Real Estate Blog

Conducting and storing an inventory of the belongings in your home can be crucial in times of natural disasters and unexpected losses. Documenting your belongings should not be taken for granted and should be done immediately before unforseen events take place.

Download free home-inventory software such as KnowYourStuff.org (www.knowyourstuff.org), a service of the Insurance Information Institute, or MakeLifeEasy (www.makelifeeasy.com). The software will help you inventory your home by creating files for individual rooms and adding descriptions of their respective items, including the purchase date, replacement cost and serial number. You can also upload photos through some services. Scan receipts and appraisals, and include them in your home inventory to prove the value of an item. Find out if the software provider offers free or low-cost secure online data storage. For instance, Switzerland-based Vault 24 (www.vault24.com/public) charges $14.99 a year to store a home-inventory project that you can access via its Web site in the event of a disaster. (The site also links directly with KnowYourStuff.org.) When taking inventory, you should typically videotape the exterior and interior of your home, describing each item you see. Store your video or DVD in a safe-deposit box, along with a printed copy of your inventory, and give another copy to a friend or relative.

Don't wait until its to late, implement your home inventories today.