Most homebuilders had shied away from stockpiling land in the past few years as a choppy economic recovery offered little clarity on when demand would stabilize. The Ryland Group Inc (RYL.N) and Standard Pacific Corp (SPF.N) merger announced earlier this week – the first big deal since PulteGroup Inc’s (PHM.N) buyout of Centex in 2009 – is a sign of things to come. A Federal Reserve rate increase could push companies to close deals quickly as borrowing will become more expensive.