What Should I Do in My First Week as a New Homeowner in Oklahoma?

Your first week in a new home starts with the locks. Change or rekey them, find your water shutoff and breaker panel, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and put your closing documents somewhere safe. Then make a note to file for Oklahoma's homestead exemption, which can lower your property taxes.

Whether you bought in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Collinsville, Coweta, Glenpool, or Catoosa, the same checklist applies.

I'm Christina Shortsleeve, a REALTOR® with REMAX Results, and I help first-time buyers across the Greater Tulsa Area buy with a clear plan, including what to do after the keys.

You don't know how many keys to your home are out there. Previous owners, contractors, and service providers may still have one. Rekeying or replacing the locks on every exterior door, and changing any garage and keypad codes, means you know exactly who can get in.

• The main water shutoff. If a pipe leaks, you'll want to turn off the water quickly.
• The breaker panel. Label the breakers if they aren't already.
• The gas shutoff, if your home has gas.
• The HVAC filter. Note the size, replace it, and set a reminder to change it.
• The water heater. Check the date on the label so you know its age.

• Test every smoke detector and replace the batteries.
• Test or add carbon monoxide detectors, especially if your home has gas appliances or an attached garage.
• Check that you have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

• Keep your closing documents in a safe place. You'll want them for taxes and when you sell someday.
• Update your address with the post office, your bank, your employer, and your insurance.
• Find your home warranty information, if you have one, and save the phone number.
• Keep your inspection report. It's a good to-do list for your first year.

My article on what a home inspection covers in Oklahoma explains how to read that report.

The homestead exemption lowers the assessed value of the home you live in, which lowers your property taxes. You apply once with your county assessor, and you don't reapply each year unless you move.

To qualify for a given year, you need to own and live in the home by January 1, and the deadline to apply for that year is March 15. If you buy in 2026, you'll likely file in early 2027. Your county assessor's office can confirm the details for your home.

• Keeping the old locks. Rekeying is one of the first things to do.
• Not knowing where the water shutoff is until there's a leak.
• Forgetting the homestead exemption. Put March 15 on your calendar.
• Tackling every project at once. Start with safety, then work through your inspection report over time.

What should I do first after buying a house?

Change or rekey the locks, find your water shutoff and breaker panel, and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

When do I file for the homestead exemption in Oklahoma?

You need to own and live in the home by January 1, and the deadline to apply for that year is March 15. Apply with your county assessor.

Do I have to reapply for the homestead exemption every year?

No. Once it's approved, you don't reapply unless you move.

Should I change the locks on a new house?

Yes. You don't know how many keys are out there, so rekey or replace the locks on every exterior door.

If you're starting to think about buying, start with my page for first-time buyers in the Greater Tulsa Area. When you're ready, send me a message. I'll walk you through the Purchasing Pathway, so you know what each step looks like before you reach it, including your first week after the keys.

Christina Shortsleeve is a REALTOR® with REMAX Results in the Greater Tulsa Area, helping first-time buyers, homeowners ready to upgrade, and downsizers buy and sell with a clear plan. She has sold 127 homes since 2020.