Real Estate & Construction Forecast Luncheon
Real Estate and Construction Forecast Conference Luncheon-May 29th, 2008-Turf Valley Resort
The Annual Real Estate and Construction Forecast Conference-November 6th, 2008-Ten Oaks Ball Room

THIS TIMELY PROGRAM FEATURED The perspective and outlook from:
  • a nationally syndicated real estate writer who resides in the Baltimore Washington area

  • Maryland’s best known and most entertaining regional economist

  • a leading national builder

  • market trends and data analysis from the regional office of a major, national real estate market research firm

  • insights on the mortgage market from a senior policy analyst from the National Association of Home Builders


    		•
    Sponsorship Opportunity
    This year HBAM has held a Real Estate & Construction Forecast Luncheon, Thursday, May 29th, 2008. This is a new program that coincides with Real Estate & Construction Forecast on November 6th, 2008. This sponsorship package includes having your company highlighted at both events.

    For more information, view the registration form.

    Home Builders Association of Maryland Real Estate and Construction Forecast luncheon – Mid-Year Update

    On May 29th the Home Builders Association of Maryland presented a mid-year update to the popular Real Estate and Construction Forecast conference. The luncheon was held at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland. The conference featured the perspective and outlook from: Kenneth Harney, a nationally syndicated real estate writer featured in the Baltimore Sun and other papers around the country; Kenneth Wenhold, regional director of the real estate research firm, Metro Study Corporation; Anirban Basu, President of the Sage Policy Group and noted economist; David Crowe, Vice President of Federal Regulatory and Housing Policy for NAHB.

    Kenneth Harney brought good news that the FHA loan is back in use. He believes that, this is the time to buy. “Affordability is up, prices are down” and that Maryland, relatively speaking, is in better shape than most of the country. He also believes that the BRAC program will help the state bounce back.

    Surplus inventory was also discussed as a large concern for the housing industry. Ken Wenhold feels that Maryland is not necessarily doing badly, but that national trends send a troubling signal to homebuyers and builders alike. He agrees that BRAC will bring more jobs, families will relocate and housing will be in demand. For now, home listings are still growing and sale are still low.

    Anirban Basu feels the recovery is still a few years off. Currently, he said, “Men are in a recession (due in part to the type of work [construction] they do), women, however, are not based on the work they perform in healthcare, education and occupations of that nature.” He admits that things are getting worse than initially thought but adds, when recovery comes it will be violent and vigorous. Builders may be caught in a predicament because, when the demand grows, there will not be enough houses in the ground. So, what is the strategy? To wait? To buy? He predicts that 2010/2011 is when the explosive demand should be seen.

    The Home Builders Association of Maryland is a not-for-profit association that provides governmental relations, educational opportunities and generally functions as a housing industry advocate. HBAM consists of 1,200 member firms, representing over 100,000 employees, including home builders, commercial and industrial builders, remodelers, material suppliers, sub-contractors, lending institutions, developers, manufacturers, utilities, Realtors, architects and others from across the central Maryland region.