If you are over the age of 12, you’ve probably developed a healthy skepticism about New Year’s resolutions. Or at least the life expectancy any one of them can anticipate. But whether or not the good intentions they signify live past Groundhog’s Day, they do, at the very least, serve one noble purpose: that of clarifying goals.
So I was interested when the National Association of Realtors® HouseLogic website ran an end-of-year article proclaiming a “Top-10 List of New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home.” I expected the list to consist of the kind of maintenance chores that Steamboat Springs homes need to stay in tip-top condition—but the list was more interesting than that. The writer (home improvement author John Riha) approached the subject literally, translating the typical Steamboat Springs homeowner’s personal New Year’s resolution list into what you might call their “home’s-eye” counterpart.
The first resolution—a perennial list-topper for most post-holiday partying adults—looks like this:
1. “Lose weight” translates into a resolution for your home of “cut energy use.” Since Steamboat Springs homes do tend to be gluttons for energy, cutting back is a worthy 2019 goal.
2. “Quit smoking” becomes “maintain your HVAC system”—since purifying indoor air quality serves a similar noble cause. Interesting detail: for fireplaces, use firewood instead of the pressed wood substitutes which may contain formaldehyde.
3. “Get out of debt” becomes “budget for improvements.” Those year-end bonuses, if put aside for maintenance emergencies, serves to keep credit card balances from running up interest charges.
Not all the list’s entries made for perfect human-to-house parallels—but that’s all right—keeping any three or four New Year’s resolutions for an entire year would be a heroic accomplishment for any Steamboat Springs home. But one of them (#7) would be simple to stick with: “Drink less” which translates into, “curb home water use,” could be accomplished once and for all simply by installing low-flow showerheads.
Here’s wishing that Steamboat Springs ’s New Year brings with it continued health, prosperity, and an abundance of all that is good to you and your family. I’ll be available throughout the year whenever a real estate solution is called for!