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Resolutions for the start of the year!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Hamm Homes
Want to make 2023 the best year yet? It all starts with a happy home. Create a healthier space this year by prioritizing at least one of these resolutions.
1. Improve your indoor air quality.
Changing your furnace filter at least once a year can go a long way toward improving indoor air quality. Make sure your ventilation system is up to par, particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms. You should also use low-VOC paint and burn real firewood instead of pressed wood logs. This will help keep risky chemicals out of the air for extended periods of time. As an extra measure, portable air cleaners are available to help purify air in single rooms.
2. Declutter, room by room.
The beginning of the year is a great time to reevaluate your belongings. What do you actually use? What brings you joy? What feels stale? Since de-cluttering can get overwhelming quickly, and breaking tasks down into manageable chunks is key to achieving big results, it’s best to go room by room. Try designating one room for one weekend day until the job is done.
3. Simplify a chore that stresses you out.
We all have that one chore we dread. Maybe your vacuum just isn’t cutting it anymore, or putting away dishes is way more difficult than it should be because your cabinets are over-stuffed. Give yourself a break and simplify! This might mean hiring outside help or treating yourself to simply figuring out a new approach to organization. Whatever it may be, make your own happiness a priority and tackle it just because it’ll make your day-to-day life easier.
4. Volunteer your time in the neighborhood.
Nothing feels better than giving back to your community. You can do one better by taking on a special task in your neighborhood, like cleaning up a park, founding a community garden or organizing a neighborhood watch group. You’ll make new friends and create a lasting positive impact.
5. Take tangible steps toward saving energy.
If you haven’t taken steps toward energy conservation, the start of the new year is a great time to turn over a new leaf. Here are a few steps you can take this weekend to help:
  • Use weather stripping to seal cracks and fix drafty doors and windows
  • Switch out traditional lightbulbs for energy-saving lightbulbs
  • Insulate your HVAC system’s ductwork
  • Be diligent about keeping lights off in unused rooms
  • Set your thermostat to kick on only when you’re home
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Happy New Year Will Hamm !  I am trying my best to undertake #2 one step at a time.

Jan 04, 2023 08:36 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Personally working on several of these plans suggested. House is certainly decluttered. Thanks for your suggestions.

Jan 04, 2023 08:44 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Top of the morning Will.  An on going project in all these areas.  But yet they do make the weight lighter when keeping up with them.  mdm

Jan 04, 2023 08:59 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

This is a great list. Decluttering is on my to do list and can certainly feel overwhelming but I agree -- room by room is the best way to tackle it and not go nuts lol

Jan 04, 2023 09:01 AM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

These are all very good resolutions to make life happier Will Hamm 

Decluttering my office could be an all-year task...lol

Jan 04, 2023 09:14 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Great list Will. I am constantly decluttering our home-office. That's the one part of our home that I can't seem to get it right!

Jan 04, 2023 09:56 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

We can all do better and all of those five categories, this I am sure of. I hope your year is starting off with a bang

Jan 04, 2023 12:26 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Will,

You covered 5 specific areas that are great places to focus your attention as we embrace 2023!

Jan 04, 2023 12:50 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

HI Will- all are great things to focus on in the coming year. I am in a constant state of editing what I have. 

Jan 04, 2023 06:32 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

I can not show this post to Diane because she would give me grief about #2:)) Endre

Jan 04, 2023 09:29 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

These are good resolutions and hopefully, those that need to make them will keep them for the year, perhaps even for the rest of their lives, haha.

Jan 05, 2023 06:28 AM