Need a good New Year’s Resolution for 2019? How about something related to your home—like saving up to buy a new home, listing your current home, or (finally) making some upgrades to improve your home value? Whatever your plans for the new year may be, here are some great real estate New Year’s Resolutions for 2019.
Go Green
Improve your home value while cutting down on monthly expenses (and saving the environment) by making some simple home improvements. Small projects like insulating HVAC ducts or upgrading to programmable thermostats can yield big energy savings, and if you want to go big, houses that come with green roofing have a big advantage.
Want to go a little bigger? Consider upgrading your appliances or your HVAC system, installing low-flow faucets, or replacing old windows with Thermopane.
Clean Out the Clutter
One of the simplest ways to improve your home value is to declutter! Focus on one room or area at a time and lighten the load a bit, storing, selling, or throwing away things you just don’t need or use anymore.
Get Organized
Is there a particular room or area in your home that you just can’t seem to get organized? Make it your goal for the new year. Start by thinking about how you might create a better system for organizing, whether that be more or better storage, more categorization, or just less stuff altogether.
Tip: Focus on the function of storage bins, rather than their look. Establish a plan for your storage and take measurements before buying anything.
Tackle Maintenance Projects
Stop skipping the squeaky step or bemoaning the loss of that electrical outlet that went bad two years ago. Stop procrastinating repairs or postponing necessary maintenance problem. Not only will it make your home more enjoyable for you, but it’ll also make it much more saleable, too! (No buyer wants to walk into a world of maintenance woes).
Start a Value-Boosting Upgrade
Love your home but wish it had ____? Well stop wishing and start doing something about it! If you’ve always wanted granite counters or a big soaking bathtub, make it happen. If you’re renovating for value-boosting reasons, focus on your kitchen and bathrooms—historically, these are the rooms that sell homes!
Tip: Not all renovations see a good return on investment. Avoid knocking out walls, adding square footage, or completely redoing whole rooms. Instead, focus on smaller updates, like flooring, countertops, sinks, and hardware, or outside, on the roof, doors, and windows.
Budget & Start Saving
Dreaming of a bigger home, a retirement home, or your first home? Then now’s the time to start planning! Take a good look at your finances—your income, your monthly expenses, your debt. Creating a set budget (and sticking to it) is a great way to start saving for your down payment.
Tip: Getting prequalified for a mortgage is a great way to get started budgeting for your new home.
Prep Your Home to Sell
If you’re ready for a change, why wait? The more time you give yourself to get your home ready to sell, the more likely you are to get a good sale price… and avoid the stress and headache that comes with trying to rush.
Tip: Start with decluttering and paring down your belongings. Not only will it make moving easier, but it’ll also make your home look neater and more spacious to potential buyers.
Make Retirement Plans
Even if you’re not quite ready to retire, it’s never too early to start making plans, especially if your retirement is also going to involve a relocation. Start simply by thinking about where you might like to go, what activities or amenities you want and need in your new home, and doing some research on areas you’ve visited or think you might enjoy.
Buying? Selling? Just Do It!
Make 2019 the year you finally buy that new home or sell your current home (or both). Get started simply by picking up the phone and calling an agent.
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home on the Seacoast, then it’s time to contact Jim & Ann. We’re here to help you keep your real estate New Year’s Resolutions… whatever they may be!