Need some New Year’s Resolution ideas?

Are you making some New Year’s resolutions this year? It’s estimated that more than half of all Americans will make one or more pledges for the new year. At Primary Residential Mortgage, we’d like to offer up some smart New Year’s Resolution ideas for homeowners that can save you money and help keep your family safe:

Find out if you can take advantage of today’s historically low mortgage rates. Home purchase and refinancing rates remain extremely favorable. Some families can lower their monthly mortgage payment by refinancing. In other instances, purchasing a first home or a move-up property this year could be a smart move. Let’s meet and crunch some numbers.

Get your chimney inspected and cleaned. Over time, fireplace and wood stove chimneys can become clogged with residue and catch fire. Annual inspections and cleanings can help prevent fires and help extend the life of your fireplace or wood stove. While you’re at it, clean your dryer vent, too. A dryer vent that’s clogged with lint can reduce the appliance’s efficiency and can be a potential fire hazard.

Make your home less inviting to thieves. Don’t want to invest a lot of money in a fancy home security system? The good news is that there are a number of easy and inexpensive steps that homeowners can take to deter thieves. Motion-sensing exterior lights and indoor timers, for example, are fairly inexpensive investments that can help prevent a break-in.

Install a programmable thermostat. If you have an older thermostat, installing a new one could save you money and make you more comfortable. Many newer models have even more features than those manufactured just a couple of years ago.

Pay your mortgage payment automatically. Still writing out a check for your mortgage payment each month? Opting to have your mortgage payment automatically draft from a checking or savings account could be a smart move. That way, you don’t have to worry that your payment is being made on time. Late payments can push your overall credit score lower, especially mortgage payments. On-time payments over time can help increase your credit score, which in turn can help you qualify for lower rates on a variety of types of consumer loans.