriately by effectively winterizing your home in the fall before the cold temperatures begin. 

 

Here is the Zimmerman Group’s Winter Home Maintenance Checklist:

 

• Winterize Your Exterior Plumbing

 

• Cover Your Air Conditioning Unit

 

• Vacuum Your Bathroom Exhaust Fans and Refrigerator Freezer Coils

 

Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

 

Spring brings with it warmer temperatures, and in most places increased rainfall. This is the perfect time to check for damage caused by winter’s harsh conditions. 

 

Here is the Zimmerman Group’s Spring Maintenance Checklist:

 

• Inspect Roofing

 

• Change Your Air Conditioner’s Filter

 

• Clean Your Windows and Replace Damaged Screens

 

• Clean Gutters and Downspouts

 

• Remove Winterization From Outdoor Plumbing

 

• Check Your Sump Pump

 

Your Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

 

Keep cool by mainly focusing on inside maintenance projects during the summer. You can get the hard outside work done before temperatures really heat up. 

 

Here’s the Zimmerman Group’s Summer Home Maintenance Checklist:

 

• Prune Trees and Shrubs

 

• Clean Your Kitchen Exhaust Fan Filter

 

• Oil Your Garage Door and Hinges

 

• Remove Lint from the Dryer Duct

 

• Repair Your Driveway, Walkway, and Deck

 

Buying a new home is an investment of your money and your time. Get your home maintenance plan in order before you move in so you can start enjoying our new home right away.