Page 8 - Builder Brief August 2025

2 0 2 5 P R E S I D E N T
THE 2025 SUNBELT BUILDERS
SHOW SHEDS LIGHT,
KNOWLEDGE, AND HOPE FOR
THE FUTURE
The leadership team just returned from the Sunbelt Builders Show, hosted
by the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) in Grapevine at the Gaylord Texan
Resort. It was a great conference, and we connected with several members
and prospective members on the trade show floor.
We had the opportunity to hear from Tim Sullivan and Bryan Glasshagel
with Zonda at one of the keynote sessions. While housing starts are down
in many of the major markets, San Antonio is outperforming the markets in
Dallas, Houston, and Austin. Housing demand is lower than expected due to
high interest rates and affordability. The reaction to the proposed tariffs that
were announced in April seems to have settled down somewhat. Builders
are much more cautious, and they are managing their starts accordingly,
with more activity coming in below the $400,000 price point. The good news
is that employment statistics remain net positive for now.
Hopefully, the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates later this year,
which will drive sales due to the pent-up demand. Zonda’s forecast showed
that 88 percent of consumers are still waiting on the sidelines for interest
rates to come down.
Insurance continues to be a hot topic with the recent wildfires and flooding
throughout the country. These natural disasters have had a significant
impact on insurance affordability. We learned that over the past four or five
years, insurance costs have increased by 20 percent and are projected to
rise another 8 percent in 2025, which will affect overall housing affordability.
Zonda also reported that builders in the greater San Antonio area are
managing housing inventories with a 1.9-month supply. Vacant developed
lots are at equilibrium with a 20-month supply, so we have a solid pipeline
when the market rebounds. Boerne, Castroville, Floresville, Seguin, and
Marion all showed significant activity along with the West side of San Antonio.
One bright spot is that over 600,000 people moved to Texas this past year,
with 15 percent coming from California and 43 percent from other countries,
many of whom are here on work visas. One thing is sure; builders are resilient
and are managing their inventories during this time of uncertainty.
The 2026 Sunbelt Builders Show will be held right here in San Antonio
on July 23rd and 24th at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Please
J E F F K U W A M U R A
mark your calendars and join us as we roll out the red
carpet to members from across the State of Texas.
We have some great events coming up in August
and September and we hope you will join us. Don’t
miss the annual Sporting Clay Shoot on Thursday,
August 21st, that will be held at the National Shooting
Complex located at 5931 Roft Road. Our next
Membership Mixer is Thursday, September 11th, at
Keith Zars Pools from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Bring your
business cards and come and network with other
GSABA members. Enjoy food and drinks at the Keith
Zars Showroom, located at 17427 San Pedro. Also,
GSABA’s Professional Women in Building (PWB)
are hosting their annual Blood Drive alongside the
Mixer at Keith Zars Pool’s Showroom. Blood draws
begin at 3pm. Sign up for a spot at https://tinyurl.
com/pwbblooddrive25.
We are also accepting nominations for the
GSABA Board of Directors, and self-nominations are
encouraged! Call (210) 696-3800 or email Kristi at
ksutterfield@sabuilders.com if you have questions.
We will elect four Builders and two Associates to
three-year terms on the Board of Directors. We
invite you to get involved!
Sincerely,
Jeff Kuwamura
BUILD YOUR LEGACY
Serve on the Board of Directors in 2026 The Greater San Antonio Builders Association is accepting nominations
to serve on the Board of Directors through August 31, 2025.
We encourage self nominations!
Submit your nomination
by August 31st
to ksutterfield@sabuilders.com
8 AUGUST 2025 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION