Today a brand new home with a ten year warranty, is a healthier and far more energy efficient abode than comparable homes built even as recently as five years ago. The home building industry has really taken the lead with energy savings and cost efficiencies in design, construction and delivery of houses for American families and individuals.

On a different note entirely, I would like to say how impressed I am with the recently completed HomeAid Orange County shelter; that’s number forty one since 1989. Designed by Architects William Hezmallach and built by the most generous John Laing Homes and their impressive team of suppliers and sub contractors, this project was completed in record time on behalf of the care provider, Hope Family Housing and with a very significant contribution from the city of Buena Park. This was a $5.3 million project for a nonprofit serving the homeless in the community. The city donated the acre parcel of land, waived entitlement fees and granted funding to assist on the project. An exceptional John Laing Project Superintendent, Eric Weinstein and his trade partners worked with over 150 companies who donated or discounted products or services to this project. What I find most compelling about this is that in the midst of a very challenged housing market, and at a time when so many subs and suppliers are hurting badly, so many individuals and companies came together and gave selflessly to the benefit of those less fortunate. This makes me proud to be in the homebuilding industry, regardless of the economic climate. Well done HomeAid and everybody else involved.

Work hard, sharpen your pencils and I will see you in the marketplace.

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

and are working to lower bills and do their part to help the environment. The home product manufacturing community has certainly helped to promote this with a significant push to produce newer, healthier and even recycled components within an increasingly large selection of products, from paint and siding to appliances, plumbing products and roofing materials. In addition, there are dozens of green theme shows, conventions and happenings with hundreds more products on display for builders, remodelers and contractors from which to chose. At this point most contractors are already incorporating the wave of interest in all things recycled and/or energy efficient into their business models, as customers’ interest in the subject continues to rise.

These are challenging and tricky times, as anybody operating a business in residential construction is well aware. We all need to be on the lookout for opportunities wherever they may present themselves. In a strange twist I recently bumped into a real estate appraiser whom I know and found he was extremely busy. He shamefacedly explained he was working with lenders appraising foreclosures all over the country. I found this disquieting but I understood the man has a family of his own to house and feed. I refrained from calling him a vulture and went on my way. One cannot help but notice the commercials for home auctions that are choking the airwaves of late. These folks provide a necessary service all the same. The sooner the over hang of these homes is taken up, the better for everybody.
I find it interesting that homebuilders have gone back to their business models and are producing new homes that cost considerably less than equivalent, existing, for-sale housing.