"Consumer confidence hit a five-month high"

I subscribe to this great e-newsletter for Remodelers called daily5Remodel. They spend all day searching for the best and most important new articles in the Remodeling world and send them to me in an email everyday. Yesterday morning the first article in the list caught my eye and really caught my interest.

It was title: Consumer confidence hit a five-month high. And I thought GREAT! I love good new – lets hear more.

So the article came from Bloomberg.com and was really entitle: U.S. Economy: Confidence Improves, Businesses Expand By Courtney Schlisserman and Bob Willis - Nov 30, 2010

This article stated that US consumer confidence rose again in November to a 5-month high, that spending increases are already giving retailers like Wal-Mart a boost early in the holiday season, and that it looks like this trend will continue as “households sense that job and income prospects are improving”.

It went on to talk about both positives and negatives that are happening right now in our economy, that manufacturing is still growing because of exports and investments in new equipment, and a lot of foreign and business demand, but that housing is still proving to be a “weak link”. But it also referenced anticipation that Dec 3rd report from the Labor Department will show another 145,000 jobs were created in November, on top of the 151,000 that were added in October. I heard on the news this morning that 2 major car companies just announce plans to hire, and Cnn.com reported today that Cyber Monday was the biggest ever with an estimated just over $1 billion dollars being spent. (a 16% increase over last year).

So why do I care about all of these good and bad reports? Because as I combine this information with my Remodeling Magazine Cost V Value report for 2010…(which pretty much said that despite lower construction costs, slump home values pulled down some of the cost-to-value rations this year) I have to try and make plans for Almar for next year. What do I think will happen? Well based on this year, and feedback from my fabulous clients I think next year will continue the growth trend.

What’s going to be “hot” and important for my Almar clients next year? Replacement and repair projects, because they will be more affordable than a larger scale project and help your home hold value. Also projects that people have been holding off on and don’t want to wait any more.

According to Remodeling Magazines Report almost all of the Top 10 projects are exterior replacement projects.

1. Entry Door Replacement
2. Garage Door Replacements
3. Fiber Cement Siding
4. (tied) Minor Kitchen Remodel
4. (Tied) Deck Addition (wood)
5. Vinyl Window Replacement
6. (tied) Foam-Backed Vinyl Siding
6. (tied) Vinyl Siding
6. (tied) Wood Window Replacement
7. Attic bedroom remodel
8. Window replacement (vinyl - Upscale)
9. Basement Remodel
10. Garage Door Replacement - upscale


Things are looking up – I hope you’ll take a few minutes this holiday season to look beyond Dec 25th and start planning your projects for next year.

Why Now? Why Not?

I know people are still concerned about the economy and what’s going to happen next. The economy has been beaten up, for sure. But all indicators (even from the news media!!!) have been that we are on our way to not only an improving but to a booming economy once again. If you have been considering a remodeling or renovation project on your home, this news is GREAT for you!! And it is why now is the best time ever to jump off that fence you’re sitting on and move forward with your project!!

Why NOW???

1. Consider this: That remodeling project that you have been dreaming of can cost you up to 20% less today than it would have a year ago. It might seem wise to wait for the economy to turn around before beginning a renovation, but when it does turn around – and indications are that it’s already started to happen - waiting too long will mean that today's discounts will no longer be available.

2. You can make your home more energy efficient now and save money for decades to come. And you can even reduce your monthly expenses immediately.

With The Federal Tax credits, which are only good in 2009, you can save an extra $1,500 on qualifying new windows, doors, skylights, HVAC systems, roofs, insulation and/or water heater.
AND there is a 30% Federal and 15% State Tax credit on a new Solar Hot Water System.*

3. We’ve been there for you and your home for the last 50 years, and with your help we’re looking forward to being here for you as long as your house is!

We’ve told you to watch out of the low-price scam, the one-man guy in truck - and now you know why. When the home-improvement business was going gangbusters, anyone with a pickup truck and a metal clipboard could call himself a general contractor. He didn't need experience, skill, or good working relationships with subcontractors to find business. Times are tougher, and it's these marginal guys who have gone under - nowhere to be found in case of a problem.

4. Almar is looking to fill our schedule and keep our team working. Instead of waiting months, we can get you project started quicker – and we’ll deliver for you with the best customer service in years. We don’t want to add to that unemployment rate, so we’ve been offering some of the best prices you’ll see for a long time to come.

5. With the fall - off in demand, construction materials are readily available, and many have come down in price. BUT we are starting to get word from our suppliers that prices are starting to creep up already. So we are encouraging people to take action now, before the increases come.

6. If you have three things— A good credit rating, at least 20 percent equity in your home, and proof of income—lenders are more eager than ever to extend fat lines of credit.

According to Joel Sugarman, Mortgage Broker for locally owned Rockland Trust bank; “Facts indicate now may be much better than later to obtain financing for renovation because rates are at historic lows; the availability of equity in one's home, an often used source of funds, is declining with property values; and lending guidelines in the areas of credit, loan to value, and debt to income continue to tighten."

7. Utilizing your home for your “staycation” is very popular this summer. A staycation (or stay-cation, or stacation) is when your family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations are a great opportunity to utilize your renovated space, finished basement, home theatre, new kitchen or new deck!!! This new view on making your home an Oasis have achieved high popularity in the current hard times.

8. Let’s be honest - it’s going to take a while for Real Estate sales to get back to where they once were. Many of our customers ate coming to us saying that they have decided to stay put and make their current home their dream home. And that means you can truly enjoy the improvements you make. We are hearing people say that they really want to enjoy being at home, and staying at home.

9. If and when you do put your house on the market, shoppers will appreciate the upgrades you've made. Making improvements now will best position you to make your move as soon as the market picks up, and will allow you to get more for your house when you do sell. While everyone else is calling contractors for those get-set-to-sell projects, you won't be scrambling. Your house will be ready. And you will have had the enjoyment of the improvements and cost savings in the meantime!!

You’ve been waiting and waiting to get something started. It’s time to stop waiting and start moving, take advantage of the current situation and get your project done while the deals are still available.

If you’d like more information about getting your project started call Craig at 781-826-2577.



*check federal tax credit website & with your tax advisor for specific details.