New Year Home Checklist: Protect Your Home & Your Peace of Mind

A new year is the perfect time to take stock of your home — not just for interior refreshes, but to protect your investment and simplify your life. A few focused tasks now can save you time, money, and stress down the road. Below are easy-to-follow steps to start the year right, plus tips and templates to help you complete each item.

1. Create a Video Inventory (and Back It Up) Why: Photos and lists are useful, but a room-by-room video gives an immediate, date-stamped visual record of your home and belongings. That helps for insurance claims after theft, fire, or natural disasters.

How to do it:

• Take your phone or camera and walk through the house room by room. Narrate what you’re filming (room name, date, and notable items).
• Focus on high-value items (jewelry, electronics, appliances, artwork), serial numbers, make/model tags, and any pre-existing damage or features of the home (flooring, windows, built-ins).
• Don’t forget exterior items: landscaping, shed contents, outdoor furniture, and detached structures.
• Keep videos steady and close enough to capture details when needed.

Storage and backup:

• Save a copy in the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox) and another offline copy (external hard drive or USB).
• Consider emailing a copy to yourself or storing it in a secure file folder so it’s accessible if devices are lost or damaged.

Sample narration/script: “January 5, 2026 — Living room. Sofa (make/model), two end tables, 60-inch TV (serial number…), framed painting over fireplace, no visible damage to mantel…”

1. Review and Update Your Home Insurance Why: Life changes — new purchases, renovations, or safety upgrades — can affect how much coverage you need. Being underinsured is costly.

Checklist:

• Make a list of new high-value items purchased in the past year (jewelry, cameras, laptops, musical instruments).
• Note recent renovations (kitchen remodel, roof replacement, finished basement) and safety upgrades (new roof, security system, smoke detectors).
• Compare your calculated replacement cost to your policy’s dwelling coverage and personal property limits.
• Confirm any deductible changes and whether you have adequate liability coverage.

Actions:

• Contact your agent or insurer with updated information and photos/video.
• Ask about discounts for safety upgrades (alarm systems, smoke detectors, deadbolts) and for bundling policies.
• Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your policy renewal to reassess.

1. Check Your Home Warranty Why: If you have a home warranty, it may still cover repairs or replacements for appliances and systems. Knowing the coverage and expiration dates helps you plan any eligible work.

Steps:

• Locate your warranty contract and read covered items and exclusions.
• Note warranty expiration/renewal dates.
• Make a list of any repairs you’ve been postponing — appliances, HVAC, water heater — and check if they qualify for coverage.
• If your warranty is nearing expiration, decide whether to renew based on service history and likelihood of future repairs.

1. Review Mortgage and Loan Documents Why: Mortgage rates, escrow accounts, and loan terms can change. An annual review keeps you informed and prepared.

What to check:

• Current interest rate, remaining balance, payment schedule, and any escrow changes.
• Any notices from your lender about adjustments or opportunities (refinance, principal reduction).
• Tax documents and closing paperwork in case of disputes.

Storage tip:

• Buy a small fireproof folder or safe and keep originals there. Also create encrypted digital copies stored in the cloud and on an external drive.

1. Perform a Home Security Check Why: Security upgrades reduce the risk of burglary and may lower insurance premiums. They also give you peace of mind.

Checklist:

• Evaluate locks on exterior doors and consider deadbolts if you don’t have them.
• Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries if necessary.
• Inspect exterior lighting and add motion-sensor lights where helpful.
• Consider a monitored or self-monitored security system or cameras. Many systems are affordable and easy to install.
• Inform your insurer of security additions — you may qualify for discounts.

Bonus: Simple Annual Maintenance Tasks to Combine with These Steps

• Test sump pump, garage door auto-reverse, and GFCI outlets.
• Clean gutters, check roof for damage, and inspect the foundation for cracks.
• Service HVAC and change air filters.
• Flush water heater to remove sediment (or schedule a pro).

Practical Tools and Templates

• Video Inventory Template (quick script):
  • Start: “Date — Address — Room name”
  • Record: major items, serial numbers, any damage, make/model
  • End: “End of inventory for [room].”
• Digital folder structure suggestion:
  • /HomeInventory/Video
  • /HomeInventory/Photos
  • /HomeInventory/Receipts
  • /Insurance/Policy
  • /Mortgage/Documents
• Reminders:
  • Set calendar alerts for insurance renewal (60 days prior), warranty expiry (30 days prior), and annual maintenance (spring/fall).

A little time now means a lot less stress later. Block an hour this weekend to start your video inventory, then spend 15–30 minutes reviewing insurance and warranties. Have questions? Call me. Karen Daugerdas, your Coldwell Banker Real Estate Broker, 847.494.1102.