In the Jacksonville market, 1,131 single-family units were started in the first quarter of 2013 — a 44 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2012. Closings leapt 25 percent over last year’s number.

“Both quarterly starts and closing rates for the first quarter of 2013 were well above last year’s first quarter rates and grew nicely from fourth quarter,” says Anthony Crocco of Metrostudy, a real-estate tracking and analysis firm. “Since builders have a significant backlog of new sale contracts, we expect continued growth in starts and closings over the next two quarters, at least.”

This dramatic improvement makes this issue of Florida Homebuyer Jacksonville a timely one. It’s our Award-Winning Homes issue, in which we salute selected winners of the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s annual Parade of Homes. These homes are the best of the best — judged by industry experts as top-quality in construction, design and value.

And that’s not all. People who buy homes, obviously, want to make them welcoming and beautiful inside as well as outside.

That’s why we’re proud to once again present the ASID Florida North Chapter Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide. ASID is the American Society of Interior Designers, and the Florida North Chapter encompasses everywhere from Orlando to Jacksonville from Vero Beach to the Panhandle.

ASID members are highly qualified professionals who must meet work experience and continuing education requirements and must adhere to a strict code of ethics. If you’re looking to outfit your new home (or your current home, or your business), then you absolutely want to select an ASID designer for the job.

The Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide offers explanations of what ASID designers do and how they do it as well as a roster of design pros. We also have our roundup of Northeast Florida’s many diverse communities and up-to-date school grades.

This is the summer many of us will remember as the turning point for the housing industry. Make it a significant summer for you, as well, by taking advantage of low prices and interest rates and moving up to a new home.

If history — and the basic principles of supply and demand — is any guide, both will be going up in months to come.  

Penelope Geismar
Publisher
penelopeg@thefloridahomebuyer.com

From the President

NEFBA, HABIJAX MADE DREAMS COME TRUE FOR 25 DESERVING FAMILIES

The President’s Project is a Northeast Florida Builders Association tradition that allows the president to choose a project to support — one that will forever be associated with his or her name and tenure in office.

This year is the 25th anniversary of HabiJax, the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. As part of its year-long celebration, the organization wanted to do a 25-home blitz build. So, when we were given the opportunity to partner in this effort, the decision to move forward was simple.

We’ve accomplished a lot and experienced many proud moments during the first half of my term as NEFBA president. Our market continues to show signs of improvement, and our members have had to double, even triple, their efforts to keep pace with increased business while still finding time to support the association.

It’s been a challenge but the rewards are monumental. No event better illustrates this than the 25-home blitz. Both NEFBA and HabiJax share the same goal: to improve the quality of life for Jacksonville’s citizens by providing safe, comfortable and affordable housing.

At a time when funding has been scarce for such projects, the partnership allowed us to do something neither of us could have accomplished alone.

Fifteen NEFBA builders and associate members joined HabiJax volunteers, and together they provided labor and resources to complete the 25 homes. The savings realized as a result of the overwhelming response was enough to fund another home and to put money aside for similar projects.

And, even with bad weather and the threat posed by Tropical Storm Andrea, the construction that began on June 1 was complete and homes were ready for the dedication ceremonies on June 8.

HabiJax families, who earned their new homes through working on homes for others, have now realized their dream of home ownership. It was a privilege to be a part of this amazing event. But most of all, I’m very proud to be a part of such a strong and giving group of people like those in our association.

A special thanks to HabiJax Board of Directors Chairman Greg Matovina, HabiJax CEO Mary Kay O’Rourke and these NEFBA members: Providence Homes, Lennar Homes, New Leaf Construction, A Crown Roofing,
MasterCraft Builder Group, J.L. Linder Group, Morales Construction Company, Landon Homes, St. Johns Builders Council, KB Home, Bourré Construction, Sports Noble Construction, Richmond American Homes, Dostie Homes, R.P. Witt Construction and all the associate members who came together to support their builders and this project. 

We couldn’t have done it without you.

Dennis Ginder
President, Northeast Florida Builders Association
Dennis Ginder, president of Landon Homes, is a Jacksonville native and a graduate of the University of North Florida. He has been building homes for 18 years.