Studies show that 80 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions fail before the start of February. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap. If you’ve committed to improving your fitness this year, Luchechko Mortgage Team is here with some tips on how you can maximize your chances of success by exercising at home.
 
Create Your Ideal Workout Space

Finding space to exercise at home can be a hassle. However, if you can find space for a home gym, you’ll not only increase your chances for fitness success but also raise the value of your home.
 
  Convert a current room into a home gym
One option for your home gym is converting a room in your home that is no longer serving its original purpose. Do you have a:
   Guest bedroom but no guests,
    Kid’s bedroom but they’ve moved out,
    Game room that’s no longer necessary, or
    Third garage stall that’s sitting empty?

Could you convert your unused room into a home gym?
Select the Right Equipment To Meet Your Goals
It’s important to understand what equipment fits into your fitness plans and lifestyle before you sink money into your home gym.
Are you looking to strength train, complete cardio workouts, improve flexibility and stability, or perform a combination of many exercise types? Your workout goals will influence your decisions for equipment purchases. Consult with your doctor and a fitness professional before starting a workout plan to understand what will work best for you.

We’re already into cold weather season, but it’s never too late to ensure that your house is protected in winter temperatures. We’ve pulled together some helpful tips to help you prepare for freezes, snowstorms, or other adverse conditions.
    Prepare the Inside of Your Home
Getting your home ready indoors for colder temperatures will not only keep you and your family more comfortable this winter, but also help prevent expensive, inconvenient repairs.

    Get your HVAC system ready.

It’s wise to have your heating and cooling system inspected by a professional twice a year – in the fall and in the spring – to keep everything running smoothly. Many HVAC service companies will put you on a biannual service program, so you don’t have to worry about remembering.
Clean out your chimney and fireplace.
Soot and ash from previous seasons can clog your fireplace and chimney, and create dangerous conditions that could cause a fire. Protect your family and your home by purchasing a chimney cleaning kit, or hiring a professional chimney sweep.
Take care of your pipes.
Cover any pipes that are in danger of freezing, such as those closest to your outside walls, with pipe insulation to help prevent them from bursting.

When temperatures drop drastically you can also run a slight trickle of water in each of your faucets to keep water moving and lower the chances of the pipes freezing. This is an especially important trick to remember if you lose power and heat, which increases your chances of frozen pipes.

Since the pandemic took place in our lives, we are experiencing few trends in the homebuying industry that appeared. Outdoor Features Rank High on Buyer’s Most Wanted Lists
   According to a recent article in Kiplinger(Opens in a new window), “In today's housing market, outdoor living spaces have become the most coveted outdoor home feature.” An outstanding 82% of home buyers indicate they want a patio, and 81% say they want a front porch. Both are eye-catching and offer great curb appeal. They also provide additional living space for homeowners, giving them another space to relax and enjoy being outside.

      If you have great outdoor features, such as a manicured lawn, garden beds, etc., don’t forget to showcase them with outdoor lighting. This feature also ranks high on the list of homeowner desires. Good lighting helps with presentation and the overall ambiance and enjoyment of your outdoor spaces. Best of all, it’s often relatively inexpensive to add. Kiplinger estimates the cost to install outdoor lighting at $260-$530.
No matter which stage you're at in your homeownership journey, you can learn a lot from current trends. Whether you’re looking to increase the value of your home for resale, enjoy the space you're in, or find a home that will meet your needs both now and in the future, these three trends will steer you in the right direction. Looking to learn more? Contact your Lucehhcko team members so we can help you stay informed on the latest in homeownership.