For the 21st consecutive year, we have completed our Financial and Operation Study. During that period, we have seen the heights of homebuilding and the depths of the worst housing recession in history, from which we're still recovering.

This year's study reflects the general uptrend for the participants over the last few years:

• The average net profit continued to rise, increasing more than 2% during 2013 to 7.78%
• Operating expenses declined about 1.5%, indicating low staff levels compared to revenues
• Only 6% of the builders participating reported losses, which falls in line with results prior to the downturn and is in sharp contrast to the 50% of the builders reporting losses in 2009

The results of the study are analyzed and displayed using various methods and comparisons, which provide the reader with a comprehensive picture of the performance of leading companies in the market. Understanding the study's analysis and methodology as it relates to target ratios for the industry and specific company's performance can provide an indispensable tool to anyone seriously concerned with establishing a successful company and achieving exceptional profitability goals.

Areas covered by the study include:

• Regional performance comparisons
• Comparisons against like-sized companies
• Detailed profit and cost of sales analyses
• Operational, compensation, and insurance trends

Since 1954, we have been on the cutting edge of management thought, promoting excellence in management practices through our educational programs. First, under the leadership of Lee Evans then during the last twenty plus years under Chuck Shinn, our group has earned the reputation of being the premier organization for management education. 

The programs listed below focus on enhancing management techniques to increase profitability, assist with controlled growth in challenging market conditions, and establish construction and operational controls. 

These programs are designed to help you:

• Satisfy customers by building the house right the first time, and then providing superior customer service
• Manage capital and financial operations to achieve high profitability
• Build strong and integrated systems to help make the management job easier and less stressful
• Train and educate personnel to work as a team and produce superior results