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Koontz team visits International Builders Show

Industry's largest show held in Las Vegas

The National Association of Home Builders recently hosted its annual International Builders Show in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Koontz team had two representatives there.  Scott Koontz and Matthew Koontz attended educational seminars and reviewed booths from hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers at the industry’s biggest trade show.  Here’s a brief report:

On products:

Lots of fireplaces on display.  The trend is for more linear looking, less boxy looking units; many of these fireplaces are electric or don’t need venting – they are being shown for use not only in living rooms but also in bedrooms or less traditional applications. 

We also saw at least a dozen different companies promoting rolling barn doors and hardware to install them.  Some people are using these in places that would have previously used a pocket door; others find them to be an interesting element in decorating, even if they almost never intend to have the doors closed to a certain area. 

Composite decking material continues to be very popular as deck builders move away from working mainly in treated lumber.

From seminars:

Overall industry experts are predicting a gradual improvement in the market for new single family homes; positive factors include pent up demand, a strengthening economy and continued low interest rates.  Holding some buyers back is the fact that many young adults are saddled with student debt and cannot save enough money for the down payment that is being required by lenders today.

Several seminar speakers encouraged attendees to better performance in business through goal setting, focusing on the true needs of those they serve, responding in a timely fashion and the use of proper financial budgeting and management to insure that their companies remain fiscally healthy.

Builders were encouraged to accept the fact that websites like houzz.com, Pinterest and others have become valuable tools for homeowners.  Instead of resisting the use of these sites, builders need to embrace the possibilities.

“We always get some good ideas when we come to the International Show” says Scott Koontz.  “It helps us keep on top of industry trends, as well as providing us a way to get some great education to keep our company heading in the right direction.”