John Wieland Takes to RV-Living to Get Housing Moving

CEO and Founder Tours Southeast to Educate Americans that Housing is Critical
to Economic Recovery

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.
SOURCE John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods

Danielle Tejada, +1-404-419-9345, dtejada@jacksonspalding.com, or Ivy Le,
+1-404-874-7852, ile@jacksonspalding.com, both of John Wieland Homes and
Neighborhoods