Five for 2025: Make these your property priorities in the New Year

Unsurprisingly, "exercise more," "eat healthier," and "save more money" are among the most popular New Year's resolutions. According to Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant, these goals top the list year after year. Anecdotally, most of us would agree.

While these resolutions are certainly worthwhile, consider adding commitments that enhance the value of one of your most significant assets—your property. Michelle Cohen, Principal at Leapfrog Johannesburg North East, believes every property owner should prioritize the care and wellbeing of this investment as they would any other valuable aspect of their lives.

Here are her top five tips for setting your house in order in 2025.

1. Boost your savings with smart property choices

If saving more money is one of your resolutions, your property—and specifically the interest rate on your bond—is a good place to start.

“Many people don’t know that the interest rate on a bond doesn’t need to be fixed for the full loan period. There is nothing stopping you from ‘shopping around’ for a better rate. Remember, even a 1% difference in the interest rate can result in significant savings over the long term,” Cohen explains.

However, moving a bond from one bank to another does incur costs. A trusted property advisor can help weigh these costs against potential long-term savings.

Another option is to pay more into your bond each month. While this isn’t an immediate saving, it reduces the total interest paid over time. Use our handy bond repayment calculator to help you see how much you can save by paying more than the minimum monthly payment

2. Streamline your property paperwork

Life admin seems to increase every year. Psychology Today even refers to it as “invisible labour,” emphasizing its toll. Your property is no exception, which is why getting your documentation in order should be a 2025 priority.

• Review the terms and conditions of your household insurance policy to ensure adequate coverage.

• Schedule a free property evaluation with a property professional.

• Create a digital folder to store all property-related documents, such as your title deed, insurance policies, and maintenance records.

Properly organized paperwork brings peace of mind and can save you time and stress down the line. We cover what a home legacy file is and tips to keep yours updated and ready for when you need it most.

3. Stay on top of maintenance

Don’t delay—maintain today! Property maintenance issues can snowball quickly. What starts as a minor gutter repair can escalate into a major roof problem.

“When it comes to home maintenance, the best advice is to address issues proactively and immediately. Letting things get out of hand will cost you more money and cause unnecessary headaches,” Cohen says.

Actionable Steps:

• Make a list of maintenance tasks for 2025 and prioritize them by urgency or budget.

• Use a home maintenance app to set reminders for regular tasks, such as HVAC servicing or gutter cleaning.

• Schedule time to address minor fixes, like replacing old fittings or touching up paint, before they become major projects.

4. Declutter for a fresh start

We live in homes, not storage facilities, yet many of us accumulate far more than we need. Regular decluttering is key to maintaining a harmonious living space.

“A client once told me she declutters quarterly as a way of honoring her home for the safe space it provides her family and to bring fresh energy into the space. It’s advice I now follow myself,” Cohen shares.

Tips for decluttering:

• Consider methods like the KonMari technique or the 12-12-12 rule to make the process manageable.

• Commit to decluttering at least once a year. Donate items that can help others or sell valuable items you no longer use.

• For example: "If you didn’t use that exercise bike once in 2024, it’s time to put it on Facebook Marketplace,” Cohen quips.

5. Invest in your community

As the saying goes, "No man is an island." Modern life often leaves us disconnected from the communities we live in. However, investing time and effort into your neighborhood can yield significant benefits.

Easy ways to start:

• Introduce yourself to your immediate neighbors and exchange contact information.

• Volunteer with local initiatives, such as the neighborhood watch or a community cleanup.

“Everyone wants to live in a safe, friendly neighborhood. That starts with a simple hello,” Cohen suggests. Communities where neighbors know and support one another tend to be safer, better maintained, and more appealing to potential buyers.