Washington Real Estate Specialists Join Texas Analysts at Sunbelt Builders Show

6,000-plus builders from four southwestern states hear some good news about industry’s financial state

DALLAS, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ — Texas builders heaved a collective sigh of relief after hearing a state-of-the-industry address from their association’s senior economist at the Sunbelt Builders Show this weekend.

David Seiders, senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders, competed for attention with media superstars Henry Cisneros, Texas housing mogul, and green-building experts Peter Pfeiffer and Steve Easley. The three were among dozens of housing specialists at the annual builders show Sept. 27-29 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.

Seiders was hero of the day, delivering the forecast for the last quarter of 2007. “NAHB’s statistics show 1,455 starts in 2007, 1,817 in 2006 and a projected 1,528 in 2008,” he told attendees.

Henry Cisneros, head of CityView Companies and former HUD secretary, appeared at a press conference Saturday before addressing show attendees on the challenges of serving millions of Latinos seeking home ownership.

Cisneros’ talk, Casa & Comunidad: Latino Home & Neighborhood Design, included information on his involvement as a champion of affordable workforce housing.

Kristi Sutterfield, executive director of program sponsor Texas Association of Builders (TAB), said the late September timing was ideal for industry analysts studying market trending.

“This show is the biggest national gathering of home builders, besides east and west coast shows, and traditionally serves as a bellwether event for financial gurus trying to stay ahead of trends,” she said. “We bring together the most knowledgeable industry authorities in a think-tank environment, and we draw leading national manufacturers and vendors.”

The D/FW Metroplex, one of five national urban areas recording second-quarter gains in home prices, focused a more positive spin on recent negative national news.

The 2007 builder show drew more than 6,000 industry members, says Andy Hutchison, incoming 2007-2008 president of show sponsor TAB, partner with the National Association of Builders (NAHB).

“Our membership anticipates hearing the latest news in the industry’s economic climate,” said Mr. Hutchison, a Lubbock custom builder. “The sub-prime lending issue, along with an oversupply in inventory, has created concern among builders. Much of the negative news applies to the east and west coasts and not to the southwest.”

He added: “Wall Street figures are completely different from those in Texas and other Southwestern states. Recent Census Bureau indicators show Texas with five counties in the top 25 highest housing units added between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007. Harris County ranked as the second highest county nationwide; Tarrant County was No. 7, Bexar County was No. 9, Travis County No. 16, and Collin County No. 17.

“Nationally home prices fell 3.2 percent in the second quarter, while Texas showed a 1.6 percent gain according to Standard & Poor’s quarterly housing index,” says Jerry Carter, outgoing TAB president. “Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, Portland, Ore., and Charlotte, N.C., recorded gains in home prices during the second quarter. Although modest, they represent a positive trend.”

Conference speakers included Tom Gebes, president of Builder MT and No.40 on Builder Magazine’s 50 most influential, and legislative affairs officials Scott Norman and Ned Munoz.

Note to Editors, Writers and Program Directors:
Visit http://www.sunbeltbuildersshow.com for backup material and additional graphics and photos.
For photos of David Seiders, please contact us:
Kelly Hardwick, KHardwick (at) Anderson-Hanson-Blanton (dot) com, 972-991-8871
Karen Taylor, karen.taylor (at) southwestink (dot) com, 972-889-2800.
Meredith Ply, Sunbelt Builders Show, 800.252-3625

SOURCE Texas Association of Builders

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