Hello readers in print and online.

With interest rates creeping north and the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department’s attention more focused on energy prices, inflation and the weak dollar at last, potential homebuyers should begin to recognize the time to buy that new home is now and come down off those fences.

This is the 200th edition of Builder and Developer magazine. I launched this publication in the fall of 1990 in a somewhat similiar housing market. I felt there was a need for a business management magazine for the Southern Californian home building industry. In reviewing some of the very early issues I am especially proud of the relationships I have built with advertisers and our builder readers alike over the past 18 years.

There are clients like Anaheim Door, Milgard, First American Title, Standards of Excellence, La Jolla Pacific, CPS, American Slate, Belgard, Robert Mitchell, SC Designs, O’Haigins, Salsbury and a host of other great companies without whom none of these 200 issues would have taken shape. Thanks to each of them and to all of you loyal readers who have been subscribing to B&D for all these years. Many thanks too to my lovely wife Georgina and my business partner Stuart Cochrane who have been my friends and mentors. Lastly thanks to my great crew over the years. Some of the best editors and journalists in the business have appeared on our masthead. Here’s to the next 200!

I will raise a glass to all of you and in the words of my heart from Ireland simply say
"Go raibh mile maith agat, agus slainte"

Nick Slevin
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
nslevin@penpubinc.com

claimed a good show while others complained the sparse attendance generated far less interest in their products and services. Personally I discovered that while the quantity of attendees was appreciably less, the quality was significantly higher in terms of who showed up- company presidents, CEO’s and senior VP’s were in town. The seminars and educational sessions were lively and seemed pretty full too. I prefer the show this size. You can get more done. I recall the show being similar to this when I first started attending in 1990. PCBC has returned to its roots as a valuable place to meet customers and network. Less a company paid junket and massive party and more a business exposition and conference again. I am fine with it.

The Annual Hall of Fame gala hosted on the Tuesday evening by Gail Grimm and the California Housing Foundation was a well attended and upbeat affair. A veritable ‘Who’s who’ of the California housing industry was present and the annual class re-union photo session will make for a memorable keepsake. Congratulations to Gail and her staff on another fine evening and to the deserving group of inductees.

The overall message from PCBC 2008 was a positive one. I have long maintained home builders by nature are a very positive group. One does not embark on a career in this industry unless one is equipped with a particularly thick skin and nine lives to boot. The CBIA and our national industry leaders are taking the point and working within the political frame work to present solutions to the current spate of issues related to new home construction all over the country. It is hoped a housing bill will present itself for signature by our president, sooner rather than later. A bill that will be strong enough to form part of the foundation for a recovery we can build off as an industry and get back to the business of building homes for deserving Americans who need and want them.