Good news! there isn’t an app that does exactly what I’m thinking (at least, not that I’ve been able to find)! Most of what’s out there seems to be either an organizer/to-do-list thing, or a phone book of home repair technicians. That said…

Who: All homeowners, renters who want more independence and/or to be a good tenant.

What: Get a feel for what to look for to see if something’s going wrong with home utilities. Build a general understanding of one’s own home. Have a resource available to walk through solving a problem the first time it occurs, with the idea that the user will now know how to handle it in the future. Encourage better home care practices emphasizing safety, proper caretaking, and greener living.

When: Upon arriving in the home or apartment, the user would customize the app and get a general feel for how to take care of the house. The app would then become something to refer back to if there’s a problem or if the user would like more info about cleaning/repairing an appliance.

Where: The iPod/iPhone would  ideally be carried with the user as s/he walks about the house.

Why: Many home repair and maintenence situations are only a problem to handle the first time they occur. JensApp focuses on getting the user through the current situation (hopefully on their own, but would also reccommend getting help or a professional in situations where it is warranted) and teaching them to know exactly what to do if the problem crops up again. Having JensApp as a teacher would give the user reassurance that s/he will either be able to handle it on his/her own, or find the help needed.

How: Step-by-step tutorials, mainly, accompanied by animations when appropriate. Ability to expand outward and ask questions. Pop-up hints and recommendations?