Pam Duffy, president of the Chattanooga Association of REALTORs, gave an uplifting presentation to the Home Builders Association of Southern Tennessee today at their monthly luncheon.
Her main point was that all real estate is local. Chattanooga is not the national market. We did not experience the great high, and we are not experiencing the terrible low, There are many things to be excited about in Chattanooga. She specifically mentioned that we are very much in contention for the VW plant. I myself am excited about the prospects for fiber optic cable and its impact. There are many other things to be excited about - the 3rd best city to live in.
Pam referenced the Harley Davidson advertisement that acknowledges the many problems of the day - Iraq, terrorism, the down real estate market, foreclosures, high gasoline and energy costs, etc. The advertisement acknowledges these problems, and says Screw it. Let's ride.
Pam interpreted that message for us today to mean that there are problems, but we cannot let worries and fears dominate our thought. We should do what we know how to do. There are buyers out there. Builders should build. REALTORS should sell.
Let's ride. Help families reach the American Dream of home ownership.
Her message was encouraging, and then she turned practical for her builder audience. The question is not whether a builder should build or not. The question is what a builder should build. What does the buyer want?
Universal design.
Pam said that consumer studies reveal that square footage is no longer king.
Formal dining rooms, high ceilings, large homes are out. Too expensive to build, to heat, and to maintain.
She indicated most buyers prefer around 2500 square feet with a good floor plan. Open layout, one large room for entertainment and family evenings, open to the kitchen, 1st floor bedroom, multi cook friendly kitchen, over sized garage with cabinets, heat and air, and generous storage, outdoor living spaces, environmentally sound.
Comfortable, durable, easy to maintain.
She said that new construction should accommodate people no matter their age, at all phases of life. The universal design.
Demographics are tending such that over 50% of homeowners will soon be over 50 years old.
Builders should consider the active older adult who wants to remain in their home and to remain a homeowner into their later years.
She spoke then about Certified Aging in Place (CAP) plans and construction.
Her presentation was well received and appreciated by the builder audience. It was encouraging and pointed to some options with direction and focus for builders in a tough time.
Here is a link to Pam's website.
The Home Builders Association website is www.hbast.org.
Sounds like it was a wonderful presentation. She must be a very smart lady from her remarks you shared with us.
Have A Great Day
She is a very smart and fiery lady.
Thanks