Whether you just moved in or have owned your home for years, these are the checks worth doing before a small issue (a leak, a pest, a worn part) turns into a major repair.
You have no way of knowing how many copies of the old keys exist. This is the single most-skipped security step for new owners.
You want to know where this is before a pipe bursts at 2am, not while it's happening.
Basic, but easy to lose track of during a move. Mail forwarding lapses are more common than people expect.
Don't assume the previous owner maintained these. Test each one and check its manufacture date (most expire after 10 years).
Extinguishers lose pressure over time. An expired one can fail exactly when you need it.
You want to know which breaker controls what before you're standing in the dark trying to figure it out.
Most water heaters last 8–12 years. If you don't know its age, check the manufacture date on the label. A unit near end-of-life is worth budgeting for now, not after it fails.
Mold often starts in places you don't look: under cabinets, behind appliances, around window seals. Early signs (a musty smell, discoloration) are far cheaper to address than remediation.
Unusually low pressure or a slow drain can be an early signal of a pipe issue worth having a plumber look at before it's an emergency.
Even without a sale in progress, a periodic inspection catches roof, foundation, and structural issues while they're still minor.
Poor attic conditions quietly drive up energy bills and accelerate roof wear. Most homeowners never look up here.
Termites and other pests cause damage long before it's visibly obvious. A yearly pest inspection is inexpensive compared to structural repair.
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