People make New Year's resolutions about all manner of things, from losing weight to paying off credit cards to learning how to speak Mandarin (if you're not already a Mandarin speaker). There's something about that magical Jan. 1 date that invites us to resolve to do some special things differently as a new year beckons.

Well, how about home improvement resolutions? You've settled into your dream home from Beavercreek homes for sale, so could anything be more worthy of your time, attention, and hard work? The good news is the resolutions don't have to be expensive to implement. You can even do more than one. Resolve, for instance, to clean out the attic. That may be a big chore. But you might also resolve to do something simple, like changing your furnace filter every month.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure to write your resolutions down in a special notebook. Open it up often and meditate on what you mean to do. Then, be sure to act on what you've written down. You'll feel more inspired once you accomplish one of your resolutions. After that, you'll be likely to tackle the others.

Here are a few home improvement resolutions our REALTORS® have thought up to get you started.

1. Change your air filter more often.
   We already brought it up, so why not get busy on this one? You can buy filters in packages if you don't want to buy one monthly, but you might want to think about upgrading from a cheap fiberglass filter — which needs to be changed every 30 days -- to a pleated filter that not only lasts longer but helps improve your air quality. Set yourself a reminder on your phone to check it monthly to see if it needs changing, especially if you burn candles or incense.
   
   
2. Clean overlooked dirty areas.
   Some areas just collect dirt and grime, and because they're mostly out of sight, they tend to be overlooked on cleaning day. Dedicate an entire day to cleaning these messes: 1. Refrigeration coils (whew! just look at that dust and dirt!); 2. The crack between the stove and the dishwasher or wherever you've likely dropped bits of food and other debris (get help pulling the stove out!); 3. Dryer vents — hey, you might prevent a fire by cleaning these; and 4. The dishwasher. If you're not sure how to clean these areas, you can bet there's a YouTube video for each. You'll be amazed how good you feel, knowing these grungy areas are clean.
   
   
3. Freshen up your rooms by rearranging furniture and wall decor.
   You don't have to go out and buy all new furniture and furnishings. You can freshen things up by rearranging. If you're not that swift at seeing how else your furniture might look if you moved things around, ask a friend with a good eye for decorating to help you.
   
   
4. Clean out the fridge and freezer.
   You know you'll be thrilled once it's done. Imagine having one of those clean, well-organized fridges and freezers like you see on TV where everything is nicely stacked, and all those old, mysterious containers of who-knows-what have been tossed. Check the expiration date and toss it if it's past its prime.
   
   
5. Tackle the yard and get ready for spring.
   Rake up dead leaves. Cut and remove plant stalks from last year, avoiding any new growth — particularly those bulbs you planted last season and which may soon be ready to bloom.

Talk to our Beavercreek real estate staff for more unique ideas on freshening up your home and property. Contact Wright-Patt Realty today.