Ringing in the New Year means making resolutions to improve your life, relationships, and happiness. One aspect you may forget to make resolutions for is your home. Being a homeowner means having extra responsibilities and maintenance, so why not make some New Year’s resolutions to keep your home in tip top shape?
Do a Deep Clean
January is the perfect month to do a deep cleaning of your home. The weather is frigid and you’re probably cooped up in the house anyways. Take a weekend and go through all of your belongings.
Get rid of items that are collecting dust or that you don’t use anymore. Go through your clothing, shoes, and linens and throw out anything that doesn’t fit, ripped, or that you just don’t care for. Cleaning out your home of items you don’t need is a refreshing way to start the New Year.
However, the deep clean is just the beginning. The resolution for the year is to keep your home clutter-free and organized.
Make Extra Payments on Your Mortgage
If you find yourself with a little extra cash at the end of the month, throw it towards your mortgage. If you pay a little extra each month, it will save you a great deal of money in the long run.
Making an extra payment on your principle will make a tremendous difference. To find out how much you could be saving by paying a little extra each month, use this handy little calculator from Bankrate.
Find Out How Much Your Home is Worth
Just Fix It!
You know what I’m talking about, that drawer that seems to get stuck every time you pull it open or the doorknob that is coming loose. This year, don’t ignore the things in your home that need some extra attention. Most of these simple fixes will take a mere 5 minutes out of your day. Once it’s fixed, you will have peace of mind knowing you don’t have to worry about or deal with it again.
Read Over Your Insurance Policy
It may have been a few years ago that you bought your home and thinking about your homeowners insurance probably isn’t on your mind. During the month of January, make one of your resolutions to look over your insurance policy again.
Make sure your policy hasn’t changed. You should understand what is covered and what is not. It’s always good to have a little refresher to start the New Year!
Learn DIY Projects
Save some extra money this year by completing DIY projects around the house. Instead of spending a couple hundred dollars on that wooden chest to put at the foot of your bed, try to make one yourself. This will give you the ultimate creativity to make it your own and just the way you’d like.
There are endless possibilities as to what you can do to your home. Whether it is with decorating or remodeling the kitchen, there are plenty of tutorials online and guidebooks for you to browse. It’s a great feeling to be proud of something you made.
About Agent Lady: Cherise Wynne is a leading real estate agent in Philadelphia, helping home buyers and sellers navigate the City of Brotherly Love, with a special focus on first time home buyers. To chat about getting started with your first time home buying experience, call 215-518-5193 or click here.
