It's been 15 years since home builders across the country were this uncertain -- but it's hard to tell by scanning new construction across Oklahoma City.
Metro area builders are in the final stages of preparing 169 houses for the annual Parade of Homes.
Builder confidence fell in August for the seventh straight month, registering 32 on the Wells Fargo-National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, where 50 is the dividing line. A score under 50 means more builders see the outlook for sales as rather poor than good.
Negatives have creeped into Oklahoma City-area home construction and sales statistics. The number of single-family building permits through July was off 3.6 percent compared with last year in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Midwest City, Moore and Norman. The inventory of existing and new homes listed with Realtors has inched up to five months from four at the first of the year.
Some moderation was inevitable after six years of gains, builders and Realtors said.
A real stall here, with jobs still strong and the cost of housing still affordable even after solid increases in property valuations, is still in the future, builder Jeff Click said.
"The building community here hasn't been scared off by what has been reported nationally. The confidence in our market still exists," said Click, chairman of the Parade of Homes, organized by the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association.
Click said the proof is in the 169 houses by 101 builders in 118 additions in the parade, which will have houses open to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16-24.
"When we see those trends nationally, we feel it last," he said. "Modern trends (in construction and furnishings) sometimes get to us last. So does adversity. That's what I like about this market: It's insulated."
Builders participating in the Parade of Homes will stretch to meet consumer demand and preferences to offer the latest trends in what typically are "builders' best showcases," Click said.
The two feature homes -- loaded with amenities and extras -- are in Yukon and northwest Oklahoma City.
Raywood Homes and builder Carolyn Schluter are building a feature home at 10909 NW 36 Terrace, west of Sara Road in Yukon's Raywood Manor addition.
"Here we have one of the leading women in our industry building a feature home that's going to be showcased for our entire city. It is highly anticipated," Click said.
Livingston-Meyer Homes and builder Mark Livingston are building a feature home at 13101 Box Canyon Road in the Canyon Lakes addition on the east side of Council Road just south of Memorial Road in Oklahoma City.
Click said the house will match the neighborhood, which has "lots of water" and "a grandeur that people are going to want to see."
