Market Trends: October 2009

US Housing Starts Jan - Sept 2009

According to the Census Bureau and the National Association of Home Builders, housing starts bottomed out in January 2009 when there were 31,900 (non-annualized, unadjusted) starts. Last month (September 2009), starts came in at 52,700. On a month-to-month basis since January they’ve held steady or risen.

The overall market has improved this year.

But not so fast – the numbers aren’t spectacular, there is still quite a lot of inventory slowing new construction. Some economists believe we may be headed into a ‘double-dip’ recession.

Our stance: We help projects succeed in either case!

An Edge in Recovery, a Shield in Recession

In a recovery the Honest Project platform gives service providers access to new markets by putting them in touch with quality Lenders, Builders, Subcontractors and Owners looking for a well run project.

In a recession we do what we do best: reduce risk. Improved communication between participants, and verified work and payments make for more successful projects.

We don’t spend our time trying to predict where the economy will go over the next year.  We spend it improving your projects now.

Here are some of the advantages to an Honest Project:

Builders Advantage: Project Management Made Easy

Our platform makes it easy to manage your projects. Budgets, punch lists, invoices, draws, it’s all there in one place and easy to use. Spend less time with paperwork and more time growing your business.

Lenders Advantage: Reduced Asset Risk

With increased capital requirements, any tools or processes that reduce risk and increase the success rates for projects are still vitally needed. With our verification process, you can be more confident that the asset backing your lien has the quality you expected when you agreed to the deal.

Subcontractors Advantage: Get Paid and Get Noticed

For Subs, our system links the builder payments to your payment, so you get paid for your work. Our Service Directory puts your name out there and shows what you can do. So in short: more jobs and more jobs paid on time.

Owner’s Advantage: Fewer Headaches, Higher Quality

The advantages in our system for Owners are numerous. You control funding, get assurances that Subcontractors have been paid, and can verify the quality of work every step of the way. You get a detailed history of all work performed on your dream home, and peace of mind it was done properly.

Advantage for All: Find the Right People

Projects succeed because you find the right people. Our Service Directory makes it easy. Unlike other rating sites, our reviews and ratings are based on verified work and invoices. That makes it more reliable than nearly all other rating sources you will find.

Honest Project

Trust.Build.Verify.