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Week of June 9, 2003

Front Page

President's Message

* Too Many Communities Make Building Housing a Struggle

Housing Forum

* Money Can’t Fix What’s Wrong With ESA Habitat Designations, But Maybe NAHB Can

Homeownership Month

* Event Recognizes ‘Homeownership Heroes’

Housing Politics

* Senate Bill Would Help First-Time Home Buyers
* Legislation Would Increase New Affordable Apartment Construction
* Texas Developer Wins Seat in U.S. Congress

Housing and Economics

* Spotlight on: Jackson, MS
* Eye on the Economy

Construction Safety

* Builders Advised to Keep an Eye on Safety
* Falls the Leading Cause of Home Building Worker Fatalities
* Toolbox Talk: Electricity Causes More Injuries Than You Think

Business Management

* Manage Prospects and Buyers More Efficiently With Technology

Environment

* Builders Warned of Possible Arson Attacks at Job Sites

Multifamily

* Pillars Award Winner Succeeds in a Difficult Market

Smart Growth

* Arizona’s Largest Master Planned Community Approved by Voters
* Grand Rapids Builders Oppose Transfer of Development Rights

Member Dividends

* Berks County HBA Wins Big with PA HBA, NAHB Help

Building Products

* Free Access To Sweets a Benefit for NAHB Builder and Remodeler Members

Sales and Marketing

* A Thank-You Note Can Go a Long Way

Labor

* Field Superintendent Courses to Be Offered in Orlando
* Confusion Over Carl Perkins Program Funding Cleared Up

Building Systems

* Modular Housing Plants Toured in the Northeast

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* ‘Building Homes of Our Own’ Wins National Award
* 17 Members Named to 50 Best Remodeling Companies in America

NBN Back Issues

 

Spotlight on: Jackson, MS

Local HBA:
    Home Builders Association of Jackson  
President:
    John Price, president of Acadian Homes, a local builder of custom and spec homes
Executive Officer:
    Bob McKay 
Membership:
    960+

By John Price, president of the HBA of Jackson

Vital Stats:

  • Metro population:  400,000
  • Price range for starter homes:  $120,000-$150,000
  • Price range for trade-up homes:  $180,000 and up
  • 2002 housing permits:
    • 2,410 single-family units
    • 980 multifamily units

Outlook for 2003:

We should have at least as many starts as last year, if not more. Right now we’re running ahead of last year, so we’re confident the market will do at least as well, if not better. And owing to a new Nissan plant that has just opened in our area, we’re very optimistic about the next couple of years.


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Biggest source of concern for builders:

Builders are especially concerned about the availability of general liability insurance. Land prices are also an issue. And north of Jackson, where the huge Nissan plant just opened — that area has imposed growth restrictions.

Those restrictions are going to drive development into the other two counties in our metro area, which have traditionally had more growth and therefore have more land availability issues. So the concern is that the affordability of starter homes in the area will suffer — and that families trying to buy their first home will be priced out of the market.

Market trends:

Because of the Nissan plant, 1,500-2,200 square-foot homes are very hot. They are the market mainstay for builders. This trend should get even stronger over the next five years.

Looking at other areas like ours, where a big plant has opened, the real growth in homes in the 2,000-square-foot range seems to happen after the first year or year-and-a-half. Initially many of the people getting jobs at the plant will commute from their current residences, which could be an hour or more away. After that, they’ll start planning to move their families. So we’re just very optimistic looking forward.

Also, in the current marketplace, remodeling is running very strong right now.
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