It’s that wonderful time of year where we can all reflect on our past year and look forward to what is ahead. It’s also the time for resolutions to make some changes or accomplish a personal goal.
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but having some solid real estate resolutions is a great move to make.
Prepare For a Move
Speaking of making moves, if you plan on moving within the coming year, there are a lot of goals you can set for yourself. A simple place to start is to reach out to a real estate agent and begin to discuss how you can best prepare to sell. Real estate agents can give you some key tips on things you can do to really make your home stand out and sell fast (refinishing floors, fresh paint, putting items into storage, etc.). Knowing ahead of time what kind of projects you need to complete will help you prioritize your funds and your time.
Looking to move out of a rental and buy for the first time? Get with a real estate agent who can prepare you for that as well! They can help you understand the market that you’re in and adjust your expectations so you have a realistic idea of what you can buy when you are ready.
Actually Put Your House on the Market
Maybe you’ve already been preparing to sell for some time now but you are just too nervous to go through with it. With the busy spring season not too far around the corner, this could be the best time to make some moves and actually get with an agent to put your house on the market.
Playing the waiting game can be dangerous for both your emotions and your pockets. Starting the home sale process a little early means you are committing to what needs to be done and mentally preparing yourself for your move.
Get Organized
We’ve all been on a kick in 2019 to become more organized, but if you haven’t found yourself actually doing it yet, it’s time to consider the benefits. Decluttering and organizing your home has been said to reduce stress and chaos in your everyday life. After the holidays, who doesn’t need that?
It can really be as simple as taking out some boxes and filling them with the things that you don’t need. A simple game to play is, “Did I use this/wear this/need this in the past year?” If the answer is “no,” then chances are you can donate it or sell it. (Unless of course, it is of sentimental value, in which case it gets a special pass). With all the gifts you may have gotten over the holidays, this can be a great way to make some money by selling unwanted items, or feel good about donating to a local charity.
Once you’ve decluttered, take the time to organize your space. Some simple steps include:
- Hanging up all of your clothes
- Folding your laundry properly in your drawers
- Removing clutter from surfaces
- Throw away all trash
Marie Kondo would be so proud.
Little Project List
Sometimes, it’s the little things that count. Making attainable goals is always the best way to succeed, so when it comes to home improvement, start small. Consider doing a “weekend project,” or something you can get done in just a couple days. Some options might include:
- Re-doing your entryway by adding coat hooks or a coat rack and bench
- Painting your front door a different color
- Choose a new light fixture for a focal point of the house
- Replace your shower head for an instant spa feel
- Replace an old appliance or sink in your kitchen
Finish That ONE Room
If you do decide to take on a big project, make sure you take it one room at a time. Is it that half bath downstairs that needs a facelift? Start there. Take the time to figure out your budget, design, and timeline for this one room and pick a start date. Fair warning, once you complete this room you may either want to: re-do every single room in your house, or never ever ever ever EVER remodel a room again. Either way, you got something done!
Do you have something you are using as your Real Estate New Year’s Resolution? Let us know in the comment section below!