Surviving when it is slow
I have been self employed since 1992 and I have learned to survive when the phone stops ringing. Now surviving does not always mean the same life style, some things might need to go on that back burner and you might need to eat a few more home cooked meals. When my children were growing up they use to call it the Beans and Rice season! When I was single I called it the mustard sandwich diet!
Over the past five or so years we have had a multitude of folks entering into the home inspection profession and the real estate profession, most entered into what they perceived as an easy work at home job. They did little research and in many instances they were blinded by what they perceived as a "cash cow" business. To some degree it is true, that is when homes are selling left and right and overnight. Well, those times are behind us for now in many parts of the country. Homes are back on the 45 to 90 day sale times, and the credit to buy a home has become increasing more difficult to get. So we now have what many have coined the Slow Down. Yes, and in some areas in has come to a screeching halt!
I say all this to point out that many of our fellow home inspectors and real estate agents have not had to worry about the phone ringing, times were good and business was easy. In other words it was an Easy Ride!
If you find that your phone is not ringing, it might be time to look for that part time job at the mall or the big box store. Working a part time job can make a huge difference in what you eat and what bills are paid. You should never be too proud to work when the time get tough. For those of us who have been around for awhile we know and understand about the slow times of year. We have learned to adjust and to save for them as you can count on them just like the sunrise. Just a few years ago I worked the sales floor in a sporting goods store, come to think of it I might do it again in the winter months!
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