CONTACT: Casey Masterson, Marketing Director
Brookstone Homes
cmasterson@brookstonehomes.com
OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (March 5, 2010) – While homebuilders in southern Wisconsin and throughout the United States saw a dramatic drop in sales in 2009, one local homebuilder turned that trend on its ear and has played a significant role in supporting Wisconsin’s economy.
Southern Wisconsin’s new home starts fell 22 percent in 2009 and home starts nationwide for January, 2010 were at their lowest rate since the government started keeping records in 1963. But Brookstone Homes of Oconomowoc built 107 homes in 2009 making them Southeastern Wisconsin’s largest single-family homebuilder.
Scott Thistle, Brookstone’s president, said Brookstone has already sold 31 new homes this year.
“We know there are plenty of examples of how the residential construction industry is hurting but we’ve managed to find a niche and remain a bright spot in the bleak market.” Thistle said that Brookstone employs 19 people along with an additional 60 subcontractors per home built. The 107 homes built in 2009 represent more than $20 million for Wisconsin’s economy.
Many first-time homebuyers are taking advantage of the federal tax credit deal, which has bolstered the company’s recent success. The federal tax credit program expires at the end of April, which means there will likely be a decline in sales, but Thistle says he’s confident that Brookstone will continue to build many homes throughout the year.
“It’s about having the right kind of inventory which, right now, is homes priced around $200,000,” Thistle said. “People aren’t buying $500,000 homes right now.”
Brookstone Homes has been committed to providing outstanding value and an exceptional home building experience to customers since 1994. In tough economic times when homebuyers may be intimidated by the process of buying, building, and owning a new home, Brookstone Homes is dedicated to making the process easy and stress-free.
