http://www.builderonline.com/business/land/Default.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1029702http://www.builderonline.com/developments/study-backs-up-calls-to-extend-homebuyer-tax-credit.aspx?rssLink=Study+Backs+Up+Calls+to+Extend+Homebuyer+Tax+CreditSep. 23--The $8,000 tax credit to qualified first-time buyers has directly resulted in 357,000 home sales between Feb. 17 and Sept. 15, data released yesterday show. http://www.builderonline.com/projects/a-dry-season.aspx?rssLink=A+Dry+SeasonA 2003 United Nation report made a grim prediction: More than half of humanity will be living with water shortages within 50 years. That same year, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said 36 states expected to suffer water shortages in the subsequent decade. Those predictions have come to pass for many parts of the country, only they've happened a lot sooner than officials were expecting and in states not normally associated with water problems.http://www.builderonline.com/developments/measure-for-measure.aspx?rssLink=Measure+for+MeasureA LAND-USE BILL THAT went into effect in Oregon on Dec. 8 shouldn't have a major impact on residential development there. But in a state where land is a “theological” issue, no measure can ever completely settle the debate about its use.http://www.builderonline.com/projects/a-tale-of-two-master-plans.aspx?rssLink=A+Tale+of+Two+Master+PlansThe home building industry is in for a long, grueling winter, but there are signs of spring on the horizon. At opposite ends of the country, two new urbanist neighborhoods are sprouting up on sites that were more than ready for a little rejuvenation. Thanks to smart planning and a cooperative effort between public and private entities, East Beach (top right), a 100-acre project in Norfolk, Va., that was once a collection of crime-ridden housing, and Villebois (left), formerly home to the state mental hospital in Wilsonville, Ore., are on their way to becoming dynamic traditional neighborhood developments (TNDs).http://www.builderonline.com/design/good-and-plenty.aspx?rssLink=Hot+Sellers%3a+Good+and+PlentyAtrium at EastLake Vistas is one of the last neighborhoods to be built in this successful, 3,200-acre community just south of San Diego. Move-up buyers responded to the large plans and architectural details.http://www.builderonline.com/design/personal-touch.aspx?rssLink=Personal+TouchSymphony Village reflects a couple of trends that have been bubbling up in the 55-and-over world for the past few years. According to Bob Karen, an industry veteran who planned and secured all of the entitlements for the community, the 495-unit project epitomizes what he calls the “new norm.” That means an active adult resort (not a retirement village) that's built by a small to medium-sized builder (not one of the big boys), is often closer to home (not a regional destination such as Florida or Arizona), and is filled with many people who are still working.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/golf-course-draw.aspx?rssLink=Golf-Course+DrawWHY IT WORKED: A golf course is often a big draw for a community, but one designed by Tom Fazio is almost irresistible for the links-obsessed. Throw in well-priced homes, good amenities, and proximity to Amelia Island and you've got a winner.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/priced-to-sell.aspx?rssLink=Priced+to+SellWHY IT WORKED: Buyers flocked to the well-priced homes at North Village, one of four initial neighborhoods at Harmony on the Lakes, a 630-acre master planned community that will eventually feature more than 1,400 homes, 100,000 square feet of retail and office space, and a day-care center.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/american-classic.aspx?rssLink=American+ClassicWHY IT WORKED: Located in the much-coveted West Bloomfield school district, Harbor Village exudes the easy charm of a small town in otherwise bustling Oakland County, Mich. The only TND in Keego Harbor, the community has broad appeal to first-time buyers, empty-nesters, and families.http://www.builderonline.com/design/best-of-both-worlds.aspx?rssLink=Best+of+Both+WorldsWHY IT WORKED: With units starting at 2,107 square feet, the Georgian-style town-homes at The Fountains are every bit as spacious as nearby single-family abodes, minus the maintenance. Landscaping, snow removal, lawn care, and roof upkeep are handled by the HOA.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/par-for-the-course.aspx?rssLink=Par+for+the+CourseWHY IT WORKED: Deriving its name from the Spanish word for enchantment, this handsome enclave of 37 semi-custom homes is nestled amid rolling hills on the first and second fairways of a par 70 golf course. With year-round balmy weather and proximity to San Diego's prime beaches, it's the stuff that dreams are made of.http://www.builderonline.com/design/a-whole-new-u.aspx?rssLink=A+Whole+New+UIn the 1920s, U Street, the capital corridor known as “Black Broadway,” boasted thriving cabarets and was a favorite stomping ground of the jazz elite, including hometown legend Duke Ellington. But over the years, the area fell into disrepair.http://www.builderonline.com/design/diplomatic-mission.aspx?rssLink=Diplomatic+MissionThe former meat packing plant and dry/cold storage facility at the intersection of Sunol and San Fernando streets had been an eyesore in central San Jose, Calif., for years. But Joe Head, president and CEO of Palo Alto, Calif.–based SummerHill Homes, saw beauty in the 5.86 acre lot. It was a mere two-minute walk to the nearest light-rail station, four minutes to the Caltrain commuter rail system, and just 15 minutes on foot to downtown restaurants and hotels.http://www.builderonline.com/design/british-import.aspx?rssLink=British+ImportWhen RÖhe & Wright acquired the 24-unit apartment building that would eventually be razed and resurrected as Cheyne Walk, there was one small sticking point: It still had tenants. So the Houston-based builder/developer gave the existing occupants ample notice, served as landlord for one year while its partners replatted the site, and worked with residential designer Preston Wood to conceive the plans for the 14 luxury carriage homes that would take its place.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/hot-sellers-inventive-infill.aspx?rssLink=Hot+Sellers%3a+Inventive+InfillSRG made its name in Atlanta with infill construction. It's continuing that work with 150 vacant lots in Jacksonville's Historic Springfield neighborhood.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/hot-sellers-transit-friendly.aspx?rssLink=Hot+Sellers%3a+Transit-FriendlyWHY IT WORKED: Naperville, Ill., a popular Chicago suburb, has plenty of housing stock, but not a lot that's within walking distance of commuter trains. NeuDearborn Station offers residents a choice of 60 trains to and from Chicago every weekday, plus easy access to I-88, the main thoroughfare to the big city.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/hot-sellers-value-added.aspx?rssLink=Hot+Sellers%3a+Value+AddedLocation, value pricing, and top-notch amenities combined to make Somerset Landing, in the far suburbs of Washington, a success.http://www.builderonline.com/model-homes/the-reality-house-introduction.aspx?rssLink=The+Reality+House%3a+IntroductionWhen we assembled the team that would create The Reality House, our show home to debut at the 2006 International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla., our first order of business was to go out looking for signs of unrest in the marketplace.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/hot-sellers-scenic-site.aspx?rssLink=Hot+Sellers%3a+Scenic+SiteWHY IT WORKED: Set in a new redevelopment area, this small, gated community offers urban professionals a mountain setting with spectacular views that is close to downtown Phoenix.http://www.builderonline.com/sales-and-marketing/hot-sellers-lifestyle-choice.aspx?rssLink=Hot+Sellers%3a+Lifestyle+ChoiceWHY ITWORKED: The first Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course master planned community to open in Delaware, Bayside enjoys brisk sales because of its proximity to Ocean City, Md., a popular beach town.