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Builders are Calling Again, Looking for Business

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Madeline Island Realty 50317-90

Last year (and the year before), my vacant land buyers were having a terrible time trying to find northwest Wisconsin builders who would take on new clients.

High prices for lumber and other building materials, coupled with high demand for tradespeople and construction subs who would build in Ashland and Bayfield counties. Some of these builders wouldn't return phone calls or emails.

As recently as six months ago, one builder told me he would only build three homes at a time.  But things now appear to be changing.

Several of the same "busy, busy" builders I've spoken with have changed their tune lately. The "three builds at a time" guy confided in me around Thanksgiving that his moderately-priced builds are canceling left and right. His subs are willing to drive two hours or more to do excavation work, pour concrete or to frame a house. 

Another guy stopped me on the way back to the Minneapolis & Saint Paul area to stuff a few business cards in my hand and remind me that he's taking new clients now.

We're even encountering builders who are willing to negotiate prices on new builds. This kind of talk is probably in the early stages and it may go further as buyers cancel orders and rising interest rates continue to bring pressure on construction firms.

 

 

Comments(4)

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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I hope it picks up for the builders again come Spring Eric Kodner . I used to work only with developers, builders, and contractors the last half of my career and if memory serves me correct this time of year was normally slow.

Dec 16, 2022 02:30 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Great information, thanks for sharing.  I hope you have a great day.

Dec 17, 2022 03:47 AM
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

Bob Timm - I believe builders will survive all this. They'll survive by adapting to price reductions and to incentives that will emerge from all the crazy market price surges and inflationary pressures.

Richard Weeks - Thanks for visiting!

Dec 18, 2022 09:32 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I hope all is going well for you and you will soon be posting again.

Have an outstanding August.

Aug 16, 2023 10:01 AM