How to Organize Your Home Records (and What to Keep)

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Your homestead exemption application, property tax appeals and a future sale all depend on paperwork you get at closing. Here's what to keep and a simple way to store it.

What to keep

• Closing documents: the deed, closing disclosure or settlement statement, and title policy.
• Property tax records: each year's assessment notice and tax bill, plus your homestead exemption application and approval letter.
• Improvement receipts: major work like a roof or addition. These may matter for taxes when you sell, so ask a tax professional what to keep.
• Insurance and warranties: your homeowners policy, appliance manuals and warranties.

Rules on how long to keep records vary, so check with your county or a tax adviser. Find your state's homestead exemption and deadline.

Protect the originals

Keep originals of the deed and closing papers in a fire-resistant container, and a scanned copy somewhere else.

• SentrySafe HD4100 Fireproof and Waterproof File Box
  Holds hanging file folders, with a key lock.
  Check current price on Amazon ↗
• Fireproof Document Bag, 2 pockets (15 x 11 in)
  A lower-cost, portable option for the most important papers.
  Check current price on Amazon ↗

Sort everything else

• Amazon Basics Expanding Accordion File Organizer, 13 pockets
  One pocket per category: taxes, insurance, warranties, improvements.
  Check current price on Amazon ↗
• Brother P-Touch PTD210 Label Maker
  Label folders, the breaker panel and shut-off valves in one afternoon.
  Check current price on Amazon ↗

Scan a backup copy

A phone scanning app works for a few pages. A small sheet-fed scanner is faster for a whole closing package.

• Epson WorkForce ES-50 Mobile Document Scanner
  A compact, single-sheet scanner powered over USB.
  Check current price on Amazon ↗

Next step: find the exemptions you qualify for and check the filing deadlines.