Deciding how long to keep paperwork after selling a house depends on your individual circumstances. With so many moving parts, there are a number of scenarios that can arise, each with their own specific documentation requirements. Read this Redfin article to find out a few of the most common home sale scenarios and their recommended document retention periods. Whether you’re selling your home in New Haven or finally putting your house in Chattanooga on the market, you can use this information to protect yourself from some of the most common problems down the line.
This article is meant to act as a general guideline. Consult a tax professional, attorney, or Redfin Real Estate Agent for advice specific to your situation.
How long should you keep paperwork after selling a house?
You should keep paperwork related to the sale of your house for several years after the sale — often at least seven — especially if the sale involved a large gain, home improvements, or any unusual circumstances. This includes documents like your closing statement (HUD-1 or settlement statement), receipts for repairs and upgrades, and anything else that helps document your home’s value over time. These records can be useful if questions come up later, whether for taxes, legal matters, or future financial planning.
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General paperwork guidance for all home sale situations
- Key documents to keep: Purchase and sale agreements, closing statements, deeds, title insurance policies, receipts for home improvements, mortgage payoff statements, and any tax-related forms.
- Why keep them: These documents may be needed for tax purposes, resolving disputes, or proving ownership history. The IRS can audit tax returns for at least 3 years after filing and 6 years if significant income is underreported. Beyond that, some home sale situations will require longer document retention.
- Storage tip: Keep physical and or digital copies in a secure, organized manner. Digital backups are recommended for long-term storage and easier to sort through.
| Situation | Minimum Document Retention Period | Key Documents to Keep Indefinitely |
| Primary Residence (No Tax) | 3 years post-tax filing | Closing statements, major improvement receipts |
| Primary Residence (Taxable) | 6 years post-tax filing | Closing statements, major improvement receipts |
| Investment/Rental Property | 6 years post-tax filing | Closing statements, depreciation records, rental income/expenses |
| Inherited Property | 6 years post-tax filing | Appraisal at date of death, estate documents, closing statements |
| Second/Vacation Home | 6 years post-tax filing | Closing statements, improvement receipts |
| Short Sale/Foreclosure | 6 years post-tax filing | Form 1099-C, lender correspondence |
| 1031 Exchange | Indefinitely | Exchange agreements, intermediary records closing statements |
| Sale with Legal Disputes | Indefinitely or per state law | Contracts, legal filings, correspondence |
How long to keep documents after different types of home sales
Not all home sales should be handled the same. The same goes for how long to keep paperwork after selling a house. You need to be fully aware of your situation and the documentation requirements associated with it.
1. Primary residence sale (no capital gains tax due)
Scenario: You sell your primary residence and don’t owe any tax on the profit.
Retention period: Keep your closing documents and records of any home improvements for at least three years after you file taxes for the year of the sale.
Example: If you sold the home in 2025 and filed taxes in 2026, hold onto your records until at least 2029.
Additional considerations: Improvements can affect your home’s value over time, so storing receipts longer — or indefinitely — is a good idea.
2. Primary residence sale (capital gains tax due)
Scenario: You sell your primary residence but owe capital gains tax.
Retention period: Hold on to these documents for at least 6 years after the tax filing year. For complex cases, consider keeping key documents indefinitely.
Additional considerations: Same as scenario one, it is a good idea to retain records of all home improvements.
3. Investment property or rental property sale
Scenario: You sell a home you used as a rental or investment.
Retention period: Hold onto records of the sale, income, expenses, and improvements for at least six years after filing your taxes.
Example: For a 2025 sale filed in 2026, keep everything until at least 2032.
Additional considerations: If you claimed depreciation or other deductions while owning the property, keeping those documents even longer can help you stay covered.
4. Inherited property sale
Scenario: You sell a home that you inherited.
Retention period: Keep sale-related paperwork for at least six years after filing your taxes.
Example: If you sold the home in 2025 and filed in 2026, hold onto documents until at least 2032.
Additional considerations: Documents like appraisals, probate records, or wills may be worth keeping indefinitely in case questions come up in the future.
5. Sale of a second home or vacation home
Scenario: You sell a second home that wasn’t your primary residence.
Retention period: Keep your sale records, improvement receipts, and any related documents for at least six years after your tax filing.
Example: If the sale happened in 2025 and taxes were filed in 2026, aim to keep everything through 2032.
Additional considerations: If the home was ever a primary residence or rental, keep records from those time periods too.
6. Short sale or foreclosure
Scenario: You complete a short sale or go through foreclosure.
Retention period: Keep lender correspondence, closing documents, and any official forms for at least six years after filing your taxes.
Example: If the sale happened in 2025 and you filed in 2026, hold onto everything until at least 2032.
Additional considerations: These types of sales can be more complex, so it’s safest to digitize and store records securely for the long term
7. Sale involving a 1031 exchange
Scenario: You sell an investment property as part of a 1031 like-kind exchange.
Retention period: Keep all documents related to both properties — including the exchange agreement and closing statements — indefinitely.
Additional considerations: Since the tax implications can carry forward into future sales, maintaining a full paper trail is essential.
8. Sale with legal disputes or contingencies
Scenario: Your sale included legal issues or special terms, like seller financing or a lease-back agreement.
Retention period: Hold onto all contracts, correspondence, and legal documents indefinitely or until all claims and obligations are fully resolved.
Additional considerations: The timeline for keeping these records can vary depending on state laws. If you’re unsure, consult an attorney.
Don’t toss your important docs too soon
When it comes down to it, the best approach is to digitize your records, store them securely, preferable in multiple locations, and label them.You don’t want to be the person scrambling through boxes of water-damaged paperwork in the garage five years from now. When it comes to the question of how long to keep paperwork after selling a house, err on the side of caution. Digitize your records and store them somewhere safe until the day comes that you need them.