Housetto guides

Practical care for every part of your home.

Reliable maintenance guidance, appliance know-how, and homeowner checklists built for real decisions.

143 guides · page 2 of 12

Split view of a laptop showing a home inventory spreadsheet next to a phone showing an inventory app with item photos.inventory

Home Inventory Spreadsheet vs. App: Which Is Better?

Compare a home inventory spreadsheet against a dedicated app on setup time, photo storage, backup, and what actually helps during an insurance claim.

Aug 28, 20268 min read
Homeowner holding a printed receipt next to an appliance while checking a warranty claim form on a laptop.inventory

Proof of Purchase for Warranty Claims: What You Need

Proof of purchase for a warranty claim means the receipt, purchase date, and model/serial number together—what counts, and what to do if you lost the receipt.

Aug 28, 20268 min read
Phone screen showing a cloud folder of appliance manual PDFs next to a physical binder of printed manuals on a kitchen counter.inventory

How to Store and Organize Appliance Manuals Digitally

Store appliance manuals digitally with one cloud folder per appliance, manufacturer PDF lookups, and recall alerts—so a manual is findable in seconds.

Aug 28, 20268 min read
Close-up of a hand holding a phone photographing a television's model and serial number label on the back panel.inventory

What to Photograph for a Home Insurance Inventory

What to photograph for a home insurance inventory: wide room shots, close-ups of labels and serials, and the order that documents a home fastest.

Aug 28, 20268 min read
Home inspector kneeling beside an open electrical panel with a flashlight, writing notes on a clipboard during a walkthrough.new homeowner

The Biggest Red Flags in a Home Inspection Report

The structural, electrical, roof, plumbing, and water-intrusion findings that should change your offer—plus how to read an inspector's severity language.

Aug 28, 202611 min read
Locksmith rekeying a front door deadbolt with a pin kit and screwdriver on a new homeowner's porch.new homeowner

Should You Change the Locks When You Buy a Home?

Should you change the locks when you buy a home? Yes—here's rekey vs. replace cost in 2026, how long it takes, and when to call a locksmith.

Aug 28, 20268 min read
New homeowners sitting on the floor of an empty living room surrounded by moving boxes, reviewing a printed checklist.new homeowner

Your First 30/60/90 Days in a New Home: The Checklist

A 30/60/90-day roadmap for new homeowners: what to prioritize each month, from safety basics in week one to your first full budget review at the quarter mark.

Aug 28, 202612 min read
Wall calendar in a home office marked with monthly maintenance reminders next to a toolbox and an HVAC filter.new homeowner

First-Year Homeowner Maintenance: What to Do Month-by-Month

A month-by-month first-year homeowner maintenance calendar: HVAC filters, gutters, seasonal system checks, and what to schedule before each season changes.

Aug 28, 202611 min read
Homeowner crouched beside a basement foundation wall, holding a tape measure up to a vertical crack in the concrete.new homeowner

Foundation Cracks: Normal Settling or a Real Problem?

Most foundation cracks are hairline shrinkage, not structural failure. Here's the width, growth, and displacement thresholds that tell you which one you have.

Aug 28, 20269 min read
First-time homebuyer walking through a kitchen with a clipboard, checking under the sink and opening cabinets during a showing.new homeowner

Home Inspection Checklist for First-Time Buyers (Room by Room)

A room-by-room home inspection checklist: what to personally check in each room during the showing or walkthrough, and what your inspector won't test.

Aug 28, 202610 min read
Home inspector and buyer reviewing a printed cost estimate on a clipboard outside a house, with a ladder leaning against the roofline.new homeowner

How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost (and What's Included)?

A standard home inspection runs $296–$424 nationally in 2026 (avg $343). See cost by home size, what's included, and add-on pricing for radon and sewer scope.

Aug 28, 202611 min read
New homeowner opening a small toolbox on a kitchen counter, sorting a screwdriver set, tape measure, and flashlight.new homeowner

Home Maintenance for Beginners: Where to Start

Home maintenance for beginners with zero DIY experience: the starter tool kit, how to tell safe DIY from call-a-pro, and how to build confidence over time.

Aug 28, 202610 min read