What Should I Do the First Week After Buying a Home?
By JC Pacific Corp Published 2026-09-01 Last professionally reviewed: September 2026
During the first week, secure the property, confirm utilities and insurance, locate emergency shutoffs, test safety devices, document the home's condition, and organize all closing, inspection, warranty, and repair records.
What should you do immediately?
- Change or rekey exterior locks
- Reprogram garage remotes and access codes
- Update alarm-system users
- Confirm homeowners, flood, earthquake, or other insurance
- Transfer utilities
- Locate the main water shutoff
- Locate the electrical panel
- Ask the utility how to handle the gas shutoff safely
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Check fire extinguishers
- Photograph every room
- Save emergency contacts
Which inspection items should come first?
Review the inspection report for:
- Active leaks
- Electrical hazards
- Roof openings
- Unsafe stairs or railings
- Heating problems
- Drainage toward the house
- Pest activity
- Missing safety devices
- Structural concerns
Prioritize safety and active damage before cosmetic work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I change locks on a newly built home?
Yes. Contractors, vendors, and sales personnel may have had access.
Should I complete every inspection recommendation immediately?
No. Ask qualified professionals to separate urgent safety issues from maintenance and long-term improvements.
Should I keep the seller's records?
Yes. Permits, warranties, invoices, plans, and manuals may be valuable.
Educational information
This content is for general educational purposes and is not construction, engineering, electrical, plumbing, pest-control, insurance, legal, environmental, fire-safety, or emergency advice. Maintenance needs vary by property, age, construction, climate, location, and condition. Work involving electricity, gas, roofing, structural systems, pests, hazardous materials, or permits should be handled by appropriately licensed professionals. If you smell gas, see fire, observe electrical arcing, discover a major leak, or believe a structure may be unsafe, leave the affected area when appropriate and contact emergency services or the responsible utility. Do not attempt a repair beyond your training.
Next step: Create a written 30-day plan with urgent, short-term, and future maintenance categories.
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The next step is a conversation with a local agent.
JC Pacific Corp is an Irvine-based Southern California brokerage helping buyers navigate offers, escrow, and financing. Tell us what you are looking for and we will point you to current options across the region.
A note on legal advice: These guides provide general, educational information about California real estate practice. They are not legal advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Mortgage information is general education, not individualized lending, tax or legal guidance. For advice about your specific offer, contract, closing or financing, consult a qualified California real estate attorney and a qualified mortgage professional.
A note on these California home-maintenance guides: These articles provide general, educational information about routine home maintenance, seasonal preparation, and life-safety systems for California homeowners. They are not construction, engineering, electrical, plumbing, pest-control, insurance, legal, environmental, fire-safety, or emergency advice, and they do not create a contractor, inspector, engineer, insurer, attorney, or emergency-responder relationship with the brokerage. Maintenance needs vary by property, age, construction, climate, location, and condition. Work involving electricity, gas, roofing, structural systems, pests, hazardous materials, or permits should be handled by appropriately licensed professionals, and code, insurance, hazard, and local requirements must be checked against current official sources at publication time. Property DNA is only one supporting research service and is never a substitute for inspections, permit research, maintenance records, contractor evaluations, structural engineering, pest inspections, insurance, title review, or professional advice. In an emergency, leave the affected area when appropriate and contact emergency services or the responsible utility.