John Wieland Takes to RV-Living to Get Housing Moving

ATLANTA, March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- John Wieland, chief executive officer and founder of leading southeast homebuilder John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, today launched the "Get Housing Moving" tour to educate consumers about the importance of the new home industry in economic recovery and to build awareness of the value of buying a home while prices are deeply discounted and interest rates are at historic lows.

Wieland was sent off Friday by a cheering crowd of nearly 200 Realtors(R) and company members as he boarded the "Wiebago," a John Wieland-branded motor home, and hit the road on a five-city tour to neighborhoods in Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Charleston, S.C., Nashville, Tenn. and Raleigh, N.C.

"I'm on the road to educate people about why we have to get housing moving - what I call Housing 101," said Wieland. "Housing is the fabric of America. People need to know that our economy depends on it, and for responsible and qualified buyers, it's the best time in history to buy a new home."

To emphasize this point, Wieland pledged to tour the Southeast, stopping at his nearly 60 neighborhoods, until he sells 101 homes. Armed with a mattress, a fold-out table and a lamp, Wieland aims to inform Americans about the immediate and stimulative affects housing has had historically, and can have now on America and its neighborhoods.

Every new home sold creates approximately three full-time jobs, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the housing industry currently accounts for 1.8 million jobs in the U.S., which is down from 3.5 million. New home building also stimulates job growth in home improvement, retail and other industries.

Supporting Wieland's effort is Donald Ratajczak, Ph.D., chief consulting economist at Morgan Keegan & Co. and regent's professor of economics emeritus for Georgia State University.

"The inability to sell homes is driving down home prices overall and hurting equity markets," said Ratajczak. "Selling homes would shift this cycle and ultimately stimulate the economy in this particular environment."

In addition to 5 to 25 percent savings on every home in every neighborhood, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods is offering historic low financing rates and its Value Protection Plan, which protects the homebuyer from depreciation. With this no-charge plan, if your home has not appreciated in value after five years, the company will pay the difference between the final appraised value and the purchased price or the appraised value at closing.

"It's understandable that people are concerned about buying a new home, but the reality is that now is a great time to buy," said Wieland. "We're offering the deepest discounts in our 39-year history. Homebuyers who are ready need to get off the sidelines and take action. This is a dream not to be deferred."

Fans may follow Wieland travel's from the Wiebago via blog and Twitter posts as well as submit neighborhood event photos at www.GetHousingMoving.com.

John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods offers a portfolio of homes and townhomes from the $200s to more than $1 million. For more information on the 101 Home Sale and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, visit www.jwhomes.com.

About John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods

Founded by John Wieland in 1970, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods is currently building in 60 neighborhoods with operations in Atlanta; Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C.; Charleston, S.C. and Nashville, Tenn. In its 39-year history, the company has won more than 600 awards for excellence, including the industry's top award, America's Best Builder in 2005. Also named National Builder of the Year and a National Housing Quality Award winner, Wieland was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among new home builders in Atlanta and in Charlotte in both 2007 and 2008 by J.D. Power and Associates. The company offers a portfolio of homes and townhomes from the $200s to more than $1 million. For more information, visit www.jwhomes.com.