Top Four Trades of April 2026

We've made it to May! The weather is getting warmer, we're starting to see fewer 30°F days at our corporate office in Wisconsin, and Tax Day 2026 has passed. Did you source a tax consultant through IMS and make the most of your earned trade dollars? We sure hope so! And we're so excited to get into the Top 4 Trades of April to learn what our clients were purchasing.

Spring promotions are ramping up into April, which gives our network of business owners a great excuse to invest in the roofing for their properties. It's a cost-effective time to buy at the start of the season! Refresh your home and add value without spending cash when the mild weather provides ideal conditions for roof work. Address any damages that occurred over winter, like ice, snow, storms, which could be a costly repair later if left alone. On average, contractors have greater availability before the warm summer months, and April is one of those opportune months to contact your IMS broker for a roofing contractor.

Perfect for high-concentration markets with large gatherings and festivals, one IMS client invested in a digital billboard truck. Spring brings an increase in outdoor events, and summer schedules fill up quickly! A mobile, digital billboard means that one or multiple brands can have their message displayed in multiple areas over a short amount of time to event goers. It's a great way to gain impressions, which can convert to possible business leads. As for the media planning and strategy side of things, launching campaigns in April allows businesses the time to process the effectiveness of the messaging and refine prior to peak demand periods to maximize ad spending. It's a channel of advertising that you don't want to ignore! Ask your broker to refer you to the IMS Media Dept. and indicate your interest in digital billboard truck advertising to put your trade dollars towards your advertising expense.

Real estate is only getting harder and harder to finance—so why not lean on barter? Typically, spring brings a surge in new listings, and the nicer weather allows inspections to be conducted and any necessary renovations to be completed. Choosing to purchase property early in the season gives business owners time to prepare the space for summer operations and the increased customer activity that accompanies it. Are you looking for properties on trade in your local market or elsewhere? Call your broker and let them know your interest.

'Tis the season for baseball and outdoor music festivals! We're no strangers to this in Milwaukee. As the owner of a business, purchasing tickets is a great way to communicate your appreciation to your employees, a way to entertain clients, or to take part in business networking. Purchasing at the start of the second quarter indicates that there's more budget made available for this perk and/or business decision. What events do you like to attend? Let your broker know, and they'll keep you in mind the next time tickets enter the network!