As for the mediocre, cookie cutter type homes from the builders… we have an over-abundance of them where I am. There are two such houses on my block alone that have sat empty for over a year. Both are brand new and never lived in, both are on the market for dirt cheap, and neither is even getting a second glance. I laughed at the builders that are “vomiting up homes”, since that sums it up pretty well, especially for SW Florida.

With fast food I have low expectations, already. So if I’m treated poorly with already low expectations, it’s really bad. I don’t go back…

Paula – You mentioned In-And-Out. I am officially jealous. I miss Los Angeles for that alone. Well that and Baja Fresh. And Poquito Mas. And the Rainbow (best cheese sticks on the planet…I guarantee it). Dear San Antonio, please give up on your Whataburger obsession. Thanks, Matt.

The one certainty I have noticed with todays buyer is, they are either looking for unique and quality or a fixer where they can put their own quality and unique touches into the home. There is rarely an in-between home buyer who is just looking for a home.

The ‘cookie cutter’ houses are finally disappearing, slowly but surely the builders are choking on there vomit. Mediocrity should never be accepted, not in this business. I have seen so many shotty work on houses, ie: putty for corners, floors that squeek when they are freshy built, siding that wasn’t installed right, drywall mud that looks like crap, the list goes on and on. Homeowners shouldn’t have to deal with so many call backs in the first year.

My vote goes for Five Guys

First, I will just come out to say that I LOVE Five Guys (and it doesn’t hurt that there are 3 of them in my town).

I agree with mediocracy in a hot market but you also have to look at examples of the same thing in a slow market. My market went through a huge slowdown in the mid 1990s. Many high end home builders that were big in the late 1980s and early 1990s either completely went under or changed their strategies. One of the things they did was to use lower costs materials so they could sell homes at the lower market price and still make a profit.

THere’s a fine line that any business has to walk between holding the highest standards and keeeping the doors aopen and the operation profitable.

As my wife always says, “You’ve got one job to do, at least do it right.”