Nation’s Economy – Greatly Affecting Small Businesses

6 decades, there are many industries that are adversely affected, but go undiscussed~Many industries and small businesses are suffering indirectly because of the national recession~The largest recession that U.S. residents and businesses have seen in the past forty years continues to indirectly affect many local companies}.  The main focus has been on the housing market, financial loans, stock market, and the banking industry.  All of these industries are inter-related in some way, but many major industries that affect millions of home owners are not far off.

At the epicenter of the housing market and property value collapse is Phoenix, AZ – one of the hardest hit locations in the country.  These buyers all have property that has greatly depreciated in value over the past 2 years (sometimes being down 20 to 40%).  Loss of home equity has caused select owners to just walk away from their homes, in fact, bank repossessions are higher than they have ever been. 

For those Americans who are not affected by unemployment, housing market decline, and stock market woes – they can quickly find out they are wrong.  When most homeowners desire to make enhancements to their houses, they may need financing or some sort of financial assistance.  Local banks and credit unions can usually provide this type of home improvement loan.  Swimming pool, landscape, and home improvement companies have not had the fortune of getting it’s potential buyers approved for these financing programs.

The pool and spa industry in Phoenix has been one of the largest industries influenced, since financing a swimming pool or landscape project was the best decision for over 65% of swimming pool customers.  Financial Assistance enables buyers to invest the money they desire into each project, and without a loan, buyers simply spend much less money or don’t purchase at all.  Phoenix pool builders have taken a huge hit, often closing their doors, down-sizing, or diversifying into other markets.  Some pool and spa contractors have started doing landscaping and swimming pool remodels for additional revenue.  Some general contracting companies and home remodelers have switched entire industries, trying their hand at completely different venues of work.  Arizona Landscaping Contractors are starting to offer other popular landscape features such as travertine patios, waterfalls and ponds,  Phoenix Pergolas & Ramadas, and mist systems – anything to generate extra revenue.

Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools, a Phoenix swimming pool and landscape company, figured out how to diversify it’s products and services many years ago.  As Phoenix landscape and pool builders, along with a general contractor license, Unique Companies are able to provide its customers with many facets of residential landscaping and swimming pools.  “By diversifying a few years prior into swimming pools, landscaping and general contracting, our construction company has been able to keep busy during these rough times.  However, the inability for our potential customers to get financing or loans has been devastating.”

“It’s difficult to think about all the money that was given to banks just a few months ago for these loans, and now it’s difficult for our homeowners, who want to buy our products, to get this money” remarks business owner Chris Griffin, of Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools in Mesa, AZ.  Maybe it’s time for the government to look a little further into some of the struggles of the smaller companies that are greatly affected by this struggling economy.  “I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but I can tell it’s there….” claims Griffin, “Phoenix pool financing is getting a little better”.

Technorati Tags: economy, financing, landscaping, loans, pool and landscaping, recession, swimming pool financing, swimming pool loans, swimming pools

When Will This Credit Crisis Ease?

They talk about the green shoots of recovery; well I have not seen any, have you? I personally think that it is a form of increase confidence trick; an attempt to make people believe that the worst of this current recession is over.

They, and when I say they I am talking about the Government and business leaders, are no doubt hoping that this new confidence (false as it undoubtedly is) will spur people on to start spending money again; to start buying houses etc. Until these so called “leaders” realise that this crisis will only start to ease when the banks and building societies start to lend money again, the better. I am already started to read reports about the ways in which these bankers have returned to their greedy bonus culture? In a way a more important question is why is our Government allowing them to get away with it? There is a real lack of leadership at the moment and it is about time somebody at the top started to crack the whip.

Now I am not some financial whizz kid who thinks he has all of the answers. I am in fact just an average working class guy from the UK who runs a web promotion company and who also has a partnership in a company that offers a professional DVD duplication service. I do however watch and listen in amazement at times when I see what some of the politicians and greedy bankers say – they really are not in the real world – they probably would have absolutely no idea as to the average cost of a pint of milk or loaf of broad – they are complete jokers and a waste of space.

I personally believe that this current credit crisis will last until the end of 2010, at least. I know that this seem rather negative but it is just my opinion on the situation. I may well revise my opinion if we were to change in Government or a new stronger, dynamic leader? Bring in Vince Cable I say as the new Labour leader!

Technorati Tags: business leaders, credit crunch, government, greedy bankers, Labour leader, recession, Vince Cable