The Lee Building Industry Association has launched a consumer education effort to promote the advantages of purchasing a new home in the current market.

The “Buy Now” campaign (www.buynowswfl.com), financed with a $40,000 grant from the National Association of Home Builders and contributions from Lee BIA members, includes a Web site, media-relations effort and advertising donated or provided at discounted rates by area publications and broadcasters.

“Much of the news about the current housing market is negative,” said Lee BIA executive vice president Michael Reitmann. “It’s difficult for people to appreciate the fact that this is a great time to buy a new home.”

Major backers of the “Buy Now” campaign include Bonita Bay Group, Grosse Pointe Development, Lennar Homes and Stock Development as well as Beazer Homes, David Weekly Homes, Taylor Woodrow, Pulte Homes and Ryland Homes.

“Having competing homebuilders join forces in this effort has been exciting. Obviously, they will all benefit from increased home sales, but so will home

improvement, furniture and appliance stores, moving companies, interior designers, real estate agents and the many other businesses that depend on the development industry,” said Reitmann.

As a result, local craftspeople and trade contractors have also jumped on board with financial support for the “Buy Now” campaign. With the slower pace of new construction, most of these industry partners now are available to help home sellers prepare their properties for the market and assist homebuyers in making their new homes their own.