Optimism among area home builders

GREEN BAY - For those looking to build or renovate your home, you can get some tips at Brown County's Home Expo.

The four day event is at the KI Center in downtown Green Bay and hosted by the Brown County Home Builders Association.

Is the industry showing some life? Area builders seem to think so.

Ray and Mary Sisum are looking to spice up the old homestead.

"Make some changes. Add some interest to the outside, new counter tops in the kitchen, something fun," said Mary Sisum.

Sound familiar? Those at the Home Expo seem to think so.

For the past few years, Expo officials say they've have seen a lot of couples like the Ray and Mary, looking for in-home renovations and additions rather than starting from scratch.

"People spend anywhere for additions, from $10,000-$15,000 for a simple bathroom renovation to, I've seen people spend upwards of $250,000 to $500,000 on an addition," explained Owner of Puyleart Brothers Construction Chris Puyleart.

While that work is keeping area builders busy, they say they're starting to see the trend shift, in a good way.

"I think the interest rates and everything else out there, the price of building, is really modest, so I think people are going to see more new construction happening this spring than what we've seen in the last 3 years," said Expo Chair Mark Lemense.

And nationally, statistics show a positive growth in home sales.

The National Association of Realtors reported 4.26 million homes were sold in 2011. That's about 70,000 more than 2010.

However, it's still not to the point of a healthy housing market, according to economists.

Still, the news is keeping those in the industry optimistic about what the future will bring, even if it's not quite back normal.

"We've been through the low times and the high times, but it seems like it's picking up for us," Puyleart said. "We're staying busy and working everyday."

The Home Expo goes through Sunday.