Outdoors Publisher Reports on Survival Trends

By: - May 20th, 2011  Filed under: Home Trends

Outdoors Publisher Reports on Survival Trends

William C. Holm, BH Publishing Owner, and Editor of Your World Outdoors.Com, and Your World Outdoors. Us issued a report today entitled “Recent Survival Trends,” which highlights some of the major changes in product development, buyer’s preferences for camping and survival gear products, and other survival trends.

In issuing this report, Mr. Holm noted that several trends had converged during the past year, namely price-comparison shopping and more unisex product design.

Some of the other trends noted were:

1) While there had been a slight increase last year in camping (5.34%) and hiking (8.5%), the number of people actively hunting had decreased by 1.1 %.

2) Trail running, backpacking, and wildlife viewing increased by 15.2%, 18.5%, and 5.0% respectively.

3) While there had been an upswing in outdoor camping, particularly RV camping, most campers prefer to camp relatively close to home.

4) The Pacific Northwest (18.9%) and the Upper Midwest (16.9%) have the most campers when compared to the rest of the United States.

Hunting & Bow-Hunting Trends-

Keeping in mind that there has been a decrease in the numbers of hunters and a reported increase the numbers of firearms purchased this year, particularly handguns, it is speculated that most of the handguns purchased are for self-defense. When considered in conjunction with reports that ammunition manufacturers are working around the clock to keep up with sales orders, we have concluded that people are stockpiling these goods for a future use. “This has caused some concern among outdoor groups and hunting organizations,” the publisher remarked.

According to the NSGA, hunting and firearms showed the greatest percentage increase among equipment purchases in 2007. Sales of hunting & firearms equipment rose 16% to .6 billion from .9 billion in 2007.

Bowhunting and the purchase of cross bows have seen a dramatic rise in the past three years. One of the reasons for this has been the National Archery in the Schools Program. Young and old alike seem drawn to this sport primarily due to the unique skills involved, advances in bow design technology, the relative ease of getting a bowhunting license, and the particular camaraderie of hunting game in the forest.

Demographics-

The NSGA also found that women make up 12% of all bowhunters in the United States. Nearly 786,000 females went bowhunting more than once in the past year. The average age of female bowhunters is 37.9. Indeed, current data seems to indicate that women are quickly joining with men in core survival activities namely backpacking, camping, hunting, and wilderness trekking. More and more women are buying survival gear products as they “take to the woods” in large numbers. The growth of the B.O.W. (Becoming An Outdoors Woman) program throughout the United States may be one of the factors contributing to the increase in the number of outdoors women.

The average age for a female hunter was 30.4 years and the average age for a male hunter was 45.7 years of age. However, young people (ages 6-17 years) for the most part, continue to show a decreased appetite for outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, and hiking.

Recent Sales Trends-

(Retailers Cut Prices)

In view of the recession, shoppers have become bargain shoppers. This means that instead of buying a premium brand name backpack, sleeping bag, or tent, outdoor enthusiasts are going to the Big Box Stores retail outlet or website to purchase their gear. The average price for a backpack is .00, a sleeping bag is .00, and a 3- person tent on average is purchased for about 1.00. Further, the big name retailers can out-advertise, stock larger quantities, display more products, and keep good customer relations due to their highly developed business processes. A report from Internet Retailerâ indicated that the more sophisticated websites, with fast order processing and page load times garnered more sales than slower and less sophisticated websites. Hence, Walmart, Amazon, Sears, Target, and Kmart outperform the smaller specialty sites when it comes to camping product sales.

Even the niche sites are cutting prices on survival gear items in the face of frugal shoppers.

For example, Sierra Trading Post has cut the prices on some of its products by 50%, Cabelas has cut prices on some items by 20% to 70%, Eastern Mountain Sports from 20-40%, and Mountain Gear has cut from 20-70%, Altrec by 15%, and Gander Mountain offers 40 % off on some items. It should be noted that Gander Mountain is promoting over 3,000 firearms for sale on its website.

(Eco-Friendly Products Increase)

Another trend noted in the report is that camping and survival good manufacturers have started making environmental friendly products by using recycled material or “green” material such as vegan or organic resources such as bamboo. The North Faceâ, Timberland Bootsâ, Patagoniaâ, Merrellâ, Burtonâ, Keenâ, and Mountain Hardwearâ are some of the leaders in eco-friendly camping products.

Primaloft® ECO, an earth-friendly mix of recycled and virgin insulation for coats and sleeping bags are relatively new innovations in “green” products. A new Eco-Friendly DRYRIDEâ Recycled Polyester Fabrication, and Eco-Friendly Waterproof/Breathable Lamination with DWR Coatingä, are several new inventions included into Burton Coats and jackets. These eco-friendly products can be purchased at Altrec.Com, Cabelas.Com, Eastern Mountain Sports.Com, Mountain Gear.Com, and Moosejaw.Com.

The Full Report-

The full report contains a discussion of Home-Made & Do-It Survival Gear, Home-Made Survival Kits, Recent Innovations in Survival Gear, Summary & Conclusions, and a list of references. Copies of the full report can be obtained by contacting the publisher.

William C. Holm


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Credit Cards Before Home Loans – A Disturbing New Trend

By: - May 17th, 2011  Filed under: Home Trends

First appearing in the beginning of 2008, a disturbing trend has developed in which consumers are deciding to pay off their credit card bills before they pay their mortgage. This trend is gaining traction, and steam, in recent months as well. Conventional wisdom has generally dictated that the hierarchy of paying off debts is to pay the secured obligations first, which generally speaking tend to be mortgages.

A recent study by Sean Reardon, a consultant for TransUnion, has shown that the opposite is now true for a growing number of homeowners. The study reported findings between the period of the second quarter of 2008 and the third quarter of 2009. This study was conducted on consumers who had at least one mortgage and one credit card during a thirty day period during the aforementioned timeframe.

Experts had noticed this trend developing earlier than this, however, as early as 2006, but they had almost universally agreed that the trend would subside once the worst of the economic crisis had passed. However, it appears that this development is actually gaining momentum and becoming increasingly popular. The numbers are rather disturbing. In the first quarter of 2008, the percentage of homeowners who were behind on their mortgages but current on their credit cards was 4.3%. In the third quarter of 2009, that number rose to 6.6%.

When looking at the numbers from a scoring standpoint, the numbers are even more alarming. The lowest scoring segment of homeowners found that during the last quarter of 2007, the number of people who were current with their credit card payments but behind on their mortgages was 19.1%. This number jumped to 29% in the third quarter of 2009.

So what is driving this new trend for consumers to want to pay off their credit cards before their mortgages? There are several factors that may be contributing to it. One of the most prevalent is the implosion of the mortgage industry during the past twenty-four months. As adjustable rate mortgages have reset, consumers who could no longer keep up with their mortgages have turned their attention away from their mortgages and focused on paying down their credit cards.

Other contributing factors include a weak job market and depressed home values throughout the nation. This has fundamentally redefined how consumers manage their finances and what they deem the priorities of their bills. When we look at states that have endured a greater housing bubble implosion, the numbers are even more significant, and more telling. In California, for example, the percentage of consumers who were current on their credit card payments yet behind on their mortgage rose 3.5 percent to a total of 10.2 percent during the aforementioned time period. In Florida those numbers rose 5.1 percent to 12.4 percent total.

Consumers are shifting their focus of importance on where their money goes toward paying off their debts, but there are other factors that certainly need to be taken into consideration. The question of whether this trend will continue into the future of if it will correct itself when the labor market and the housing market both stabilize will have to be seen. Also, the fact that banks have not completed foreclosures on homes that have become delinquent may also contribute to this increase in numbers. For example, would a homeowner who finds himself, or herself, no longer able to afford their mortgage after an adjustable rate or loss of employment continue to fall behind on their mortgage, knowing they will most likely slip into default, or instead use the finances they have to pay down credit card debt to free up what may be important credit in the future.

The recession has caused enormous strain on multiple facets of the global economy, yet if this trend of homeowners paying credit cards before mortgages continues, the industry may find itself in for a longer recovery period than anticipated.

David

David Reinholtz is a professional Mortgage expert in Real Estate Industry.David is also a sales and marketing expert and trains professionals in every career field. David has personally trained tens of thousands of loan officers, mortgage brokers, real estate agents and individuals through The Close More University Seminar Series, LoanOfficerSchool.com Classes, Correspondence and On Line Learning, and countless private engagements and training events throughout the country. David is the Founder and CEO of LoanOfficerSchool.com, an approved education provider for The Conference of State Bank Supervisors and The National Mortgage Licensing Systems’ (NMLS) required pre-licensing education and continuing education.


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Homes for Sale Aspen Snowmass Backgrounder

By: - May 14th, 2011  Filed under: Home Trends

Are you searching for a new home in a neighborhood in Aspen or Snowmass, but know little about it? Before you check Aspen and Snowmass homes for sale, it will help if you do a neighborhood search first.

Population and demographics

Snowmass has a small population of about 1,400 with annual growth rate of 10.1%. The median age in the neighborhood is 42 years and has a cost of living index of 208 and ,700 median income. There are 53.8% males and 46.1% females in Snowmass; 47.7% are married, 52.2% are single, and 21.9% are families with kids.

Politics and job trends

When it comes to employment, Snowmass boasts a future job growth rate of 16.2% and an impressive 3.6% unemployment rate. When it comes to politics, Snowmass has about 68.4% Democrats, 30% Republicans, and 1.4% Independents.

Education trends

Snowmass spends around ,000 per pupil, with a pupil-teacher ratio of 17, a student-librarian ratio of 392 and a student-counselor ratio of 493. Snowmass has 95.5% high school graduates, 6% have attended some college, 35.8% hold Bachelor’s Degree, and about 13.8% have Graduate Degree.

Housing trends

The median home age in Snowmass is 26 years; the median home is around 9,500. Approximately 59.26% of homes in Snowmass are owned, 18.32% homes are vacant, and 22.42% homes are rented.

Residential real estate

Those interested in residential real estate, there are many styles and types of Snowmass homes for sale. You will find in the neighborhood exciting community activities and local amenities that you can only find in the neighborhood. Snowmass also has exciting outdoor activities as well as a family friendly atmosphere.

Snowmass Village

Snowmass Village is an elite ski resort that has been around since 1968. You will fall in love once you wake up early in the morning and see the towering peaks of Mt. Daly and Snowmass Peak. Another major draw is that you can walk out your door to the ski slopes.

Politics and job trends

When it comes to employment, Snowmass boasts a future job growth rate of 16.2% and an impressive 3.6% unemployment rate. When it comes to politics, Snowmass has about 68.4% Democrats, 30% Republicans, and 1.4% Independents.

Education trends

Snowmass spends around ,000 per pupil, with a pupil-teacher ratio of 17, a student-librarian ratio of 392 and a student-counselor ratio of 493. Snowmass has 95.5% high school graduates, 6% have attended some college, 35.8% hold Bachelor’s Degree, and about 13.8% have Graduate Degree.

Housing trends

The median home age in Snowmass is 26 years; the median home is around 9,500. Approximately 59.26% of homes in Snowmass are owned, 18.32% homes are vacant, and 22.42% homes are rented.

Population and demographics

Snowmass has a small population of about 1,400 with annual growth rate of 10.1%. The median age in the neighborhood is 42 years and has a cost of living index of 208 and ,700 median income. There are 53.8% males and 46.1% females in Snowmass; 47.7% are married, 52.2% are single, and 21.9% are families with kids.

Carol Walker tracks Aspen Snowmass homes for sale.


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Swing Trading Trends -Knowing When To Enter The Trend

By: - May 9th, 2011  Filed under: Home Trends

One of the best swing trading strategies is to ride a trend. Trading trends tends to be more profitable as compared to trading ranges. The beauty of trend trading lies in the fact that you don’t need to manage the trade a lot. In an uptrend the currency pair or the security price will continue to rise.

Entering a trend early in the first few days allows you to enter when the risk is lowest. Entering a trend when it is already weeks or months old raises the chance of your getting on when you should have been getting off. The difficulty in trend trading lies in identifying when a trend has started and knowing when to get off quickly when the trend is over.

The biggest risk for a swing trader trying to trade a trend lies in entering the trend when it is too late and the trend is about to end. An experienced swing trader describes this phenomenon of new swing traders trying to jump on every trend no matter how late they are as like a dao trying to chase every speeding car. Chasing speeding cars maybe fun for the dog but the dog will get run over by one of the speeding cars one day.

So, minimize your chance of riding a trend that is about to crash. What you need is a trading system that can identify when a trend is late and when it is right to enter the trend. So, you need a couple of indicators or perhaps a few candlestick patterns that can help you identify when the trend is about to start and when it is about to end.

You should use an ADX indicator and only enter if the reading is above 20. However, in all aspects of trading nothing is 100% sure. The best thing you can do is to put the odds in your favor. You can use charts or technical indicators. Charts are much easier. Especially if you know the typical Candlestick patterns that signal a trend reversal like the hanging man and the hammer, you can know for sure that the trend is about to reverse and a new trend is about to start.

You can also use moving averages or MACD. Another approach in swing trading trends is to wait for the trend to pause and only enter on the day of strength or weakness. Whatever, method you use, make sure you only enter the trend after you have confirmed the trading signal. Combination of indicators and candlestick patterns can be highly effective in telling you when to enter the trend and when to exit.

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Energy-Efficient Home Renovations

By: - May 4th, 2011  Filed under: Home Trends

Green building is no longer just a fad; in fact, energy-efficient remodeling and renovating is one of the few aspects of the U.S. construction business that still holds a positive outlook in the midst of the economic turmoil in 2009.

The U.S. residential construction market was 3 billion in 2008, down 41% from its high of 0 billion in 2006. The home renovations market was 8 billion in 2008, down 18% percent from 2007. But SBI estimates that the home energy efficiency renovations market in the U.S. was billion in 2008; down only 13% percent from 2007’s billion.

Remodeling to improve a home’s energy efficiency instead of buying a new home has become a preferred option in today’s market. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders found that 32% of home builders also provided remodeling services in 2008. Homeowners are still seeing the benefits of improving their home’s energy efficiency even in the economic instability of 2009. With energy consciousness shooting to the forefront of the media during the 2008 oil price peak, the Propane Education & Research Council has found 80% of homeowners are now concerned about the energy efficiency of their homes.

Home builders and remodelers have been quick to provide remodeling services that are focused on energy conservation and green building practices; as an example, 85% of remodelers surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders in 2008 used energy-efficient windows on the majority of their projects. Retailers and manufacturers of building projects, residential builders and remodelers, and even state and federal organizations now have to be able to provide knowledgeable energy conservation expertise to succeed in their business.

Home energy efficiency analysis now uses a ‘whole building’ approach, affecting all categories of building materials, from windows and doors to insulation to completely eliminating air leaks. To fully embrace this view, this report looks at the impact energy-efficient building products are having on the renovations market in a number of categories:
•    The market for energy-efficient doors and windows, caulking and weather stripping, and insulation used in home renovation projects.
•    The energy-efficient appliance and lighting markets for home remodeling.
•    Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and the growing trend of energy-efficient roof renovations.

Report Methodology

Report data were obtained from government sources, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and ENERGY STAR; trade associations such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI); research organizations such as the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS); websites of home improvement contractors, manufacturers and dealers, industry analysts and print and online business and trade journals.

Consumer demographics and spending trends derive from data compiled by Simmons Market Research Bureau, New York, NY. Trends and recent developments in the industry come directly from personal interviews with key players in manufacturing and sales of energy-efficient building products and discussions with knowledgeable insiders of associations such as the National Association of Home Builders.

What You’ll Get in This Report

Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market, Full Report provides a concise, focused look on the world of whole home energy-efficient renovations as it exists today, and shows where the market is moving towards in the next five years. The report highlights key players in the industry and pinpoints ways current and prospective competitors can capitalize on recent trends and spearhead new ones. No other market research report provides both the comprehensive analysis and extensive data that Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market, Full Report offers. Plus, you’ll benefit from extensive data, presented in easy-to-read and practical charts, tables and graphs.

How You’ll Benefit from this Report

If your company is already doing business in green home renovations or remodeling specializing in energy efficiency, or is considering making the leap, you will find this report invaluable as it provides a comprehensive package of information and insight not offered in any other single source. You will gain a thorough understanding of the current market for all aspects of energy-efficient renovations, as well as projected markets and trends through 2013.

This report will help:
•    Marketing managers identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans for homeowners looking to renovate to reduce their utility costs.
•    Research and development professionals stay on top of competitor initiatives and explore demand for current energy efficiency remodeling trends and new emerging energy-efficient construction products.
•    Advertising agencies working with clients in the banking, retail and construction industries develop messages and images that compel homeowners to migrate towards energy-efficient products when considering home renovations.
•    Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market and identify possible partnerships.

Information and research center librarians provide market researchers, brand and product managers and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.

ReportsandReports, comprising of an online library of 10,000 reports.ReportsandReports announce to have Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market Research Report in its store. Browse all our detailed market research reports at ReportsandReports.com


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