Therapists helping builders cope during housing slump

This is how bad the home-building slump has gotten: builders are being encouraged to seek emotional support.

[Post comments below.]

Latest Headlines:

• More business news
• Business photo galleries

These men of pickup trucks, nail guns and steel-toed boots are being urged by their local trade association to talk feelings instead of square feet, to hang on their belts the tools of affirmation and positive visioning.

“It’s a need we never addressed before,” said David Ellis, executive vice president of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, which earlier this year began telling its 3,300 members help was available if they wanted it. “It’s a different time, and we’re trying to be responsive to our members’ needs.”

Nationally, construction of homes and apartments fell in July to the lowest level in more than 17 years.

Locally, the number of lots waiting for homes has increased 13 percent over the same period last year, according to Eugene James, the regional director of MetroStudy, which tracks the housing industry. As of July 1, 149,000 lots in 22 metro Atlanta counties were awaiting framing crews.

Measuring vacant available real estate is easier than gauging builder turbulence. Smaller companies simply fold. Larger ones may seek bankruptcy protection, but there is no data on builder bankruptcies.

Lawyer Scott Riddle, who tracks local Chapter 11 filings on his blog, sees the mounting evidence of the slow housing market and credit crunch.

“I think there has been a significant increase in builder bankruptcies,” Riddle said.

Which translates into more pressure on builders and developers.

Some have liquidated a company, such as high-profile developer Stephen Macauley, who declared debts of $131 million. Every builder seems to know a colleagues swamped in debt, and a few know friends in the business who have taken their lives.

Charlie Cummins, a counselor and executive coach, is among those trying to get there before the tragedies occur.

“We talk with people about the changing industry and how they manage its effect on them and their family,” said Cummins, a counselor and executive coach who has worked with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.

Because of doctor-patient confidentiality, it is difficult to say how many builders have opted for the counseling, but Cummins suspects it is few.

“They see it as a sign of weakness,” said Cummins, a partner in TROVE Consulting.

Tony Perry, who sought bankruptcy protection in December for his Oakwood Homes, thinks talking about the embarrassment and feelings of loss can kickoff the rebound.

“The fastest way to get back is to get some emotional help,” said Perry, a self-described “recovering builder.”

He hasn’t sought counseling over the bankruptcy but has drawn on lessons learned in earlier counseling sessions and leaned heavily on his faith.

“You can’t feel much worse than this,” he said of his bankruptcy and of having to move his family to a smaller home. “You can say it’s just business, but it didn’t feel like just business to me.”

Comments

By Stan

Sep 1, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

I bought a home that I could afford and it cost $290,000 10 years ago. The builder was Richmond American. Many things wrong including Roof, foundation, carpet, driveway. Most problems took years to surface. I have reported them to BBB and all consumer lists. Too bad more people don't do this and too bad people buying homes dont chack out the builder first. REMEMBER - buyer beware. And we should require laws that allow us to keep track of owners of construction companies so that when they change the name of the company theycan not start with a clean slate. You all need to start complaining in the right forums.

By jethro

Aug 26, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

These developers overbuilt and overprice these home and used cheap illegal labor and now want sympathy.

There are several houses located in my area that are discounted almost $100K, and they are poorly built and the warranty stinks. And to Kathleen it was White males that constructed the house I live in and we had not issues except minor and they busted their rear building it.

The house my parents lived in built in 1967 was built by Black men and they worked their rear off, so get off the tune Americans will not work. I see hardworking White and Black men working daily trying to compete with subsidized illegal labor.

By chief

Aug 26, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this

"He hasn�t sought counseling over the bankruptcy but has drawn on lessons learned in earlier counseling sessions ..." Appears counseling did not work in the earlier counseling either.

Affirmation. Positive visioning. Executive coach. Meaningless drivel.

By buck

Aug 26, 2008 6:10 AM | Link to this

so if you think it's bad now if osama hussien gets elected ??????????????

Aug 26, 2008 6:03 AM | Link to this

we went thru this during the CARTER YRS. been there done that

By Kevin

Aug 25, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

>>>To those of you bashing builders, hope you suffer this fate one day!<<< SORRY KATTLEEN, I am already suffering this fate because my tax dollars are being spent to bail all those who profited from this building BUBBLE for the past 7 years.

Aug 25, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

Waaaaaaaaa! I'm a home builder who thought the bubble would go on forever and failed to plan for the inevitable bust. Sorry bubba, no sympathy here... SUGGESTION: start eating Ramen Noodle meals like your idiot Realtor friends because this downturn will last for years.

By A.S.Mathew

Aug 25, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

We are all in serious economic condition,
whether it is builders or car dealers.
Let us all pray to God to change the
situtation. This is not the time to
find fault with each other. As a small
business man, I can feel the pain of an
economy in serious plight.

By kathleen

Aug 25, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

To those of you bashing builders, hope you suffer this fate one day! Most builders are hardworking people trying to make a living and support their families. Reputable builders hire subcontractors that are insured and therefore should not have illegals. Lazy white and black men don't want the work and don't have the skills of the foreign born workers for the most part anyway. A Pox upon you!

By atlangel

Aug 25, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

As someone who works within the homebuilding industry, I'm amazed at the foolishness of these comments. Building occurs because of the demand for it, we do live in one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and yes I'm all for smart planning and educated buyers. Keep in mind, there are a huge number of people (not illegals since that seems to be an issue for the audience) who are having their entire lives negatively impacted by this situation. It affects us all, carpet companies, electricians, plumbers, furniture companies, cabinet makers, lumber mills...the list is endless. I suggest some compassion to all of my atl folks. This thing hurts everyone.

[1 2 3 4 5 6] next