4 Must-Do’s When a Home Buyer Closes on Their Home

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Congratulations on your new home! Now that you’ve taken possession, it’s time to ensure everything is running safely and efficiently. Below are four critical maintenance tasks every new homeowner should complete—starting with safety first.

1. Change All Smoke Detector Batteries

You likely won’t know when the batteries were last changed—and chances are, it wasn’t recently.

Most smoke detectors use standard rectangular 9-volt batteries. For safety, the recommended schedule is every 6 months. An easy reminder? Swap the batteries every time you adjust your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.

2. 🚮 Replace the Air Filters

Think of this like changing the oil in your car—one of the best things you can do to protect your HVAC system.

Don’t skimp on quality: Avoid cheap filters. Invest in a decent-quality option. Stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s carry a wide selection and likely have the size you need.

Quick Tip for Las Vegas Homeowners:

In the Las Vegas Valley, filters are usually located in the ceiling return vents. The main reason people skip replacing them? It’s a hassle.

But here’s a simple trick:

Before climbing the ladder, go to your thermostat.
Find the Fan setting (usually labeled “AUTO” and “ON”).
Temporarily switch the fan setting to ON.

This creates suction, so when you unlatch the ceiling grill, the old filter won’t fall—and the new one will stay in place while you close it.

Bonus Tip: Write the date on the side of the new filter with a Sharpie (the side facing down). That way, you can easily see when it was last changed by looking up.

3. Change All Locks & Keypad Codes

Once you’ve taken ownership, rekey or replace all locks—even if you trust the previous owners.

What to update:

Exterior door locks
Front door smart lock codes
Alarm system master code
Garage door keypad combination (Most reprogramming instructions are printed inside the keypad cover)

4. Check Your Irrigation System Settings

Did you know lawn sprinkler systems are among the top causes of damage to homes in the Las Vegas area—second only to the sun?

Make sure your irrigation panel is set correctly and seasonally. Misuse can lead to water damage and fines.

Check your approved watering schedule by entering your address at the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD).
Fines can be issued by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) for watering outside of your designated days/times.