It’s a part of Custom Builders USA (CBUSA), which has 230 of mostly higher end residential building companies that have come together in 17 different markets around the country.

The groups share best practices and ideas on how to run more efficient and productive businesses.

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Exerpt:  Pepperwood Signature Homes completes between six and 12 semi-custom and custom homes each year, ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 square feet, on its customers’ lots. As the market has gotten smaller, Chris Tsonton says his company has had to “refine our game plan and how we compete,” which has meant building more homes using systems-built construction. He’s also tried modular construction and likes that he can deliver a house at a lower price than a comparable stick-built home. “That’s the beauty of it.”

However, he doesn’t get much demand for modular homes, nor do many of his competitors. Tsonton, president of his local HBA, says, “Some of the nationals have dabbled in it, but none of our real active members are doing it.”

Why? Because modular, according to Tsonton, doesn’t give customers the leeway they often want to make changes to their house plans late in the construction process, which is why they hired a custom builder in the first place.

Tsonton says that a modular’s wall and floor plans “are pretty much laid out,” and therefore aren’t accommodating enough for clients who may want to move windows and doors around. “It would be very complicated, [whereas] with stick-built houses, you’d just pull apart the framing and do it over.”

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Unless money is no object, having a home custom built is an undertaking that doesn’t seem to make much sense given the slew of existing homes selling at bargain prices.

But good deals aren’t changing the minds of folks who would rather spend the money to have a home custom built, and get exactly what they want, down to the finest detail…

EXCERPT
Chris Tsonton, president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland in Independence and owner of Pepperwood Homes in Hinckley, says custom homes are attractive to people wanting to take advantage of all the new products on the market, many of which are more energy friendly. And they would rather start from scratch than remodel or retrofit a home for size and/or energy efficiency.

“That leaves them more leisure time to do the things they enjoy, including entertaining in their new home,” Tsonton said.

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It’s nearly impossible these days to open the newspaper and not see a story about the rapid growth of green building. That’s where  new homes are being built using materials that conserve energy and environmental resources.

Homeowners of green homes said in a survey that they were happier 85 percent of the time with their new green home than with their previous, more traditionally built home.

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With the New Year upon us, many wonder, “Will the housing market rebound in 2011 and what type of trends will emerge?”

I went to the industry experts to get their feedback on what 2011 will hold for new and established homeowners in Northeast Ohio.

Technology
As technology continues to progress, online will continue to have a dominant presence in home buying.

“The online search is leading the way,” said Carol Woodard, Realtor with

RE/MAX Crossroads Properties. “Buyers now search online for six months or more before they ever contact a Realtor.”

“There is a definite need by all industry professionals to provide more Internet information and connectivity by introducing new vehicles that offer ready-at-hand information to buyers,” indicated Gary Naim, president of Petros Homes. “Social media, such as Facebook, allow industry professionals to connect with buyers and promote community events. I believe you will see an increased use of mobile marketing, Internet banner advertising, and enhanced social media applications. Buyers will definitely respond, and they appreciate the speed of delivery of information.”

“However, homebuyers still need to see, feel and touch the product, especially with the magnitude of the investment that they are considering,” stressed Bo Knez, president of B.R. Knez, Inc.

Interest rates
Naim feels that attractive interest rates and adjusted market values will continue to drive buyers in 2011.

“With interest at historic lows and the availability to buy down rates even lower, this is a tremendous opportunity for savvy buyers to get more for their money,” said Naim.

According to Woodard, rates should continue to hover around 3.99 to 4.3 percent.

“Every time I think they’ve hit bottom, they drop a little lower. For buyers who are planning a move, I wouldn’t wait to see if the interest rate will drop another tenth of a percent. I believe we will see home prices and interest rates move upward in 2011.”

Home valuations
One of the biggest areas of contention has been home valuations.

“The correction in the real estate market has a lot of people slow to accept the fact that the current value of their home is a realty,” indicated Knez.

Home building trends
According to Chris Tsonton, president of Pepperwood Signature Homes and the 2011 president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland, 2011 will be a great time to build for those who have bought lots and have been sitting on them for a few years. “Rates are at all-time historic lows and materials and labor are affordable.”

Pepperwood Home Builders Has won Best Small Volume Exterior Architectural awards for two years in a row.

The 2003 Award winning Victoria Model Built in the 2003 Citirama home show in Cleveland and the 2004 Award for the Acacia Model built in Blue Heron Country Club in Medina.

Pepperwood Home Builders is very proud of these awards and continues to strive for excellence in design innovation and lasting quality.