A majority of homebuilders expect revenues will increase next year, a December survey of builders nationwide shows.

The survey, by national consulting firm John Burns Real Estate Consulting, found that 57 percent of respondents reported that they are planning for more revenue in 2010 than 2009, driven by increased community count, better orders and slightly higher prices.

The most optimism came from builders in the Northeast, Southwest, Texas and Southern California, the survey reveals.

This month’s survey included responses from 264 home building industry executives from public and private companies. In total, their insight is reflective of on-the-ground conditions in 93 metropolitan statistical areas and more than 2,000 communities.

"If they are correct, and we believe they are, the trough for this cycle was 2009 for single-family starts, new home sales and new home prices," said CEO John Burns. "That being said, the continued shift to smaller, simpler homes may drive the headline new home price down a bit, and the recovery will be slowed by rising distressed sales.  Conditions are likely to vary dramatically by submarket and price point, which we have addressed in our Land Acquisition and New Home Strategy report for 23 (metropolitan statistical areas)."