While we are not ready to say the home-building
business is fully recovered, as far as Hanson Builders is concerned,
the worst is behind us and we are a better building company than we were
in 2007.
The key initiatives we
implemented over the past several years include:
1) Redesign our entire line of homes. Focus on efficiency,
value, curb appeal, flexible fun spaces.
2) Research new materials, processes, and technologies
to lower costs while maintaining quality.
3) Reduce debt by selling off building lots & unneccessary
equipment.
4) Partner with local developers to develop new building
lots in preferred locations.
5) Reduce staff size and continue our emphasis on education,
efficiency, focus.
6) Increase supply of inventory homes under construction
to make homes available to more buyers.
7) Let the recent maket sales determine our prices. Appraise
each home and price accordingly.
2009 ended with Hanson Builders
accomplishing its sales goal of 45 new home sales. This is a 50%
increase over 2008 sales. In general, our industry has gone
through a sifting process that has culled out those vendors, suppliers,
and builders that were not organized and capitalized enough to
stay afloat. We have actually gained market share in the past
downturn years.
As the market sloowwllyyyyy recovers and settles down, the "new
normal" for our industry is becoming apparent. Less new home
buyers in the marketplace, but even less builders serving their
needs. Few builders have survived, and those few outstanding
builders got better and stronger in the process. Clink on the
link below to view our appraisals to see how competative our selling
prices are today.