by Jerry Boyce, HBAL President
June 2008


Among many others from Lincoln and Omaha, Linda and I attended NAHB’s Legislative Conference and Spring Board of Directors meeting in Washington D.C. in May. 1,200 of our closest homebuilder friends from across the nation descended upon the capitol to lobby our representatives to pass housing stimulus measures to help lead the nation out of the current recession. With so many meetings, we didn’t get a chance to do much sightseeing, but we did take a trolley ride to see the highlights and major places of interest. Our Nation’s Capitol continues to amaze and inspire us.

One of the major focuses NAHB is working on is to dispel the myth that housing is in a crisis in all parts of the country and that prices have dropped drastically. That’s just not true. All housing is local. Lincoln did not have the infl ux of speculators that some markets experienced which drove prices up to unsustainable levels. Areas like Las Vegas, Miami, Phoenix saw housing values appreciate by more than 75 percent since January of 2000. In fact, Miami and Los Angeles were up 100% over this period. The national media grabs onto such information and spreads a picture of gloom and doom. Lincoln’s housing remains very affordable.

We need to constantly continue to get the word out to anyone who will listen that:

1. Building materials and subcontractor prices are as reasonable now as they’ll ever be in the future and in some cases reduced - it is inevitable that prices will increase;

2. Interest rates are lower now than we ever imagined - it is far more likely that they will increase rather than be lower or stay as they are now;

3. The selection of new homes to choose from is excellent and buyers are not in competition with each other right now. Young families especially, with good credit, should be buying instead of gaining nothing more than a receipt for their rent payments. Mortgages are readily available for qualifi ed buyers and their monthly mortgage payments will remain stable as they build equity in their home and live the American dream.

It’s true, Lincoln’s housing market is in a slowdown, but it will turn around. We are currently building the pent up demand that will sustain the next inevitable boom. We appreciate our members who are trying to diversify and adjust their businesses in order to survive this slowdown. The housing industry is tough and resilient. We’ve been through this before and we need to support other HBAL members by doing business with them and encourage them to stay the course.

The Parade of Homes was a success again this year as there were houses that sold during the fi rst few days of the Parade. Thanks to all the trade contractors, suppliers and builders who make this semi-annual event so successful. June is ushered in by our annual golf tournament. It’s always a great time for camaraderie among our members. There’s something great about a nice golf outing, some burgers, hot dogs and sitting around a picnic table conversing with others in the industry. We all deserve some R & R once in awhile.

I challenge all of you to get involved in recruiting new members. President-Elect and membership chair Mike Benker has announced this year’s membership drive and contest as “The Big Hunt.” Team members have been selected and some of the best prizes we’ve had in years were announced. Sign up a new member or bring them to the membership “Rush Night” at the Rib Ranch on June 10th to learn more about the great benefi ts of belonging to HBAL.

Linda and I want to thank all those of you who had kind thoughts and sentiments for us recently. This year is nearly half over and life in general is short - so get out and enjoy it!

Jerry