It's March Madness!

March is always the month that we hit the ground running in.  There are so many fun, exciting things going on at Plattsburgh Housing Outlet right now.

From past experience, we know that for you to break ground this spring/ summer, you really need to solidify your project now!  If you are a cash customer, you have a little extra breathing room, but if financing is necessary and a lender is involved, that takes time.  Because interest rates are so favorable, the banks are busy- not only with new construction, but also folks refinancing and so the appraisers and underwriters and all those involved are busy.

We start next weekend at the Adirondack Builder's Show, and then move on to our open house the following Saturday- March 17th!  You can truly find your pot of gold that day!  It is the one time of year you can take advantage of multiple discounts!  We are offering our TAX MATCH promotion, where we'll match your tax refund or deposit up to $2000...AND... our manufacturers will also be offering their own promotions on Saturday- so you can get BOTH!

Later in the month, on Thursday, March 29th is our next home building seminar from 6-8pm at Dino's Pizza in Plattsburgh.  It is a great overview of the building process, and in the 9 years we have offered them, attendees have always been happy they took the time to come.  At the workshop we go over: financing and what a lender is looking for, how to find and develop your land, the differences and advantages of manufactured and modular homes.  In two hours you can come learn, have dinner, and get all your questions answered!!

We hope to see you early and often in the month of March as we help you put your building project together.  We are grateful for the opportunity to earn your business and will work hard on your behalf!

Buying Power

Eric leaves today to attend a mandatory meeting for our buying group, the National Buyer's Group.  Back in the early 80s the group was born through the hardwork of its early leaders, some whom are still vital member today.  Small business owners, like us, who own manufactured home dealerships and communities decided to pool their knowledge and create a co-op to increase their power with the home manufacturers.

As a result, we negotiate better pricing, preferred building dates, and maybe most importantly... have a voice.  Over the years we have discussed ideas for better models, increased quality and more- as we are the ones "on the front lines."  If you are asking for it, the ultimate home owner, then we most definately need to make sure we can provide it to you!

The meeting is mandatory as they need to have a quorum of the membership in order to pass these important measures each year.  So while sometimes it is hard to be away from work and family, we have realized that it is equally important to work ON our business as well as IN our business.

Lucky duck, the weather in Florida is supposed to be in the 80s, so that will be a nice change of pace for Eric too.

Some pretty tasty pizza

Our first home building seminar of the year is coming up soon.  We are happy to offer these workshops 5 or 6 times a year because there is so much to learn when building a new home.  We often have folks come who have owned homes before but never built- it's much different.

Some of the things we talk about are how to finance your home and what a lender is looking for, the differences and advantages of manufactured and modular homes, and how to find and develop land.

Over the nine years we have been offering the seminar, we have never had one person sorry they spent the time to come.  They don't all ultimately decide that building is for them, but at least you know and understand the process!

If you'd like more details you can visit our website or give us a call.  If you decide you'd like to join us, there is no cost or obligation, we just ask that you RSVP so we can save you a seat- and properly plan dinner, after all it is some pretty tasty pizza.

A new beginning

This has been the year of water.  On the same day as our spring open house in March at PHO, our personal basement flooded due to a big run off at Consumer Square coupled with our sump pump giving out.  While it was a couple of weeks of hard work and frustration, and at the time felt horrible.  But it proved to be nothing to what came later in the spring for our area.  Lake Champlain rose to over 103 feet- it had never happened before, and the loss and heartache was substantial.

And then, at the end of August, Hurricane Irene came through upstate NY and especially VT with a vengeance.  My cousin's home had 7 feet of water in it.  She lives in Waterbury, VT and nowhere near the Winooski River, but it made it's way to her house.  She is among the lucky that were able to recover (relatively) quickly due to a good FEMA and friend response.  They are back in their home.  We just received a thank you from them, that is a photo of their back yard- the play gym all but under water- and tall sunflowers in the back.  The sunflowers survived, and had the water stains up their stems to prove their resilience.

A week or so later, Hurricane Lee ravaged the Binghamton NY area, and up the center of PA.  As a result the Manorwood Homes facility was lost.  The homes they had built that were ready to ship, homes that were being built, their parts, tools....everything....gone. 

Their response to such adversity has been amazing and they have shown their strength as a company.  They too were lucky, that they have a sister facility in Western PA that has been able to take over their production so their name and way of doing business will survive.  And while I'm sure this hasn't been easy on anyone, they have tried to make the transition as easy as possible for their builder base.

Eric and I needed to see the facility first hand to make sure we were comfortable with everything- our brand and reputations were on the line too.  And we were blown away by the product but mostly the people.  Their level of professionalism and enthusiasm was contagious.  It was a long couple of days there and back with the logistics of managing a business and kids proved difficult, it was worth it.

We are looking forward to this fresh start in a brand new facility.  The thought of every details when designing this facility from the ground up, which was exciting to see.  Here is a YouTube video showing the new facility. They move the module down the line on 'air bearings'. These air bearings enable them to push the sections from one station to another on air bags, similar to a hovercraft. Quite impressive.  http://www.youtube.com/user/toddgriffith7?feature=mhee.

So this year, we have seen the worst of mother nature, and the best in people.  It proves that good can come out of bad, afterall.

Giving Thanks

Sounds corny, I'm sure, but we are blessed.

Thank you to all of our great staff, who have had to do more with less in these economic times.  We are truly grateful that you are part of the team.

Thank you to my great friends and family, who help pick up kids, watch animals, and help around our office when needed.  With Eric and I working together, we often have the same work functions etc to attend, and we couldn't possibly do it without you.  To my dad especially, is my go-to guy to help me with my never ending projects :)

I have a great support system of friends who keep me motivated to exercise when necessary and remind me to enjoy my life and accomplishments.

And we are lucky indeed to have a fun, healthy family to enjoy this crazy, hectic life with.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.  Wishing you the best for the holidays.

Giving back

Our family has been blessed.

Our kids were born, one on their due date and one before without complication.

They have grown up healthy and happy.

But sometimes a child is born with a disability or develops an illness and in addition to the stress of having a sick child, there are often concerns about how to pay for transportation or hotel rooms near the hospital.

The Foundation of CVPH has a travel fund that helps support the needs of North Country families who have to travel for treatment.  I (Michelle) am on the Board of Directors to help fund this and many other health education and wellness iniatives.

But this weekend, is an event particularly near and dear to my heart.  Tomorrow is our 12th annual Halloween Festival.  This all began in 2000 when a small trick or treat day was planned at Plattsburgh Housing Outlet where kids could come run around and the parents wouldn't have to worry about traffic or tainted candy.

It has evolved into a fundraiser that with any luck will have reached $40,000 in donations for the Ronald McDonald House in VT.  They have told us that about 70-75% of the families that utilize that facility are from our three counties in NYS.

It is a place that you can stay for little or no cost and be near your child in need.  They will feed you and provide shelter and a shoulder.

And for that reason, we will continue all the hard work that goes into the months of planning.  I am forever grateful for the support of our local businesses and civic organizations who help out every year.  Without them, this day would not be possible!

Great Article in North Country Scene

Michelle LaBounty stood outside the Plattsburgh Housing Outlet’s facilities and envisioned a small community, decorated with ghosts and ghouls and able to provide families with a safe place, worry free of traffic, to trick or treat.

“At the same time, the Ronald McDonald House in Burlington said a lot of people use their facility from our side of the lake and they could use a little assistance,” she said. “I thought if I just charged a dollar people could afford it and it could be a fundraiser too.” That birthed a yearly Halloween tradition that this year hopes to exceed $40,000.

“This is our 12th year,” said LaBounty, Marketing Director for Plattsburgh Housing Outlet.

She and her team start work each August to prepare for the Halloween Festival, which this year is being held on Oct. 29, from 1-4 p.m. for children 12 and under. Children 12 and under are encouraged to come in costume to the Plattsburgh Housing Outlet.

The model homes are displayed in a community setting, offering children a controlled environment for trick or treating.

Local businesses and civic organizations sponsor individual homes, staffing them and handing out candy and treats.

The festivities include a magician named Ishkabibble, who will be next door at Della Honda at 2 p.m.

Photo from previous Plattsburgh Housing Outlet’s trick or treating events. Photo provided.

Also on hand at the Halloween Festival are arts and crafts, a raffle and an array of 25-cent games.

“Participants can bob for apples and enjoy cider and munchkins, LaBounty said.

Adirondack Safe Kids Coalition will also support the event and provide Halloween safety advice and car-seat checks.

District 3 plans to display a fire truck and offer tips, while the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department will conduct fingerprinting and ID service.

Plattsburgh Housing Outlet will contribute all proceeds from the Halloween Festival to the Ronald McDonald House in Burlington. The Housing Outlet has raised nearly $40,000 since the festival started.

“My kids are now 12 and 16 and they will help out that day,” LaBounty said. “It is important as a parent to be present in your community and to show kids by example by helping people sometimes less fortunate that yourselves.”

LaBounty is keeping her fingers crossed for good weather and is eager for a day of fun for families and their children.

But she encouraged families to attend no matter what the weather.

“On a bad year we get around 250 kids and on a good year 600 to 700,” LaBounty said. LaBounty described it as two-fold event that is a fun and safe place for people.

“We have been lucky in the North Country, but on Halloween at the end of October, it is dark when kids go trick or treating and sometimes they are in dark clothing walking on the highway where cars drive quickly,” she said. “Statistically, it is a dangerous night, and this eliminates that worry of going around the roads and relieves a lot of pressure for parents.”

Full details are available at
www.plattsburghhousing.com
Parking is available on site as well as Della Honda, which is where car-seat checks occur.

Stephen Bartlett spent 13 years as a journalist but left to pursue a career in direct support for individuals with developmental disabilities, inspired by his son, Samuel, who has 1p36 Deletion Syndrome. He also has a 16-year-old daughter and has lived in Plattsburgh for the past 12 years. Besides spending time with his children and his fiance Erica, Stephen enjoys writing fiction, snowboarding, martial arts, running and playing guitar. Despite leaving journalism as a career, Stephen continues to freelance for the Press-Republican and is passionate about relaying the community’s stories to its readers.