Keeping a maintenance log alleviates concerns buyers have with purchasing a used home.
Documented repairs, maintenance, and upgrades demonstrate the home is in better cared for and possibly in better condition than newer properties that have no record at all.
Protect the value of your investment
There is no worrying about a new home’s history. New homes sell on average for 14% more than resale, used homes. A homeowner file helps you go after those extra dollars builders tend to fetch by answering that same concern. What is the history of the home?
Click here to see the new home versus resale comparison
Making your homeowner file
I got a plastic file tote at Wal-Mart (my local retail store) for under $20. Inside the tote I put all my:
Manuals as you buy appliances staple the receipts and warranty info inside the cover of the manual. Then place the manual inside a folder within your filing tote.
Upgrades everybody does a few upgrades when they buy their home. That might be carpets, ceiling fans, painting, etc. Whatever it is save the information on your purchases such as color selection, manuals, warranty info, etc. inside your file tote.
Maintenance create a folder inside your tote for each year you own your home. When you have maintenance completed (carpets shampooed, vents cleaned, AC serviced, etc), place a copy of the receipt in the file. Enter work you complete yourself (cleaning out rain gutters, lubricating window slides, etc) on a maintenance log sheet.
Click here to print a home maintenance log sheet
Tip keep a digital log on a USB thumb drive. Scan the documents as mentioned above. When you go to sell your home this will be easier to share with potential buyers.
Disclosure ads up to dollars in your pocket
Maintenance logs create trust. The trust you need to complete a transaction. There’s no bragging necessary, no puffing, no screaming for buyers to purchase your home.
These files communicate for themselves. And you need one. It costs you no time. Simply put your receipts and manuals in the tote instead of the garbage. Your wallet will appreciate this when it comes time to sell your home.