Let’s be real—owning a home means you’re probably always doing something to take care of it. Whether you’re just keeping up with regular maintenance, upgrading the kitchen, or replacing the roof, every dollar you put into your home matters.

But here’s the thing…if you’re not tracking those expenses, you’re missing out on some serious benefits.

You’re Building Equity—Make It Count

Home equity = the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe on it. So every time you make a value-adding upgrade or improvement, you are most likely increasing your equity. That’s a big deal, especially if you want to refinance, take out a HELOC, or eventually sell.

Keeping a record of your improvements helps show how and where you’ve added value over time—and that can pay off big when it’s time to list your home.

I always ask my seller clients to pull together a list of improvements they’ve made so that we can highlight them in the listing. One easy box for you to check off if you’ve been keeping track all along!

Stay Organized, Save Yourself the Headache

Creating a home improvement and maintenance log doesn’t have to be complicated. Just start a folder—digital or physical—and drop in:

• Receipts
• Contractor invoices
• Warranties
• Photos of before-and-after progress

This record helps you stay on top of when things were done, what’s under warranty, and even which pro you hired if you need them again.

**Bonus: Tax Perks Might Be Hiding in That Pile of Receipts

Some home improvements—especially energy-efficient upgrades—may qualify for tax credits or deductions. That means money back in your pocket!

By sharing your receipts with your CPA each year, you’re helping them find every possible tax incentive you qualify for. And when you eventually sell, these records can potentially help lower your capital gains tax by increasing your home’s cost basis.

What Should You Be Tracking?

Here’s a handy list to get started:

• Renovations and remodels (kitchen, bathroom, etc.)
• Energy upgrades (solar panels, windows, insulation)
• Major repairs or replacements (roof, HVAC, water heater)
• Regular maintenance (lawn care, pest control, gutter cleaning)
• Appliance purchases
• Any contractor info and service warranties

If you don’t want clutter or don’t have the extra space that a physical file folder will occupy, then go digital! Use Google Drive, Dropbox, or a home maintenance app to store everything in one place. If you ever sell or need to show equity for a loan, you’ll be so glad you did.

Want help starting a simple tracker or have questions about which upgrades actually boost equity? Let’s chat! And if you’re already thinking about selling, I’d love to help you calculate how your improvements could impact your home’s value.

📂 Here’s a Home Improvement Log you can print