In January we saw the biggest jump in two years when housing starts rose 15.7 percent. This record leap occurred after a nine percent increase in December. According to Deputy White House Press Secretary Larry Speakes the figures indicated “tremendous strength” in housing markets. Single-family housing led the way with an increase of 24.5 percent. Fixed rate 25 to 30-year mortgages are now averaging about 10.75 percent. According to the Commerce Department report this is the lowest rate in almost seven years. Very promising.

Around the industry things are looking pretty well indeed. Most every office I’ve been in seems to be teeming with work. The developers are taking advantage of the ability to acquire money and are going, (this is my opinion), to increase the pace if Volcker, the Federal Reserve Board Chairman, holds to his claim that the central bank will not try to force the interest rates any lower. This is a great time to hustle and bring new business. Remember though that your business has to be solid if you expect to be able to handle the increase efficiently.

Now is a great time to increase your exposure by taking advantage of some of the associations that represent your clients. Just as landscape architects are approached by suppliers at your association meetings. Your simple presence at local developer oriented associations may give you one or two contacts that could make this the best year ever.

It is also trade show season and many of the suppliers you deal with are taking painstaking measures to keep you entertained long enough to show you their wares. If you don’t take advantage of these pleasantly informative opportunities you not only miss a chance to have a little fun and see old friends. You also miss out on state-of-the-art products and ideas that might be the difference between getting the contract and losing it.

The Landscape Architect and Specifier News will be attending several trade shows this year. If you see our booth stop by and let us know what you think. We’re especially interested in your input. If we don’t see you at the shows add us to your mailing list so that we can see how you?EUR??,,????'???re doing. There’s a lot of good work going on out there and if you can’t get a little recognition from your trade magazine where can you get it?

As for this issue we hope you find the article on contracts informative. It pays to be on the safe side. But while contracts is a rather dry subject Xeriscaping adds life to a dry solution. We help you understand the principals of this newly coined concept. New concepts however are nothing new to Courtland Paul whose overall business plan approach is laying the foundation for the continual growth of his principal firm. Whatever you’re interested in we’ll try to cover. If you don’t see it in this issue let us know. Chances are you’ll see in the next. Happy reading.

?EUR??,,????'??+God Bless