75 Things to Know About Your Home

Our home is often our largest investment, our sanctuary from the outside world, and the place where a whole hunk of our paycheck goes. In the interest of preparedness, here are the 75 things you should know about your home (many of these things apply to homeowners but others will apply to all):

1. your complete address (address, city, county, state, country)
2. legal description of property
3. year your home was built
4. square footage of your home
5. size of lot
6. type of home (stick built, manufactured, modular, timber-framed, etc)
7. information on any property easements
8. zoning of property (single family, multi-family, commercial, etc)
9. was all building and remodeling properly permitted and inspected?
10. property boundaries
11. any classifications of the property (wet lands, floodplain, etc)
12. location of any hazards on property (old mines, old wells, creeks, etc)
13. history of home (previous owners, previous use of property, has anyone died in home, historical society info, etc)
14. if there is a Home Owner's Association (HOA) and any HOA rules/restrictions
15. copy of home's most recent appraisal
16. copy of most recent home inspection
17. current value of home (check http://www.zillow.com/)
18. tax assessor information (valuation, tax rate, etc)
19. if the home is paid off, where is the deed?
20. mortgage company info (name, address, phone number, account number, etc)
21. interest rate and terms of the mortgage loan
22. type of loan (FHA, VA, conventional, other)
23. are there penalties for pre-payment of the loan?
24. information on any second or third mortgages on the property
25. information on any levys or liens on the property
26. location of gas shut off and emergency contact number for the gas company
27. location of water shut off and emergency contact number for the water company
28. location of electrical shut off and emergency contact number for the electric company
29. location of main line drain cleanout access point
30. well information (location, depth, most recent water test, etc)
31. septic tank information (location, location of drain field, last time emptied, etc)
32. name and phone number for home service providers (housekeeper, gardener, plumber, electrician, handyman, pool guy, etc)
33. info for all utility providers (name, contact info, and account number for phone, cable, electric, water, gas, sewer, garbage, etc)
34. home insurance information (name of insurance company, contact info, account number, agent's name, etc)
35. copy of insurance policy (be aware of what is covered and what is excluded)
36. special insurance policies (flood, earthquake, special property riders, etc)
37. copy of most recent insurance policy update (know amount of land, structure, and personal property coverages and amount of deductible; increase or decrease amounts and deductibles if necessary)
38. security system info (name of company, account number, contact number, code numbers, etc)
39. how to open security door and window bars
40. set of master keys for all locks in home (interior and exterior)
41. roof info (age, type--shake, tile, composite, any warranties in affect)
42. siding info (age, type--shake, aluminum, vinyl, LP, any warranties in affect)
43. Heating/Air conditioning system info (appliance info--serial #, brand, etc, current warranties, previous service info, fueled by--gas, electric, propane, etc)
44. info on all interior and exterior paint used on home (brand, color code)
45. info about drainage system (location of sump pumps, location of exterior drains, etc)
46. written instruction on how to use unique features of home (solar power system, composting toilet, cistern, dumbwaiter, etc)
47. contact information for neighbors (name, address, contact phone numbers, etc)
48. annual safety equipment check (smoke detector, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinkler system, etc)
49. warranty info for all appliances (range, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, clothes washer, dryer, et al)
50. water heater info (type--electric, gas, capacity, age, warranty if any)
51. location of seasonal items (storm windows, screens, awnings, etc)
52. fireplace info (when was flue last cleaned, rain cap/spark arrester is in place, etc)
53. energy efficiency of home (how much insulation in walls/attic/basement, type of windows, etc)
54. internal home hazards (lead paint, asbestos materials, lead pipes, radon, etc)
55. large appliances/furniture/bookcases are secured to the wall to prevent falling over in the event of an earthquake/tornado
56. parking information (location if off site, permits needed, etc)
57. type/location of exterior property hazards (dead standing trees, poison oak patches, vicious neighborhood dogs, wild animals, etc)
58. neighborhood: location of local sex offenders
59. neighborhood: annoyances (located in flight path, commercial/industrial odors/noise, traffic, etc)
60. neighborhood: existing or proposed development
61. neighborhood: crime statistics
62. location of: nearest public transportation stops
63. location of: nearest fire hydrant/fire department
64. location of: nearest school, church, hospital, grocery store, bank, post office, library, etc
65. location of: mail delivery (to home or box)
66. location of: trash pick up
67. any problems with mold, mildew, rodents, termites, etc.
68. most likely local natural hazards (hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, earthquakes, etc)
69. location and operation of safes, trap doors, escape tunnels, panic rooms, etc
70. multiple evacuation routes from property to freeways, the next town, the next state (taking into consideration that bridges, tunnels, and overpasses may close roads)
71. written and practiced fire escape plan
72. location of exterior family gathering spot in case family must flee from home
73. written and practiced lock down plan
74. home safety hazards are addressed (loose rugs/stairs/handrails, adequate lighting, window blind cords are not a strangulation hazard, etc)
75. outbuildings (are secured, items in building are safely stored, etc)