When someone buys a home, they receive a set of keys and a stack of legal documents. What they rarely receive is a guide to actually living there — the kind of knowledge that only comes from years inside those walls.
A Home Instruction Manual changes that. Perfect if you're selling your home, but also if you want to prepare others in the event that someone unexpectedly needs to take care of your home, or sell it on your behalf (think, in the event of the death of an elderly loved one).
What Goes In It?
It's a simple document — anywhere from a few pages to a binder — that captures what a family member, a house-sitter, or a future buyer would need to know:
- Where the main water shutoff and breaker panel are located
- Which service providers handle your gas, electric, and internet
- Appliance details: brand, model, warranty status
- A seasonal maintenance checklist (gutters in spring, outdoor faucets in fall)
- Personal notes — the little quirks only you know about
That last one matters more than people expect. A well-placed note about an attic light switch or a finicky basement drain can save someone hours of frustration — and real money.
Why It Belongs in Your Financial Plan
At Planning for Good, we think about financial planning as organized generosity — protecting not just your wealth, but the people who depend on you.
A Home Instruction Manual fits right into that. If something happened to you tomorrow, could your partner, your children, or your executor navigate your home without you? For most families, the honest answer is no.
Creating this document is a low-cost, high-impact step toward making sure your home is an asset — not a mystery.
Where to Start
You don't need to build it all at once. Start with the three things that matter most in an emergency: utility shutoffs, key service providers, and safety system locations. Add the rest over time. I've attached a sample template below, but ideally, you'll make this your own!
Download the Home Instruction Manual template here.
If you'd like to talk about how your home fits into your broader financial and estate plan, we're here for that conversation.
Planning for Good, LLC is a virtual financial planning firm serving busy professionals, LGBTQ+ individuals and families (and their loved ones!), and blended families — bi-coastally, with heart.