Tell It Like It Is: Local housing has fallen off a cliff

“Only 30 new homes were started in the London - St. Thomas area last month, a throwback to levels not seen since the early 1990s recession.” [Link to today’s London Free Press]

Has part of our economy fallen off a cliff? Last February there were 171 houses started.

Tom Kerkoff, president of the London Home Builders’ Association, tried to put on a brave face.

Housing starts had been strong during the last four or five years, so a slowdown isn’t surprising, said Tom Kerkhoff. But just how slow things have become in the industry was unexpected. 



Kerkhoff said he was dismayed by February’s numbers, especially since there are several new incentives to entice potential, first-time homebuyers into buying that first home.

“A lot of people just aren’t sure what to do,” he said.


["I want to be able to walk to a coffee shop and grocery store.": photo GAH]

And then again, maybe some people do know exactly what to do.

Maybe they’re looking for a small home closer to work and a grocery store so they can walk on occasion, not be so car dependent, save money on gas, not live in a ‘burb with a funny name (like Blackberry Farms, where there used to be a farm and some blackberries and trees - but not anymore), miles from anywhere.

Then there’s that whole cliff thingy hanging over (or is it under?) our heads.

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Would you buy a new house in Blackberry Farms, miles from anywhere, in this economic climate?

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