Property Inventory Checklist

• Keep a home inventory in case of disaster or theft.stock-taking image by Maksim Shebeko from Fotolia.com
  
  A home inventory checklist is a record of all that has value in your home. If a disaster takes your home or a thief takes your possessions, a home inventory helps to quantify your loss. Use the checklist not only to aid rebuilding plans, but to give the insurance company a way to calculate your benefits. Consider making one sheet for each room of the house and for outdoor structures like the garage.
  
  

Furniture

• List pieces from largest to smallest, to make finding items on the list easier. Describe each piece briefly. Instead of sofa, write "brown, pillow back sectional sofa," for example. Write down the brand name, the price you paid for it and the date you bought it. Record any serial numbers. List everything that has any value at all.
  
  

Electronics

• Begin with the largest or most expensive item in each room, and list everything, right down to the television remote and cell phone charging stations. Almost everything in this section will have a serial number, so write that down, along with the make and model of each piece. List the item's cost and the purchase date.
  
  

Appliances

• Proceed from largest to smallest, listing items like the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher first in the inventory sheet for the kitchen. Add make, model and serial numbers from all appliances and the date and cost of purchase.
  
  

Miscellaneous

• List miscellaneous items last. In the kitchen, list silverware and dishes. In the living room, you might list DVDs and books. Make a separate section within this section, if you like, for small, expensive items such as jewelry. This is where you will also list artwork, sculptures and other collectible items that do not fall easily into another category.
  
  

Tips

• Take photographs of each room in the home to enhance your inventory. Keep a copy of the inventory in your safety deposit box or fireproof home safe. Update the inventory sheet every few months, or whenever you make a major purchase. Don't forget to fill out an inventory sheet for your garage or workshop. If you use online software, make a hard copy to keep in your safe.