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Not an agent, how long do I keep previously owned documents?

My mother passed and has documents from 20 years ago, and longer, on previously owned homes and land. They have all been sold years ago. Can I toss them out?

Asked by Barbara Smith | El Paso, TX| 05-30-2024| 686 views|Selling|Updated 1 year ago

Answers (5)

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Kevin Neely

Keller Williams Realty Elite Partners · Spring Hill, FL

(76 reviews)
This is a common question among Florida buyers and sellers, and the answer depends on your specific situation and local market conditions. Understanding the fundamentals before making any decisions protects your investment and your timeline. In Hernando Beach, Hernando County, Florida, the real estate landscape has its own characteristics that affect how this plays out in practice. The Nature Coast market attracts a diverse buyer pool including relocators from higher-cost states, retirees, and local move-up buyers, which creates consistent demand across most price points and property types. The strategic approach is to work with a local agent who can pull current comparable sales data and walk you through the specific factors that apply to your situation in Florida. Every market is different at the neighborhood level, and decisions based on general advice or national headlines often miss the local nuances that matter most to your outcome. Making informed decisions based on local data is always the strongest position. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells
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04-15-2026 (2 weeks ago)··
Amanda Courtney

REP Realty Group · Fort Myers, FL

(13 reviews)
Keep closing documents, title policies, surveys, and improvement receipts for as long as you own the property. After selling, hold on to them for tax purposes for at least 3 to 7 years. When in doubt, digital copies are your friend.
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11-03-2025 (6 months ago)··
Keith Jean Pierre

REMAX First Realty · East Brunswick, NJ

(151 reviews)
Barbara, I always use the tax method and keep everything for at least 7 years. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA
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04-25-2026 (1 week ago)··
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Jennifer SchillRising Star19 Answers
Jennifer Schill

Epique Realty · Houston, TX

(2 reviews)
I cannot think of any reason not to toss them.
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06-12-2024 (1 year ago)··
Candace CarewNovice1 Answer
Candace Carew

Houzable Group at OnDemand Realty · Dallas, TX

(5 reviews)
You could toss them, but you might just mail them to the current owners. What a neat piece of history.
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02-12-2025 (1 year ago)··
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