INC NEWS - Beware of Used Homes

[Ken Gasch]

Nick,

Thank you for offering to speak with some of the local sponsors of this web site.  I agree that there are many positive attributes that can be utilized to sell new construction.  I also feel as though a community needs news homes in order to continue positive growth.  

I fully expected that you and your organization would recognize how inappropriate this particular marketing campaign was.  

I believe that the vast majority of home builders run their businesses in an extremely professional manner.  This ad damages these builders' reputation in the market place.  I hope that you and your organization will be successful in having this ad pulled before it does any permanent damage to their reputations.

If I may be of any assistance to you or your organization in the future, please feel free to contact me anytime.

I tip my hat to you,

Ken Gasch
2518 Cascadilla St.
Durham, NC 27704
919-220-0351

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Nick Tennyson 
  To: 'Ken Gasch' ; pac2 at yahoogroups.com ; inc-list at durhaminc.org 
  Cc: tgarrett at nchba.org ; Manysz at nchba.org ; mcarpenter at nchba.org ; pwilms at nchba.org ; avinson at nchba.org ; dobro at mindspting.com ; frank at hbadoc.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 10:38 AM
  Subject: RE: Beware of Used Homes


  Thanks, Ken, for sending this to me.  I was not aware of this website and had not heard the advertising campaign.



  Generally speaking, ads that rely on making derogatory claims about a competitor (or competitive choice, in this case) lose me very quickly.  I hope people running the campaign will realize that they have plenty to talk about in a positive way, without resorting to scare tactics.



  I am proud of the progress that home construction has made and believe we have a bright future ahead, as we incorporate updated building technology to deliver more energy efficient, durable houses.  While assembly requires dedicated oversight (construction management) the components that are available today have many advantages over what we formerly had.



  None of that makes a older home a bad or a wrong choice.  For those who can choose to own a home (and more than two thirds of Americans do), choosing and having something to choose from is one of the keys to making the system work.  For some people, an established neighborhood and an older home perfectly meet their needs.  For others, a new home will offer advantages that simply can't be satisfied by existing inventory - you just can't pick up that lovely little bungalow from one part of town and put it nearer your workplace, sadly enough.


  So, thanks for pointing this out.  I intend to express my opinion to sponsors of the site that I recognize - as you no doubt noticed there are sponsors of this site from Utah, Oregon, and who knows where - and hope you understand clearly that the opinion expressed about older homes is NOT reflective of the attitude of our Home Builders Association.



  Nicholas J. Tennyson, Executive Vice President

  HBA of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties

  20 W. Colony Place, Suite 180

  Durham, NC 27705

  P:  (919) 493-8899

  F: (919) 490-7963





  -----Original Message-----
  From: Ken Gasch [mailto:ken.gasch at hldproductions.com] 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 9:20 AM
  To: pac2 at yahoogroups.com; inc-list at durhaminc.org
  Cc: tgarrett at nchba.org; Manysz at nchba.org; mcarpenter at nchba.org; pwilms at nchba.org; avinson at nchba.org; dobro at mindspting.com; nick at hbadoc.com; frank at hbadoc.com
  Subject: Beware of Used Homes



  I am offended by an ad that is running on the radio.  Two women are

  discussing one woman's recent experience with her purchase of a "used

  home".  The woman had pulled back the carpet to reveal a rotting

  sub-floor and base boards.  The ad suggests that consumers buy only

  new home to keep from inheriting someone else's "hidden" problems. 

  Then suggests that consumers go to the following web site:

  www.newhomes101.com



  I appreciate the need for a community to build new homes in order to

  grow.  Home builders deserve to profit from selling new homes.  



  However, what is the impact of this negative portrayal of "used"

  homes, as various groups work to restore our inner city neighborhoods?

   Government agencies, non-profits and community groups rely on the

  ability to attract private investment to facilitate revitalization

  efforts.  



  Both old and new homes can represent an excellent value.  In addition,

  people can and do have problems with new houses. 



  I do not appreciate the implication that "used" homes are not worth

  buying.  I feel older houses can present a wonderful opportunity and

  investment.  We will continue to see people moving into Durham, so

  there is simply no need to hit below the waist in order to complete

  for buyers.  That organization should hire a new ad agency!



  Ken Gasch














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