From the Publisher

I judge Parades of Homes in other markets, and I can tell you that Northeast Florida is the equal of any of them when it comes to top-notch builders presenting great work.

In this issue of Jacksonville Homebuyer, we list the winners of the big event in every price range. These homes are truly the best of the best, and I encourage you to check them out in person—and if you find one you like, buy it. There’ll never be a better time.

But the situation won’t last. In a rapidly growing market, it never does. By this time next year, most experts believe, things will be back to normal in the local housing market. And by normal I mean brisk sales, tighter supplies and more upward pressure on prices.

Certainly, there’ll still be plenty of beautiful homes in all price ranges next year. But you won’t have as much negotiating clout if you wait.

Also in this issue, we take a look at NEFBA’s Builders Care. One of the things that makes our region’s homebuilding industry so special is the willingness of builders and suppliers to roll up their sleeves and tackle projects that benefit the less fortunate. Much of that good work is funneled through Builders Care.

In addition, we look at how the? industry leaders of tomorrow are being trained. In the old days, all a homebuilder really needed to know was how to lay block, build a frame and hang drywall. But in this age of specialization, homebuilding has become more a profession than a trade.

With that in mind, the University of North Florida offers one of the most respected building construction programs in the nation. Students learn everything from land acquisition to business management to marketing. And when they graduate, they’re poised for success.

Plus, we examine the issue of workforce housing, and identify builders and developers who, despite the rising costs of land and labor, are still managing to deliver beautiful homes at prices that average that Northeast Floridians can afford.

And as usual, we’ve got the grand tour of the First Coast area as well as a public school directory and the most comprehensive list of new-home communities you’ll find anywhere in print.

I’d also like you to check out our redesigned, relaunched Web site, www.florida-homebuyer.com. This user-friendly site, like the magazine, offers the region’s only truly complete new-home directory plus much more.

—Penelope Geismar, Publisher
penelopeg@florida-homebuyer.com