Home buyers sign many documents throughout the process of purchasing a home. Loan documents alone can easily be over 100 pages. After closing your transaction, you should maintain a completed file.

Collect copies of every document that was signed during your transaction with the seller. Originals are not necessary. However, you should have fully executed documents with all parties' signatures. Consider keeping these documents for at least a few years after you eventually sell your home. (or indefinitely if you never sell your home).

The main reasons to keep these documents are for future reference. This may mean for your own review, or in the event you need to file a claim, either against the seller, your professional representation team, or contractors. In today's world, most documents are digitized in some form, especially transaction documents.

Your real estate agent or transaction coordinator will be able to provide you with copies of all the purchase transaction documents – either in hard copies or PDF files to store on your computer. 

Closing documents are typically kept by the closing agent, lawyer, or escrow officer. This paperwork is separate from the documents associated with contract negotiations and will include financial and legal documents. Sometimes real estate agents may not receive every document during the transaction, as they are sometimes sent only to the buyer and seller.

The Deed and Mortgage documents are filed at the county recorder and become a public record, meaning you can always obtain a copy of those documents from the recorder's office or from a title company.

Here the most important documents to save:

Be sure to keep all your paperwork in an organized filing system and in a fire-proof safe.

Purchase Contract: The document containing the final agreed-upon purchase price and terms between buyer and seller.

Addendums, Amendments or Riders: Anything that alters or amends the terms of your purchase contract. This type of document could clarify, for example, the names on title or spelling of the seller's or buyer's name or correct a street address.

Seller Disclosures: Includes material facts, lead-based paint, transfer disclosure statement, and any other written warranties, guarantees or disclosures the seller provides.

Requests for Repairs: Any monetary agreements or contracts to repair items. These may be considered addendums to the purchase agreement. A repair addendum specifies the particular type of work to be completed and could spell out whether the work may require a permit or to be performed by a licensed contractor.

Loan Estimate: The initial estimate of the terms and costs of your mortgage loan, provided by the lender.

Appraisal: A detailed report providing an estimate of the value of your property.

Escrow Instructions (if any): Often supersedes the purchase contract and spells out the terms and conditions of the agreement between buyers and sellers. Authorizes escrow to perform specific acts on behalf of the parties involved.

Closing Disclosure: A form that provides the final details about your mortgage loan, including the loan terms, projected monthly payments, and itemized closing costs.

Note: A written promise to repay a specified amount of money plus interest at a specified rate and length of time.

Deed of Trust/Mortgage (including any riders): The document that secures the Note. The Deed is recorded with the county recorder for the county in which the property is located.

Home Inspection Report: Summary of a home inspector's findings, pointing out which items are in good condition and which need repair or replacement. This should include photos. If this is a digital file, copy it to a thumb drive or the cloud as a backup in the event your computer should ever lose data.

Pest Inspection and Completion Certificate: Copy of report from pest inspection company and certification that the work has been completed. In California, for example, pest inspections are on file for two years at the state. Not every state requires a pest inspection.

Other Inspections and Work-Related Documents: Any other inspections or work that was performed. This could include contractor invoices and permits.

Home Warranty Plan: Includes the policy number and contact information for repair calls. Also outlines what is covered under a home warranty plan and types of items that are not covered. You may be surprised to learn what is NOT covered.

Promissory Note and Mortgage: Often, the note is not recorded, and you will not receive the original note until it is paid in full. The mortgage will show your principal balance and terms of your loan as required by the lender.

Homeowner Insurance Policy: Terms, conditions, premium notice, and policy number for your homeowners insurance. If your loan is impounded, the lender will pay your premium upon renewal. If not, you are required to pay it annually.

Not only does it serve for proof of coverage, but just in the case you need to make a claim, you will have contact and coverage information on hand. 

Title Insurance Policy: Lays out your vesting, dollar amount of title insurance, and exceptions to coverage. Contains the name of the title company, date of issuance, and policy number.

Estimated Closing Statement: The final estimate of all charges and credits for buying the home. This document includes the sales price, your cash to close escrow, your loan amount, and all of the other costs paid through escrow to settle the sale, including credits and prorations.

Closing Statement: Contains all the official charges and credits of your home purchase. You will need this copy for filing your personal taxes for that calendar year because some items may be tax deductible. Give this document to your tax preparer. Your closing statement will probably also be certified by the closer.

Deed: Title transfer document returned by the County Recorder's office after being placed in the public records. Contains how you hold title, the name of the sellers giving you title and the property's legal description. The deed will be mailed to you after recording.