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Selling the House?

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I believe I’ve written about this before, but maybe not all as one piece. My house. My mortgage. My thoughts.

First, some background. The kids (Gymnast and Princess) and I have moved ALOT since my marriage fell apart. So much that I’ve lost count and don’t have the energy to count them up right now. Rental homes pulled out from under me because the owners wanted to move back or sell the house, etc. Then my dad wanting to sell the house he bought to give us some stability when he moved out of state. Job loss meaning, I couldn’t afford even apartment housing in the expensive area we lived in previously (Williamsburg, VA). So many moves.

We moved into our current home in April, 2017. It was a rental, after living with my grandmother after our emergency move to Georgia in December, 2016. Then a few years later, I bought it and have pretty much completely remodeled it.

Now here’s an important point about housing for me: The only reason I was able to purchase this home was because I went back to the corporate world. As a contractor, getting financing has always been challenging. The roller coaster of income doesn’t encourage trust by the banking industries.

Hope thinking

 

Contemplating the Now

Now I face and have to consider selling my house, the house that has become the home I have never, ever had. These are the thoughts swarming my head (and why I am putting this decision off until after the new year):

  • If I sell this home, the chances of me being able to buy another in the foreseeable future one are slim to none unless I go back into the corporate world full time. I’m not opposed to that, but the last year has made it clear that, it may take a while to make that happen as lay offs happen daily in this economic climate.
  • If I stay put, to make the type of money I want/need, I will have find online work and/or work multiple jobs. The local opportunities are very, very limited. I’ve done this before, for a lot of years, but I also have failed miserably in the past with this.
  • If I sell this home, I can move to Texas and help my parents out while they need it. I’m sure my dad will help me out while I make the move and find work. Not to mention, there’s a huge job market there. But I will need to rehome some dogs. And until Beauty gets out from under her legal stuff, I will need to find housing for her here in Georgia. I will essentially be starting out with no income. The work I currently have is relatively dependent on me being here.
  • If I stay put, the cost of living here is very reasonable. And once I get out from under the debt load, the ability to maintain the lifestyle I want will be very affordable. And I actually love living in this small town. I love having no traffic, making connections, and being able to get anywhere within just a minutes. Not to mention, it’s a good “halfway” point for where all the kids are living. (I am using halfway very loosely here.)
  • If I sell this house, the debt load would be significantly lowered. While the proceeds won’t cover all my debt, it would pay off a big chunk of it. An almost fresh start. But I would be starting with nothing but my car, my current possessions.
  • If I stay put, I will have to maintain this house by myself. My boys have moved away, and there are just things I cannot do myself. While everything is good order now, there will be expenses and maintenance that I will need to find reliable help with. This would be the case with any home I bought though.
  • If I sell the house, I will not have a homebase to live out the rest of my life. When my parents need is over, I will have to figure out what’s next. And I’ve said for YEARS that I did not want to live in Texas again. (In conversations with Gymnast, I am not sure he will stay in Texas. But being close to the kids isn’t a factor for me, I am comfortable with travelling, when I can again.)

It’s ALOT

There are lots of moving parts. I do not know the right answer. As a commenter has pointed out, I think I have to figure out what I want next in life. And then make decisions towards that end. To be honest, I am pulled in so many directions. And I don’t think that the financial challenges point me in a clear direction either. This is why I am tabling this decision to the new year.

Do you disagree?

 

 

 

How Home Improvement Entrepreneurs Communicate to Get Affordable and Great Products

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In the retail world, clear chats between makers and home improvement shops are key to bagging top-notch goods and staying ahead in the game. To ace product sourcing, we gotta amp up our communication game, really get what customers are after, and build some solid teamwork with partners. This guide delves into the strategies that manufacturers and home improvement stores can employ to enhance communication, ensuring the availability of top-quality products that cater to evolving consumer needs.

Understanding Market Trends and Consumer Demands

To keep their game on point, producers need to keep tabs on what’s trending and what customers are digging so they can whip up products that jive with the current industry vibe. However, businesses need creative yet practical marketing plans to achieve their goals and manage tight budgets. For example, it’s important to understand that Statista states that the navigation devices and services market is worth 1.87 billion in 2023. When manufacturers get the hang of market trends, they can really sell their product’s perks to home improvement shops and boost their chances for solid partnerships.

Implementing Efficient Supply Chain Management

Streamline supply chain management processes to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of products to home improvement stores. Pour money into cutting-edge tracking and stock management tech to let a smooth dialogue between the guys who make stuff and those selling it. With a well-oiled supply chain, manufacturers can keep home improvement stores updated on what’s in stock and when it’ll arrive, so they never run low on crowd-favorites.

Establishing Clear Communication Channels

Foster open and transparent communication channels between manufacturers and home improvement stores. Let’s use tools like emails, calls, and virtual meetup to talk about product details, costs, and delivery times promptly. Foster a team spirit where both sides can voice their worries, give input, and get on the same page with their company goals for shared growth and victory.

Emphasizing Product Quality and Reliability

Emphasize the importance of product quality and reliability to instill trust and confidence in the offerings. Manufacturers need to zero in on creating top-tier, resilient products that don’t just hit industry benchmarks but smash customer expectations out of the park. Businesses need clever marketing plans to stretch every dollar. According to Houzz, most homeowners spent between $5,000 and $10,000 improving their homes in 2018. When they spend that much money, they want to know they’re purchasing quality products.

Promoting Cost-Effective Solutions for Home Improvement Stores

Present cost-effective solutions to home improvement stores by offering competitive pricing strategies and flexible payment options. Roll out sweet bargains, rewards for buying in bulk, and hot specials to coax retailers into broadening their product assortment. By showcasing how their goods save bucks, makers can pitch the money-wise perks of teaming up and lure home improvement shops to pick their stuff over rivals.

Investing in Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Practices

Emphasize the adoption of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices throughout the production and distribution processes. Manufacture eco-conscious products that align with the growing demand for sustainable home improvement solutions. We must explore green shipping strategies, too, because our products aren’t truly sustainable if they’re not delivered sustainably. According to the OECD, ships are the most common way to transport cargo, as 95% of the world’s cargo moves by ship. Communicate the eco-friendly attributes of the products to home improvement stores, highlighting the benefits of incorporating sustainable offerings that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

Clear, open lines of chat between makers and home improvement stores are key to keep the shelves stocked with high-quality stuff that folks really want and that’s trending. To make sure top-notch products reach customers, manufacturers and home improvement stores need to focus on clear communication, put product quality first, and build teamwork-based relationships. Because of this, working together to be eco-friendly and affordable makes customers happy and helps the business grow.