Custom-home market looking up: survey

A newly released report provides optimism for Americans seeking hope of recovery in custom-home market. The fifth annual Residential Design + Build Market Trends Report surveys hundreds of custom-home architects and builders nationwide each year about their business outlook and anticipated performance. Forty percent of respondents said they believe the outlook of their business will remain steady, while 45 percent believe it will increase. A majority also expect 2011 to be a year of growth with 47 percent of architects, 57 percent of builders and 45 percent of design/builders expecting their revenue to grow over the next three quarters. A large number of respondents — 67 percent of architects, 71 percent of builders and 78 percent of design/builders — plan to increase the home remodeling part of their business. TRD