A Simple Guide to Your First 90 Days as a Homeowner

Bridget Blonde

May 19, 2025

What Happens After You Get the Keys? A Guide to Starting Your Journey as a Homeowner 🏡💫

You’ve got the keys in hand, the boxes are stacked in the hallway, and the moving truck just pulled away. You’re officially a homeowner—congratulations! 🎉

...now what?

The truth is, the first few months in your new home can be both exciting and overwhelming. There’s furniture to arrange, systems to figure out, and a whole neighbourhood to get to know. It’s a big transition, but you don’t have to do it all at once.

Here’s a little guide to help you move through those early days with a bit more calm and confidence.

First 30 Days: Exploring and Settling In

These first few weeks are all about getting your bearings. That might mean figuring out how long your new morning commute takes, discovering where the best coffee is, and starting to feel like this space is really home.

You’ll likely notice a few quirks that weren’t obvious before—the door that sticks a little, a chilly floor in the kitchen, or a light switch that doesn’t seem to do anything. That’s all completely normal. When the house is full of people during a showing, it’s easy to miss those little details.

You’ll also start your new budget life—your first mortgage payment typically kicks in a month after closing. It’s a great time to double-check your budget and make sure everything’s lining up as expected.

And don’t forget—local garbage and recycling pickup schedules and parking rules are now part of your homeowner routine. A notebook to write these things down can be a lifesaver!

Days 30–60: Feeling Out Homeownership

Now that you’ve got your couch in place and know where to buy the good bread, you’re probably starting to settle in. You’ll begin to feel more connected to your street, your local shops, and hopefully, your neighbours.

This is also when you might start noticing more little things around the house—minor repairs, decor ideas, or the “maybe we should paint that wall” kind of thoughts. If you haven’t already, this is a good time to start keeping a simple maintenance list or Pinterest board of what you’d like to change.

You’ll also begin seeing utility bills roll in. Now that you have a few weeks of data, it’s a good idea to check if your usage matches your budget, and whether automated payments could help smooth out your monthly routine.

Days 60–90: Settling and Personalizing

By this point, you’ve likely started to put your touch on things. You may have hung up art, laid down rugs, or even tackled a small DIY project. Or maybe… you haven’t! That’s okay too. There’s no timeline for turning a house into a home.

What usually happens around now is a shift—from feeling like you moved into a home to actually living in it. You’ve started to learn how the light moves through your rooms, how the house sounds at night, and where you naturally drop your keys every day.

This is also a great time to think about seasonal maintenance. Depending on the time of year, you might need to clean gutters, prep a garden, or invest in a snow shovel. These little responsibilities can sneak up fast, so giving them a little attention early makes life easier later.

The Big Picture

Buying a home is a huge step—but settling in is a journey, not a race. Some days will feel full of little wins: meeting a friendly neighbour, finding the perfect spot for your favourite chair, or finally nailing the perfect kitchen layout. Other days might feel like you’re juggling a never-ending to-do list.

Take it one step at a time. Your home doesn’t have to be “done” right away. In fact, it probably won’t be. But over time, with each decision you make and each cozy moment you create, your new house becomes your home—and that’s a pretty special thing. 🏠❤️