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Terry's
Story
If
it were not for a marina owner's love of donuts, Terry Miller may never have
gotten the opportunity to sell boats. Terry explains, "I knew he was trying
to run a
marina, and sell boats, and didn't have time to do them both justice. I talked
to him on several occasions about how I thought I could help him with boat sales, and
each time I took a dozen donuts. He wasn't easily sold on the idea, but finally
decided if he didn't let me help him, he was going to gain too much weight from
all the donuts I was bringing him".
Soon a company that sold a
few boats each year on the side, started becoming a force in the
houseboat industry. When local banks were passing up opportunities for loans,
she went to their loan officers and explained the benefits of loaning to
houseboater's. She found reputable
people throughout the area to service the
needs of houseboater's, and create many satellite businesses. Everyone from
marine mechanics, canvas installers, roof gelcoat specialists, hull
re-finishers, pressure washers, boat haulers, documenters, insurance companies,
as well as banks, have all benefited from Terry's success. In addition, the
marina benefited by filling slips, and had a steady flow of new customers
equipping their boat with accessories, such as bumpers, ropes, nautical
decorations, and fuel.
Terry has often been referred to
as
America's Houseboat Queen®.
She developed her
reputation mostly by word of mouth, and past customers repeat business.
Customers appreciate the extra time she spends educating first time buyers, and
can sense her enthusiasm, and direct approach. She would rather steer you to a
boat she does not have listed, than see you get a boat that you are unhappy
with. She knows this may knock her out of a sale today, but believes in the old
adage, "What goes around, comes around, and a customers positive comments will
help her later down the road.
| Terry's 3 daughters enjoy a ride in our very first houseboat a 1968 Stardust. |
Living and working in the "Houseboat Capitol of the World", has given Terry a unique insight into the heart of this industry. Working along side, and sometimes competing directly with houseboat manufacturer's, has helped make our company better able to understand your needs.
Customers have
always been surprised to learn of Terry's vast knowledge of houseboats, even down to
the mechanical workings and engines. She understands the differences in things
such as an electrical inverter verses a converter, or a carbureted, MPI, and EFI engine. She knows when Westerbeke generators switched over to Mitsubishi
engines, and the smaller impeller now used, and how to install it. However, when she finds something she doesn't know, she doesn't stop until
she finds the answer. This makes her better at answering all your questions.
Conley Bottom Resort-Home of Houseboats
Buy Terry Main Office
A few years ago, Terry was asked to conduct a seminar at the Houseboat Expo in Louisville about buying and selling a houseboat. As a result of this seminar, she was approached by boaters who wanted to learn to do what she did, and be a part of her team. So we have expanded our offices to many of your favorite waterways. All of the "Houseboats Buy Terry" brokers work hard to treat their customers with the same respect and enthusiasm as Terry.
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Terry's floating office is located in the central part of Lake Cumberland at Conley Bottom Resort on board a houseboat. This allows her to easily reach customers on both ends of the lake. In addition to houseboats, she also sells many different price ranges of cruisers. She explains, "many times cruiser family's have expanded to the point where they need the room a houseboat offers. I help make that happen by offering to sell their cruiser, and find them the houseboat that best fits their family. On the other hand, sometimes a houseboater reaches a point in their life, where they don't need a large boat, so I have cruisers to fit their needs as well. |
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"Houseboats Buy Terry" Floating Office |
Terry started her working career in the late 70's
inside a hospital, as a registered nurse. Recently referring to her
current career she said, "In a way, I feel like I'm still taking care of
people". She has been married for over 33 years, to her husband Tom, who she met
in high school over three decades ago. He works with her, and maintains this
website. They first started out with a sailboat, and have always had a boat of
some kind to enjoy. Her 3 daughter's are grown now, and still enjoy coming to
the houseboat, and the lake life they grew up with. She is enjoying introducing
her grandchildren to the joys of boating as well.
Terry says, "I feel blessed to be working in an atmosphere where most people come to vacation". She doesn't take this for granted, and looks forward to helping see your dreams come true!
