NewlyHomeowner

The guide index

Every guide, in the order a new owner needs them.

Each one is a single sitting of work with a defined stopping point, and each says plainly where the job stops being yours.

Published guides
04
Latest release
Sep 17, 2026
Written for
Homeowners in the United States
Sourcing
Named public authorities

Start here

Start here

Getting Started

Know your home, one room at a time.

Start with a free room-by-room walkthrough, keep what you learn in a home record, and discover the checks that help you catch small problems early.

Open the guide: Know your home, one room at a time.
You will end up with
Choose a useful first walkthrough, keep what you discover in a home record, and find the next guide for the question your house gives you.
Time
About 45 minutes for the room-by-room PDF's first-pass checklist
Gather
  • Phone or notebook
  • The room-by-room PDF, on your device or printed
  • Inspection report, warranties, manuals, and utility contacts
Published
Aug 10, 2026

03 more guides

Then everything else

  1. Maintenance

    Where the Water Goes: Gutters, Downspouts, and the Ground Around Your House

    Follow rain from the roof edge to the ground, record where it slows or pools, and learn which drainage problems are safe to correct from ground level.

    • Phone or camera
    • Notebook or property sketch
    • Board, level, and tape measure for optional slope checks
    Time
    30 to 45 minutes during or just after light rain
    Published
    Sep 17, 2026
    Editorial risk
    Safety-sensitive

  2. Getting Started

    Does This Project Need a Permit? How to Find Out Before You Start

    Permit rules depend on the project and the property's jurisdiction. Use this address-first process to get an official answer before work begins.

    • Property address and parcel number
    • Written scope and dimensions
    • Drawings and product specifications, if available
    Time
    30 to 60 minutes to prepare; response time depends on the local authority
    Published
    Sep 10, 2026
    Editorial risk
    Safety-sensitive

  3. Getting Started

    Build Your Home Record

    Create one dependable index for the contacts, equipment details, warranties, project records, and maintenance dates that belong with your home.

    • Closing and inspection documents
    • Appliance and equipment manuals
    • Warranty and service records
    Time
    30 to 45 minutes for a useful first pass
    Published
    Sep 7, 2026