Did you know that the single longest component of lead time is queue — the time spent waiting to move from one activity or step to another? Based on what I’m seeing with the current state of the mortgage industry, they are struggling with extremely long queues due to greater than average demand. I get it — interests rates have never been lower — but it appears they have little surge capacity and much red tape.
We bought our current house in 2012. It’s only been eight years — the steps added and checks/re-checks are insane. Where is the value stream map? Have they hired a six sigma black belt to look at the waste in this process? Where are the continuous improvement projects?
As of today, everything is with “under writing”. I’m really not sure what that means but my realtor indicates it is promising and that we should close, on-time, next week. I’m sure my anxiety will build until I sign all of the paperwork and money exchanges hands. Then, the real work begins: engaging our engineer/architect, obtaining permits, ordering materials and starting demolition. Whoop! Whoop! I’m so looking forward to busting down some “stuff” — I don’t even care what it is! In the interim, we tweak our preliminary design, window shop and wait …. not so patiently for things to firm up.
As such, I thought I would share something that Ty and I completely agree on — the need for a butler’s pantry. A hallmark of both Victorian England and Colonial American homes, this forgotten treasure is making a comeback in modern floor plans. Traditionally, these were narrow spaces between the main kitchen and the dining area where serving pieces, china, crystal and silver were stored. We have all of that…check. But, modern butler’s pantries also include a place to prep food, storage for counter top appliances, or even a home bar… check, check!
For us, we want space for an under counter icemaker and a spare fridge. We are, also, hoping to repurpose an existing farm sink under a window so that Ty can do his grill/smoke prep away from main kitchen. It kind of grosses me out to see raw meat everywhere! And, storage for air fryer, blender, mixer, etc…. along with places for serving “stuff” is a must. Realistically, we may not get everything we want but we can live with 80% (someone remind me of this later please!).
