by Dan Chambers | Apr 8, 2024 | Free Email Marketing Tips
Is there anything the government won’t do to placate the climate change activists in the Democrat Party? Not a chance. Here’s what they’ve done so far:
- The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that invests hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy. The Foundation of Government Accountability says it actually increased inflation and did little to promote clean energy.
- A new EV Bill signed on March 24 requires every new passenger car and light truck be an EV or hybrid by 2032.
- The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) issued a final rule in December that sharply reduces emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from oil and natural gas operations.
- Now there’s a new regulation that requires your air conditioner, refrigerator, and other appliances to reduce hydrofluorocarbon(HFC) emissions by 85% over 15 years – including a 40% reduction starting this year.
Climate Change
The climate is always changing. But one sign that the world is warming is from evidence gathered from satellites, historical records, thermometers, and weather stations. Since 1880, average global temperatures have increased by about 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Global temperature is projected to warm by about 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 and 3.6-7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100.
Advantages
Air conditioning is a lifesaver especially during extreme heat waves. However, only about 8% of the 2.8 billion people living in the hottest – and poorest — parts of the world currently have AC in their homes. In comparison, about 90% of the population in the U.S. has access to AC, compared to 9% in Indonesia and 5% in India.
Problems
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are the newest culprits. They are widespread in air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosols, and other appliances. While they do not deplete the ozone layer, as once thought, some of them have a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) – according to the United Nations Environment Program.
The government has cracked down on the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) industry by releasing new standards for cooling equipment that require all 14 SEER air conditioners and heat pumps to be phased out this year.
What is SEER?
SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is a number that measures the energy efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient. Newer 15 SEER systems are expected to cost 20-50% more, so many homeowners are trying to upgrade their AC before the supply of non-15 SEER systems runs out.
Backlash
A consumer backlash is heating up, especially when these air conditioner quotas go into effect this summer. It seems like it’s just another overreach by the government without any regard to the people they serve and the additional cost they need to pay. Congress needs to rein in these new regulations and make corrections before it becomes law.
by Dan Chambers | Apr 1, 2024 | Free Email Marketing Tips
Spring is usually a good time to buy and sell a home. Not this year. Just like 2023, it is filled with uncertainty. The price of a new home is still sky high, there’s a lack of inventory and even though building has picked up, mortgage rates are making the American dream difficult unless you won the lottery.
After a dramatic increase in 2022, the average price of a new home dropped slightly in 2023 from $540,000 to $511,100. It has dropped even more, but according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) the predicted median home price will rise 1.4% to $395,100 in 2024, and then another 2.6 percent to $405,200 in 2025.
Despite all these headwinds, builders are optimistic because of consumer demand. 80% of builders anticipate starting more homes this year, and 51% expect starts to increase more than 10% compared to 2023, Ali Wolf, chief economist with housing research firm Zonda, said.
Inflation
Today’s mortgage rates remain stubbornly high despite lower inflation. The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.09 percent, according to Bankrate’s most recent data.
Many people have put off the buying a new home and are now renovating, restoring, or remodeling their current houses. According to Screenmobile, the house restoration firm, U.S. home renovation business accounts for well over $400 billion in annual revenue and is projected to reach $510 billion this year.
These homeowners are “locked in” at low interest rates and unwilling to sell due to higher home and mortgage prices, so demand continues to outpace housing supply.
Lack of Inventory
Home buyers who have been frustrated by a lack of inventory are looking to builders for more housing options. Builders are answering buyers’ affordability concerns with sales incentives, like buying down mortgage rates or assistance with closing costs, according to Melissa Tracey at Realtor Magazine.
Townhomes
Townhome construction surged to its highest rate in more than 17 years. The single-family attached housing style, which often comes with a lower price tag, has become a viable option. Overall, townhouses accounted for nearly 20% of the total housing starts in the final quarter of 2023.
“The townhouse market is one of the bright spots in the new-home sector,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders. This sector continues to outperform with a growing number of home buyers—young and old—who are looking for medium-density residential neighborhoods. In Florida, big corporate contractors like Lennar are building townhomes like they’re going out of style.
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates are expected to decline later this year as the U.S. economy weakens, inflation slows and the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is expected to fall to the low 6% range through the end of 2024, dipping into high 5% territory by early 2025.
Time To Buy?
Still have spring home fever? If you have good credit, a big down payment, and you can find a home in a town you like, go ahead, spring for it!
Here’s some good advice. A real estate agent can help you navigate through these turbulent times. You get a high-quality, up to date list of real estate agents targeted to your specific market by going to the Email List Company, the #1 trusted source for real estate agent lists for over 20 years.
by Dan Chambers | Feb 15, 2024 | Free Email Marketing Tips
Biking has come a long way since the days you rode a bulky Huffy or Schwinn when you were a kid. Today, the bicycle industry is big and booming. The U.S. bicycle market is estimated to be $7.71 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $9 billion by 2029. New technology and increased health consciousness has made the product desirable – and very profitable.
Present-day bicycles fall into seven main categories: utility, touring, racing, mountain, hybrid, BMX, and electric.
Utility or urban bikes are principally used for short-distance commuting, running errands, shopping, leisure, or for transporting goods or merchandise. They used to be human-powered but increasingly utility bikes are electric.
Touring bicycles are designed or modified to handle bicycle touring. The bikes are comfortable and capable of carrying heavy loads.
Racing bikes are designed for maximum speed and weigh about 20 pounds. Since the introduction of carbon fiber frames, sales of racing or road bikes have soared. So have the prices – a top-of-the-line racing bike can cost over $10,000.
Mountain bicycles are bikes with thick tires and a lot of gears, originally made for riding on hills and rough ground, but now often used on roads.
Hybrid bikes – A hybrid is exactly what it sounds like – a mix of a road bike and a mountain bike. The result is a bicycle that’s suitable for general-purpose riding over different types of terrain – off-road and on the road.
BMX bikes are all the rage with teens. It’s not your father’s bicycle. BMX riding involves popping wheelies and riding in and sometimes against traffic. BMX bikes are big business by itself.
BMX stands for “bicycle motocross” and originated out of a garage in California 50 years ago. Today, it’s a $121 million business. There are gangs, teams, races and over 300 BMX tracks all over the country.
The style is called “bike life.” Wheelies on BMX bikes is a growing culture that has been accelerated by platforms like Instagram and Snapchat
BMX bikes range in size from 20″ BMX bikes to 29″ BMX bikes and are perfect for dirt and freestyle BMX street tricks, racing or everyday use.
Prices for a BMX start from $200 for a base Mongoose to up to $2000 for a DJ Ripper.
Electric Bikes
The electric bike or e-bike phenomenon took off in the last decade even though they’ve been around for over a century. They have become more popular in recent years due to advanced technology and increased interest in sustainable transportation.
In 2022, there were 1.1 million e-bikes sold in the United States, almost four times as many as were sold in 2019. The U.S. e-bike market size was estimated at $1.98 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $2.59 billion in 2023.
According to the World Bicycle Industry Association, in 2022 10% of bicycle sales in the world were e-bikes.
Are you a bicycle marketer? Do you want to market for bike shops? This is a thriving industry that needs to be targeted. If you’re ready to roll, start your marketing with an up-to-date bike email list from the Email List Company, the most trusted bicycle store provider for over 20 years. Learn more about the bicycle industry by clicking here.
