Category: <span>Home Construction Industry</span>

Home Builders Association of Michigan identifies discrepancies in governor’s housing goals and LARA’s proposed building code changes

By Sable Homes Posted in Affordable Housing, Home Construction Industry, Housing Needs On

In a recent release, The Home Builders Association of Michigan (HBAM) identified discrepancies between Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s housing goals and building code changes proposed by the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).  Whitmer recently unveiled her plan to invest some $1.4 billion in much-needed housing across the state. However, LARA’s proposed code changes, […]

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Crain’s Grand Rapids Business: Housing shortage made worse by ‘NIMBY syndrome’

By Sable Homes Posted in Home Construction Industry, Sable in the News On

In a January 2024 op-ed published in Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, Sable Homes President John Bitely details the need for West Michigan residents and business leaders to be part of the bigger solution for the region’s housing shortage and join efforts with the Home Builders Association of Michigan, or by supporting the work of Housing […]

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Lower Energy Costs Act would remove burdensome energy code regulations which contribute to housing setbacks

By Sable Homes Posted in Energy Efficiency, Home Construction Industry On

With the recent introduction of the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) in the Senate, Sable Homes President John Bitely says the legislation would remove the energy code regulations that are often burdensome in the residential construction industry and are a contributing factor to the increase cost of homes. In part, the Lower Energy Costs […]

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Bitely to GRBJ: We’re getting back to normal — normal is stable housing

By Sable Homes Posted in Home Construction Industry, Sable in the News On

Sable Homes President John Bitely spoke with Grand Rapids Business Journal’s Pat Evans about the return of West Michigan’s housing market. “We went through three years of not normal — an incredibly heated housing market — the economy itself was incredible,” Bitely told GRBJ. “We’re getting back to normal. Normal in West Michigan is stable […]

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John Bitely: Consumer confidence in housing market on the rise as home prices fall

By Sable Homes Posted in Home Construction Industry, Market Trends, Trends On

In a Jan. 9 CNBC report, consumer confidence in the national housing market is finally on the rise after home prices peaked six months ago, thanks to falling home prices. In West Michigan, home prices slightly mirror the national trend even when demand remains high, according to Sable Homes President John Bitely. The Rockford-based home […]

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John Bitely: Transformer shortage causing major delays in home construction nationwide

By Sable Homes Posted in Home Construction Industry, Sable in the News On

A high global demand for specialized steel and wiring has caused a critical shortage of electrical transformers, leaving some nearly-finished new home construction projects unlivable. In an interview with WZZM 13, John Bitely, president of Sable Homes, said the transformer shortage isn’t just a local or statewide issue, but it’s happening nationwide. “It is a […]

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Sable Homes, state and local entities officially welcome pilot program home development in Newaygo

By Sable Homes Posted in Home Construction Industry, Workforce Housing On

Sable Homes, in cooperation with Fishbeck, the City of Newaygo, Newaygo County, and the Michigan Land Bank Authority, kicked off phase two of the River Hills neighborhood in Newaygo this morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The celebration marked the official welcoming of a pilot program designed to increase Michigan’s housing stock and help alleviate […]

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WZZM talks with Karin Kay about labor, materials shortages heading into fall

By Sable Homes Posted in Home Construction Industry, Sable in the News On

While the home building industry is seeing a slight ease in lumber shortage heading into the fall, there are still many labor challenges and shortages in other materials affecting new builds. WZZM interviewed Sable Homes Sales Manager Karin Kay about these continued challenges in the housing industry. “We had high hopes in 2021 that our […]

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In 30 years of business, John Bitley tells Business Insider he’s never seen such a demand

By Sable Homes Posted in Home Construction Industry, Sable in the News On

Many companies are still struggling to keep up with backlogs of home improvement projects and new home construction due to the limited availability of materials, as well as laborers, caused by the pandemic. John Bitely, the president of Sable Homes, told Business Insider that in 30 years of business he’s never seen such demand. “We […]

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Business Insider talks with Sable Homes’ John Bitely about the consumer goods shortage

By Sable Homes Posted in Home Construction Industry, Sable in the News On

Business Insider called upon Sable Homes President John Bitely for his expertise in the home building industry to share how consumer goods shortages are affecting home prices. Many home-improvement goods including lumber, appliances, paint, and fertilizer are getting more expensive as companies continue to announce price hikes to combat shortages and rising shipping costs. Price […]

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