PUBLISHER'S NOTE
Hello B&D readers in print and online.
The dog days of summer wind on with record
heat and record rainfall in some areas of the
country. Homebuilders have largely “payed it
forward” in terms of early gains based on expiring
tax refunds, which created artificial stimulus in
the winter and spring quarters. Now comes the
hangover. The fall quarter is expected to bring
a return to construction based on permitting
activity reports. Still missing from the current housing equation are
jobs, or a decided lack thereof, which is keeping buyers on the sidelines
despite tempting record-low mortgage interest rates. Uncertainty in the
cloudy U.S. economy is still suppressing the homebuilding industry and
preventing a significant recovery from taking hold. Folks not sure about
their job prospects don't make ideal candidates for homeownership.
The housing industry pundits and tea leaf readers are claiming we will
see a stronger 2011. Here's hoping, says I.
By now you will have noticed we publish a green and sustainable
flavored issue of B&D once per quarter; this is that issue. In another
year short of recently completed new-home developments, finding
worthwhile projects to showcase is actually harder than you might
think. We don't mean to continuously refer back to the California well;
however, it does seem that the Golden state has an appetite for green,
housing at least, which explains why you will see four projects from our
neck of the woods within this issue. Interestingly, my own favorite among
the builder's projects this month is the net-zero energy home recently
produced by our friends from KB Home. This little gem of a house
actually creates more energy than it uses and will also consume the
equivalent of almost 11,000 miles of smog from your car each year. Very
sustainable construction, Energy Star approved products and a clever
design collectively produce a great home with no utility bills. There's a
nice incentive to use when marketing your own next community.
We shall continue to seek out and showcase as many projects as we
can get our hands on, like this one, from around the United States. If you
are involved in building homes like these, please get in touch.
On a more housekeeping specific note, I would like to remind you,
as a homebuilding industry professional we are pleased to send you
Builder and Developer every month for your professional edification
and use. All we require is your written request for your subscription to
be updated every two years. If you have not updated your subscription,
you will sadly fall off of our mailing list. You can fax or mail us the
Reader Service Cards within this issue. You can also request free
product literature from any of the great suppliers who's messages grace
our pages each month. Many thanks to all of them for their continued
patronage and to each of you for subscribing. Much appreciated.
Work hard and I will see you in the marketplace, or in these pages!
Slainte,
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