Home Improvement Stores Evolving for Budget-Conscience Customers

Home Improvement Stores Evolving for Budget-Conscience Consumers

by admin on May 18, 2011

Home improvement retailers, including giants Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Co., are changing with the economic times. In acknowledgement of the lower-cost projects people are taking on in their homes in contrast with past remodels on new real estate and in a better market, the stores are pushing more affordable products.

Home Depot, the nation’s largest home improvement chain, is focusing its attention on more budget-friendly products for financially stressed consumers.
According to a recent AP article, Home Depot executives said that “their chain is beefing up offerings like paint and soft-sided tool storage as maintenance and repair — instead of major renovations — remain at the forefront of consumers’ minds.”
Lowe’s, on the other hand, is focusing on expanding customer services. This includes outdoor maintenance and repair.  In addition, they are concerned with rising gas prices leading to consumers shopping at the closest store, which by store count, is more likely Home Depot. New locations in strategic locations are being planned.
Both chains rely heavily on seasonal changes, and are counting on an increase in purchases as the spring season appears and the weather improves.
To read more about this, take a look at the AP article here.

Cell Phones for Soldiers

Cell Phones for Soldiers Donation Drive

by admin on May 20, 2011

Princeton Capital is holding a donation drive to collect old cell phones for our troops overseas. Drop off your used cell phone to any Princeton Capital Loan Officer, or at our corporate office located at 16780 Lark Avenue in Los Gatos.

“Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops continue.” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder.
“It is easy for Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, and providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”
More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas. Cell Phones for Soldiers is calling on all Americans to support the troops by donating old cell phones. The organization hopes to collect over 1 Million cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has raised millions of dollars in donations and distributed millions of prepaid calling cards to troops serving overseas.
Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $10 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow troops abroad to see their families on a regular basis.
The donated phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone – the money is used to purchase prepaid calling cards which are sent to troops.
Proceeds from this donation drive will be used to purchase calling cards for our troops so they can stay connected with their families. Call 408-355-2000 for more information about how and where to donate.

5 Things to Think About When Looking for Your Dream Home

by admin on May 5, 2011

While on the hunt for a perfect home, it can be immensely helpful to create a wish list of sorts. This can help you and your real estate agent obtain a clear picture of what type of home would best suit you.

Some things to consider:
1. Move-in ready or fixer-upper?
Making a home “your own” can make fixer-uppers an attractive option, along with the lower cost. Making a mark on your new home via renovations. Take some time to think about what homeownership means to you, and whether you are interested in renovation.
2. Upgrades
Certain upgrades in a home, such as marble or granite counters, are often coveted by buyers. Consider what type of upgrades are important to you – energy-efficiency, professional grade appliances, luxury tiling? Make a list and show your Realtor.
3. The Yard
What type of backyard are you looking for, and how important is it to you? Think about low versus high maintenance yards, the amount of space you’d like, and what kind of yard would best suit your lifestyle.
4. Swimming Pools
For some homebuyers, having a swimming pool can be a dealbreaker. If this is something that you really desire in your dream home, make that clear to your real estate agent so that they can narrow the search for you.
5. Schools in the Area
Last but certainly not least, the quality of the schools in the area of a dream home should be an important thing to research. Ask your Realtor for information about schools in the area of your search, and comparisons between them. This information is easily obtained, and real estate agents will be more than happy to show you school scores and more. Also consider private schools, if that is an option for your family.

Tagged as: home ownership, homebuyers, real estate

Condo Ownership Sensible in SF, San Jose and Oakland

by admin on May 4, 2011

The San Jose Mercury reported that data shows that buying condos, versus renting, makes financial sense in San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland in this current market.

A study done by Trulia of the nation’s fifty largest cities focusing on rent-versus-buy price analysis revealed that these Bay Area cities, especially San Jose, ownership is less expensive.
They calculated a rent-to-buy ratio of cost, and any city with a rent-to-buy ratio of 15 or below means that it is less expensive to buy. San Jose’s ratio is 12-1.
Oakland and San Francisco, where renting is cheaper, can make more financial sense to buy depending on the situation. Oakland has a ratio of 16, and San Francisco 19.
To read more about the math behind the study, read the San Jose Mercury article here, or you can take a look at Trulia’s entire report of the fifty biggest cities in the country here.

Tagged as: California, home ownership, renting, statistics