With every new year comes the inevitable New Year's resolutions. At the top of many people's lists are exercising more, eating healthier, and getting organized. For millions of homeowners, tackling that never-ending honey-do list may fit into their resolutions for the new year...especially if you wish to sell your Tucson home. Here's a list of some of the areas you might want to focus on in the new year.

If one of your new year's resolutions is to get your home in good shape, follow my guide to make those home improvements a little easier to manage.

New Year, New Home Improvements

Decluttering

Search Tucson homes for saleThis could also fall under the "getting organized" category that tops so many resolution lists. It also costs you next to nothing (and sometimes nothing at all) to complete. But decluttering may feel very overwhelming. Divide and conquer. Tackle one room or maybe even one closet at a time. Throw out any old, severely stained, or broken-beyond-repair items right away. Next, remove anything you or your family members have not used in the past 12 months. Clothes. Accessories. Linens. Kid's toys. Cookware. Appliances. Either organize a garage sale or donate them (or both). Finally, put everything you have left back where they belong. You free up space and clear out the clutter at the same time.

Make a List

It helps to make a list of all of the home improvement projects that need to be completed around the house. Divide the list into three categories: "big projects", "medium projects", and "little projects". Set a priority order for everything based on how much time and money it takes to complete them. Then decide which project to complete first, second, third, etc.

Tackle the "Little Things"

We tend to just go about our everyday lives with fixing the smaller home improvements. Doorbell doesn't work? Who wants that thing ringing anyway. The window won't stay up when you open it? Just jam a little stick or piece of wood in there. Wobbly doorknobs? Loose locks? Holes in the wall? Put those items on your list and start ticking each project off one by one. Again, if you choose just one or two projects a weekend, you can mark your "to do" list "DONE" before you know it. 

Regular Maintenance

Once you get through your list of home improvements, make a maintenance schedule. Talk to an air conditioning company to schedule an annual checkup of your air conditioner unit in the springtime (before it gets hot). Do the same for your heater in the fall. Gutters should be checked in the spring and fall as well. Clear out any debris. Make sure to check caulking inside and outside of your home at least once a year for broken areas or separation. Deep clean carpets at least once a year. Replace your AC filter once a month during heavy usage (summer) and once every three months in the "off-season". Run ice cubes through your garbage disposal once a month to clean the blades. Chopping up a lemon, lime, or orange and running it through your garbage disposal once a week helps keep it smelling fresh. Vacuum, dust, and sweep at least once a week. (More if necessary.) Regular maintenance of even the small things saves you headaches and money in the long run.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate