Builder Lennar Bulldozes Forlorn, Empty Homes.

[Liberal_in_LA]

Builder Lennar Bulldozes Forlorn, Empty Homes.



Lennar looked into completing the homes, but they couldn’t be salvaged.

As builders struggle to compete with bargain-priced inventory, particularly foreclosures, they’ve downsized and simplified new homes.

They are also tearing them down.

Builder Lennar Corp. has demolished eight partially built California homes to make way for replacements. In Visalia’s Eagle Glen subdivision, Lennar plans 70 single–story homes starting at $197,500 and priced as high as $250,000, according to its website.

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Mr. Schein said Lennar looked into completing the homes, but they were exposed to the elements for too long and couldn’t be salvaged. Miami-based Lennar recycled some of the materials and donated what could reused to Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable homes for the working class.

The demolition reflects consumers’ changing tastes. Some of the razed homes were two stories with multiple gables and defined entryways, designs that commanded hundreds of thousands of dollars during the housing market’s heyday. They were as big as 3,000 square feet, while Lennar says the average home size at the development will be 1,800 square feet.

“We’ve adjusted our offerings to fit the needs of the people today,” said Mr. Schein.

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/07/01/builder-lennar-bulldozes-forlorn-empty-homes/

[Xithras]

1. Not really a shocker here in the Central Valley

A lot of these subdivisions were abandoned mid construction. The crews were literally working on them one day, and were informed the next morning that they were unemployed. There are a LOT of houses that have sat there for several years now without roofs or walls. The copper and other fittings have been stripped by thieves, animals have moved in, and the floors are warped and buckled from several years of rain induced flooding. It's common knowledge around here that most of these would just be pushed over.

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. sad waste of energy and resources.