KENTUCKY REPORT

WILLIAM THOMPS ON iiiiiiiiitiriri''rii'iiiii:$ir executlve

Vlce Precldent

EOn THE firsr rime in many, many I months, we are getting reports in this office from our members in all parts of the state that business is impioving. In fact, some of the reports scare me because they indicate an increase in business that is hard to believe. However. it's wonderful to receive news like this since it has been such a long time in coming.

Nationally, sales of new single-family houses jumped9.9t/o in January reaching the highest level in more than two years. However, along with this report was a statement that prices jumped too, hitting a record level.

What has bothered me for quite some time is the concern I have for where prices will go once the demand for houses starts up again. I just cannot help but worry over this fact because prices could jump so much that they could easily kill off the demand that seems to be stable.

The National Association of Home Builders says "people are trading up into larger new homes, which explains in part some of the increases in home prices."

They said that "during the depth of the recession, the best selling models were the smaller, less expensive units designed for the young, first time buyers." ln view of the overall situation it is rather hard for me to believe that people are rrading up into larger new homes. It just doesnt add up that way. This situation exists in the face of higher priced materials, labor and at least l39o money.

The builders and realtors both say that "housing is clearly leading the economy out of the recession. " Let's hope they are right, but I still have my fingers crossed.

Lumbermen's Assoclatlon of Texas

P.O. Bor 55f6, Audn, fr. 7t763 (5r2) a72-[94

TEXAS TOPICS sR.

JOE BUTLER, executlve vlce preddent

frl Ne otrtre besr programs ever devel- Yoped foran L.A.T. convention has been booked for the three-day 97rh annual meeting of the association in the San Antonio Convenrion Cenrer April 29-30 and May l.

The convention will open with a reporr by L.A.T.'s attorney, Roberr Bass, on the seven major pieces of legislation sup ported by the association on Texas lien la*'s. This legislation, if passed, will give sub-contractors and material suppliers protection never before realized.

Following \rill be Harry Horrocks, National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association l'.p. in charge of legislation, who will reporr on rhe "Washington Scene." The Friday session will terminate with a talk by Doc Blakely, one of the nation's rop speakers.

On Saturday, Robert F. Ports will sp€ak on "Effective Retail Merchandising," and Arch Lustberg, media coach for the National Chamber of Commerce and a teacher of several presidents, will discuss "How To Handle Yourself in Public."

Sunday's session will include "The FHA Picture of Housing" by W. Calvert Brand, deputy assistant, secretary of housing, FHA, Washington, D.C. "ls Washington Doing lts Job?" will be answered by the nationa[y known economist. Gene Stanaland.

An imponant part of the convention will be the buying show and exhibits. Both association members and exhibitors anticipate this annual event.

Preceding the convention the annual championship golf tournament will be played at Pecan Valley Country Club. Reservations will be limited to lZ).

Ladies registering for the convention will be taken by buses to the Fiesta Dinner Playhouse on Saturday for a buffet luncheon and a performance of "The Max Factor" with Caesar Romero.

James Bute Paint Co. will again provide bus transportation from the hotels to the San Antonio Convention Center. They have been providing this free service on a regular basis at each convention for a number of years.