A Real Estate Photographer's
Guide to the First Week
in Your New Home
Moving into a new home means starting from scratch on a lot of small essentials — things you didn't think about until you needed them. These are the items I see new homeowners wish they had ready on day one.
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Step 1 — Change the Locks
Rekeying or replacing locks is the first thing every new homeowner should do — a keypad deadbolt means no keys to track and full control over who has access.Why it matters: You have no idea how many spare keys exist for your old locks. A keypad deadbolt closes that question permanently, on day one.
Step 2 — Hang a Fresh Shower Curtain
A shower curtain and ring set is one of the first things you need in a new home and almost never comes with the house.Why it matters: It's a small thing, but showering behind a stranger's old curtain — or none at all — is not how you want your first week to start.
Step 3 — Add Bath Mats to Every Bathroom
A simple neutral bath mat set for every bathroom is an easy first-day essential that makes the home feel immediately livable.Why it matters: Bare tile floors are one of the fastest ways a new home still feels like someone else's house.
Step 4 — Stock Up on Command Hooks and Strips
Command hooks and strips let you hang things immediately without putting holes in walls you just moved into.Why it matters: You'll want things on the walls before you're ready to commit to permanent nail holes — this buys you that time.
Step 5 — Get a Basic Tool Kit
A compact home tool kit covers everything from assembling furniture to hanging pictures in the first week.Why it matters: Nothing stalls a first week faster than needing one specific tool and not having it in the house yet.
Step 6 — Put Down a New Doormat
A new doormat at the front door is a small touch that immediately makes a new house feel like home.Why it matters: It's the first thing you see walking in and the first thing guests see arriving — a small detail with outsized impact.
Step 7 — Test the Smoke and CO Detectors
Replacing or testing detectors is a safety essential every new homeowner should handle before the first night.Why it matters: You don't know how long the previous owner's detectors have actually been working. This isn't a step to delay.
Step 8 — Clean the Washer and Dryer Before First Use
New homeowners should clean the washer and dryer before first use — a cleaning kit removes residue left by previous owners and keeps both appliances running efficiently from day one.Why it matters: Whatever the last owner washed, your clothes are about to sit in the same drum. Worth the five minutes before the first load.
Step 9 — Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is one of the highest-value upgrades new homeowners make in the first week — it pays for itself in energy savings and gives you full control of your home's temperature from your phone.Why it matters: It's one of the few upgrades that pays for itself instead of just costing money — and it's a fast install.
Step 10 — Add a Video Doorbell
A video doorbell is one of the first smart home upgrades new homeowners make — it adds security, convenience, and peace of mind from the moment you move in.Why it matters: You don't yet know your new neighborhood's rhythms — a video doorbell means you're not caught off guard at the door.
Step 11 — Set Up a Robot Vacuum
A robot vacuum keeps every floor in the new home clean automatically — one of the highest-value smart home purchases new homeowners make and one they use every single day.Why it matters: Moving-in dust and debris accumulate fast in the first weeks — this handles it without adding another chore to your plate.
Step 12 — Keep a Cordless Drill on Hand
A cordless drill handles everything new homeowners need in the first week — assembling furniture, hanging pictures, installing hardware, and any small repairs that come up immediately after moving in.Why it matters: Between furniture assembly and the first round of wall-hangings, you'll reach for this more in week one than almost anything else you own.
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