Most of us can’t function without lists. Errands, groceries, appointments, work assignments … whether they’re written on sticky notes or neatly organized on our phones, these reminders capture all the details that our brains can’t hold. Plus, they give us a little rush of satisfaction when we check things off as “Done.”
But lists don’t just help us keep track of things … they can help us reach our goals. Research shows that people who write down their goals are 50% more likely to achieve them than those who don’t.* That’s why you should use the power of the written word to maintain and improve your biggest asset: your home.
Go From Words to Action
Do you have a running mental list of home upgrades and repairs that you’ll get to “someday?” If the list becomes too big and overwhelming, you may push those projects off indefinitely. Remember, owning and maintaining a home is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, planning, and prioritization to achieve your goals.
Follow these six steps to make a written plan and take your home dreams from “someday” to “success.”
1. Assess Your Current State. Take a few minutes to walk around your house and imagine the most perfect version of each room. Write those ideas down, and don’t feel overwhelmed. Remember, you’re not going to tackle everything all at once.
2. Dream Big. Think about larger projects. Would you like an outdoor deck or a full landscaping makeover? What about adding a room, or renovating the whole house? In the list-making stage, you don’t have to censor yourself. Just write down what would make your home perfect.
3. Do Some Homework. Research the cost of each project, as well as its return value. This is the amount the project will add to a future sale price. Compare that to the cost of the project, and consider whether you would need a professional or could DIY. Think twice about projects that will cost a lot but yield poor return on investment.
4. Save Your Pennies. Start setting aside money in a home improvement fund, with a goal of saving 1% to 3% of your home’s purchase price each year. If you can’t afford that much now, just save what you can. Open a specific savings account for this fund with regular direct deposits, even if you start small. If you have a significant amount of equity in your home, you can also talk to your Loan Officer about a home equity loan or HELOC to fund improvements.
5. Make a Schedule. Look at your list and think through the best way to approach it. Do you want to start with the least expensive item or your most pressing need? Set a target date for each project, even for things that are several years away or feel out of reach right now. Once you’ve written that goal down, you may be surprised what you can accomplish!
6. Keep Your List in View. Don’t put all this work into your plan only to stuff it in a filing cabinet you never open. Put an abbreviated version of your list where you can see it, whether it’s on your fridge or on your phone. Create a vision (or Pinterest) board to show what you want to achieve. Having a visual reminder will keep you motivated and excited about your home’s future state!
And remember, you can always change this list as you go. Plan to revisit and prioritize your list every year. The important thing is that you’ve put your goals into words, and that’s the first step to making them happen.
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