Allan Merrill on home affordability

About Allan Merrill

Allan Merrill, chairman, president, and CEO of Beazer Homes, has focused on affordability and energy efficiency in the company's homebuilding strategy. Merrill stated that Beazer's approach is to "attack the stack of costs that affect home ownership other than those things that require sacrifice," identifying mortgage rates, utility costs, and insurance as three primary areas of focus. He described Beazer as "the country's energy efficiency leader in new construction" and "the only national builder that's committed to the zero energy ready program," stating that the company's homes achieve energy bills about half that of a traditional new home. Merrill also discussed the company's "Mortgage Choice" program, which he said exposes customers to a curated group of competing lenders without Beazer taking marketing or promotion fees, with the goal of improving affordability. Merrill has commented on broader housing market conditions, describing a "multi-year process of recalibrating the housing market" and stating that "attainability and affordability is a restriction to serve the demand out there." He attributed part of the affordability crisis to rising permit and impact fees, which he said are "effectively paid by future homebuyers." Merrill noted that Beazer runs its business on a "three to five year horizon" and focuses growth on markets with strong population and job growth, such as Raleigh, Nashville, and Atlanta, rather than expanding into new markets. He also mentioned that the company is not participating in the build-to-rent market, preferring to focus on the for-sale business.

Profile compiled from Allan Merrill's verified public interviews and appearances. See all quotes & transcripts →