As December comes to a close, many Coloradoans are thinking of their goals for next year.  Here are some of the top New Year's resolutions for Colorado homebuyers and homeowners.

"Buy a home" - Many prospective Colorado homeowners are looking forward to getting into their own home, so that they can stop throwing money away on rent and start building equity in their very own home.

"Save for a down payment" - If you are planning to put money down on a home, you'll want to start saving early.  As a result, saving money is a popular New Year's resolution among prospective homeowners.

"Fix my credit" - In order to buy a home you need respectable credit, especially now, as many lenders are increasing their standards in the aftermath of the subprime lending crisis.  Bad credit can be fixed if you are diligent about making payments on time from here on out and discussing your account with your creditors.  However, this process can take time, so the sooner you start the better.

"Redecorate the house" - New Year's is often picked as a time for change.  Why not resolve to redecorate in the new year.  Even changes as simple as repainting a room or rearranging the furniture can lend a room a fresh new look.

"Catch up on home repairs" - If you feel like you're always behind on maintenance and repairs, you're not the only one.  Many homeowners have a hard time keeping up with the demands on their house.  Resolve to give your house the attention it needs in the new year!

"Do that remodel we've been planning" - Not only does remodeling enable you to modernize and increase your enjoyment of your home, but it also adds value.  Bathroom and kitchen remodels are the most popular, not to mention the most likely to add as much (or more) value as what you put into them.

"Landscape the yard" - A pretty yard can entirely change how a house feels, both inside and out.  A landscaped yard also adds curb appeal, which can have an impact on your home's value.

"Save money by becoming more energy efficient" - In addition to the normal ways of saving money on the energy bill, such as turning out unnecessary lights and keeping the thermostat on a lower setting in the winter and a higher setting in the summer, you can also replace old appliances with more energy efficient ones.  "Going green" helps your finances and the environment, which makes it an especially respectable New Year's resolution.

"Buy that vacation home" - Despite the dire forecasts regarding the real estate market, the second home market is booming[KSL1] .  Owning a vacation home is a dream for many families, and is a key New Year's resolution for many people every year.

People have noted that most people make the same New Year's resolutions every year, and Colorado homeowners and homebuyers are most likely the same way.  What are your New Year's resolutions this year, and how do they differ from last year's?