January 2017 East Coast

January 2017

Clear the clutter —

Easy home organization tips

Habits of successful

real estate agents

Fresh start —

Winter home staging

ROGER W. WEBB also featured:

Ashley Foss Lisa Revis Maria Solano

contents professionals 4

The great eight — Habits of successful real estate agents

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Fresh start— Winter home staging

buyers&sellers

Featured Agent Magazine Phone 888.437.5707 Fax 888.849.3663 contact@featuredagentmagazine.com www.featuredagentmagazine.com 2

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Clear the clutter — Easy home organization tips

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Get a jump-start on organization — Top 10 Things to throw away today

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Get fit — Create the perfect home workout space

Materials and content included in Featured Agent Magazine and on featuredagentmagazine.com are subject to copyright and may not be copied or reproduced in any part without prior written consent. Featured Agent Magazine is published by Times 3 Publishing Group, LLC. Publisher shall not be liable for any inaccuracy, error, or omission and makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the information, content, or materials included.

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Roger W. Webb

Lisa Revis

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Ashley Foss

Maria Solano

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The great eight —

Habits of successful real estate agents Perhaps you are just getting your start in the real estate business. Or, maybe you’ve been an agent for a while but you’re not experiencing the success you envisioned.

And even if you are enjoying great success, there’s always room to take it to the next level, right? Whatever your current situation, take some time to review the following habits. They are the proven practices highly successful agents we talk to on a daily basis rely on to stay at the top of their game.

Establish a Morning Ritual — One thing we hear time and time again from the most successful agents is how they have an established set of practices they use to start their day. Whether it’s a pre-dawn cup

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of coffee combined with quiet meditation, or sweating it out at the gym (or some of both), starting each morning the same way helps set the stage for a more productive, less stressful day.

Ask for Help & Utilize Resources — Every individual agent is essentially the owner of their own small business. That doesn’t mean you have to go it alone, however. Turn to your managing broker, fellow agents and other professionals, such as mortgage lenders and title agents, to help you learn about the intricacies of different types of transactions. Additionally, start making an effort to utilize assistants and other resources to keep your workload manageable.

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agents make continuing education a priority. They see the value in learning everything they can about the many different aspects of real estate. And they understand that designations add credibility and help them present to clients as a trustworthy authority.

Establish Boundaries — Many agents pride themselves on being available to their clients 24/7.

While it’s certainly advisable to make clients a priority, you can do so without sacrificing every moment of your personal life. Setting up reasonable boundaries on your time, such as not taking calls during your family’s dinner hour, is healthy and allows you to create a more realistic work/life balance.

Schedule Your Days — Most agents we talk to tell us how important it is for them to schedule their time, even when they’re not seeing clients. Setting aside time for essentials tasks, such as lead generation and follow-up, will help ensure you have a steady stream of leads in the pipeline.

While it’s tempting to do everything yourself to retain control, keeping up that pace can lead to burnout.

Develop a Business Plan — Many agents get started in the business with no real road map for where they’re going to go. They get a running start by relying on friends and family for business, but once those transactions come and go, they’re at a loss for what to do next. Savvy agents get started with goals in place that go beyond their immediate sphere of influence.

Continue Education & Pursue Designations Earning your license may feel like the end of a process, but it’s really just the beginning. Successful Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Make Work Enjoyable — Every job has its good days and bad days. But when you make a conscious effort to have a good time every day, the bad days will be few and far between. Successful agents we talk to all make it a point to mention how much they love being in real estate. Some agents love meeting new people, others love staging and marketing listings and we’ve even talked to some agents who are passionate about doing paperwork. Whatever it is you love most about being in real estate, be sure to do as much of it as possible.

Become a Force for Good — Getting involved in the community through volunteering and monetary support serves a number of worthwhile purposes. It creates outstanding networking opportunities and helps you to establish a reputation as someone who cares about the communities that support your business.

Plus, it just feels great to give back!

There is no magic formula for real estate success. But when you combine your own unique personality and skills with these best practices, you’ll find every day is just a little easier, more productive and more enjoyable.

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featuredagent Lisa Revis magazine

A true professional with an entrepreneurial spirit, Lisa Revis successfully leads her team of agents at Southern Charm Realty in Mooresville, North Carolina. After owning and operating a signage company for more than 10 years, Lisa decided to turn her passion and love of real estate into a full-time career in 2007.

“I’d always been interested in looking at different types of properties and homes, and in architecture and decorating, so I knew it would be a good fit for me,” says Lisa.

Now, as the Managing Broker at Southern Charm Realty, Lisa and her team serve clients in all of Lake Norman, along with Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. “I’m more of a listing agent and the agents on my team tend to work more with buyers. But no matter what, we all make it a priority to really listen to our clients and understand what their needs are,” says Lisa. “I treat them the way I’d treat my own family, because when I first moved to this area, I didn’t have the best experience with my agent. I want to make sure none of my clients ever feel that way when working with me.”

Always striving to go the extra mile for anyone she’s working with, Lisa adheres to the philosophy of honesty, integrity, and hard work. “This is more than just a job to me or a way to get paid. I take my actions to heart. If I shake your hand on something, you have my word and my bond, and there is no going back,” says Lisa. “I believe I should always go above and beyond and do whatever it takes to help make my clients’ real estate dreams come true.”

For Lisa, going above and beyond means always being available for her clients, paying attention to every last detail during a transaction, and taking care of all the small, but important, aspects along the way. “I make

sure to protect my clients in every way possible and I know that’s what keeps them coming back to me,” she says. “When I can take care of all the little things during a transaction, it really means the world to them because they don’t have to take time out of their busy day or time off from work to tend to those things.”

“I take my actions to heart.

If I shake your hand on something, you have my word and my bond, and there is no going back.”

Lisa is currently implementing the latest technology into her business to become more efficient and completely wireless and paperless, which will allow her to maintain a small, but highly efficient team. She relishes the fact that even as a small group, she’s been able to rank among the top 100 agents in all of North Carolina.

“I’m an itty-bitty company and a lot less competitive, so achieving the top 100 means a lot. I’m really proud of that,” says Lisa. Also among her list of accomplishments is the book she wrote and released this year, The Guide to Selling Real Estate. “It’s picking up steam and getting great feedback, which is really exciting.”

A member of the local Chamber of Commerce, Lisa takes pride in giving back to her community in a variety of ways and often hosts free, family-friendly events that residents can take part in. “We’ve done things like car shows where we have hot dogs, drinks, and entertainment all at no cost to anyone,” says Lisa.

Asked what she enjoys most about her job, Lisa says, “It’s really just the look on someone’s face when they find a home they fall in love with — the home they’ve been dreaming about and the one that meets all their needs,” says Lisa. “And knowing that I helped get them where they want to be is enough for me.”

Lisa Revis

Southern Charm Realty | Mooresville, NC 704.746.6411 | sold28117@gmail.com | www.charmagents.com 6

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Clear the clutter —

Easy home organization tips

Now that the holiday hustle and bustle has passed, it’s the perfect time for a fresh start. Wouldn’t you love to have a neat, clean and organized home in 2017? One in which you can always find what you need, without wasting time looking through what you don’t? Rooms that are organized and free of clutter not only look better, they feel better, too. Studies have shown that excessive clutter can create or worsen feelings of stress and anxiety, and even make it difficult to get the quality sleep that’s so important for maintaining good health. If you’re not sure how or where to start getting your home organized, these tips will help.

Make it Manageable — If you’ve undertaken organizing projects before, only to quit before you achieve the results you want, chances are you’ve taken on too much at once. Decluttering and organizing is best done one room, or even one area of one room at a time. To stay motivated, set aside time each day to work on a specific area of your home, rather than doing a little bit here and a little bit there. It will be easier to focus, and as you begin to see progress, you’ll be even more excited to continue.

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Sort and Purge — Remember the old saying, “a place for everything and everything in its place?”

That’s impossible to achieve when all your storage space is already filled with stuff. You’ll never be able to get organized if you don’t go through what you have and start getting rid of things you no longer need, use or enjoy. The easiest way to do this is to get three boxes, baskets or bins and label them “Keep,” “Donate/Sell” and “Toss.” Everything you touch needs to go in one of the categories (and they can’t all be “keep”). Set a time limit and move quickly; don’t give yourself time to ponder or reminisce. Make quick decisions and stick to them. Once you’ve cleared space, it will be much easier to assign a place to everything.

Get Off the Paper Trail — Nothing accumulates faster or looks messier than stacks of excess paper.

Unopened mail, magazines, catalogs and even books are some of the toughest opponents in the war against clutter. To get it under control, start by going through what you have. Open all unopened mail, recycle outdated magazines, and find a place for books that you want to keep; donate the ones you don’t. Once you have things in order, take steps to ensure it doesn’t 7

happen again. Sign up to receive all your monthly bills and statements electronically, opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offers and switch to digital versions of your favorite magazines and books.

Rather than letting mail pile up, take a few minutes to sort through it daily.

Embrace the One In, One Out Rule — Once you’ve purged and organized, you’re going to want to keep things under control. A great way to do that is to practice the “one in, one out” rule. That simply means that every time you bring home something new in a particular category, you need to get rid of something you already have in the same category. For example, if you get a new pair of shoes, an existing pair of shoes has to go. Getting in the habit of doing this will help keep clutter under control. And in time, it might actually help you save money, too. At first, it will likely be easy, because you’re in the mood to get rid of things anyway. But once you reach a certain point, you’ll have to think twice about what you’re willing to give up to bring in something new, and 8

you’ll have a harder time letting go of things you use and enjoy regularly.

Get Creative with Storage Solutions and Space — Start looking at your space differently.

Closets, drawers and cabinets aren’t the only places to store things. Consider the usually unused spaces behind doors, under beds and in corners. Look for places to use hanging baskets, over-the-door shoe racks, or a series of hooks. Hang shelves and use them to group potential clutter, such as perfume bottles or framed photos, into decorative accents instead. Once you free your mind and look at your space with fresh eyes, you’ll see plenty of possibilities you didn’t realize existed.

Don’t let the sheer magnitude of organizing your home keep you from getting started. Remember to focus on one area at a time and celebrate your small successes as you go. Once you achieve a state of clutterfree organization, you’ll be glad you took the time and made the effort.

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featuredagent Ashley Foss magazine

because I’m newer to the business, I can give clients even more of my time.”

This business is about meeting people’s expectations and making them happy.

Ashley gives credit to her parents for instilling in her a strong work ethic and an understanding for the value of hard work. “I really value that, and value honesty,” she says. “I’m very up-front with all my clients. Even if there’s something they don’t want to hear, I think it’s important they know what they’re getting into and know what to expect throughout the process.”

Real estate agent Ashley Foss never had a doubt

that she should pursue a career in real estate. “Growing up, I was always so interested in houses and watched all the HGTV shows,” she recalls. “But after college, I initially went into the medical field and wasn’t happy. Then I got into real estate and have been happy ever since.”

Although still a relatively new agent, Ashley already has an excellent grasp on what it takes to become someone her clients will turn to over and over again. “Right now, I tend to work more with buyers, which is a good way of getting my name out there and generating referrals,” she says.

Ashley also uses her knowledge of the area to her advantage. “I’m originally from Lake George, and grew up right here in the village,” she explains. “I mostly work in the Adirondacks — Lake George, Glen Falls, and Warren and Washington Counties.”

While some young agents feel self-conscious about their age, Ashley flips that perception and turns it into a positive. “I think my clients appreciate that I have a different outlook,” she says. “I’m a little more tech savvy and know a lot about social media. I have a lot of different ideas and can bring more to the table. Also

Being open to input and advice is helping Ashley develop her signature style of doing business. “One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten so far is to put the same amount of time and effort into every transaction, no matter the size,” she says. “Everyone is important. This business is about meeting people’s expectations and making them happy. I have also been told that I should put into this business what I want to get out of it. It takes a lot of hard work to be successful,” she adds.

Ashley also has some advice of her own to offer. “What’s great about this business is that there are no limits,” she says. “Also, it’s so much more than just showing houses.

You work with people and become their friends. If you work really hard this can be a great career.”

As a native of the area, Ashley is also committed to supporting the community. She has a long-standing tradition of adopting local families in need for the Christmas season. And there’s every reason to believe her community involvement will increase as her business grows.

With her energy and enthusiasm, there’s no limit to what Ashley sees for her future in real estate. “I have certain moves I want to make every year, eventually leading up to getting my broker’s license,” she says. “I want to keep helping more people, because when I see their faces at closing when they get the keys and we’re finally done and they’re so happy, it’s just so awesome!”

Ashley Foss

Hunt Real Estate ERA | Glen Falls, NY 518.338.7296 | ashley.foss@huntrealestate.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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Get a jump-start on organization—

Top 10 Things to throw away today

An easy way to get a jump-start on organizing your home is to take a few minutes to get rid of things you never use that are taking up valuable space. Here’s a list of things you can throw away (or recycle) right now.

It’s guaranteed you won’t miss them when they’re gone.

Anything Past Its Expiration Date — Expiration dates exist for a reason. If you’re hanging on to anything past its prime, time to get rid of it. That includes food, toiletries, cosmetics, vitamins and medications.

Worn Towels or Bedding — You know you never use them, which means they’re just taking up space in the linen closet. Get rid of any frayed, faded, torn or threadbare towels and linens right now to make room for new ones.

Old Keys — Everyone has that drawer filled with keys that have no purpose in your life. You’re never going to remember what they’re for, so quit trying and get rid of them.

Empty Boxes — Yes, they might come in handy. But when? If you really need a box, you’ll find one.

Break down the ones you have and put them out for recycling.

Old Magazines, Books and Newspapers — All that paper creates clutter and can be a home for insects (yuck!). Recycle old magazines and papers; donate books to local schools or senior centers.

Outdated Electronics, Cords and Chargers — Old phones, iPods, tablets, computers, and all their accessories have become a major clutter category. Recycle, donate or sell any electronics you’re not currently using. Only keep cords and chargers for your current devices.

Missing or Mismatched Pairs — This includes socks, shoes, boots and jewelry. If you can’t make a match, you’re never going to use it. Time to let it go.

Cracked Dishes and Glassware — Not only are these unsightly, they actually pose a safety hazard.

Paper and Plastic Bags — It’s nice to have a few around, but if you have an overflowing stash, send most of it to recycling. Make the switch to reusable cloth bags to eliminate this category altogether.

CDs and DVDs — Chances are you’ve made the switch to digital entertainment formats. But even if you haven’t yet, sort through your collections and only keep the ones you know you’re going to watch or listen to.

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ROGER W. WEBB

ROGER W. WEBB These days it’s hard to find people who can claim the title of Atlanta native, but real estate agent Roger Webb is one of the few who owns that distinction.

Born and raised in the Atlanta area, he attended Georgia State University and stayed in the area following graduation, eventually owning a number of successful Smoothie King franchises. After running those businesses for a decade, he decided it was time to try something new and gravitated toward real estate. It didn’t take long for Roger to realize he had made the right choice. “I definitely found my calling,” he says.

Now 10 years into a successful real estate career, he looks back on those first few years and realizes it could have turned out differently. “I started in 2006, when everything was going well, but then 2007 is when the market turned in this area,” Roger explains. “It was tough but I was persistent and was even able to put a team together during that time.”

Now that market conditions are favorable again, he urges anyone who has an interest in real estate to 12

take the leap and get started. “This is a great time to jump in,” he says. “I think the best thing for new agents to do is find an established team to join and take advantage of their training. We are happy to take on new agents and because of our education, they do very well.”

Clients who work with Roger or any member of his team can count on receiving timely, consistent communication. “We pride ourselves on that,” he says. “We’re available practically 24/7, and that’s very important. When I first started, another agent told me, ‘real estate never sleeps’ and I’ve never forgotten that. Clients appreciate how responsive we are.” Of course, clients also receive the benefit of Roger’s deep knowledge of the areas his team serves, which include the Atlanta metro area and northern suburbs such as Marietta and Canton. “I have a team of six, and they spread out to work different counties including Cobb, Cherokee, Fulton, Forsyth and Paulding,” Roger explains. “That way we’re able to cover just about everywhere.”

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Along with outstanding communication, the team is committed to conducting themselves with honesty, integrity and professionalism when dealing with clients and other real estate professionals. “There

“WE’RE AVAILABLE PRACTICALLY 24/7, AND THAT’S VERY IMPORTANT… CLIENTS APPRECIATE HOW RESPONSIVE WE ARE.” are so many agents and we want to make sure we’re known for doing everything on the up and up,” Roger says. “Because we do business with a lot of different agents multiple times, we always want to create and maintain positive relationships.”

Roger also focuses on building strong relationships with clients, which do not end when a transaction is complete. The team makes it a point to keep in touch and offer assistance whenever possible. “If someone is moving out of state, we’ll try to match Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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“WE’RE ALWAYS AMONG THE TOP 5 TEAMS IN NORTH GEORGIA, BUT OUR GOAL IS TO GET TO #1.” them with an experienced agent where they’re going so they can still get the best service possible,” Roger says. “And we like to do business with multiple generations of families. It starts with the mom and dad, moves down to the kids; it feels good to know we have helped whole families.”

All that extra effort pays off in the form of a client base made up of 80% repeat clients and referrals, and that number just continues to grow. So what it is that keeps them coming back and feeling good about sharing their experiences with family and friends? Roger knows the answer. “The key to this business is answering your phone and returning every email promptly,” he says. “It’s well known that if you decide to join my team, you have to be willing to do both those things.” In addition to an impressive rate of repeat clients and referrals, Roger and his team are also routinely recognized with industry honors. They are consistently the top team

— and Roger the top agent — within Drake Realty of GA, Inc. Additionally, Roger was a featured guest on Real Estate Radio Atlanta, along with being a RedFin Partner Agent, Zillow 5 Star Agent and Best of Trulia agent.

Roger tries to maintain a healthy work/life balance, so you’ll find him in the gym most every morning.

“I’m in there for at least an hour every morning to get moving and wake up the senses,” he says. He also likes to stay involved in his kids’ activities, splitting time between their middle school and high school games and events.

A self-described “slow growth guy,” Roger’s plans to continue building his team by adding both new and veteran agents who share his work ethic and values. And his ultimate goal? “We’re always among the top 5 teams in North Georgia, but our goal is to get to #1.”

ROGER W. WEBB WEBB REAL ESTATE TEAM | DRAKE REALTY OF GA, INC. | ATLANTA, GA 678.445.7369 | WEBBREALESTATETEAM@GMAIL.COM | WWW.WEBBREALESTATETEAM.COM 14

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Fresh start —

Winter home staging

Listing a home for sale during the winter months comes with its own unique set of challenges, not the least of which is how to stage a home for the season once the holidays have past. It’s easy to make a home look beautiful and inviting when everything is merry and bright, but more challenging when all the decorations have been put away and the weather is still gloomy and gray. But with some creativity and the right tools, it’s possible to make winter home staging look easy. Here’s how:

Clear the Clutter — Just like we tend to lighten up our eating habits after the holidays, our visual diet can use a break, too. The holidays are all about sparkle, shine, glitter and glam. And while all those things are beautiful, they can become overwhelming over time.

That’s why January is the perfect time to stage homes to look clean, soothing and clutter free. It’s a welcome break after the visual feast of the holidays. And because Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

people tend to be spending most of their time indoors during the winter, clutter or anything overdone can contribute to feelings of claustrophobic cabin fever.

Shift the Color Palette — After a season of bright red, kelly green, and shiny metallics, a more muted color palette feels right this time of year. Try adding accents in rich, classic shades like slate blue, burgundy, ivory and sage green. You definitely want to incorporate color inside to counter the gray skies outside, but it should be muted and subtle, rather than bright and bold.

Add Layers and Texture — Potential homeowners want to walk into a home that looks and feels like a place conducive to snuggling in and relaxing. Adding texture and layers with decorative rugs, warm throws and extra pillows will create those feelings. Focus on cozy, touchable fabrics such as flannel, faux fur and 15

chunky cable knits that look like a favorite sweater.

Make sure bedroom comforters and bedspreads have the same seasonally appropriate look and feel.

Bring the Outdoors In — Rooms always feel more authentic when you bring a bit of the outside in.

Place seasonal citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit or pomegranates in a wooden or heavy ceramic bowl on the kitchen or dining room table. Pine cones offer the same earthy, organic ambiance. Even a small, indoor herb or succulent garden placed on a windowsill brings a dash of much-needed green life to a space and serves as a reminder that spring will eventually arrive.

Go Into the Light — When it’s dark and gloomy outside, it’s important for the home’s interior to look bright. Consider upping the wattage of the bulbs in lamps throughout the house and adding sleek torchiere lamps in dark corners to cast a warm glow throughout the room. Don’t forget to leave the porch 16

light and other exterior lights on so the home’s exterior appears inviting.

Show Other Seasons — Ask the homeowners for photos of the property during the spring and summer. Put them together in a photo album or in picture frames placed strategically throughout the house.

Those viewing the house will appreciate seeing the flowers blooming in the spring or the garden overflowing with vegetables during the summer.

Add Thoughtful Details — Little details can make a big difference to prospective homeowners who are viewing the house. Make sure there are clean doormats by all exterior doors so they can wipe their feet before coming in. No one wants to walk around inside all bundled up, so bring in a coat rack or place some removable Command hooks in the entry way so they can shed coats, scarves and hats and walk around unencumbered.

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featuredagent Maria Solano magazine

want my own family to be treated, and never get involved in any sort of unethical situations. That is not even in my code of ethics.”

Because family — both her own and those of her clients — is such a priority for her, Maria is grateful for every opportunity she has to represent families searching for a place to call home. “I specialize in working with first-time buyers who need a little more help during the process. I really enjoy giving them advice and guiding them to their first home,” Maria says. Fluent in Spanish, she enjoys working with people in the Latino community, as well as military diplomats, thanks to the 23 years she spent in the Navy.

Licensed in Virginia, Maryland, and

Washington D.C., Maria Solano’s unique and educational approach to real estate is quite impressive. As eager as she is to learn more about the industry, Maria is equally happy to educate her clients about the process, proving to be an invaluable resource to those she works with.

With a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in education, Maria obtained her Virginia license in 2002, and in Maryland and Washington D.C. in the years that followed consecutively. “When I came to the United States, my husband and I bought a house and I really enjoyed the process,” says Maria. Having always had a passion for real estate, Maria discovered the industry was a good fit for her.

Now as an associate broker at Samson Properties, Maria’s main objective is to protect her clients at all costs. “My job as a REALTOR® is to guide my clients and give them the information they need to make good decisions. I provide them with quality service, honesty, courtesy, and respect,” says Maria. “Family is also very important to me, so I treat my clients the way I would

Maria’s success in real estate is no accident, rather a result of many long hours of studying, hard work and determination. Along with her many designations such as ABR, CRS, SRS, and AHWD, it’s also what she considers to be one her greatest accomplishments. “I am constantly studying and furthering my education because it’s the only way I can get better at what I do and help my clients to the best of my ability,” Maria says. “I will never stop learning. It’s a very important part of this job and something I would advise anyone who is considering real estate as a career. Come into this profession with no expectations, try to learn as much as you can about every aspect of this business, and then keep learning even after you get your license. You always have to keep learning.”

Outside of real estate, it’s no surprise to learn that Maria spends much of her free time with her family. “I spend a lot of time with my granddaughters — they are my life,” says Maria. “I have a big family and I love to take them all on vacation so we can be together all at once.

They are everything to me.”

Looking ahead, Maria sees herself continuing down the same path, helping others achieve their goals and being there for them when they need her. “I love seeing the happiness on the faces of my clients when I hand over the keys to their new home. It’s such an emotional time, seeing their tears of joy and knowing they can provide a stable situation for their family,” says Maria. “It’s difficult to explain the feeling I get, but it’s always my favorite part. And when they need me, even if it’s five years later, they still call me and I’m always happy to help.”

Maria Solano

Samson Properties | VA, MD & DC 571.235.9637 | casas17@aol.com | www.mariasolano.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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Get fit — Create the perfect

home workout space If you are among the millions of people who vow to be more active and improve their health in the New Year, you’ve probably considered setting up a home gym or workout room. But perhaps you’ve been discouraged at the thought of the time and expense it would take to put it all together. Fortunately, it doesn’t take a lot of time, money or square footage to put together a functional fitness space in your home.

Here are five tips to inspire you to create a home workout area you will actually be excited to use.

Define Your Goals — Having a basic idea of what you’re trying to accomplish, whether it’s losing weight, getting toned, or improving your cardiovascular health, 18

will help you decide how large a space you need and what to put in it. For example, if your goal is to get toned and improve flexibility by doing yoga or mat Pilates, you won’t need as much room as if you’re planning on getting a treadmill or other fitness machine on which to do cardio.

Choose Your Space — You may think you need to devote a full room to creating a home workout area.

While having a spare room to use is an ideal scenario, it’s far from the only option. You can clear a space in the living room or family room, set aside part of a finished basement, or even use a portion of the master bedroom if it’s large enough. If you’re creating the

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Wondering what the most effective piece of exercise equipment is? That’s easy. It’s the one that you won’t mind using day in and day out. a yoga mat, stability ball, a set of dumb bells or kettle bells and some resistance bands, you’ll have what you need to get started on improving your balance, strength and flexibility.

Try Before You Buy — Wondering what the most effective piece of exercise equipment is? That’s easy.

It’s the one that you won’t mind using day in and day out. We’ve all heard stories — or perhaps even been guilty of — turning an expensive piece of fitness equipment into a makeshift clothing rack. The only way to figure out what machine is right for you is to try before you buy. Look into short-term fitness equipment rentals or find out if friends or family have equipment you can try several days in a row. That’s long enough to know if you enjoy the workout a particular machine provides and if it’s something you can picture yourself doing several times a week.

workout area in a room that’s often occupied with other family members, use divider screens to create a bit of privacy and block out distractions. Whatever space you choose, it’s important to make it an area you will actually enjoy and look forward to spending time in.

Start Simple & Add — A common mistake people make when putting together a home workout area is buying too much, too soon. You don’t need every new gizmo and gadget out there to create an effective home gym. Many experts recommend focusing on the basics to start with and then adding on as your fitness level and goals evolve. If you outfit your space with Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Shop Used Equipment — Once you decide on the fitness equipment you want, look into options for buying it used. You can often find like-new equipment for a fraction of its full retail price at used sporting goods stores, as well as online at Craigslist or on direct selling apps like LetGo. If you have your heart set on buying a brand-new piece of fitness equipment, June is a great month to buy. As people shift their fitness routines to include more outside activity in the warmer months, retailers look to clear out inventory so they’re not stuck with it all summer. Be sure to measure the intended space and the equipment itself to ensure it will fit into the area and leave you plenty of room to move.

Starting and sticking with a regular exercise routine is easier and more enjoyable when you can do it from the comfort and convenience of home. With some careful thought and strategic planning, you can create an ideal workout space right at home — the only thing you’ll miss is the cold-pressed juice bar.

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