Three repairs new homeowners forget

Moving in is loud. There's furniture to place, boxes to break down, a hundred small decisions about where things go. In the middle of all that, three quiet maintenance items reliably get skipped — and each of them will cost real money later.

1. Reset the water heater and note its age

Water heaters have a lifespan of roughly 10–12 years. There's a manufacturing date on the label; take a photo of it the week you move in. Flush the tank once (a garden hose to the drain valve, five minutes) to clear sediment. If it's already past year eight, start planning — a failed tank floods a basement.

2. Locate and label every shut-off

The main water shut-off, the gas shut-off, the electrical panel, the individual angle stops under sinks and toilets. Physically try each one. If a valve is seized, replacing it now costs a lot less than discovering it's seized during an emergency.

3. Caulk and weatherstrip before winter

Previous owners rarely re-caulk. Windows, exterior door thresholds, and where the trim meets siding are the usual suspects. A tube of good exterior caulk and an hour of walking the perimeter saves noticeable money on heating and prevents the slow water damage that shows up three years later.

None of these are exciting. All of them are the difference between a house that ages gracefully and one that surprises you.