Residential Design & Build Survey Bucks Mainstream Media Reports on Home Building Market

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For Immediate Release Market Trends Survey shows nearly 60 percent of custom home market has positive outlook for 2007

Fort Atkinson, WI (May 1, 2007) – Residential Design & Build, the only high-end custom home publication dedicated to both residential architects and construction professionals, announced the results of its 2007 Market Trends Survey in April. Survey results reveal several indicators that the custom home business is healthy, including statistics that show more than 90 percent of respondents plan to hire more staff in the coming months, or maintain current staff levels.

"Specific evidence points to the fact that the custom home market has been insulated from housing market trends overall," says Publisher Tim Campbell. "The number of clients who pay cash versus finance their new custom home has remained steady over the past four years. Overall, 33 percent of clients pay cash indicating that many custom home clients are not affected by current home market fluctuations."

Residential Design & Build's Market Trends Survey also shows the percentage of architectural design firms, construction firms and design/build firms posting profit margins between 11 and 25 percent has increased steadily from 2004 and projected through 2007.

"Our survey results uncovered virtually no change in the number of homes designed or built by Residential Design & Build readers over the past three years and projecting into 2007," says Editor Rob Heselbarth. "In addition, nearly 90 percent of our respondents reveal that the average square footage of a custom home is either remaining steady or increasing."

Baby Boomers between the ages of 40 and 50 make up more than half of custom home market clients. Another trend Residential Design & Build’s Market Trends Survey unveiled is a list of “most asked-for rooms.” A reflection of America’s changing lifestyle, home offices topped the list as the No. 1 most important room for clients. Outdoor living space, great rooms, multi-purpose family rooms, home theaters and lower-level master suites rounded out the top-five list.

When it comes to budgeting, custom home clients are more likely to scale back on landscaping than appliances if budgets are tight. Despite a trend toward high-tech homes, home electronics are also at the top of the list of amenities that clients are most likely to downgrade when faced with financial limitations.

To view the entire results of the 2007 Residential Design & Build's Market Trends Survey log onto RDBmagazine.com and click "Tracking trends in custom homes."

Residential Design & Build and RDBmagazine.com are published by Cygnus Business Media, a leader in business-to-business media. The company reaches nearly 15 million business owners, executives and professionals annually through its portfolio of over 175 media products. Its four distinct divisions - Cygnus Publishing, Cygnus Expositions, Cygnus Interactive and Cygnus Custom Marketing - provide comprehensive, integrated advertising and marketing programs for Cygnus’ valued customers and clients. The company's leading business publications, tradeshows, conferences, websites, online products and custom marketing capabilities enhance brand identity, generate sales leads, and build product awareness as they strengthen customer/client relationships. For more information on how Cygnus Business Media can help you achieve your advertising and marketing objectives, visit www.cygnusb2b.com. <