Builder Magazine: Options and Upgrades

Incentives-Driven Sales Aren’t Quite Over Yet

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:17:46 EST

But their necessity could be fading as home values strengthen.

Taylor Morrison Homes Gains Technical Advantage

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 04:27:39 EST

In Houston, every house the builder sells comes with state-of-the-art home wiring that allows owners to turn on lights, run security, and send music throughout the house.

Flexible Spaces Win Over Active Adults in a N.J. Community

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:28:16 EST

Wyngate at Medford's focus on meeting diverse lifestyle needs has helped it become one of the state's best selling projects.

Designer Picks Low-Cost Luxury Products

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:30:11 EST

Sometimes even luxury buyers have budgets, but designer Nadia Subaran has tricks for picking products.

Schumacher Predicts 10 Custom Home Design Trends for 2012

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 11:37:20 EST

In-law suites and bonus rooms are on an upswing, the builder says.

Well-Stocked Design Center Helps Sales

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:50:32 EST

Fulton Homes' design center has helped boost margins and sales despite the Phoenix-area economy.

Fitch Upgrades Beazer Debt

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:21 EST

In the wake of the announcement by Beazer Homes USA that it plans to sell 12.5 million shares, three million tangible equity units and $300 million in new senior unsecured notes, Fitch Ratings has rasied its outlook for the company's debt and given it a rating outlook of "stable."

EnergyValue Housing Awards for Existing Homes

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:47:17 EST

EVHA will now offer a new awards category for existing homes that showcase energy-efficiency upgrades and performance improvements.

Shoppers Seem To Want More Than Big Flashy Houses These Days

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:00:06 EST

Community and energy efficient top their lists of priorities.

In Downturn, Meritage Turns to Smaller Homes

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:54:24 EST

In 4th-QTR earnings conference call, CEO Steve Hilton said 53 new models have been introduced, moving away from the company's previous consumer base of move-up buyers to align with the needs of first-time buyers: less square footage at a lower cost, yet still maintaining options and upgrades.

10 Things You Must Put in Your Next House

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 02:55:01 EST

Add these features to boost the value of your homes with your buyers.

Despite Downturn, Design Centers Endure

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:12:40 EST

Builders are cutting back everywhere, but they are finding creative ways to keep their design centers open.

Survey: Death of the Design Center

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:05:12 EST

When asked if they felt centralized design centers would remain prevalent as builders return to core activities and business practices, results were pretty evenly mixed, with 42.5% of respondents saying yes, 45.0% saying no, and 12.5% remaining unsure.

Team Play: Dynamics of Design

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:06:32 EST

It's an adage that has well withstood every test of time: The customer is always right. And as the housing slump and drags on–and the overall economic climate remains less than hospitable–nowhere do those words ring with more truth than in the realm of new-home sales.

NAHB-RC Study: Builders More Focused on Sales

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:28:50 EST

New study reveals that one in five production builders put "much more effort" into selling homes now than before the downturn.

HD Supply to Restart Growth Engine

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:09:00 EST

Giant distributor also launches proprietary brands and program that targets builders' specific customer service and marketing needs.

Arizona Immigration Law To Move Forward

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:31:47 EST

Business groups and pro-immigration forces were dealt a blow Friday afternoon when a federal judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order on the state's new immigration law, a move that paved the way for the law to go into effect Jan. 1. Under the law, builders and other businesspeople in Arizona can have their licenses revoked on a second offense if they are found to have knowingly employed undocumented workers. The first offense calls for a 10-day suspension.

Pulte Homes Sticks to Its Plan

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:27:28 EST

Pulte Homes CEO Richard J. Dugas Jr. says he doesn't expect the housing downturn to end anytime soon-in fact, he doesn't expect the downturn to end until 2009. Regardless, Pulte will remain focused on goals the Michigan-based builder set as it entered the fourth quarter.

Feature: From the Trenches

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:15:09 EST

Like most home builders in most markets, you might be wondering where the buyers are. Meet Joe and Kristin. Joe works for a firm that brokers large machines to various industries, and Kristin is an adolescent psychologist. Married a little over a year ago, they live in Central Florida. They're a well-to-do couple–young, educated, investment savvy. A little one–their first–is on the way, and housing crash or no housing crash, they're buying a new home.

Warm Front

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 01:11:36 EST

As many heating costs rise, heating a home is becoming increasingly expensive for your buyers. Good insulation and an efficient furnace or heat pump can help, but you can also give your buyers an energy-efficient supplemental heat source that will not break the bank: a pellet stove or insert.