Carla ~ not only should buyers and sellers keep their paperwork from a transaction, but so should agents.

Those two words sum it up nicely. Our E and O people pound us all the time-"If it's not on paper, it didn't happen." A slight over statement maybe but with such a legal system, no need to start behind the eight ball by failing to keep documentation.

Carla -- excellent reminder.   Proper documentation is key for home purchases and certainly you will want to  keep records when that purchase is finally paid off.   

Carla - Great advice!  Buyers and sellers need to keep their paperwork and not rely on others, title companies around here have disappeared, so have real estate brokerages and law firms.

This is so important Carla!  One time to get my VA eligibility back I had to go and find my original HUD1 selling my first home that I used a VA on.  If I had not had the paperwork, it would have been a task to go and get it from the title company that I originally sold the home.  Terrific post and suggested of course :)!

GREAT advice!  And Miss Carla, might YOU ever think about becoming an Ambassador???  Just thinkin', girlfriend....you would be mavvvvvelllous.

Your posts are fun, very informative and timely. And it would be so nice to see a shiny orange star and "label" under your name!

Carla: Excellent advice... If I remember correctly it's 7 years in Washington, but none the less, even when Escrow & Title keep those physical files they are stripped down then scanned to keep digitally. The info saved is what's important to the issuing company, usually what's called a starter file, so when the property sells again or refi's they have a good starting place to chain from... As much as I hate saving paperwork, in the case of your home, probably your largest investment... Keep Everything! You never know when it might be important... Stuff happens. People die, get divorced, get remarried, will it to their kids, their pets, etc., and (God forbid) the recording is mis-posted by the County Recorders office. It happens... Your original paperwork, especially if complete, will hold up in court because it more fully documents the process than anything that gets recorded in public record.

Very good advise Carla.  I often have I need a crucial piece of paper work from long ago and not been able to find it.

Hi Carla, That is really great advice. You never know when you might need that paperwork again. I hope the sun is shining on you, today.

Carla, and if you put it into your safe deposit box. don't die unless you have added all of your children to the list of people who can get into your box with the key!  We're currently trying to get  the original copy of my mom's will, and M&T won't give it up easily!  And yeah, it's really important to keep it in a safe place.

Hey, Carla!  I included this post in Last Week's Favorites.

Carla

Yeah, this is a pretty important topic. I have on my docs on my computer during the deal, then make a copy on a CD for the client, another CD for myself, and a copy on an exyernal harddrive. I have copies going back to when I started 8 years ago, should they ever be needed.

Jeff

Hi Carla - This is someone everyone should take seriously.  And not just your home docs, but if you have heirlooms or expensive antiques or art, please keep the documentation where your family can find it if something happens to you or if you later decide to sell it or gift it to someone. 

When my dad passed away my daughter was about to toss some old stuff until I looked at it and happened to know it was very valuable.  Although we didn't want to keep all the stuff ourselves, I was able to sell some of it it on ebay for thousands of dollars.  If I hadn't caught her, everything would have been trashed because there was no paperwork on any of it.

In fact I had to get a certified copy of his house deed before I could buy his house from probate.

Good list of reminders Carla!  Keep it, keep it, keep it!  It is amazing what people don't keep or know where they put it when it comes to important documents!

Carla, Thanks for your reminder!  It is so important for all, buyers, sellers and realtors, to keep good files.  I have learned from past mistakes and try to keep all relevant paperwork in order. 

Hi Carla,  Great reminder for clients and agents.  Especially in view of what maybe a rather contentious " He said, I said." argument !

There is some paperwork you just have to keep.....birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decress, and anything to do with real estate....just keep it.

I read Q&A all the time and by the time I get to it someone has already asked "what does your paperwork say?"  DUH!