Twyste

This week’s app of the week is actually not an app at all, but I’m including it anyway and hoping the developers will create an app for their awesome site.  HomeSpotHQ.com is self-described on their site as follows:

“HomeSpot is a free online tool that allows homeowners to manage home improvement projects, prepare routine maintenance schedules and record the important facts and history about their property.  HomeSport will help you save on home repair and improvement by helping you find deals on materials, and qualified providers in your area.”

I just found the site this morning (really early, because for some reason I woke up at 4:30) and have been busily plugging items into my online file.  I’ve already added information about my home and begun putting in routine maintenance items.  Previously this information was securely kept on post-it notes in my file cabinet.  In the process of doing this, I got excited enough about the potential for organizing my home records, I decided to write up a review and spread a little organization around to you readers.

One of the things that sucked me into checking out HomeSpot in the first place is its ability to store manuals and other pdfs (warranties, service records, receipts).  Again, I previously filed all of those in my physical cabinet (next to the sticky notes), but I hate the bulging files and would really like to go to an electronic version of most of the documents.  Because I am afraid of not having the one document that I was supposed to have kept, I will still probably put all the papers in a big tub in the garage or something… well, maybe not; I REALLY want to get rid of all the papers.

So far I really like the ease of use, the clean interface, and the just the overall simplicity of the site.  Navigation is very intuitive and I found adding rooms, maintenance items, information, pdfs, etc to be very straightforward.  Below is a screenshot of the page generated for my kitchen.  The program already had that particular listed maintenance item built in (I’ve never even heard of cleaning the dishwasher strainer and arm…).

The screenshot gives a good picture of how you add items in HomeSpot.  On the left under “My Kitchen,” there are buttons for adding a project (we will be putting some remodel ideas in there), adding maintenance, and adding a fact (those things you’re supposed to remember, like what color paint you used on the wall or where you found those period replica hex tiles, etc.).  When you click on any of those buttons, the site asks you for more specific information including options for reminders, links to shopping lists, pdfs, etc.  It’s pretty cool.

Plus, guess what?  It’s free!  If you give it a try, let me know what you think.  And, if you’re one of the developers or someone who wants to develop apps… this one would be great!  I’d love to be able to stand in the store and look at this app on my phone when I’m trying to remember what air filter I need or which lightbulbs go in that funky chandelier hanging in our dining room.