Builder - November 2008 - (Page 9)

V O L U M E 3 1 I S S U E 1 3 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8 106 98 F E AT U R E S Sifting Through the Ruins When natural disasters occur, affected areas might be thought of as prime territory for new-home construction. But a combination of bureaucracy, insurance holdups, and other red tape often creates a perfect storm of stagnation that keeps builders’ hands tied—even as tens of thousands of families are uprooted and held hostage by inaction. But amid these challenges, builders are ﬁ nding innovative ways to build affordable replacements and even surpass code requirements to protect homes and families from the worst nature has to offer. . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Cottage Industry With lending standards tightening, households shrinking, and energy prices rising, home sizes are being rethought by both builders and buyers. But before you’re tempted to simply shrink your current ﬂoor plans, remember that buyers aren’t accustomed to making concessions, which means that what’s lost in square footage must be made up with design details and amenities. Builder found four projects that are enhanced by their surrounding communities while offering buyers affordability, earth-friendliness, and charm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 116 Upside Down Builders, already in the clutches of the worst housing downturn of their lives, are entering what will undoubtedly be a long, hard winter of ice-cold sales with threadbare balance sheets and a lack of cash ﬂow. Builders are unlikely to ﬁ nd a sympathetic ear among lenders, who are facing mounting pressure to call the loans that currently stand as the only fuel keeping builders’ ﬁres burning. With so much at stake and safety nets dissolving, your business will need strong leadership and decisive action to withstand what the coming months will bring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Volume 31, number 13. BUILDER (IS SN 074 4 -1193; USP S 3 70-600) is published 14 times per year: monthly in Jan., Feb., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. and semimonthly in March and A pril by Hanley Wood, LLC, One T homas Circle, N.W., Suite 600, Washing ton, D.C. 20005, for the National A ssociation of Home Builder s and printed in the USA . Copyrig ht 2008 by Hanley Wood, LLC. A ll rig hts reser ved. Opinions ex pressed are those of the authors or persons quoted and not necessarily those of the N A HB. Reproduction in whole or in par t prohibited without writ ten authorization. Sing le-copy price: $12.00 (except House Plans issues, w hich are $12.95). Periodicals postage paid at Washing ton, D.C., and at additional mailing of fices. Pos tmas ter: Send address changes to BUILDER, P.O. Box 3532, Nor thbrook, IL 60065-3532. Member: Business Publications Audit, A merican Business Media. W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM nov e m ber 2 0 08 B U I LD E R ■ 9 http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Builder - November 2008

Builder - November 2008 Contents Editor’s Notes B-Mail Book It Missing Links Inside Story Top Shelf Green House Business Update Sales Strategies Industry Insight Products Tech Tools National Best Seiders' Economy Sifting Through the Ruins Cottage Industry Upside Down Ad Index Last Word

Builder - November 2008

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