John Chadwick
President, Southwest Area
Pulte Homes
John Chadwick knows there have been better days in Arizona’s home-construction industry. Last year was a challenging time for homebuilders and he believes this year will test their mettle, as well. But he’s convinced that builders with sufficient resources will find opportunities as the state’s residential real estate sector begins to crawl out of a deep hole.
Chadwick is Southwest area president for Pulte Homes, the largest homebuilder in the nation and one of the largest in Phoenix and Tucson. Looking back on 2009, he references well-documented woes – deteriorating consumer confidence and job losses that sapped demand for housing and sparked an increase in foreclosures. Noting the impact of the real estate slowdown on the industry’s families, Chadwick says, “the contraction has led to painful and necessary reductions in our work force the past year.”
Looking for a toehold in a rocky economy, homebuilders are constantly assessing consumer needs and making adjustments in designs and floor plans and price, Chadwick says.
“Despite difficulties in market conditions, Pulte still performs at or near the top of the industry,” Chadwick says. “That’s because our strategy remained the same – providing high-quality products, providing buyers with affordable housing options and maintaining a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Those are the things that make the greatest difference in the long term – a willingness to stick to strategies.”
Another key factor in Pulte’s survival and its increasing market share is its diversified lines of business. Pulte acquired Phoenix-based Del Webb in 2001, and last summer paid more than $1 billion for Centex Homes.
“Centex targets the first-time home buyer,” Chadwick says. “Pulte is targeted to the first-time move-up and move-up buyer. Del Webb delivers lifestyle communities principally to the active-adult buyer.”
There is hope for homebuilders with strong financial backing, Chadwick says. Thus the Centex acquisition and Pulte’s purchase last year of the 480-lot Rancho del Lago in Vail, southeast of Tucson. It now is a Del Webb active-adult community.
“There will be more to come.” Chadwick notes, adding that he is optimistic about the outlook for Arizona’s residential market.
“On a competitive basis, the Southwest – and that includes Phoenix and Tucson – has returned to affordability,” Chadwick says. “Price declines in housing have positioned Phoenix and Tucson for long-term growth relative to other Western states. They have a great quality of life and strong employment prospects and that makes those markets attractive on a long-term basis. Clearly, we are still in a challenging market environment, but I am encouraged by some signs that a recovery is in sight.”
Those signs include stabilizing prices, an increase in existing-home sales, demand for appropriately priced homes in good locations, a slowdown in foreclosures and a welcome reduction in inventory, he says.
“There is far less new-home inventory in the market and that is a great indicator of an improving supply-and-demand environment,” Chadwick says. “For builders with the resources, yes, 2010 will bring new opportunities to them.”
