Focused builders doing well in downturn

Builders who can narrow their focus to buyers are surviving despite the downturn. Even in a depressed South Florida market, GL Homes, DiVosta Building Corp., Minto Communities and Centerline Homes have all cut back, lost profit and laid off workers, but are still busy. Sunrise-based GL targets the 55-and-over active adult market, and its developments sell. Builders like Minto are selling homes at 40 percent of peak prices from 2006, targeting local buyers who’ve been hit by the housing crunch.