New construction...for who??

This topic for my photo essay hit at home for because of my affiliation with the construction business. My parents have owned a siding, roofing, and gutters company for about 25 years; they have seen the good and bad throughout the ever changing economy.

One problem arises when homes do not sell: people don't get paid. So why continue building more? It gets a little more complicated than that. If you aren't building, then you aren't making money. Money doesn't come in from sitting on real estate at this current time.

People need to work, even if all these homes are getting backed up. People can't even sell existing homes, yet new subdivisions are piling in all over the place, different in type and price range.

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I didn't even have to try very hard to find empty lots. These subdivisions are currently frozen. The builders have lots just sitting around empty because no one is buying. Some houses are occupied, however, most are just empty shells.

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The only new construction that has been partly successful is through a developer named Pulte Homes. They incorporate everything into their package. They do not subcontract any of their work. Everything is done through them. Brick, siding, gutters, roof, windows, etc. They don't owe money to anyone but themselves. They're extremely fast, as well. They mass produce homes in different states, flood the market with homes, then move out. Pulte is now in the process of pulling out of the area after finishing up with their current projects.

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This large complex is entitled The Preserves. Hundreds of condominium units were built in the last several years along Ryan Road near 19 Mile. When driving the long stretch, the first few sections of residences appeared to be occupied. As I neared towards the back, I found the tail end of the construction still continuing.

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These photos are give an idea of what's scattered all around my surrounding area. You never realize how many of these signs there are until you actually look for them on street corners. The new construction signs give an estimate of what their price range. All of them seem to be eager for customers to buy up lots with open homes all the time.

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The ease at which I found these pictures should have made me happy. However, it did not. Sifting through 50+ pictures I had taken in the day, I realized that my point was only reinforced. How many more years will this trend continue? When will the market stabilize? Soon, I hope. Many people's jobs and lives depend on it.

~return 0;