Congratulations on the new home. Between the mortgage paperwork, the move, and figuring out which light switch controls what — you've got a lot going on.
Here's something that'll save you a massive headache later: document what's already in the home and what you're bringing into it. It doesn't have to be complicated.
Start with what came with the house
Your new home likely came with appliances and systems already installed. These are often the most expensive things to replace, and the previous owners may or may not have left you any documentation.
Walk through and note:
- Refrigerator (brand, model — usually on a sticker inside the door)
- Oven/range
- Dishwasher
- Washer and dryer (if included)
- HVAC system (check the unit outside and the furnace)
- Water heater
- Garage door opener
- Any built-in systems (security, sprinklers, smart home)
For each one, find the model number and look it up. You'll get the specs, the manual, and you'll know how old it is — which tells you roughly how much life is left in it.
Document as you unpack
As you unpack boxes, this is the perfect time to add items to your inventory. You're already handling everything. The serial numbers are visible. The receipts are (hopefully) nearby.
High priority items to document during unpacking:
- Electronics (TVs, computers, tablets, speakers)
- Expensive furniture
- Power tools
- Small appliances (coffee maker, stand mixer, robot vacuum)
- Musical instruments
- Jewelry and watches
The model number trick
Most appliances have a model/serial number sticker in a consistent location:
- Refrigerators — inside the door, left wall
- Dishwashers — inside the door, along the top edge
- Washers — under the lid or on the back
- Dryers — inside the door frame
- HVAC — on the unit itself, usually a metal plate
Snap a photo of each one. It takes five seconds and could save you hours later.
Set up your rooms
Before adding products, set up your home's layout in your inventory app. Create entries for each room and space:
- Kitchen
- Living room
- Primary bedroom
- Bathrooms
- Garage
- Basement/attic
- Outdoor areas
This way, when you add products, you can immediately assign them to the right location.
Don't forget the boring stuff
The items you're most likely to forget are the "boring" ones that work quietly until they don't:
- Water heater (check the manufacturing date — they typically last 10-15 years)
- Smoke detectors (note the installation date)
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- GFCI outlets
- Sump pump
- Water softener
These are exactly the things you'll wish you had documented when something goes wrong at 2 AM.
Make it a move-in habit
The first month in a new home is actually the best time to create an inventory, because:
- You're already touching and organizing everything
- Receipts from new purchases are fresh
- You're motivated to "set things up right"
- You'll discover what the previous owners left behind
Don't try to do everything in one sitting. Just make it part of your unpacking routine: unbox something, find a spot for it, add it to your inventory. By the time you're settled in, you'll have a comprehensive record without dedicating a single extra evening to it.