1986-1995: Clearing the Fog

A deep-seated financial resource for home builders was uprooted like an oak tree in a Texas twister after the savings and loan industry was torn to shreds. The U.S. languished under the thunderstorm of a rolling recession that ultimately saturated the entire U.S. economy. But a silver lining in the clouds was waiting to be revealed.

Times were indeed turbulent between 1986 and 1995. The winds of change that followed the collapse of the S&L industry had an unquestionably significant impact on home builders who suddenly found themselves scrambling for new sources of production financing to replace what was traditionally supplied by the thrifts.

To make things even more challenging, a stretch of good times for builders marked by booming starts and a healthy demand for housing during the mid- to late-'80s quickly faded under a fog of recession and high unemployment levels that settled in during the early '90s.

The period of time between 1986 and 1995 can also be remembered for exciting innovations, interesting trends and nagging dilemmas that have since had a long-term impact on the industry. A few of the highlights:

• In 1986, impact fees start to grow in number and dollar amount. Municipalities begin extending impact fees, asking builders to ante up for off-site projects like arterial roads and sewage treatment plants.
• Liability insurance becomes an albatross. Premiums rise astronomically, coverage shrinks and insurance carriers start dropping both large and small builders.
• A 1994 survey shows insurance and construction litigation are noted as the top two challenges of primary concern to builders.
• Personal computers and customized software revolutionize the offices of home builders. The new technological movement contributes to the streamlining of an array of business processes for home builders. Project management systems are used to control costs. By 1995, computer programs were even being used to customize homes in 3-D.
• The siren song of technology was not only transforming business processes and procedures, they were harkening the evolution of the home. Headlines in Professional Builder reflect the movement: "Computer and Microprocessor-based Control Systems have Brought About the Advent of the Talking, Thinking House."
• "Affordability Crisis" becomes a media buzzword in 1990. Builders are blamed for the crisis, but exactly who bears the responsibility for providing affordable homes is the million dollar question. It still is today.
• The NAHB launches the Smart House project. In 1986 it is predicted that the home automation market will total three million households by 1990.

1990 did come along, but instead of 3 million automated households it brought an economic recession with unemployment rates that exceeded 6 percent for several years. During that time, Professional Builder dedicated several issues with ideas and opportunities designed to help put builders back on the "Road to Recovery."

It was a rough ride for builders, and even as an alleged recovery was underway, any type of a housing rebound lagged behind the rest of the economy. As a roundtable consortium of home builders in California stated: "The good news is, the recession is over. The bad news: This is the recovery."

By the time 1996 rolled around, things were pretty much back on track for the industry. Disney had announced plans for Celebration, its massive new urbanism development planted under the sunshine of Orlando, Fla. Indeed, most builders across the nation were in a celebratory mood, looking forward to "spectacular" years to come.

1,825 Average square feet of a new house in 1986.

70th Anniversary Article Series

• 1936-1945 Depression and War

• 1946-1955 Driving Toward Profit

• 1956-1965 Baby Boom

• 1966-1975 A Revolution

• 1976-1985 Low Energy

• 1986-1995 Clearing the Fog

• 1996-2006 The Big Boom

  Total single family new home sales: 1986: 750,000 1987: 671,000 1988: 676,000 1989: 650,000 1990: 534,000 1991: 509,000 1992: 610,000 1993: 666,000 1994: 670,000 1995: 667,000 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Decade at A Glance Average square feet of new houses 1986: 1,825 1987: 1,905 1988: 1,995 1989: 2,035 1990: 2,080 1991: 2,075 1992: 2,095 1993: 2,095 1994: 2,100 1995: 2,095 1996: 2,120 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Average sales price of new houses 1986: $111,900 1987: $127,200 1988: $138,300 1989: $148,800 1990: $149,800 1991: $147,200 1992: $144,400 1993: $147,700 1994: $154,500 1995: $158,700 1996: $166,400 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Professional Builder's Builders of the Year (1986 to 1996) 1986 Arthur Rutenberg 1987 Ralph and Goldy Lewis 1988 Bruce and Robert Toll 1989 Peter M. Ochs 1990 David M. Weekley 1991 Ralph Drees 1992 Joseph Duckworth 1993 John Wieland 1994 Robert Strudler and Isaac Heimbinder 1995 Millard Fuller 1996 Philip Dion