2026 is officially underway and many a new year’s resolution will have already fallen by the wayside. However, January is a great time to have a strategic look at your life, your home and your property portfolio. REALGLEN Properties has put together a list of five ways to be proactive about your home in 2026.
1. Clean and declutter
A clean, uncluttered home does more than look good: it creates space to think, breathe and plan. Use your spare time in early 2026 to tackle forgotten cupboards, overloaded garages and rooms that have quietly become storage zones.
Decluttering helps you reassess how your home is working for you, and there are various ways to do it. You could follow Marie Kondo’s approach, which is simply to discard of anything that does not bring you joy. For a less black-and-white approach, you can use a “time-block” method. Set a 15–30-minute timer and have a focused decluttering session once a day or once a week – whatever you can manage. Short, regular sessions will help you build momentum to get the job done without feeling daunting.
2. Get a property valuation
Even if you’re not planning to sell your home, it’s a good idea to know what your investment is worth. In some cases, you may find that your property’s value has grown significantly since you purchased it – and this could have an impact on your decision making. A professional property valuation gives you insight into how market shifts, interest rates and neighbourhood trends are affecting your home. Knowing where you stand financially puts you in a stronger position to plan ahead for 2026 and beyond.
3. Smart renovations
Renovating your home doesn’t have to be hugely expensive and you can enhance the comfort, functionality and resale value of your home without stretching your budget. Energy-efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures are a great place to start. If you haven’t already done so, switch to LED bulbs, which use 80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs and last much longer. In terms of saving water, you can install low-flow showerheads, which reduce water use without sacrificing pressure.
A fresh coat of paint – which you can apply yourself if the budget is tight – can go a long way to refreshing a room that has started to look tired. Even painting a feature wall can transform an ordinary room into a talking point.
4. Invest in real estate
If you have been taking advantage of the advantages of being a tenant, 2026 may be the right year for you to make your first property investment. Or perhaps you’re already a homeowner, but you’re thinking of becoming a buy-to-let investor. Whichever scenario you’re in, the first step is to review your financial situation and speak to a property practitioner about smart areas to invest in and opportunities that may be available.
5. Save towards a property investment
Perhaps you’re not yet in a position to make a real estate investment, but this could be the year that you start saving towards making this dream a reality. Saving towards a property investment is one of the most proactive financial moves you can make in 2026. Even small, consistent contributions can build momentum over time. Setting a clear savings goal, reviewing your monthly expenses and using a dedicated savings account can help you get ahead.
If you’d like to discuss your next real estate move with an expert, get in touch with REALGLEN Properties. We specialise in properties in Kempton Park, Boksburg and Benoni, and we’re committed to facilitating stress-free real estate transactions.
