8 Things to Do in Your First 30 Days as a North Texas Homeowner
Closing day is exciting. You get the keys, you take a photo on the porch and then the reality sets in: you now own this thing. Here are eight things worth doing in that first month that will make the next several years significantly easier.
1. Rekey every lock the day you close You have no idea how many keys exist for your home. The previous owners, their neighbors, their dog walker, their housecleaner, their adult kids, any of them could have a copy. Rekeying is inexpensive, usually $100 to $150 for a whole house and it gives you a clean start. Do it before you sleep in the house if you can.
2. Locate and label your main water shutoff Before a pipe leaks or a toilet supply line fails, know exactly where your main water shutoff is and make sure it actually turns. In North Texas, the shutoff is typically in a ground-level box near the street or on the side of the house. Turn it off and back on once so you know it works. Write its location on a card and put it somewhere obvious for the day you need it in a hurry.
3. Change your HVAC filters and document your system Texas summers are hard on HVAC systems. Find out what size filters your system takes, replace them on day one and set a recurring reminder to do it every 60 to 90 days. While you're at it, take a photo of the unit's model and serial number. If it fails in August, having that information readily available will save you time when you're already sweating.
4. Set up your HOA auto-pay or calendar reminder immediately If your new home is in an HOA community, your dues are not part of your mortgage payment. They are billed separately, often quarterly or annually and missing them can result in late fees or worse. Don't wait for the first bill to arrive and wonder what it is. Contact the HOA before or immediately after closing to confirm the billing schedule and set up payment. This is one of the most common and most avoidable surprises first-time buyers face in year one.
5. Test every smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector Replace the batteries in all detectors on day one regardless of how new they look. This takes ten minutes and costs almost nothing. The National Fire Protection Association recommends detectors in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. If you're missing coverage anywhere, add it now.
6. Schedule a pest inspection if one wasn't done during the transaction North Texas has a full roster of unwelcome guests: termites, fire ants, scorpions in some areas and the occasional wasp situation that turns out to be a much bigger wasp situation. If you didn't get a separate pest inspection during the option period, schedule one in your first 30 days. Establishing a relationship with a local pest control company for routine treatment is also worth doing early, before you have a reason to wish you had.
7. Document everything with photos before you move furniture in Walk through the empty home and photograph every room, every appliance, the water heater, the HVAC unit and any existing scratches, scuffs or imperfections. This is your baseline record. If you ever have an insurance claim, a warranty dispute or a question about what was pre-existing, you will be very glad you have dated photos from day one. It takes about 20 minutes and it has saved homeowners significant headaches.
8. Introduce yourself to your neighbors This one sounds soft but it has practical value. Neighbors who know you will call you if something looks wrong at your home when you're traveling. They'll know which cars belong in your driveway. In a community where the HOA is run by residents, knowing your neighbors means you know who to talk to when something comes up. North Texas neighborhoods tend to be friendly. Take advantage of that.
The first 30 days of homeownership set a tone. A little preparation early pays dividends for years.
Just closed on a home in Northeast DFW or getting close? Reach out here — I'm happy to share a list of local vendors I trust for everything from rekeying to pest control to HVAC service.
