Members of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia celebrated the organization's 25th annversary at a recent meeting at Whitewater Country Club.

The association's past presidents were saluted. Past association presidents Jerry Tedder, Bob Dixon, Gene Barber and Randy Hayes participated in a discussion about how the home building industry and the association have changed over 25 years.

Tedder remembered the association held its first meetings at the Holiday Inn in Newnan and that the Metro South association sponsored the group. Pointing out that "many of the same faces I saw then are still here," he noted, "We wanted fulltime, active builders as our members, and we anted quality members."

Tedder said the association has een valuable in promoting the building industry and in keeping members updated on such matters as legislation, legal issues and zoning, while providing educational opportunities and aids to personal and professional development.

"The association still works on the same issues now as it did then," he said. "However, now there are some new issues, including the environment and traffic."

Dixon, another charter member of the organization, discussed how home prices had increased over the years.

"The first house I sold was in 965, and it was a 1,600 sq.ft, split level with a price of $19,500, including the lot. It was financed with a 25-year loan with an intetest of 4.25 percent."In 1971, the price in Dix-Leeon subdivision for a 2,400 sq.ft. home with a full basement on an acre lt was in the $70,000-$80.000 range. Today, I paid over $100,000 for just a lot in Peachtree City."

Randy Hayes, talked about the organization's present and future.

"Locally, we have to become smarter business people, build better products and be more sensitive to the community."