Is Development Dead in the Southeast?

With years work of lots plan or platted on the ground and thousand of houses empty is residential development dead in the southeast for the next 10 years?

Even though most of the big house builders (Beazer, & D.R. Horton for example) showing profits does this mean the market is back. I don't think so. I think these "profits" are just a result of the tax credits and getting rid of the loses on the books. A profit of 8% is something because at least it isn't the 20% lose of the last quarters but it's also not the 20% gain of the boom. Are we trying to beat a dead horse back to life?

Let's face it. The hay-day of 2005-2006 is gone for a while. The inventory will get eaten up in the years to come because the southeast is still seeing a large influx of people from the rest of the country. But we don't need to build anything for the next few years.

This also holds true for the commercial market. With countless businesses going out out of business and shopping centers and office parks sitting 50% or more empty I see no reason to develop anything for the time being.

Water Water Everywhere!

Since 2000 Georgia we have experienced droughts to one degree or another. But this past two years have set records. The sad part is all that water makes the public forget about the drought times. All the reservoirs that were planned are shelved till the next drought when the public screams for them again. The thing is that these things take years (8) to plan, permit and build. Just ugg!

I mean look at some of the development that has been built near and in flood plains. Then all of a sudden it rains and rains some more. Oh my front yard is flooding. Call the city or county. NO! Come on people look at those subdivisions next to water ways.


The community and public needs to recognize these places. Take a look at the FEMA website for tips and explanations.