Today's home buying experience is a pretty simple process for most new buyers. When one considers the vast array of people and processes involved - from home construction and sales, to buyer financing - it is remarkable the system works as well as it does. Our nation's housing industry continues to improve this process, with hopes of making the home-buying experience more accessible and easier than ever.
The home building industry has produced many innovations over the years - in housing quality, consumer options and efficient construction methods. Today, few home buyers see or understand the role of the many craftsmen, subcontractors, and material providers that contribute to a new home. A prospective home buyer will likely see only a finished product, complete with landscaping and the amenities they desire or can afford. The home likely will come with at least a one-year warranty and a host of instruction manuals covering the mechanical and appliance components within it. In some ways, the new home market can now be compared to shopping for a new car or other major appliance: the biggest consumer challenge often is learning how to use the controls!
This invisible army of builders and craftsmen are, nonetheless, critical to providing affordable, quality housing. An adequate home building industry provides competition for affordable pricing, innovation in new building products, and a close watch on consumer demand. It is an army that extends into all parts of our economy and geographical areas. In short, the men and women who work in the home building industry are key to our lifestyles and our livelihoods.
