New Home Necessities: What You Actually Need When You Move In

Most new home checklists are full of things you don't need yet. This one isn't.

Moving into a new house is a blur. Boxes everywhere, a dozen things happening at once, and you're trying to figure out where the circuit breaker is while someone's on the phone about your internet setup. The last thing you need is a 200-item checklist.

Here's what you actually need, organized by what you'll reach for first. Still house-hunting? Read what to look for when buying a house before you close. Already under contract? Our new house essentials checklist pairs buying lists with the information you need to gather.

Safety and security — day one

Before anything else, handle these. They're the ones that matter when something goes wrong at 2am.

• Rekey the locks — You don't know who has copies of the keys. A locksmith can rekey all your deadbolts for less than $100. Do it before your first night.
• Locate the main water shutoff — Find it now, not when a pipe bursts. It's usually in the basement, utility room, or outside near the foundation.
• Locate the electrical panel — Know where it is and label the breakers if they aren't already.
• Test smoke and CO detectors — Replace batteries on anything that looks old. If the house didn't come with CO detectors, buy them now.
• Get a fire extinguisher — One for the kitchen, one for the garage if you have one.
• Buy a flashlight — Something with fresh batteries that lives in a known spot.

Shop: combination smoke and CO detectors on Amazon

Tools you'll actually use

You don't need a full workshop. You need enough to hang things, fix things, and not be helpless when something breaks.

• Hammer
• Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers (or a multi-bit)
• Tape measure — 25 ft minimum
• Level — a basic 24" one works for 90% of tasks
• Cordless drill with a basic bit set
• Stud finder
• Adjustable wrench and pipe wrench
• Plunger — both a cup plunger (sinks) and a flange plunger (toilets)
• Utility knife
• A roll of painter's tape

Shop: homeowner starter tool kits on Amazon

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Cleaning supplies

Clean the house before you unpack — it's much easier before furniture is in the way. Basic kit:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Bathroom disinfectant
• Mop and bucket, or a spray mop
• Broom and dustpan
• Vacuum — even a basic one
• Microfiber cloths
• Garbage bags in multiple sizes
• Paper towels

Kitchen basics

You don't need everything on day one. You need enough to eat and make coffee while you're unpacking everything else.

• Coffee maker or kettle
• One good pan and one pot
• Basic knife and cutting board
• Can opener
• Dish soap, sponge, drying rack
• Dish towels
• A few bowls and plates to get you through the first week

What to record before you forget

This is the part most people skip — and regret later. The first few days in a new house are the only time you'll naturally encounter all of this information. Write it down.

• Furnace filter size — It's printed on the filter itself. Write it down now.
• Water heater age and model — On the label on the tank. Useful for knowing when to replace it.
• Paint colors in each room — If the sellers left cans, photograph the lids. If not, ask them.
• Appliance model numbers — On stickers inside doors, on the back of units. Record all of them.
• Utility account numbers — Gas, electric, water. You'll need them.
• HOA contact and rules — If applicable.
• Contractors who worked on the house — The sellers may know who did the roof, HVAC, or additions.

This information is hardest to find the moment you actually need it — when something breaks, when you need a repair, or when you're trying to sell the house years later.

Appliance model numbers and specs

Check these locations for model and serial numbers — before the appliances get pushed against walls:

• Refrigerator — Inside the door frame, upper left or right
• Dishwasher — Inside the door, on the left side edge
• Washer/dryer — Inside the lid, or on the back of the unit
• Oven/range — Inside the door frame or on the back
• HVAC/furnace — On the access panel door or inside the unit
• Water heater — On the label on the tank

Scan or photograph each one. Or use kept — scan the barcode on the appliance and it pulls the model, specs, and filter size automatically.