2011 Spring Home & Garden Show

Written by Shannon Myers

On March 4-6, the Tompkins-Cortland Builders and Remodelers Association presented the 2011 Home & Garden show at TC3 in Dryden. Local vendors as well as those from all over New York State gathered together to present information to consumers about their products and services. Bob the Builder was on hand to greet show-goers on Saturday, and Amy Dickinson made a book signing appearance on Sunday. Informative current hot topic seminars for the consumer and home owner were presented all weekend long!!

A great turnout of consumers browsed through the aisles over the weekend to view the array of home improvement methods that were represented, from construction by professionals like https://betterfoundationrepairneworleans.com/ to heating and cooling, insulation to wood furniture; lawn tractors, landscaping, alternative energy exhibits in wind, solar and geothermal, and lending institutions for home buyer and home improvement loans.

Home shows like these highlight just how many options homeowners have when it comes to improving their properties—but what happens when selling becomes the priority instead? Whether due to financial changes, relocation, or the desire for a fresh start, many homeowners find themselves needing to sell quickly. Traditional sales can take months, requiring repairs, staging, and negotiations, whereas cash sales offer a much faster alternative. By working with cash buyers, sellers can bypass many of the usual hurdles and move forward without delay.

Of course, selling fast isn’t always without challenges, especially when a real estate investor backs out at the last minute. This can leave sellers scrambling, particularly if they were depending on that sale to fund their next move. Fortunately, there are still reliable cash buyers like Capstone Homebuyers and investment firms that specialize in making quick, no-hassle purchases—even for homes that need work. The key is to work with reputable buyers who have a proven track record of closing deals efficiently, ensuring that the seller doesn’t end up stuck in limbo.

For those who decide not to sell, or for new buyers looking to step into homeownership after a swift transaction, the next step often involves financing. Once the dust settles from a quick sale or purchase, many begin looking at how to renovate or rebuild to fit their needs. And just like the many home improvement options on display at the show—from trusted foundation repairs to sustainable energy solutions—there’s an equally varied landscape of financing options.

Yet not everyone qualifies under conventional banking requirements, especially gig workers, entrepreneurs, or those with informal incomes. These individuals, who might otherwise be excellent homeowners, often face roadblocks when applying for traditional loans.

This is where Malaysia’s supportive initiatives shine through. The government housing loan scheme made available through agencies like SJKP ensures that even those without a steady paycheck can access home financing with ease. This is especially important for first-time homebuyers or sellers looking to reinvest in a new property without facing the red tape that typically comes with loan approval.

With government-backed guarantees, buyers can secure funding that covers not just the cost of the home but also essential additions like legal fees and renovation costs. It levels the playing field, giving more Malaysians—regardless of employment type—a fair shot at homeownership and stability, without the burdens of traditional financial gatekeeping.

With today’s focus on “Green” living, it was no surprise that many companies at the Home & Garden Show were representative of renewable energy methods, such as geothermal heating and cooling, solar energy, and wind energy. Information and educational materials were offered by such companies as ETM Solar Works of Endicott, Pyrus Energy (www.pyrusenergy.com), GeoTherm International LLC of Tully, HALCO, and Gleason Geothermal of Rochester and Ithaca. These companies and others illustrated how these energy methods are not only efficient in terms of helping consumers to break away from using the earth’s dwindling supply of fossil fuels, but how they also help consumers to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on energy supplied by power companies. Other companies at the Home & Garden Show offered information on energy-efficient living as well, including SunSky Energy LLC, Halco, Hoover Industrial Supply.

Represented at the Home & Garden Show were many companies that offer improvements to other areas of the home: Baker Miller, Cortland HEP, Real Wood Furniture, Solvay Glass, Builders Best, B&B Fine Floor Coverings, and Re-Bath, Victory Lifts just to name a few.

Let’s not forget those who displayed their informational materials and products for the aesthetically pleasing outdoors and problem area improvements to protect the soundness of your home or other structures! Among these were Valley View Gardens, Overhead Door, Schickel Construction Company, Gutter Pro Seamless Gutters & Supply Co. and Northernscapes landscaping services.

The list goes on. There was something to see for almost anyone looking for a specific area of improvement: from Hearth & Home of Ithaca to Pet Containment Systems of NY; from flooring to replacement windows. Virtually all facets of home improvement were represented.

For those consumers who are trying to find a way to buy a home, representatives from various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Tompkins Trust Co., and Elmira Savings Bank were available to answer questions and provide information about home ownership programs.

Thanks to the generosity of TCBRA representatives from various other Non-Profits services were available for the public, as well, including Fingerlakes ReUse, NYS Cancer Services, the Red Cross, and the Cortland County Soil and Water District.With so much going on and so much information available, as well as lots of goodies being handed out – pens, candies, calendars, mini-basketballs, magnets – the Home & Garden show was a great event for consumers to attend to learn about all kinds of home improvement; not just in terms of sprucing up their homes, but also in terms of improving quality of life for themselves and by helping to save our environment.