New Year’s Resolutions About Homes

Five Popular New Year’s Resolutions People Make About Their Houses

Many people see the start of a new year as a chance to make changes that will improve their lives. January 1st is like one giant reset button that provides a fresh start, a clean slate, and a feeling that anything is possible. This is why the idea of making resolutions is such a popular tradition during this time of year.

Many of the goals people set for the new year involve their homes. Renovations, moving, paying down a mortgage, and getting organized are all popular New Year’s resolutions related to houses.

What about you? Are any of these five house goals on your New Year’s resolutions list?

Declutter and Get Organized

How many times have you heard someone say, “This year, I’m going to get organized?” Or perhaps you’ve said it yourself a few times. Decluttering and organizing are popular resolutions since they’re all about getting a handle on your life and recognizing what’s important. Plus, many people are stressed, and when your home is more organized, it tends to make life run a little more smoothly.

To stick with this resolution, don’t try to declutter your entire house in the first week of January. Make it an ongoing project for the year, setting mini-milestones and celebrating as you achieve them. Find a decluttering technique that works for you and commit to making steady progress.

Once you pare down the items in a space, you can shift gears into organizing. But don’t organize any room until you’ve decluttered it. Otherwise, you’re tidying and sorting items you may end up passing along to someone else.

Stick to a Cleaning Schedule

Another common New Year’s resolution is to be more vigilant in cleaning the house. Let’s face it, life is busy, and it’s tough to stay on top of a cleaning routine. But this is precisely why so many people resolve to do better next year.

To help stay on track, be specific with a cleaning schedule. Don’t try to do everything every time you clean. Instead, break it into chunks. For example, one week you focus on dusting baseboards and trim, but the next you dust the light fixtures and ceiling fans.

Create a game plan for regular cleanings, deep cleanings, and quick tidy-up sessions. Post the cleaning schedule so that everyone in the household can see it and make sure to delegate tasks.

Pay Down Your Mortgage

Depending on how close you are to paying off your mortgage, this could be a viable resolution for you in the new year. Alternatively, you may decide to make it your goal to aggressively pay down your loan, for example, cut it in half.

If this is your goal, make a clear financial plan. Include anyone responsible for paying the mortgage with you. Map out your general budget and decide how much extra you have each month to put towards your home loan.

You can also work backwards, and determine how much you would have to pay in one year to pay off the mortgage completely. Then divide that number by 12 and see if you can create a spending plan that works with that figure.

Buy a New House

For various reasons, a popular New Year’s resolution is to buy a home. For some people, it’s a starter home that they’ve been saving for together. Maybe you’re starting a family and need a bigger house or perhaps it’s the opposite and you’re considering downsizing.

No matter the reason, if your goal is to buy a home, whether it’s your first or fourth, get in touch with a qualified real estate agent. Working with a professional agent makes a big difference in your house-hunting experience, significantly reducing stress.

Make Home Improvements or Renovations

Finally, the last home-related resolution on our list is tackling renovations, remodels, or improvements. Since many people view the new year as a time for new beginnings, it makes sense to want to refresh their homes.

Plan your projects carefully, from concept to budget to seeing it through to the finish line. Use a contractor or other appropriate professionals when necessary, and don’t try to cut corners. Pace yourself and map out what projects you want to complete on a calendar.

Resolutions for Your House This New Year

Maybe one of these resolutions made your list this year, or you’re aiming to accomplish several of them. Either way, be clear about your goals, set a timeline, and map out a plan to achieve them. If things fall short, or you face obstacles, don’t despair. Regroup and stay focused on the overall picture. If you don’t quite make it by the end of the year, you can always carry it over to next year’s resolutions.