Just bought a house- what things should I know?

[sunnyca]

I recently purchased a 1960 SFR in Orange County.  Previously, I lived in a condo, so a lot of routine maintenance was taken care of.  I'm wondering, what things should I know/keep track of/learn in order to maintain my house?

Any advice is appreciated.  Thanks all!

[GuitarStv]

Check your furnace/AC filters and be on the lookout for pest damage (bugs and mice, things living in the attic) are the two most important things that I have to do.  Everything else tends to be very evident (leaking roof, rotting deck, windows that need painting, leaking basement, trees growing too close to the house, etc.)

[Thinkum]

Definitely check your filters, but also the outside AC unit if you have one. A lot of people do not keep them clear of debris. I remember changing the locks as well as the garage door opener code. Also make sure to lock any backyard or side entryways. Get onto NextDoor if possible so you know of any issues in your neighborhood. Also a good way to get to know your neighbors.

I found learning how to do simple toilet repairs was the most helpful. The yards, front and back, will be your responsibility now, so depending on you want to handle that, you might have to buy some lawn care equipment. CL is a good source as is NextDoor, at least sometimes. If you have any mature trees you might want to have them trimmed and looked at to make sure they are not diseased.

Did you have a plumber do a leak test? Did you get copies or an idea of the previous owners utility bills? You can get a better idea of how much water is typical and a leak test will make sure there is no problems.

Congratulations!