Bob Shallenberger

Fast Track 2007: Curve Ball

With starts down and cancellations up, builders no longer expect a home run with each new community. Now, they'll settle for base hits, for doubles, and even for walks that finally get that languishing spec house and its shrinking margins off the field. Veterans look at the rookies and shake their heads. “They've never been through a downturn,” they say, wise from years of ups and downs. “They'll never make it.”