With consumers rethinking their spending and banks lending less money, many local builders are feeling the pain of the economic crisis. But 23 News Economic Reporter Kristin Burke found a local home builder who says his business isn't in the basement.

"No one is building spec homes right now so were fortunate."

Brad Zimmerman is more fortunate than many other local home builders whose business has been hammered by the economic crisis.

"We're building two homes right now. Sales are down but not as much as many other builders."

Zimmerman builds custom luxury homes. While he admits the market is weak, he says sales are starting to improve.

"We are starting to see home sales in the local market perk up ."

Being a small luxury home builder has actually helped Zimmerman keep working. High end buyers tend to have the credit needed to close the deal. And building custom homes mean he doesn't build with the hope that someone will want to buy.

"There's always people who have the where-with-all to build anytime and you get what you want.We've had three pre-solds and have always been a small custom builder so we're not into volume."

Zimmerman agrees with many others that there are significant cost savings benefits for buyers who build in a down market.

"The lot inventory is abundant so you can chose your lot. Interest rates are at historic lows and supplies and lumber is cheap."

Overall , activity is starting to pick up, Zimmerman believes, but he adds, confidence and job security will be the real key to moving buyers off the fence and into new homes.

Some other local larger home builders tell us business is slow but construction has started to pick up a bit recently for them as well. But some are worried that may change when the first time home buyers tax credit ends in December.