House size is a tricky thing. Some folks want a feeling of space that's expressed in volume—soaring foyers, three-car garages, and cavernous master suites come to mind. Others, to quote Goldilocks, want spaces that are “just right,” with rooms that work for their particular lifestyle.
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What a difference two years makes. The industry has officially cooled since 2004, when BUILDER debuted its list of the 50 most influential people in home building. Builders who couldn't keep up with the demand for their product then are now scrambling to sell aging inventory. In 2004, home builders ...
In the spring of 2005, Taylor Woodrow's Irvine, Calif.–based Western region found itself “in a tighter box,” where it was being squeezed by competitors that are “smart and great at what they do,” and where buyers were having trouble telling the difference between Taylor Woodrow's product and everyon...
About two years ago, Vienna, Va.–based Kettler (formerly known as KSI Services), one of greater Washington's largest developers, was looking for ways to enhance the buying and living experiences for residents of its rental and owner-occupied properties and communities.
It took C.P. Morgan Communities 18 months of research before it chose Charlotte, N.C., as its second home building market. But once it arrived in Charlotte, in January 2005, Morgan was ready to start cranking out houses almost immediately.
Walk a jobsite at Woodland Village—Lifestyle Homes' community 18 miles outside of Reno, Nev.—with Jon Delaurentis, the builder's former president, and he inevitably brings up how “clean” the site is: no wasted materials or equipment lying around, no mud being traipsed into houses under construction ...
On a sunny afternoon in late August, Kent Olsen, an assistant supervisor for MBK Homes, warmly greets Felecia Ash at Briar Rose, the builder's neighborhood at Ladera Ranch in Mission Viejo, Calif. As MBK's quality assurance auditor, Ash is there to check out whether imperfections she spotted during ...
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Rising energy costs and an increased focus on conservation have inspired more of today's home builders to incorporate technologies and features in their new homes that not only make the houses more comfortable, but also more energy efficient with less impact on the surrounding environment.
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Home buyer demand fell dramatically after mid-2005 as deteriorating affordability conditions moved many prospective homeowners to the sidelines (or into rental housing) and declining prospects for price appreciation sent many investors/speculators scurrying away from the housing sector.
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Suppose you had exactly one minute to turn a “looker” into a “buyer.” What would you say? Would you talk about the quality of the homes you build, the upscale amenities you offer, or the community's great location, location, location? Under normal market conditions, any of those might close the sale...
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- Millions of homeowners could face higher taxes in 2011, unless Congress acts to repeal or reform the estate tax.
- The Building Systems Councils of the NAHB releases a free publication as a resource for builders and buyers of panelized homes.
- The president of Magleby Cos., is named the NAHB's ...
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ROMANCE, JEALOUSY, GREED, BETRAYAL ... AND an explanation of prime versus sub-prime mortgages? These are the necessary ingredients for a killer made-for-TV drama about Hispanic life in the U.S. At least mortgage giant Freddie Mac is banking on it with the launch of Nuestro Barrio, a 13-episode Spani...
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RECYCLED WATER, KNOWN AS effluent, has joined oil, gas, lumber, and real estate as commodities to be auctioned to the highest bidder.
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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS STUMBLED on a system that could help build better homes: a carbon fiber–reinforced precast concrete panel.
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REAL ESTATE FINANCE PIONEER and philanthropist James Z. Pugash died on Sept. 20 at his Sonoma Valley, Calif., estate, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 55.
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FACED WITH HIGH LEVELS OF INVENTORY and contingency buyers and a sluggish resale market, builders are becoming increasingly creative in helping customers sell their existing homes.