New Year’s Resolutions
for Homeowners

It’s that time again – most of us have probably sat down and come up with a few resolutions for ourselves going into the new year. We all know and love the common ones – personal fitness, financial goals, spending more time with family, and so on. But have you thought of setting up a New Year’s resolution for your home?

As homeowners, we often think about upgrades or dream about renovations, but we also know that taking the leap to act on those thoughts and dreams is a whole different matter! Setting a goal at the beginning of the year and committing to it is a good way to set yourself on the path of action to make your home just that much better in 2024. Here are some ideas we came up with to help you get started:

1. Clean up the clutter
   Start off the year with the simple and satisfying process of clearing out any space in your house that has clutter or excess. Common places in homes that tend to accumulate clutter are basements, attics, and closets. It’s natural, and often happens without us realizing it as we go through our day-to-day routines.
   
   Have a look through your home and get rid of any excess random items that don’t serve you anymore but take up space anyway. Once you’re done, set a schedule for cleaning each part of your house, and make it a routine. That way, you can stop the build-up of clutter as it happens and save yourself a lot of time.
   
2. Invest in upgrades and maintenance
   Remember, your home is an investment. By keeping your appliances up to date and staying on top of your maintenance schedules, you’re not just improving your safety and quality of life, but also increasing the value of your property. Critical investments like your HVAC systems, roof, and windows should always be kept up to standard. If those are all done, you might consider investing in modern smart appliances that will save you money, time, and energy.
   
   Of course, the costs of these upgrades and maintenance checkups can be very high, which is a common reason for hesitation among homeowners. However, there are some options available to you, like a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), that can make your upgrade and maintenance plans more accessible. Check out my article on how you can use a HELOC to get after home improvements and why they might be the right option for you.
   
3. Bring out the donation box
   One of the best things we can do to support our communities as homeowners is to regularly donate the stuff around our house that we don’t use. There is always another member of your community who could find a use for your items. Look through your house carefully for practical things that go unused. Some common items to donate include clothing, utensils, blankets, toys, mattresses, and electronics. Not only will your house be cleaner, but you’ll also kick off the new year by making somebody else’s. Hard to think of a better start.

Now that you’ve got a few ideas under your belt, let’s get after them! Let’s all strive to make our home environment cleaner, safer, and better in 2024 – and why not help our communities along the way?

Henry, Whitney Shakespear (18 Mar, 2023). “8 smart home appliances for smarter living” [Article]. DesertNews. https://www.deseret.com/23643469/smart-home-appliances [Accessed 4 December, 2023]