If you're going through the real estate transaction, make sure to ask the previous owners when they last had the system cleaned and pumped out. Industry professionals recommend having it serviced every 3 to 5 years.
Another suggestion to maintaining your system is to add the septic additive CCLS. Your septic system works by letting the solid materials sink to the bottom and become sludge. The tank has enough holding space to hold 3-5 years of that sludge. CCLS contains enzymes that help break down that sludge, thus lengthening time between pumping. Your tank will naturally develop bacteria that will help eat away at that sludge. Household items like bleach, detergents, toilet cleaners and drain openers cause that bacteria to die away. So CCLS will introduce that bacteria into your system.
There are things you shouldn't put down your drain so they end up in your septic system. Grease is one. Instead of pouring it down your drain, pour your grease into an old container, and when it's hard, throw the whole container in the trash.
Feminine hygiene products is another no no. Those products don't ever break down and can clog up the lines leading to your septic tank. If things get clogged, it can be very expensive, not to mention messy, to get your system back to normal.
Likewise, any kid of wipes shouldn't go in the toilet. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and items like Fresh wipes need to be disposed of in the garbage, and not down the drain.