2026: Two Realistic Resolutions for a Smarter Year in Homeownership

As another year begins, we’re faced again with the chance to set resolutions that actually matter—ones that improve our lives, protect our finances, and bring peace of mind. In 2025, we encouraged you to take care of your home and avoid risky financial fads. In 2026, let’s build on that foundation with two updated, practical resolutions that reflect what homeowners are thinking about right now.

Resolution #1: Treat Your Home Like the Asset It Is

Your home isn’t just a place to live—it’s a personal sanctuary and one of your strongest long-term financial assets. But smart ownership in 2026 looks a little different than it did five years ago.

• Maintain and improve with purpose. Routine maintenance still matters—checking roofs, fixing leaks, servicing HVAC, and keeping gutters clear will protect your home’s value (and your sanity).
• Consider energy efficiency upgrades. Energy efficiency upgrades can lower utility costs and boost appeal if you ever decide to sell. Things like sealing drafts, upgrading thermostats, or swapping old appliances for ENERGY STAR models are smart moves that add value.
• Know your home’s market value. Market conditions shift every year. If you haven’t checked your home’s current value recently, 2026 is a great year to do it—understanding your equity helps with planning renovations, tax strategy, and future moves.

Your house is more than a backdrop for your life—it’s an investment that pays dividends when you treat it that way.

Resolution #2: Focus on Real Value—Not Hype

Last year, we warned against chasing the crypto roller coaster; in 2026, that message still stands—but it’s time to broaden it:

• Avoid financial trends with no intrinsic value. Fads come and go—NFT collections, meme coins, get-rich-quick apps, leveraged memes about “the next big thing.” If an investment doesn’t have real utility, earnings, or underlying fundamental value, you’re betting on luck, not strategy. Same story, different buzzwords.
• Build financial resilience instead. Smart financial foundations—like paying down debt, building an emergency fund, beefing up retirement contributions, or even increasing your mortgage payments modestly—add real value over time and give you peace of mind. (Incremental extra principal payments, even $50 a month, can cut years off a loan and save money on interest.)
• Make informed decisions. Whether it’s choosing a remodeling project, refinancing, or deciding when to list your home, decisions rooted in research and planning beat impulse moves every time. A trusted advisor helps you make choices with confidence—not fear of missing out.

A Smarter 2026 Starts With Realistic Actions

Resolutions don’t need to be grandiose to be meaningful. The most impactful ones are practical, measurable, and tied directly to your life and values.

Here’s to making 2026 a year of smarter choices, stronger foundations, and more peace of mind—both in your home and your financial life. Happy New Year!

For personalized real estate advice from a Devonshire expert, call Brendan Hirschmann, REALTOR® at 972-559-4648. Brendan can provide insights and guidance to help you navigate current market trends and make informed decisions.