I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my exercise program…or my lack of an exercise program. Unfortunately, I’m not getting any younger. Like the rest of you, I’ve tried. It doesn’t work for me either. Don’t get me wrong, I like exercise. Or maybe the thought of exercise.
Back in my twenties, I was a workout fiend. You’d find my brother, my neighbor and me pumping away in a home gym we put together. But then things change. I graduate from college and find a job in Mauston. With a new job and apartment living finding a place to workout and time, for that matter, becomes difficult.
Fast forward a few years and I purchase my first place. So I buy a couch, table and chairs and a squat rack and weights. That’s what the rest of you did when you bought your first home? Why do I only hear crickets? 
Now I have everything I need to stay in shape, or to even change my shape a little. Nothin’ gonna stop me now…
The first summer goes pretty well. I found Crossfit the fall before and I’m going strong in the garage gym that spring and summer. I’m in the best shape of my life. Not quite as big, but my soon to be wife says that’s ok (something about not having a neck before). I’m more athletic than I’ve ever been. I’m doing things I couldn’t do before.
Now winter arrives. The garage gym isn’t as much fun anymore. For obvious reasons. Brrrr…
I slack…or maybe more accurately, stop working out. It’s too difficult to head into the freezing garage for a workout. It’s a whole lot easier to stay in the warm house and watch CSI: Las Vegas.
Oh, spring how I love thee… I’m ready. Ugh, but starting is so difficult. I really want to fast forward a month and start from there. But I can’t, so I procrastinate…
And procrastinate…
A little more procrastinating…
But why start now? It’s been sooooo long… I’m not happy with myself… so to punish myself, I still don’t workout… WHAT? Does that sound reasonable? Apparently it does because I never really get around to starting…
Have you lived through something similar? Don’t lie. If we truly want something, we’ll start. But it’s too easy to push it off. To say you’ll start next week or next month (my wife says this is what I’m doing right now…don’t tell her but she’s right)…
And time goes by. Maybe years. Now a decade or two…
This is where I bring my story back to your home… and I’m going to hit you in the face with a little fact:
Your home is EXACTLY like your exercise program.
At some point your home will be sold. Realistically you’ll be selling it in 5-10 years. If not then, it’s when your kids move out. Or when it becomes too difficult to manage all those stairs. Or when 3000 square feet is too much.
The question is, what condition do you want your home to be in when you want to sell?
Do you want it in peak physical condition so you can get top dollar?
Or in good shape, so a little work over the course of a couple months can get you top dollar?
Or average so it looks like every other home out there? The ‘someone will buy it at some point’ condition.
Or with the bulging waistline, high cholesterol, maybe a little adult onset diabetes… The ‘better days were decades ago’ condition.
I know starting a program is difficult. I know that finding time can be difficult. I know that at times it’s going to cost more money than you may want to spend. I know that researching and finding the best program (updates) is better than blindly following anyone or thing and regretting it later.
But it’s important. Just like exercise can add years to your life, a proper program for your home can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line AND cause you significantly less stress as well.
And I know that you know that this is what the 10 years from now you really wants.
Now, I have to wrap this up and make a plan to hit the weights AND finish painting and installing the door trim I’ve been putting off.
What’s your plan?
PHONE: (608) 542-0178
My name is Adam Holberg and I’m a Realtor with First Weber of Wisconsin Rapids. This website is designed to inform and help bring conversation to a topic I love, real estate.
Hi Adam!
I agree – keeping your home in shape is easier in the long run than having to do all that remedial work to get it in shape when it’s time to sell. I experienced exactly what you mentioned when we sold our last house, 7 years ago. We had lived there 10 years, and suddenly noticed that we didn’t need 3000 sq ft after the kids moved out. Even though we had kept it in good shape, it wasn’t sparkling & showroom ready, so it still took a couple months to whip in to top shape to sell.