Builder articles from August 2003

Builder archives from August 2003

Power transformers: our trade secrets this month may be more than most companies can handle.(Editor's Notes)
August 1, 2003... MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE PRINTED THIS MONTH'S cover with a label--Warning: This month's trade secrets may be dangerous to your company's health. Do not try to implement all these ideas at once. Your company may explode!!! We've collected a...

Tanks but no tanks.(B Mail)
August 1, 2003... I AM RESPONDING TO THE TANKLESS WATER heater letter in the June issue of BUILDER magazine ("A Tankless Task," June, page 29). Your readers should know that this type of water heater cannot work with in-floor radiant heating systems; they must...

Calendar.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2003... AUGUST 10-12 National Hardware Show, Chicago This show offers builders, contractors, and architects the chance to see new and never-before-seen products from more than 2,000 manufacturers. Contact: 888-425-9377 or...

Sue who? You played by the development rules, but elected officials turned your project down anyway. How about suing them as individuals to win approval?(By The Book)
August 1, 2003... ON FEB. 24, THE CITY COUNCIL OF TUCSON, Ariz., voted 6-1 against air infill project. Nothing new? Not until you learn how local developer Jonathon D. Tate responded to rejection. He threatened to sue not the city, which had approved his plans,...

New leader.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Pulte Homes has a new CEO. Richard J. Dugas Jr. became the big builder's president and CEO, effective July 1, after top leader Mark J. O'Brien announced in May he was leaving Pulte after 21 years to "seek different opportunities" now that the...

Home matters.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... A new study by Robert D. Dietz from the Washington-based Homeownership Alliance, a coalition of organizations that includes Habitat for Humanity, has found that homeowners are happier, healthier, and participate more in their communities than...

Bought & sold.(Big Deals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In its first acquisition since Del Webb, Pulte Homes has bought Sivage-Thomas Homes of Albuquerque, N.M., a private BUILDER 100 company that closed 1,100 homes last year, with revenues of $149 million. Terms of the cash deal were not disclosed....

Still needs work.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Builders need their cell phones but are less than satisfied with the service. Only 25 percent of builders surveyed by Wagner Public Relations and Marketing gave their wireless cell phone carriers high marks for the phone service they use. The...

Twice as nice.(over-55 aged people want private space)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Such universal design features as grab bars and levered door handles are common features at active adult communities. But at least one builder, Brookfield Homes of Del Mar, Calif., is touting another amenity for the over-55 set: double master...

Builders fight back: South Jersey builders take aggressive stand against governor's smart-growth policies.(Builders League of South Jersey, Gov. James E. McGreevey)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... THE BUILDERS LEAGUE OF SOUTH JERSEY (BLSJ) is helping organize the state's builders against Gov. James E. McGreevey's smart-growth proposals, the most offensive of which is a one-year building moratorium. The trade group estimates that a...

Builder thaws costs: BuildSoft application uncovers cost overruns from building basements in the winter.(Robinson Bros. Realty Inc. )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... BY RUNNING A COST ANALYSIS WITH BUILDSOFT'S construction management software, Robertson Brothers Co. in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., discovered that it ran up $250,000 in additional costs to pour cement for basements during the winter. Now,...

Bike trail bonus.(House blend: trensd, tips, cool stuff)(Tyrone Township, Michigan)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Here's a new, positive spin on putting in infrastructure for new housing: Plan bike paths to follow excavation for sewer lines. Spurred on by biking advocates, local officials in Tyrone Township, Mich., are considering making the most of...

Green giant: two Wisconsin builders merge to create Veridian Homes, a green builder that will dwarf the competition.(Midwest Merger)(Don Simon Homes and Midland Builders)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... THE TWO BIGGEST BUILDERS IN MADISON, Wis., have decided to put nearly a half century of competition behind them to create a new company expected to be the largest home builder in the state. That company is Veridian Homes, the result of an...

Service first: Eliant survey shows buyers expect the same from big, and not-so-big, builders.(Survey Says)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... WHEN IT COMES TO HOME buyers and how they rate their builders, size really doesn't matter. Or so says Robert Mirman, CEO of Eliant, formerly National Survey Systems, based in Irvine, Calif. "It doesn't make any difference if you're a huge...

Waiting to exhale: Freddie Mac opens up about its accounting problems, its regulator comes under attack, and the housing industry holds its breath.(Accounting Woes)
August 1, 2003... THIS YEAR, JUNE MAY BE THE CRUELEST month for Freddie Mac. Two weeks after it abruptly announced the departures of top executives Leland Brendsel, David Glenn, and Vaughn Clark, the mortgage giant disclosed the details--and projected amount--of...

Sell FAST: Hyphen-Solutions looks to carve out a niche to develop and market scheduling and supply chain products.(Inside Story)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In a largely expected move, Dallas based Hyphen-Solutions, formerly MH2, has confirmed it is looking to sell off the FAST portion of its business. The group that develops and markets FAST is based in Redmond, Wash., and runs as a separate...

Wetland drama: a recent wetlands decision may turn out to be a cautionary tale about rushing into site work.(The straight dope: the whole truth and nothing but the truth)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... IN A RECENT NEWS BULLETIN, NAHB CEO Jerry Howard warns that a new U.S. Court of Appeals (fourth district) decision on wetlands will "transform virtually every front and backyard in the Mid-Atlantic region adjacent to a man-dug ditch into...

Glow stone.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
August 1, 2003... OKITE QUARTZ-BASED ENGINEERED STONE GLOWS IN THE PRESENCE OF light because it is the only surfacing material offered in translucent colors, the Italian manufacturer says. It is available in a variety of colors, but only the red, yellow, orange,...

Sign up.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
August 1, 2003... THE ROOM NUMBER SIGNAGE adds a touch of style to an area that could use some. Ideal for a condo or apartment project, the sign has a stainless steel faceplate and raised plastic numbers. It comes in standard or custom shapes to accommodate a...

Trigger happy.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
August 1, 2003... IDEAL FOR TIGHT SPACES, THE REMINGTON 479 Power Trigger is the first power fastening tool of its kind to utilize a trigger on the grip, making it more efficient for repetitive, quick fastening, the company says. Ideal for mounting electrical...

Laser sharp.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
August 1, 2003... THIS 12-INCH COMPOUND MITER SAW FEATURES A BRIGHT TwinLaser that shines lines on the material to be cut, so you can see exactly where the cut will be made. This allows the user to see clearly on both sides of the blade kerf whether the blade is...

Epicurean magnetism.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
August 1, 2003... BECAUSE INDUCTION TECHNOLOGY USES ELECTROMAGNETIC energy to heat the wok itself, the black glass-ceramic surface stays cool to the touch while food cooks fast. The manufacturer says the unit delivers 90 percent of the energy it generates to the...

Soft side.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
August 1, 2003... DESPITE ITS SIZE, THE 2020C COMPACT WATER softener will provide continuous softened water throughout a home, 24 hours a day, protecting water-using appliances and fixtures and faucets from the effects of hard water. The unit removes calcium and...

It's in the details.(First Draft)
August 1, 2003... Q. I'd like to build some "character" into my plans. Can you give me a few suggestions on how to add charm without breaking the bank? A: CHARM AND CHARACTER ARE ADDED TO A HOME AT TWO DIFFERENT LEVELS: FIRST IN THE PLANNING, THEN IN THE...

Job squad: construction employment rises again, while the nation's overall unemployment rate hits a nine-year high.(Vital Signs)
August 1, 2003... FOR THE AVERAGE JOB SEEKER IT looks like a tough market. The economy has lost 236,000 jobs since the beginning of the year. The unemployment rate in June unexpectedly hit 6.4 percent, a nine-year high. And the number of "discouraged...

Structural support: who needs dimensional lumber when engineered floor joists can fill the void?(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... AS LARGER-SIZED DIMENSIONAL LUMBER becomes harder to find, manufacturers have stepped up to fill the void. The result: a large breadth of engineered structural lumber products available to builders. It all depends on your preferences and your...

Open sesame.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... OPEN SESAME: Space Joist TE is a product that combines the best features of an open-web floor truss and a wood I-joist. It can be trimmed up to 12 inches on each end to offer flexibility at the jobsite, and the open-web design allows builders...

Trim down.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... TRIM DOWN: The manufacturer's products feature ends that can be trimmed at the jobsite, strut webbing, and a 3 1/2-inch flange on top and bottom, which offers a wider surface for more glue and for more accurate nailing. Each end section also...

Jump for joist.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... JUMP FOR JOIST: The manufacturer's I-joist features laminated veneer lumber flanges and an oriented strand board web. Dimensionally stable, the product will not warp or bend and uses up to 50 percent less wood fiber than conventional lumber...

Flange candidate.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... FLANGE CANDIDATE: TJI joists now feature flanges made from the company's TimberStrand laminated strand lumber (LSL). Unlike conventional I-joist flanges made from sawn or laminated veneer lumber, TimberStrand LSL is made from aspen and poplar...

Spruce up.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... SPRUCE UP: Time AllJoist AJS 5 series I-joist is the newest introduction from tire manufacturer. The product has a solid-sawn flange made flora Mack spruce, a much denser wood than traditional species, the company says. It is stiffer than...

Grand entrances.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... GRAND ENTRANCES: In response to consumer demand, the manufacturer has expanded its premium entry door line to include 8-foot-tall panels and sidelights. The doors also have a new high-performance weep system in the still that channels water...

Slim fast.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... SLIM FAST: Slim-Line patio door systems combine the durability of fiberglass with thermal performance and a trouble-free track system. The frame will not warp, crack, rot, swell, or split, says the manufacturer. The door features tempered low-E...

French revolution.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... FRENCH REVOLUTION: With solid brass hardware and natural pine interiors, the 400 Series Frenchwood patio door looks good but is designed to be weather resistant in downpours, the manufacturer says. It has an interlocking weathership that zips...

Ultra slide.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
August 1, 2003... ULTRA SLIDE: Integrity sliding French doors have a solid pine interior, a sturdy dual-point lock, and an exterior made of Ultrex, a high-performance fiberglass material that resists fading, marring, scratching, and chalking, and it outperforms...

Size matters: whether it's a patio or entry door, large is the next new thing.(Products)
August 1, 2003... FOR A LONG TIME, AMERICANS MADE do with doors that measured 80 inches tall. But now, as homeowners upsize their homes and everything in them, it seems natural that doors follow suit. Maumee, Ohio-based Therma-Tru is very aware of this...

Tax death.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The NAHB supports passage of H.R.8, the Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2003. "The estate tax has placed a burden on the heirs of family-run home building companies who, in some cases, have had to liquidate their assets to pay the tax....

Making credit.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... "Despite record low interest rates and new-home sales, many people find it difficult to become homeowners or to find affordable rental housing," says Kent Conine, NAHB president. To help remedy the problem, the NAHB supports pending federal...

Housing for heroes: recent NAHB study, "Homeownersbip for Heroes," details workforce housing challenge.(From The President)(firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses, and others)
August 1, 2003... WE RELY ON THEM TO PROTECT our homes and families, educate our children, care for the ill, and provide dozens of other vital services. But when the day's tasks are done, these "workforce heroes"--firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses,...

Land is king: survey finds that land is the dominant motivator for mergers and acquisitions among builders.(Seiders Economy)
August 1, 2003... THE GREAT STRENGTH OF THE SINGLE-FAMILY housing market in recent years has put more and more pressure on limited supplies of buildable land and further energized antigrowth sentiment in many parts of the country. It's increasingly clear that...

Look back.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... During National Homeownership Month (June), the NAHB released a free publication charting advancements made in housing quality, design, and performance in the last 100 years. "A Century of Progress" also charts housing milestones, starting...

Game wins.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The NAHB earned a Bronze Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America in June for its use of interactive communications in the "Building Homes of Our Own" CD-ROM educational program. "The 'Building Homes of Our Own' simulation...

Found water: builder uses innovative technologies to capture, store, and conserve water.(The NAHB Research Center Corner)(National Association of Home Builders of the United States)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... MUCH OF THE SOUTHWEST IS IN ITS fifth year of drought. Public environmental concerns, as well as market considerations, haze forced builders to investigate how to address water shortages. New Mexico builder Mike Chapman of Chapman Homes is...

Desert Oasis.(Hot sellers: sold out! Fast moving communities)(Anthem Parkside)(Phoenix)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Anthem Parkside, Phoenix WHY IT WORKED: Four words: Big Splash Water Park. Nobody does lifestyle better than Del Webb, and Anthem Parkside proves its formula for success goes beyond active adult communities. Buyers lined up from Day One,...

Lakes and lifestyle.(Hot sellers: sold out! Fast moving communities)(Waters Edge)(Port Orange, Florida)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Waters Edge, Port Orange, Fla. WHY IT WORKED: Intense market research: doing the homework, buying the land right, and developing what the market needed--literally from the ground up. * With the traditional-family market as the primary...

Bigger is better.(Hot sellers: sold out! Fast moving communities)(Lakewood Grove)(Round Lake, Illinois)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... * Lakewood Grove, Round Lake, Ill. WHY IT WORKED: Great price for a great location. At the lower price point, most builders only offer multifamily units. Lakewood Grove's homes include basements and two-car garages. * A unique...

Golden glow: cool summer evenings. Warm fall mornings. The best homes in this year's Gold Nugget Awards seem particularly responsive to the desire to experience outdoor living.
August 1, 2003... CLEAR TRENDS EMERGE FROM STUDYING THE WINNERS of the 40th annual Gold Nugget Awards, which recognize the best in Western architecture. For example, increasingly sophisticated floor plans, many of them incorporating multiple courtyards, blur the...

Ideal world: twenty ways to build a better home building company.(Paths To Perfection)
August 1, 2003... CREATING THE IDEAL home building company takes work. You need great product, perfect pricing, solid operations, and strong financial management. But it can be done. In this year's version of BUILDER'S annual Trade Secrets story, we've...

Spend more time working--less time waiting.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... As a leading provider of wireless communications, Nextel has served the construction industry for more than a decade, recognizing general contractors, homebuilders and subcontractors as a vital segment. From its beginnings with digital cellular...

Silver line windows has mastered the science of cycle time.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... The Silver Line Window team knows the importance of increased workflow. With over 50 year of experience, Silver Line has formulated a flawless workflow system that continues to improve builders' cycle time. Silver Line makes this system...

Regional manufacturing dramatically improves lead times.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... In the search for reduced cycle times in the residential building process, one factor often overlooked is the suppliers' ability to get materials to the site on time and as-ordered. Milgard Windows, with 13 regional facilities across the U.S.,...

A new generation of rolled ridge vents.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... Benjamin Obdyke Incorporated introduces the next generation of rolled ridge vents. Designed to decrease installation time, save money and provide even better ventilation for homeowners, its new rolled ridge vents are one of the most innovative...

Reliability for real life.(Special Advertising Section)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... If it sounds like a slogan, it is. But for JELD-WEN--the world's leading manufacturer of windows and doors--it's standard operating procedure. JELD-WEN understands what 'real life' means. Among other things, it's about keeping on-schedule and...

Minimize to maximize: frost-protected shallow foundations. In-line framing. Single-layer subfloors. These techniques can save on your hard costs, at the same time benefiting generations of homeowners. Here's how to shave costs without sacrificing quality or energy efficiency.(Special How To Feature)
August 1, 2003... ANALYSIS OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC trends likely to impact housing in the next decade makes strong case for continued growth in the housing industry. In fact, the NAHB has predicted that housing starts may hit the two-million-per-year mark in this...

People power: new Web tool puts content management in the hands of rank-and-file employees and customers.(Builder tech: new gadgets. New systems. New future.)
August 1, 2003... ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, SYMES ASSOCIATES IN Beverley, Mass., was building 25 houses a year. At the size, the builder could manage its work flow and stay profitable by using only a paper-based system supported by mobile phones. In 2002, Symes...

One ice.(Builder tech: new gadgets. New systems. New future.)(Icebox L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Icebox LLC, makers of home entertainment centers for the kitchen, is looking re market through home builders, Under the company's new program, for every 35 homes a builder pro-wires for Icebox, the builder receives a free Icebox for his model...

Deal is off.(Builder tech: new gadgets. New systems. New future.)(proposed merger between Leviton Manufacturing Co. and OnQ Technologies terminated)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The proposed merger between Leviton Manufacturing Co. and OnQ Technologies was terminated this past spring. The original plan was to create Leviton OnQ, by integrating Leviton's structured wiring and home controls products with OnQ's line of...

It's mealtime: pilot project in Boston area to test future kitchen applications.(Builder tech: new gadgets. New systems. New future.)(Internet Home Alliance)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... THE FIRST ATTEMPTS AT A NETWORKED kitchen failed miserably when the Web hit the scene eight years ago. One problem was the public wasn't ready. But precious little was done to figure out how people could really use the Web in the kitchen. ...

Task masters: handheld programs can really simplify a builder's workday.(Strata Systems)(GlobalSoft)
August 1, 2003... THE CLEAR MAJORITY OF BUILDERS ARE IDEAL CANDIDATES for handheld productivity software. They run small companies with sales under $5 million and operate with a few employees and a cadre of reliable subcontractors and suppliers. These builders...

HVAC ties in: integrating HVAC with home automation system just got easier.(Inner workings: a step-by-step guide to home and Internet technologies)
August 1, 2003... WHEN BUILDERS PUT TOGETHER home automation systems for their customers, HVAC is rarely on the list. Most builders are more than comfortable installing traditional energy-efficient, set back thermostats and don't have any intention of changing...

Building products information online.(Missing Links)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... BY NOW WE TRUST YOU'VE SEEN THE NEW look and functionality on the redesigned BUILDER Online. One area of the site we want to point you toward is Building Products, because there's a major change coming this month to ebuild, BUILDER Online's...

European Villa.(Builder plans: featuring new plans from the nation's leading designers)
August 1, 2003... This European stucco home is a well-designed one-story villa. Turrets top identical bayed rooms that are enclosed behind double doors just off the entry. The formal dining room and study are situated in the window-filled turrets. The family...

JELD-WEN[R] IWP[R] custom wood exterior doors.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... The artisans who create our unique IWP custom wood exterior doors leave no detail to chance. We offer a host of designs to match various architectural styles, the finest wood, stain and finish options, and a range of decorative glass options....

JELD-WEN[R] vinyl windows the Summit[R] Collection.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... Our vinyl windows are designed to be visually appealing and reliably enduring. We offer colonial double-hung and single-hung windows to complement traditional architecture. All our vinyl windows have a lifetime warranty, which covers insulating...

JELD-WEN[R] wood windows the Caradco[R] Collection.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... We created Caradco SmartFit[TM] clad-wood double-hung windows to help builders stay on budget. They're a less expensive option, yet they still offer a range of features such as tilt-in, removable sash for easy cleaning. They'll also help you...

JELD-WEN[R] wood windows The Norco[R] Collection.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... The Norco Collection includes premium wood and clad-wood windows and patio doors crafted to be enduring and energy efficient. Design options include 8 standard metal clad colors as well as 34 Norco Luxury colors and limitless custom colors with...

JELD-WEN[R] AlternaPlus[TM] wood composite exterior doors.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... AlternaPlus no-dent wood composite exterior doors deliver durable performance. These low-maintenance doors simply do not dent. With better staining and painting properties than fiberglass, they're available with smooth and textured surfaces in...

JELD-WEN[R] premium wood interior doors.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... Our interior doors enhance rooms with the beauty of wood. They come in various architecturally accurate designs (including 25 new selections) with 9 matching bifold styles. They're available in cherry, genuine mahogany, hickory, maple, oak...

ProCore The Quiet Door[TM].(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... We offer molded and flush inferior doors with ProCore The Quiet Door construction. These doors decrease noise transmission by 50 percent, Select either textured or smooth facings, plus several prefinished options. Additionally, our 1 3/4" doors...

JELD-WEN[R] wood windows The Pozzi[R] Collection.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... The Pozzi Collection includes our beautiful custom wood and clad-wood windows and patio doors. Each one is expertly crafted by artisans to be reliably strong and enduring. We offer three fine interior wood options: Pacific Coast red alder,...

Panelized building systems: a boon to builders and buyers.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... Panel building has been around for a long time, but its popularity has reached new heights in today's construction market. In fact, panelization is the most widely used form of systems building today. And it's no wonder when you consider the...

Lighting.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... Experienced designers say one of the biggest home design mistakes is inadequate lighting. All rooms, even a small bathroom, need multiple sources of light. Good lighting is a fundamental design element--once the proper amount of light is in...

Llewellyn Park, West Orange, N.J.(Walk Through)
August 1, 2003... SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES TURNED COMMUTING TO WORK into an American pastime. Delighted New York luminaries bought into Llewellyn Solomon Haskells 1853 Llewellyn Park suburb--"the first romantically designed, planned residential community in the...

Timberlake[R] on the inside.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... Q&A You're probably already familiar with the Timberlake Cabinet Company. They've been coming on strong, especially with big builders. Would you like to know the secret to their success? Or what they're planning to do next? Get it straight...

Hanley-Wood salutes the winners of the Jesse H. Neal Awards.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Hanley-Wood's leading magazines are based on our commitment to publish quality content that serves the unique information needs of construction industry professionals. We congratulate our award-winning editors and all the winners of the...

Battle for buyers: the importance of being where it counts online.(Editor's Note)
August 1, 2003... AN UNPRECEDENTED 7.4 MILLION HOMES and condos are expected to be bought this year; nearly a million of those will be new single-family homes. That's a lot of product, and more importantly, a lot of customers. I hadn't expected to be one of...

Going local: Centex shifts design center direction in Dallas market.(Briefings: news / trends / people / analysis / deals / insights)
August 1, 2003... WHILE MANY BUILDERS ARE EXPANDING THEIR USE OF design centers, Centex Homes has elected to move in the opposite direction in its Dallas-Ft. Worth headquarter market. Packed with an array of options and staffed by 18 "designers," the extensive...

Pulte acquires Sivage-Thomas: acquisition expands company's presence in southeast.(Briefings: news / trends / people / analysis / deals / insights)(Pulte Homes)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... PULTE HOMES ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAD ACQUIRED SIVAGE-THOMAS Homes, headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M., in early July for an undisclosed purchase price paid in cash. Sivage-Thomas generated revenues of $152 million on closings of approximately...

MBK Homes.(Industry Movers And Shakers)(named Timothy A. Kane president)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Irvine, California's MBK Homes named Timothy A. Kane as its new president. Kane, who was serving as the company's vice president of sales and marketing, has been with MBK Homes since its inception in 1997 as part of the American real estate...

First Home Builders.(Industry Movers And Shakers)(promoted Bruce Robb to senior vice president)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... First Home Builders of Cape Coral, Fla., promoted Bruce Robb to senior vice president, overseeing mortgage operations and opportunities. With more than 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Robb's career spans the entire life cycle...

Richmond American Homes.(Industry Movers And Shakers)(Frank Della Cioppa promoted to vice president of sales and marketing for its Phoenix West division)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Richmond American Homes promoted Frank Della Cioppa to vice president of sales and marketing for its Phoenix West division. Della Cioppa served as vice president of sales and marketing for the company's Tucson division. He has more than 30...

Lennar's Concord Homes.(Industry Movers And Shakers)(promoted Mike Templeton and Rose Godek)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Lennar's Concord Homes, based in Palatine, Ill., has promoted two of its senior associates. Mike Templeton is now vice president of marketing, and Rose Godek has been promoted to director of design studio and merchandising operations....

Boomers set to move.(Briefings)(findings of baby boomer opinion survey)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Del Webb, the active adult brand of Pulte Homes, recently released the results of its baby boomer opinion survey conducted annually since 1996. Nationwide, 1,300 employed boomers (age 44 through 56) took the survey. The results...

Texas reform: quick, objective fix to construction disputes is on the way.(Don't Mess With Texas)
August 1, 2003... A NEW CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS LAW, the Texas Residential Construction Commission Act, will take effect on September 1. The Act should give builders in the state a quicker way to resolve construction disputes. The comprehensive law...