Wednesday, December 18, 2002

What it takes to be a builder?

To be a home builder, it takes no more than registering a business licence and leaving your conscience and scruples at home.

Pick a lot that has not been developed in an established subdivision (20 years plus). You as a builder know the homeowners association is nonexistent, so you look up the minimum requirements and then let the bulldozers rip.

Clean out every tree and build a building (hate to call it a house or home) and, with rates so low, inflate the price, pay illegal subs to do the work, skim 1 percent off the top from the bank, and in three months you have squeezed a "thing" where the original developer figured nothing could go.

Sell it, make $15,000 and buy your real estate selling spouse, acting as exclusive agent, a ring. The heck with wildlife or any green space. Just slash and build.

The heck with the big picture, just make me and my circle some coin.

Allan Hozak

Fayetteville