All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13 and handsome little boy, Wes, who joined our family on 11/19/17. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, as of 8/17/07. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the utmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!

Lifestyle, Tips

Tolleson Real Estate: What Are the Housing Market Trends?

04/27/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

When you are searching for new homes in Tolleson AZ you won’t be the only person doing that. Currently, each property for sale will get at least two offers and sell in less than 45 days.

Those figures spell out exactly how competitive the Tolleson real estate market currently is.

Of course, there is a very good reason why Tolleson is so popular and the housing market is proving so robust despite worsening economic conditions. It is a great place to live and it ticks a lot of boxes in terms of schools, transportation links, and leisure amenities.

What is happening in the real estate market right now and what are the latest trends when it comes to Tolleson real estate, in particular.

The key numbers

Real estate prices have come under pressure across the country as a result of rising interest rates and economic pressures. That means there have been some adjustments to prices and demand in recent times.

Tolleson is an area where demand is definitely holding up, although there have been some adjustments to prices and other key trends as a result of changes to the economic landscape.

When you look at prices in Tolleson for March 2023, they show that real estate prices have declined by just over 6%. That means a typical property will sell for $388K.

It is still only taking about 40 days to sell a home, although it was only 18 days to sell in March 2022. The market is still hot, but not quite as hot as it was last year.

Sale price data

A notable trend when it comes to sale prices is a large drop in the percentage of homes that sold above the list price.

This year, about 15% of homes achieved a sale price that was above list. That is a 45% drop from the number that were selling above list price last year.

Sale-to-List data shows that prices are holding up well. Just over 98% of homes in Tolleson achieved their asking price.

What are the relocation trends?

Tolleson is viewed as a great location. That would be the conclusion based on migration and relocation trends.

Just over 20% of homebuyers were searching for properties with a view to moving out of the Tolleson area. Compare that to the remaining 80% looking to stay within the metropolitan area and you see that there is a stronger desire to stay in the location rather than move from it.

Some of the most popular locations to move to within the Tolleson area include Prescott Valley, Flagstaff, and Show Low.

The national picture shows that about 3% of homebuyers across the country are searching for properties in the Tolleson area.

Conclusion

The general trend remains that Tolleson real estate prices are still very competitive and demand is holding up well.

The majority of homes sell for close to their list price and will typically sell within about 40 days.

If you are looking to buy a home in the Tolleson, you are amongst a group of savvy buyers who appreciate that the area is popular and know that prices and demand are holding up well.

Lifestyle, Tips

8 Steps To Start Your Own Trucking Company

04/27/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

semi truck in empty parking lot, trucking company, business, new job, entrepreneur,

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Starting your own trucking company can be a challenging yet rewarding venture. As with any new business, there are numerous factors to consider, including financing, equipment, and regulations. However, with careful planning and hard work, you can establish a successful trucking company that can provide a stable income and a sense of accomplishment.

Here are some tips on starting your own trucking company:

Develop a Business Plan

Before you begin any business venture, it’s essential to develop a comprehensive business plan. Your business plan should outline your goals, strategies, and financial projections. It should also include information about your target market, marketing strategies, and pricing structure.

Secure Financing

Starting a trucking company requires a significant investment in equipment, insurance, and licensing fees. You will need to secure financing to cover these expenses, and you should explore all available options. Consider seeking a small business loan or partnering with an investor who shares your vision.

Acquire Equipment

As a trucking company owner, you will need to purchase or lease equipment such as trucks, trailers, and maintenance tools. It’s important to invest in reliable, well-maintained equipment to ensure safe and efficient transportation of goods.

Obtain Required Licenses and Permits

Before you can legally operate a trucking company, you will need to obtain various licenses and permits. These requirements vary by state and country but generally include a commercial driver’s license, a Motor Carrier (MC) number, and a United States Department of Transportation (DOT) number. You may also need to register with the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and file quarterly tax returns.

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Establish Relationships with Shippers

To keep your trucks on the road and generate revenue, you will need to establish relationships with shippers who need transportation services. Reach out to local businesses and establish a network of contacts in the industry. Consider joining industry associations and attending trade shows to expand your network.

Develop a Safety Plan

Trucking companies face numerous safety challenges, including driver fatigue, distracted driving, and poor weather conditions. It’s important to develop a comprehensive safety plan to protect your drivers, cargo, and the public. This plan should include regular maintenance of equipment and compliance with all industry standards and regulation. Furthermore, this should also extend to personal safety of your employees. As an employer you should earn your DOT testing certification in order to be able to effectively assess the wellbeing of your staff and ensure they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when undergoing duties which can put themselves and others at risk. This way – you will maintain a good company image and your staff will understand accountability and act responsibly whilst working for you.

Invest in Insurance

Trucking companies face significant risks, including accidents, theft, and damage to cargo. It’s essential to Get the best HGV Insurance Goods In Transit Cover to protect your business from financial losses. Consider purchasing liability insurance, cargo insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance to cover all potential risks. You never know when an accident might happen, and a lot of the time, it’s totally out of your control too. Also, remember to have Semi Truck Accident Lawyers on your list of contacts just in case.

Focus on Customer Service

Providing excellent customer service is essential in the trucking industry. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with customers can lead to repeat business and referrals. Make sure to communicate effectively with your customers, keep them updated on shipment status, and promptly address any concerns or issues that may arise. Remember, happy customers are the key to long-term success in the trucking industry.

There You Go

Starting a trucking company requires hard work, dedication, and careful planning. However, with these tips and a willingness to learn, you can establish a successful business that provides reliable transportation services and a stable income.

Fitness, Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Lifestyle

How To Take Control Of Your Health This Spring

04/26/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

There are some aspects of our health that we cannot control. However, by making a real effort to stay fit and healthy as you age, you can reduce your chances of dealing with complex health problems further down the line.

group fitness instructor workout session, health, aging

Photo by Gabin Vallet on Unsplash

With that in mind, here are some simple yet effective ways in which you can take control over your health this spring.

Identify bad habits.

Bad habits have earned their name for a reason – and by continuing to participate in them, you may be causing significant damage to both your physical and mental health. As such, now is the perfect time to take a close look at your hobbies so that you can put a stop to those that may be harming you, such as smoking.

Address problems sooner rather than later.

Many people are quick to dismiss signs of sickness, such as aches and pains, in the hope that they will go away on their own. However, this is rarely the case, and you may require medication or other healthcare support to return to your usual self once again.

As a result, you should ensure that you do not put off going to the doctor – even if you’d rather be anywhere else. Doing so gives you quick and easy access to the support you need and could also help when it comes to detecting certain diseases or complications while they are still in their early stages.

Take pain management seriously.

Pain can impact your day-to-day life in many ways, whether caused by a sports injury or poor posture. For example, it may stop you from exercising, which means you are no longer on track to meet your fitness goals. As such, you must take pain management seriously and rely on the relevant support services when you need them. For example, you could visit a chiropractor to help relieve pain in different areas of your body.

Drink more water.

Drinking more water is one of the easiest – and yet most effective ways to take your health into your own hands. This is because staying properly hydrated supports many different functions within our body, including the regulation of our immune system, making it easier to fight off sickness and infection. As such, you should drink 1.5-2 litres of water a day.

Get more sleep.
Long, sleepless nights could be a sign that you are not as healthy as you think you are. As a result, you must focus on getting the downtime you need to thrive in your daily life. There are many ways in which you can approach this issue. For example, many scientific studies have found that going to bed at the same time every night can ‘program’ your body so that you automatically begin to feel tired at this time. This could make it a little easier to drift off. You can also make it easier to fall asleep by avoiding using your phone for a few hours before bed, as this can help you wind down.