The inability to build or showcase model homes during early COVID-19 pauses did not stop one western New York builder from selling 60 homes in just over two months. That builder is now 15% ahead of last year for sales and their experience is reflective of the overall circumstances in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area, reports the Buffalo News. The value of single-family construction in this area is up 3% despite a 4% drop in new permits. Another home builder told Buffalo News that its sales are up 20%, another reported a 60% increase.
Despite the pause on construction activity, their inability to highlight their new home offerings in person, and continued fears and caution about the coronavirus, homebuilders in Western New York found that their business not only held up but actually boomed under the difficult circumstances.
Low mortgage rates helped, and so did the intense competition for the record-low number of existing homes that were for sale throughout most of this year.
"Covid actually turned into being an asset versus being a deterrent," said Phil Nanula, owner and CEO of Essex Homes of WNY, who said his business is up about 20% from last year.
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