Maybe it would be interesting to think about New Year’s resolutions from a different perspective today.
What if your house could talk and tell you about its resolutions for 2012? It wouldn’t really matter if it kept them all. Just hearing your house talk would be worth the listening.
It’s not too surprising that the first item on your home’s resolution list would be getting into better shape. As your home ages, it requires more and more work to keep things in good repair. Make it a priority to write out a maintenance list for your home and resolve to see it through in the year ahead.
Consider dividing the list into separate categories for routine maintenance versus periodic needs. Routine maintenance might include such things as replacing furnace filters every 30 or 90 days, depending on the type of filter. This might help reduce dust in your home and improve your heating and cooling efficiency.
Take time to walk through your home room by room, with paper in hand, and make your own list. Be sure to look for leaking faucets, cracked tile grout and any signs of mold in bathrooms or other areas. Check your windows and doors to be sure that latches and locks are properly functioning. If it needs attention, don’t delay. Fix it now!
It might also be a good time to evaluate electrical usage in your home. Consider switching to eco-friendly light bulbs and turning off power-draining electronics when not in use. Every home needs its own maintenance plan and yours is no different.
Your home could also resolve to do a makeover in the year ahead. That begins with a thorough cleaning to rid your home of unused items that have been packed away and are rarely used. Maybe it’s time to donate them to charity.
The beginning of the year is also a good time to think about painting your home (inside or out), replacing carpet or refinishing your hardwood floors. Some homes might resolve to add on a room, bust out a few walls to make a room larger, or expand outside via a covered patio or outdoor kitchen area. If your home has renovations in mind, it would be good to seek professional advice before venturing too far down the road.
Planning for retirement could also be on your home’s resolution list. It might be time to trade in the existing mortgage for more favorable terms (rate and length), purchase another home or pay-off the mortgage altogether. If this is one of your priorities, be sure and act soon while interest rates hover at or near record lows.
And finally, maybe your home’s top resolution for 2012 is simply this: Find time to enjoy life without stressing over things beyond its control. A home is more than a house. A home is where memories are made. Join me in praying that your home will be filled with good times and create lasting memories in 2012. MP
Ann Hoke leads the award-winning team at Ann Hoke & Associates (affiliated with Keller Williams Realty). For more information or comments, contact her at 397-4024 or ann@annhoke.com. |
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