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www.NAHB.org
Week of May 5, 2003

Front Page

President's Message

* There Are No Better Housing Advocates Anywhere

Regulation

* Urban Growth Boundaries Strike in San Jose
* City Claims Impact Fee Is a ‘Tax’
* Web Site Offers Help on EPA Compliance

Member Dividends

* NAHB Plays Key Role in Introducing Cost-Saving Foundations

Housing and Economics

* NAHB Works With Census on Property Tax Data
* Impact Fees Grow as Property Taxes Decline
* Home Building Rises in California, But It's Still Not Good Enough
* Spotlight on: Santa Fe

For Consumers

* The Kitchen Is the Most Important Room in the House

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Harvard Index Shows Gains in Remodeling Activity

Business Management

* Does Your Planning Software Match Your Project's Sophistication?
* Early Warning Signs Point to Possible Business Failure

Seniors Housing

* Seniors Buy Maintenance-Free Homes Close to Current Address
* Nursing Homes on the Decline

Research

* Wearable Computers a Possible Solution for Reading Blueprints

Building Systems

* Carpenter Bees Can Be Stopped From Tunneling Into Wood

Sales & Marketing

* Know Your Competition and Increase Your Sales

Labor

* Training Program Graduates Its First Class in Nashville

Building Products

* Fiber Glass Insulation Addresses Air Quality Concerns

Design

* Best in American Living Awards Accepting Entries

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Charlotte Builders Exemplify Ethics in Business

NBN Back Issues

 

Spotlight on: Santa Fe

Local HBA:
    Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association
President:
    Ed Breitlinger, president of Breitlinger and Associates, a local home builder
Executive Officer:
    Gary Ehlert
Membership:
    740 member firms

By Gary Ehlert, EO of the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association

Vital Stats:

  • City of Santa Fe population:  62,000
  • Santa Fe County population:  129,300
  • Price of starter homes:  $140,000 and up
  • Average home price:  $278,000
  • 2002 housing permits:
    • 739 single-family units
    • 22 multifamily units

Outlook for 2003:
Between April 2002 and April 2003, we had a 15% increase in building permits. However, we dealt with five separate building moratoria, and one permitting program was a special retrofitting initiative for saving water.


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Demand for new homes will probably always be strong here, due to the favorable climate, the availability of a slower pace of life, and the history and cultural amenities that Santa Fe has to offer. Historically speaking, the City of Santa Fe grows at about 2% annually, the county at about 4%. What is questionable is the city’s and county’s ability to find new sources of water to maintain economic sustainability amidst our current drought conditions.

Biggest source of concern for builders:
The biggest concern is water management and delivery. Building permits are directly contingent on the availability of new hookups and water sources.

Market trends:
Home values are going up! Buyers from around the country are realizing that Santa Fe is an ideal place to retire, or at least to have a home for two to three months a year. They’re escaping the rat race of the Silicon Valley or Chicago’s Golden Triangle to settle down here and enjoy life.

Remodeling is the wave of the future, along with high-end housing. Both continue to do exceptionally well.
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