Owning a house is much like managing a business. As a business owner, you need to maintain the overall needs of the structure, organize the necessary documents, and improve some systems for a smooth operation. With all these things done within the business, a record or receipt is mandatory. In terms of your home, whether it’s routine maintenance or cosmetic upgrades, all the touch-ups must have accurate records of what was done.
A comprehensive order of your home documents and keeping track of your home repair, upgrades, or renovation is fundamental for tax purposes, future appraisals, and potential resale. Now, as a homeowner, it is time for you to know the most important home maintenance records that you should track!
1. Maintenance Services
Since your property is your investment, keeping records will give you an advantage in case you decide to sell your house so that buyers will see how your home has been well cared for. It is also useful to keep a log of dates and services performed, not forgetting to include the names and contact information for contractors, inspectors, plumbers, electricians, pool maintenance companies, and landscapers. But what maintenance services should you include? Here are a few major services that you can log that will significantly be helpful to home inspectors during a sale:
- HVAC system maintenance
- Roof repair or replacement
- Pest inspection or treatment
- Termite systems
- Basement waterproofing systems
Similarly, remember to include the dates, names, and warranties that may or may not be transferable to the new owners.
2. Home Improvements
There may come a time when you decide to appraise your house, and all appraisers will be asking about your home improvement and upgrades for the previous years. This information is crucial for them since it will help them determine the actual value of your property. The coverage of evaluation may reach up to 15 years ago, so it is always best to start recording your home improvements early on so that you will be prepared if you have plans for future appraisals. Some examples of home improvements that you can track in a spreadsheet or in some other type of record receipts include:
- Bathroom renovations
- Basement finishing
- Installation of new flooring
- Roof maintenance
- Window replacements
- Decoration updates
3. Other Helpful Documents
Sometimes, you might get too excited about the new appliance you purchased, and you forget about the essential documents that must remain intact. Keeping this information may come in handy whenever your devices start to encounter any issues. This is because you may end up throwing away the warranty of your refrigerator, water heater, HVAC system, or washer/dryer. Then, you will need to buy a new one instead of just replacing it with the manufacturer. Keeping all of this will always make sense, especially if you decide to sell your home. So, what other helpful documents that you can keep? Here are some in which you can start collecting for easy reference:
- Home warranty plans
- Blueprints and layouts
- HOA documents
- Receipts and invoices
- Warranties
Conclusion
Keeping the records of your home maintenance is not an easy thing to do at first, and there’s no denying that patience and hard work are necessary for the organizing process. However, it is not a project exclusively for persons with organized personalities. Do not worry because there are now available apps for house maintenance that can help you track records easily!
HomeManager is a digital home manager tool developed by professionals across the U.S. that alerts users with monthly reminders on what action to take to maintain their home. In addition, it is the best app for homeowners because it provides good preventive home maintenance habits that last a lifetime to make your life easier, safer, and less stressful. Head over to our website and register today!