FINAL THOUGHT
And the Beat Goes On...
“H
By GHBA vice president & CEO
TOY WOOD, JD, CAE
ow are you doing?” has taken on a whole new meaning these days. Among our members and among builders associations, it is about
the health of your business and the association. Are you selling homes, products, services, lots? Are you signing contracts? Anecdotally I am hearing a little more positive news from some builders and remodelers. In the news we hear about how Texas and Houston are faring compared to the rest of the nation. Everyone says the same thing: “If only we, and the buyers, could get the funds needed to go forward.” One developer joked the other day that his banker said sure he would lend him the $2 million he needed for a project if the developer would deposit $2 million in the bank. It’s not quite that bad, but almost.
The bankers and financial federal regulators are still the biggest obstacle to recovery. Although Houston has experienced a net job loss and will probably do so again this year, people are still moving here by the thousands. (Follow us on Twitter @houstonbuilders and you will receive some of these tidbits.) Many
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people are still on the fence when it comes to actually making a move—buying a home. However low interest rates and the tax credit have spurred some activity. At the risk of sounding too political, the “uncertainty” of almost everything having to do with the federal government has been a real deterrent to buyers, consumers and practically every company that might consider expansion. So, while the mood seems better, not much has changed. We do hear “we have found the bottom” so surely there is nowhere to go but up!
On the association front, again, Texas and Houston fared better than most localities. Our association was, and is, in a strong position. Membership, participation and sponsorships dropped off in 2009. (You have probably seen the 2009 Annual Report by now.) However, 2010 has started off with a bang and we are looking forward to a better year. Thanks so much to all of you who have hung in to support your association and industry. The need for us to band together to fight the good fight is only more urgent. The need for education and networking is more important than ever.
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MAY 2010 | HOUSTON BUILDER | GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION – BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
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