TUCSON, Ariz. — New home builders are rebounding after what looked like a full stop only a few months ago.
“We are actually up 10 percent so far this year,” said Southern Arizona Home Builders Association President David Godlewski.
Godlewski says the industry was able to adapt using things like zoom and facetime to sell houses.
“I talked to a number of builders who say the vast majority about 90 percent of homes are being sold without face to face interaction with the buyer,” he said.
A record-low supply of houses on the market means many people are looking into building their own. Many are also looking for more space to work from home. They’d be able to find it in Oro Valley at a two-story, 3,400-square-foot model we toured with Meritage Homes.
“Whether they are doing homeschooling, working from home, we have three or four different areas the homeowner can take advantage of,” said Division President Jeff Grobstein.
Grobstein says another driving factor for the new home builder rebound is a national trend where people are leaving big cities and looking for more affordable home values.
“Southern Arizona certainly fits that bill; we have wide-open spaces and a lot less density," he said.
Despite pandemic related delays and price increases for materials like lumber, countertops, and cabinets, new home builders are getting back to work even during challenging times.
“Home construction is one of the leading economic industries and is continuing to help the economy here in southern Arizona,” said Godlewski.
