Buying a home is one of the biggest milestones of your life, but once the champagne buzz fades and the boxes pile up, it can be hard to know where to start. What should you do the first week? What about the first month? What's going to sneak up on you six months from now?
We put together this first-year homeowner checklist to help you stay organized, avoid expensive surprises, and actually enjoy your new home. Whether you just closed on a place in South Austin or you're settling into a new build in Leander, this guide covers everything you need to know.
The First Week: Immediate Move-In Tasks
The first few days in your new home are exciting and chaotic. These are the things to prioritize before you even think about decorating.
Change or Rekey Your Locks
You have no idea how many copies of the previous owner's keys are floating around with neighbors, dog walkers, old contractors, or cleaning services. Rekeying your locks is inexpensive (usually $50 to $150 for the whole house) and gives you immediate peace of mind. Check if your home warranty company offers this service! Smart locks are another great option if you want keyless entry and the ability to create temporary codes for guests or service providers.
Locate Your Shut-Off Valves and Electrical Panel
Before an emergency happens, know where to find your main water shut-off valve (usually near the street or in the garage), your gas shut-off (near the meter), and your electrical breaker panel. Label your breakers if they aren't already. When a pipe bursts at 10 PM on a Sunday, you'll be glad you did this on day one.
Update Your Address Everywhere
Start with USPS mail forwarding, then work through the rest: driver's license, voter registration, bank accounts, credit cards, insurance providers, employer, subscriptions, Amazon, and anywhere else that ships to you. Don't forget to update your address with the Texas DMV. You have 30 days to update your license after moving.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Press the test button on every detector in the house. Replace any that don't respond. If your home doesn't have carbon monoxide detectors (older homes often don't), install them now. At minimum, put one on each level and near bedrooms. Replace batteries while you're at it, even if they seem fine.
Document Everything
Take photos and videos of every room, every appliance, and anything that looks like pre-existing wear. This protects you if you ever need to file an insurance claim and serves as a helpful baseline for tracking the condition of your home over time.
The First Month: Getting Settled and Protected
Once the boxes are unpacked (or at least pushed to one side of the garage), it's time to handle the stuff that'll save you money and headaches down the road.
Review Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy
Don't just set it and forget it. Read through your policy and make sure you understand what's covered and, more importantly, what's not. In Central Texas, standard policies typically don't cover flood damage, and with the flash flooding we get in the Austin area, it's worth looking into a separate flood policy even if you're not in a FEMA flood zone. Also confirm your coverage amounts are enough to rebuild your home at today's construction costs, not just the purchase price.
Register Your Appliance Warranties
Check your appliance and system warranties. If you bought a resale home, your HVAC, water heater, and major appliances may still be under the manufacturer's warranty from when they were originally purchased. Look up the model and serial numbers to see what's still covered, and if the warranties were never registered by the previous owner, you may be able to register them now. Keep all warranty documentation in one folder (physical or digital) so you can find it when you need it.
Set Up Utilities and Autopay
If you haven't already, get all your utilities squared away: electricity (Texas has deregulated energy, so shop rates on Power to Choose), water, gas, trash, internet, and any streaming or security services. Setting up autopay on recurring bills means one less thing to think about each month.
File Your Homestead Exemption
This is one of the most important things on this entire list if you're a Texas homeowner. Filing your homestead exemption lowers your property tax bill every single year, and it's completely free. Texas now offers a $140,000 homestead exemption for school district taxes, the largest in state history. You can file through your county appraisal district (Travis CAD, Williamson CAD, or Hays CAD depending on where you are). The deadline is April 30, and it only takes about 10 minutes. We have a full guide on how to file here: Austin Homestead Exemption: What You Need to Know.
Meet Your Neighbors
This isn't just a nice-to-do. It's a practical one. Neighbors who know you will watch out for your home, let you know if something looks off, and become your go-to resource for local contractor recommendations, HOA info, and general area intel. A quick knock on the door with a friendly introduction goes a long way.
Home Maintenance: The Essential Tasks
This is where most new homeowners drop the ball. Home maintenance isn't glamorous, but staying on top of it prevents small issues from becoming expensive repairs. Here's what to keep on your radar throughout the year.
Change Your HVAC Filters Regularly
This is the single easiest and most impactful maintenance task you can do. A clean filter keeps your system running efficiently, improves your air quality, and prevents costly HVAC repairs. In Austin, where we deal with cedar pollen (December through February), oak pollen (spring), and general dust and allergens year-round, you should change your filters every month during heavy-use seasons and at least every three months during milder periods. A dirty filter can increase your AC's energy consumption by up to 15%.
Clean Your AC Condensation Line Monthly
Algae, mold, and mildew build up inside the condensation drain line and can form a clog, causing water to back up and overflow inside your air conditioning unit. This can lead to water damage and mold growth in your home. To prevent it, pour a cup of distilled white vinegar or bleach into the access opening in the drain line near the AC unit once a month. This is especially important in Austin's humid summers.
Flush Your Water Heater Annually
Central Texas has notoriously hard water. Over time, mineral sediment builds up at the bottom of your water heater tank, reducing its efficiency and shortening its lifespan. Flushing it once a year takes about 20 minutes and can extend the life of your unit by years. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, most plumbers include it as part of a routine maintenance call.
Clean Your Dryer Vents Annually
Lint buildup in your dryer vent is a leading cause of house fires, and it also makes your dryer work harder, wasting energy and wearing out the machine faster. Pull out the dryer, disconnect the vent hose, and clean it out thoroughly at least once a year. If your vent runs a long distance to the exterior, consider hiring a professional to do it.
Trim Tree Branches Away from Your Roof
Overhanging branches can scrape and damage your roof, clog your gutters with leaves, and give critters a highway onto your house. In Austin, where we get severe thunderstorms and the occasional ice storm, heavy branches near the roof line are a real risk. Keep branches trimmed at least 4 feet back from the roofline. If you have large trees, a certified arborist is worth the investment.
Schedule Pest Control
Central Texas is home to all kinds of unwanted houseguests: fire ants, scorpions, spiders, termites, roaches, and snakes. A bi-annual pest treatment (spring and fall) keeps most of them at bay. Also ask about termite inspections. They're common in this area and can cause serious structural damage if left unchecked.
Inspect Your Roof and Gutters
After major storms (which Austin gets plenty of), do a visual inspection of your roof from the ground. Look for missing or damaged shingles, and check your gutters for clogs, sagging, or overflow. Clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in late fall after the leaves drop and once in spring.
Check for Plumbing Leaks
Once a quarter, take 10 minutes to check under every sink, around your toilets, near your water heater, and by your washing machine connections. Catching a slow leak early can save you thousands in water damage and mold remediation. In Austin's expansive clay soil, foundation movement can also stress plumbing connections over time, so stay vigilant.
Financial Tasks for New Homeowners
Owning a home changes your financial picture in some great ways, but only if you take advantage of them.
Understand Your New Tax Deductions
As a homeowner, you can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes (up to $10,000 in state and local taxes combined). In your first few years of homeownership, when most of your mortgage payment goes toward interest, this deduction can be substantial. If you're paying PMI (private mortgage insurance), that may be deductible too. We break it all down here: Tax Benefits of Homeownership.
Start a Home Maintenance Fund
A general rule of thumb is to save 1 to 2% of your home's value per year for maintenance and repairs. On a $400,000 home, that's $4,000 to $8,000 per year (or about $330 to $665 per month) set aside for things like HVAC repairs, plumbing issues, appliance replacements, and other surprises. Having this fund means you're never scrambling when something breaks.
Look Into Removing Your PMI
If you put less than 20% down, you're paying private mortgage insurance every month. Once you reach 20% equity in your home (through payments, appreciation, or both), you can request to have it removed, which could save you hundreds of dollars a month. The Austin market has seen strong appreciation, so you may hit that threshold sooner than you think. Here's how the process works: Removing Your PMI.
Protect Your Home with the Right Insurance
Beyond your standard homeowner's policy, consider whether you need additional coverage. In Central Texas, that might include flood insurance (even outside FEMA flood zones), extended replacement cost coverage, or an umbrella policy for added liability protection. We wrote a full guide on what to look for: Protect Your Biggest Investment.
Seasonal Maintenance Calendar for Austin Homeowners
Austin's climate creates a unique maintenance rhythm. Here's a season-by-season breakdown to keep you on track.
Spring (March through May)
Schedule your annual AC tune-up before the summer rush. Inspect your roof and gutters after winter storms. Check your irrigation system for leaks or broken heads. Treat your yard for fire ants and grubs. Touch up exterior paint and caulking before the heat sets in.
Summer (June through August)
Change your HVAC filter monthly since your AC is running constantly. Clean the AC condensation line monthly. Keep your thermostat at 78°F or higher when you're away to manage energy costs. Check weather stripping on doors and windows to keep cool air in. Water your foundation during drought conditions to prevent shifting (this is a big one in Austin's clay soil).
Fall (September through November)
Clean gutters after leaves fall. Schedule a furnace or heat pump inspection before winter. Flush your water heater. Clean your dryer vent. Reverse your ceiling fans to clockwise to push warm air down. Seal any gaps around doors, windows, and your foundation to keep critters out as the weather cools.
Winter (December through February)
Change your HVAC filter frequently because cedar pollen season hits hard from December through February and will clog your filters fast. Protect outdoor faucets and exposed pipes if a hard freeze is forecast (Austin freezes are rare but can be severe, as we all learned). Check your attic insulation. Test your smoke detectors and replace batteries. Inspect your roof after any ice or wind events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first after closing on a house?
Your top priorities should be rekeying or changing your locks, locating your water shut-off valve and electrical panel, testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and updating your address. These tasks take just a few hours and give you immediate safety and security in your new home.
How much should I budget for home maintenance each year?
A good rule of thumb is 1 to 2% of your home's purchase price per year. For a $400,000 home in Austin, that means setting aside $4,000 to $8,000 annually to cover routine maintenance, repairs, and eventual appliance or system replacements.
Do I need to file a homestead exemption in Texas?
Yes. If you're living in the home as your primary residence, you should absolutely file a homestead exemption. It reduces your property tax bill every year and is free to file. Texas now offers a $140,000 exemption for school district taxes. You can file through your county appraisal district before April 30.
How often should I change my HVAC filter in Austin?
During heavy-use months (summer cooling and cedar season in winter), change it monthly. During milder months in spring and fall, every 2 to 3 months is sufficient. Austin's high pollen and dust levels mean filters clog faster here than in many other cities.
What home maintenance tasks are most commonly overlooked?
The most commonly overlooked tasks are flushing the water heater, cleaning the AC condensation line, cleaning dryer vents, and watering the foundation during drought. All of these are inexpensive to do but very expensive to ignore.
Owning a home is one of the best investments you can make, and taking care of it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Stay on top of these tasks, set reminders on your phone for the seasonal stuff, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need a recommendation for a contractor, handyman, inspector, or anyone else. That's what we're here for.
Have questions about homeownership, buying, or selling in the Austin area? Reach out to us, we'd love to help!
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