Your First-Year Home Checklist

Start here

Settle in

Set up a free email address just for the house, like youraddress@gmail.com, and route every bill, utility, warranty, and HOA notice there. One inbox, nothing missed.
Bookmark this page. It is your year-one home base, and each monthly text brings you right back to that month's list.
Keep your Achosa warranty details somewhere easy to grab. When something breaks, you will move faster.

I'm your warranty resource: I'm Michael Kizior with Achosa, here all year to walk you through how your coverage works and what to do when something quits.

Month 1

Setup and safety

Find and label your main water shutoff, gas shutoff (keep a wrench nearby), and electrical panel. Test the water shutoff once so you know it turns.
Label your breaker panel. Flip breakers one at a time and write down what each one controls.
Store your warranty paperwork, appliance manuals, and receipts in one spot.
Rekey or change your exterior and garage locks.
Test every smoke and CO detector. Replace any that are dead or older than about ten years.

Home Emergency Info Sheet (link coming soon)

Month 2

Get the house on your side

Replace your HVAC filter, then set a reminder to do it every 60 to 90 days.
Flush your water heater to clear out sediment.
Set a reminder to file for your homestead exemption if your area offers one. Timing varies, so check your local rules.

How a claim works: when a covered item fails, you start with your warranty, and I help line up the repair. Knowing that ahead of time makes the whole thing calmer.

Month 3

Seasons and safety

Clean out your dryer vent. Lint buildup is a real fire risk and it makes your dryer work harder.
Test your GFCI outlets in the kitchen, baths, garage, and outside. Press test, then reset.
Do a quick leak check under sinks, around toilets, and at the water heater.

Seasonal Home Care Guide (link coming soon)

Warranty tip: keeping up with simple maintenance like this is exactly what keeps a covered repair going smoothly when you do need one.

Month 4

Upgrades done right

Put upgrade dollars where they add resale value: kitchens, bathrooms, and anything that improves function and efficiency.
Get more than one quote, and make sure work is done to code so it does not cause headaches later.

Need a trusted contractor? Your agent usually keeps a vetted local list. Ask them for a name you can count on before you start a project.

Month 5

Maintenance rhythm

Replace the HVAC filter again, staying on that 60 to 90 day habit.
Re-test your smoke and CO detectors.
Check your water pressure and set your water heater to a safe temperature, around 120 degrees.

Warranty tip: routine maintenance is not just good practice, it helps keep your coverage valid when you file a claim.

Month 6

Protect what you have built

Start a small maintenance reserve. A common rule of thumb is about one percent of your home's value per year set aside for upkeep.
Note your local property-tax appeal window in case your assessment looks high. Timing varies by area.
Take an equity snapshot so you know where you stand as values move.

Month 7

Show your systems some love

Vacuum your refrigerator coils so the fridge runs efficiently and lasts longer.
Clean or replace your range-hood filter.
Reseal grout and caulk in showers and around tubs and sinks to keep water where it belongs.
Run cold water with ice or citrus through the garbage disposal to keep it fresh.

Warranty tip: small habits like these keep the systems your warranty covers in good shape.

Month 8

Systems and safety

Flush the water heater again.
Replace your refrigerator water filter.
Update your Home Emergency Info Sheet with the contractors and pros you have started to trust.

Month 9

Documentation

Refresh your home inventory for insurance. Walk through with your phone and record photos or video of your belongings, room by room.
Store it with your home email and warranty paperwork so it is easy to find if you ever need to file.

Month 10

Prevention

Re-caulk exterior gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes or wires enter the house.
Check your attic and crawlspace for moisture, and for any signs of chewed wiring or pests.

Warranty tip: catching a small issue early is the difference between a quick fix and a big one. If you are unsure whether something is covered, ask me before you call anyone.

Month 11

Renewal

Your warranty renewal is coming up. Take a few minutes to review your year-two coverage and make sure it still fits your home and your systems.
Questions about renewing or adjusting coverage? Reach out to me anytime.

Month 12

Year-one review and annual check-in

Confirm your homestead exemption is in place if your area offers one.
Review your utilities and service providers to make sure you are on the right plans.
Take a beat to celebrate. You made it through year one.

Ask your agent for an annual value update. It shows what you have built in year one, and it is a good moment to confirm your homeowners insurance is valued right, so you are covered properly without overpaying.

The year-one home checklist