Editor's note: This is a compilation of reports from home builders associations from across Oklahoma:
Southwest Oklahoma Homebuilders Association: The current home building market is extremely slow with 2014 not on pace to match the 50-60 home construction permits of 2013. Many local builders are dropping out of the business because of too much inventory and a lack of available financing. Inventories remain high in Lawton with no military stimulation or new government contracts. Ft. Sill is downsizing, as is the rest of the U.S. military. Local officials say the area market is the slowest since the early 1980s.
Enid: Home builders in Enid completed the local Home and Garden Show this past weekend and are preparing for the trap shoot fundraiser in June. The organization is raising money for the CDSA youth build program that helps troubled young people. ... The Enid Home Builders Association has gained several new members since the first of the year.
Stillwater: The Stillwater Home and Garden Show was April 5-6 at the Payne County Expo Center. The Stillwater Home Builders Association continues to work with the city on site plot issues.
Ardmore: New Ardmore Home Builders Association president Brian Steadman was installed on April 1, along with new vice president Jarrod Swink. The Ardmore HBA reports several new car dealerships under construction in the city, along with several new restaurants The Ardmore HBA supported the recent Arbuckle to Ardmore Marathon.
Oklahoma report from the National Association of Home Builders International Builder's Show: NAHB leadership is encouraged by the recently passed Farm Bill, which is seen as good for the ousting industry because of the definition of "rural" communities contained in the legislation. NAHB is working to ensure its voice is heard in Congress, evidenced by some new rules introduced by the Housing and Bank Reform/Financing committees that ensure credit worthy borrowers should be able to access home loans. The first joint Kitchen and Bath/IBS was a huge success with more vendors and more visitors to the show. "Green" building consumers are driving the market, with 92 percent saying they would purchase another "green" home and 94 percent who would recommend a "green" home to others. Housing prices raise 11 percent in 2013. Wells Fargo has dropped its credit score requirement from 680 to 620.
