Builder articles from July 2002

Builder archives from July 2002

Fail safe: now's the right time to take action to ensure the long-term vitality of your company. (Editor's Notes).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... THIS MAY SEEM LIKE AN ODD TIME TO BE WRITING about business failures. After all, the home building industry continues to roll merrily along, attracting new entrepreneurs daily, generating record profits for many established companies. But...

BMail.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Banned, Sort Of IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT CCA-treated wood is only being phased out for most residential applications. ("Phase Out," May, page 29.) The following industrial/ commercial uses of CCA-treated wood are still permitted:...

House talk: builders debate the best way to grow companies, manage divisions, and price homes. (Builder 100 Trend Watch).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... AMBITIOUS GROWTH PLANS. PRICING TUG-OF-wars. The challenges of managing divisions (and the essentially local business of home building) from afar. The country's top builders discussed these issues and more at the annual BUILDER 100 conference...

Del Webb absorbed.(Del Webb Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Ten months after acquiring Del Webb, Pulte has dissolved the active adult builder as a separate division and integrated it into the Michigan builder's overall operations. "This is about gaining a single face to avoid confusion in the...

WL goes high-end.(WL Homes L.L.C. creates John Laing Luxury Group)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... While many builders return to entry-level buyers, WL Homes is bucking that trend by establishing a new division in Southern California: the John Laing Luxury Group. "Taylor Woodrow's withdrawal from the market created art opportunity for us,"...

Hot buys. (Big Deals).(acquisitions)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... As the summer heats up, so do the deals. Standard Pacific is buying Tampa, Fla.-based Westfield Homes for $109 million in cash, stock, and debt. Meritage Corp. plans to purchase Texas builder Hammonds Homes for $82.8 million in cash and debt,...

Building profits.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... Record profits, record closings, record backlogs Everyone knows that 2001 was very good to builders. But just how good? Try 100 percentage points difference between builders and the S&P. Last year, net income grew 45.8 percent for the top...

Fancier flush.(Chinese modernizing toilets)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Many Chinese homes lack modern bathrooms. Even in restaurants, the toilet is often a concrete pit or a porcelain fixture with footpads over which the user squats. Now, no kidding, the Chinese have become members of the Singapore-based World...

Count accepts case.(discrimination under Fair Housing Act)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Who's liable for discrimination under the Fair Housing Act? That's what the U.S. Supreme Court will decide next term, when it hears Meyer vs. Holley, a California case pitting an interracial couple against the executive of a realty firm, whose...

Greening code approval: study examines challenges and solutions to "green" permit approval. (Building Codes).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... DO CODES RESTRICT THE USE OF INNOVATIVE building techniques? And if they do, what's the process for change? These were among the questions to which the Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT) sought answers in an Internet-based...

Best Builders.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Think your company does a great job? Let us know: Enter the 2003 America's Best Builders contest. Each year, BUILDER and the NAHB honor the top builders in the country based on their performance in finance/operations, customer service/quality,...

Tool time.(innovative marketing towards women)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... It's a fairly common practice for women to have their friends over for all sorts of in-home shopping parties, selling things like Tupperware and Mary Kay, but tools? That's the latest craze thanks to a Denver-based company called Tomboy Tool,...

Citizen builders: Seattle contractors and suppliers put their time, money, and heart into a much-needed multifamily shelter for homeless women and children. (Doing Good).(Master Builders Association)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE BUILDERS WHOSE DEFI-nition of community service begins and ends with donating to the Boy Scouts, the recent activities of Seattle's Master Builders Association may expand your view of civic philanthropy. Stafford...

Panekillers: by using a limited number of windows, Colony Homes keeps its entry-level product competitively priced. (Cost Cutter).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... FIVE YEARS AGO, COLONY HOMES OF WOOD-stock, Ga., used more than 30 different windows to build its houses. Today,, it buys seven main windows, using them in multiple ways to achieve variety and efficiencies. "We cater to the entry-level...

Building lessons.(conference)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... The Manufactured Housing Institute will hold its annual "Developing with Manufactured Homes" seminar on Oct. 21-23 at the Hyatt Regency in Cincinnati. The seminar is designed for builder/developers interested in exploring the advantages of...

City bounces back: southern California's waterfront jewel gets a makeover. (Revitalization).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... BACK IN 1975 THE SUBURBS WERE BOOMING, and no one would even consider dining out in dilapidated downtown San Diego, much less living there. But thanks to the Centre City Development Corp. (CCDC), an initiative started by then-mayor Pete Wilson,...

Buy online: Ebay, the Mecca, of e-auction commerce sells timeshares and cars with great success. Now builders can sell homes at Ebay Real Estates. (Editor's Internet Pick).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... BUYERS MAY FIND THEIR NEW HOMES JUST A click away at Ebay Real Estate (http://pages.ebay.com/realestate). Ebay Real Estate operates five real estate categories: residential, timeshare, land, commercial, and other. Residential offers four...

The quiet revolution: Pulte told investors and two newspaper reporters in February about its new Detroit manufacturing facility, but mum is the official word until the second factory opens later this year. (Looking to Systems).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID. IN AN era when large areas of land are becoming more difficult to find and process, and every site-built technique has been scrutinized and tweaked to be more efficient, the last best hope of builders to grow and be...

Shrouds of secrecy? Third-party decorative fireplace shrouds often violate building codes. Worse, they may cause chimney fires. Why take the chance? (The Straight Dope).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Derek Lidstrom, of Gurnee, Ill., just north of Chicago, has big problems with those fancy architectural shrouds you sea perched on wooden chimney surrounds. As Lidstrom (whose company, Chimney King, makes UL listed shrouds) sees it, Fireplace...

Cincinnati saga: FBI investigates The Erpenbeck Co. for bank fraud.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... IT'S THE ULTIMATE STORY OF CAVEAT EMPtor. A buyer closes on a new home only to discover that the property has two mortgages: his and the builder's. That's the situation in Cincinnati, where The Erpenbeck Co., an Edgewood, Ky.-based...

Shock absorber. (Top Shelf).
July 1, 2002... HOLDING ON TO THOSE LITTLE OUTLETS WITH YOUR HANDS CAN BE TRICKY; the PlugGrip makes the job easier and safer. The product plugs into any 110-125 volt grounded outlet, allowing installers to attach stiff wires and to insert an outlet into a box...

Water detective. (Top Shelf).
July 1, 2002... SOME SPRINKLER SYSTEMS IRRIGATE EVEN WHEN WATERING ISN'T necessary. Now there's a solution for homeowners who want to save water: the Moisture Sensor. The product's two carbon probes install horizontally about 1 inch below the surface to detect...

Clear view. (Top Shelf).
July 1, 2002... FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO WANT THE GROCERY STORE AESTHETIC at home, give them the glass-door refrigerator. The custom appliance measures 73 inches high, 36 inches wide, and 24 inches deep, and offers 19.9 cubic feet of storage space. It has electronic...

Line drive. (Top Shelf).(PAM Fastening Technology)(Advertising)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... IF YOU'RE EVER IN AN AWKward position and need to place a screw, E-Z Driver can help you out. Using a ball bearing system, the drill attachment holds screws in place in areas where you can only use one hand. The 6-ounce driver holds Phillips...

Solar system. (Top Shelf).
July 1, 2002... NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT WHERE TO hide the electrical outlet for these decorative outdoor light-emitting tiles. That's because each one contains eight photovoltaic cells that recharge during the day--rain or shine. As a result, the lights come on...

Wood looking. (Top Shelf).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... IT'S NOT WOOD, BUT WEATHERBOARDS STAIN WILL look like it on your homes. Made from fiber cement, the 8 1/4-inch lap siding comes pre-finished with a 100 percent acrylic latex stain that will not crack, peel, or flake. The boards also will not...

Retail dynamo: McRae & Stolz' sales office for The Clifton in Atlanta proves small can be powerfully successful. (Market Smarts).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... TARGETING MOVE-UP AND MOVE-DOWN BUYERS near Atlanta's venerable Emory University, McRae & Stolz found that small could be huge. To sell units in its $32 million multifamily community, The Clifton, the builder/developer team set up a sales...

SoHo west: San Diego's Douglas Wilson Cos. rocks the coast with a Manhattan-inspired ad campaign. (Market Smarts).(Parkloft)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... SOME CALL IT MANHATTAN ENVY--THE TERM FOR CITIES that want urban centers modeled after New York's legendary city life and mixed-use vibrancy. To import that Gotham mood to San Diego's waterfront, Douglas Wilson Cos. launched Parkloft. A...

Picture perfect: the chance to stroll through the woods and snap photos lured 800 buyers to a sneak preview day at an unbuilt community. (Market Smarts).(The Pinehills, Plymouth MA)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... SOMETIMES BEFORE YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME. Targeting empty-nesters, the builder of The Pinehills in Plymouth, Mass., invited prospective buyers for a long walk before ground was broken on its new community. "We mailed boxes with a color...

Steel floors: for residential applications, steel flooring systems require new tools, attention to fastening, and a detailed plan for mechanicals. (How-To).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... LOOK AROUND VIRTUALLY ANY NEW SUBDIVISION, AND YOU'RE LIKELY to spy the glint of galvanized metal. Steel floors have been gaining market share in the last couple years, with good reason. They address many of the seismic, termite, and quality...

When faster is also better. (Special Advertising Section).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... There are two simple ways to boost tile installation margins: Install the job more quickly, and make sure it stays where you put it. One cuts labor costs and the other cuts callbacks. Tony Sherman, president of Sherman Interiors, a large...

Beyond calendars: improving your cycle time involves more than simply revising schedules. (Ask Isaac).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... SURVEYS OF NEW-HOME BUYERS consistently indicate that purchasers are highly dissatisfied with delivery dates for their new homes. Why? Because the trust created in the contracting and construction stages quickly evaporates when a builder fails...

Put your company on the Fast Track to growth & profitability. (Builder FastTrack Conference).(construction industry conference details)
July 1, 2002... September 11-13, 2002 Paris Hotel Las Vegas, NV How Does Your Company Complete? Come to this all new conference to learn how the FastTrack builders have grown their companies and get the best consulting advice in the industry. Send...

Price cuts: building product prices are drifting down, but will the savings last? (Vital Signs).(construction industry report details)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... FOR AN INDUSTRY THAT CLOSELY watches its hard costs, the current quarterly building product price forecasts by economic consulting firm DRI-WEFA have a certain appeal. Cement: down .4 percent in the third quarter and .2 percent in the fourth....

TV time. (Products).
July 1, 2002... The La Scala bathing and entertainment center includes a whirlpool tub measuring 82 3/8 inches long by 72 1/2 inches wide, a 42-inch high-definition Plasma screen TV, and a DVD/CD player. Complete with underwater lights and a surround sound...

Into the closet. (Products).
July 1, 2002... Glass pull-out shelves and drawers with leather handles are just a few of the luxurious elements found in the Ultimate Wardrobe custom closet system. Main components have adjustable legs and carousels, which allow corner spaces to be used....

Squeaky clean. (Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... With its showerhead, dual-spray hand shower, four body sprays, and a thermostatic valve that allows water temperatures to be pre-selected and maintained while supplying volume to each outlet, the glass and chrome Taron offers a multi-head...

High times: luxury products to pique your buyers' curiosity. (Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... BUILDERS CATERING TO HIGH-income clientele are always on the lookout for the next hot luxury product. That is how they catch the eye of discerning buyers, and that's partly how they "differentiate themselves from their competition," says Wally...

Home spa. (Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Purist Suite is a complete home spa collection of more than 10 components that includes a 20-inch-deep soaking tub with chromatherapy, modular lava stone countertops in three sizes, and modular porcelain lavatories. Mirrored cabinets and faucet...

Water valve. (Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Barber Wilsons Victorian-style thermostatic valve features a showerhead, tub spout, optional handshower, and cross handles with porcelain accents. The riser pipe and shower arm are adjustable on site, the tub spout is available in two...

Site line: equipment that can help you manage your jobsite effectively. (Products).(Tongue Twister)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... BUILDERS WILL AGREE THAT THE right hand and power tools are necessary to build houses efficiently. But one often-overlooked group of products can give your company a competitive edge: jobsite equipment. "Having the right equipment is a must...

Twist 'n shout. (Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Utili Twist construction equipment trailer features a swivel design that allows the trailer to pivot away from the truck for easy access. The front and rear ramps make it easy to load or unload them in less than a minute without uncoupling....

Pack it in. (Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Packer 750 feature a low-speed grinder that can process drywall, solid-sawn lumber studs, OSB, masonry blocks and bricks, and cardboard waste into on-site landscape resources. Small enough to be pulled by a one-ton truck, the machine has a...

Power alley. (Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The GA 6HZR gas-powered generator has an 11-horse power engine and a 5-gallon fuel tank that can run for 5 1/2 hours. Its brushless design minimizes maintenance by eliminating the carbon brushes and slip rings common on other brands, the...

Steer clear. (Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Eagle compact skid-steer is designed to make landscaping work a lot easier. The unit's 35 1/2-inch loader can get into smaller spaces. It has a uni-body frame, more than 40 available attachments, a 25-horse power engine, 18-inch tires, and...

Go to jail? (NAHB Briefs).(National Association of Home Builders of)(the United States; tax cases)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... In 2001, the IRS prosecuted 384 construction companies for tax evasion and won 324 convictions. More than three-quarters of those found guilty went to jail. As BUILDER went to press, the IRS planned to address the Taxation Subcommittee of...

Code guide. (NAHB Briefs).(International Code Check for Home Builders)
July 1, 2002... International Code Check for Home Builders is the new pocket guide from Builder Books.com. It highlights frequently used code information from the International Residential Code to guide builders through the new code standards, which range from...

Call to join: providing America's housing is an enormous task, and the NAHB is there every step of the way helping its members fulfill this crucial responsibility. (From the President).(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2002... WITH NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP Day (July 22) just around the corner, there couldn't be a better time to reflect on what it means to be a member of America's home building industry and of the NAHB. Of course, we know that housing is a crucial part...

Labor opportunities: recession temporarily reduced labor shortages, but builders still need to look for quality crews and labor-saving techniques. (Seiders Economy).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... THE RECESSION THAT BEGAN IN March 2001 wound up costing the U.S. economy nearly 1.5 million payroll jobs, and the early stages of economic recovery have involved precious little job growth. The construction labor market also softened...

$930 billion question. (NAHB Briefs).(baby boomers as consumers)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... Boomers, 31 percent of the U.S. population, continue aging. What will they want in housing? The Seniors Housing Symposium, "Building for Boomers and Beyond," in Orlando, Fla., co-sponsored by the NAHB Seniors Housing Council and the NAHB...

Brochure enhances efforts: subsidized, customized brochures help publicize Home Builders Care program. (Home Builders Care Corner).(National Association of Home Builders product details)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... TO GET THE WORD OUT on local HBA's Home Builders Care projects, the NAHB is offering a brochure, new for 2002, that not only explains the national Home Builders Care program but also has space for local associations to customize their own...

Separate but equal. (NAHB Briefs).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The five current generations don't all respond to the same marketing message. Phil Goodman, a principal in Generation Transitional Marketing, told attendees at "Building for Boomers and Beyond" to market by generation. Each group has...

Western Belle: a Colorado developer's risk pays off as he creaters a new model for affordability and design.(Gene Myers of New Town Development)
July 1, 2002... THE WORDS Affordable housing strike fear in the hearts of NIM-BYs and conjure visions of bland beige starter houses. And for good reason. That's what most builders build. But developer Gene Myers, president of New Town Development, thinks that...

The 11 paths to business failure; a cautionary tale. (Fatal Flaws).
July 1, 2002... The builder staff Not so long ago, in a place not far from where you are sitting now, there dwelt a happy builder; the last in a long line of builders. Why the last? Ah, that tale of woe will soon come to light! But it must be laid out...

Light as art: outdoor lighting has come of age. Homeowners want it as much for safety as for artistic effect.(outdoor lighting techniques)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... NOT LONG AGO, OUTDOOR LIGHTing for homes consisted primarily of a set of 10-light kits purchased at the local home improvement store to line the walkway between street and front door. And maybe a second set ringing the backyard patio. The...

Risk retention: a history of rare payouts and narrow policy language has builders looking more closely at their options for long-term structural warranty coverage.
July 1, 2002... Third in a series of articles on how builders can identify and mitigate hidden costs that decimate profits. THE PERFECT HOUSE HAS YET to be built and never will be. Even Philip Russell, a custom builder in Pensacola, Fla., who spends about...

Knock, knock: so far, the door separating your homes from a flood of new technologies has been only slightly ajar. Now it's about to be thrown wide open. Get ready. (Tech).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... NOT ALL HOME BUILDERS ARE TECHNO-philes. But like it or not, new technologies will complicate all builders' jobs. We drew that conclusion in mid-May after attending Connections, an annual get-together of companies that manufacture, sell, and...

Just like paper: new punchlist software is a cinch to use. (Tech).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... PUNCHLIST SOFTWARE USUALLY RUNS ON A hand-held PDA. The new Punchlister differs in that it requires a tablet PC running Windows 2000. Whether that's a pro or con depends on which machine you prefer. However, we did find its interface simpler to...

Site to see. (Tech).(Village Homes' web site)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... How much is a Web site worth? We asked Village Homes in Littleton, Colo. The company spent $1.2 million redesigning its site, which it launched two years ago. "It was absolutely worth the investment," says Gayl Price vice president of marketing...

Viva XML. (Tech).(extensible markup language)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Extensible Markup Language, or XML, is emerging as the protocol for home building data exchange. "By this time next year you will see a lot of interchange of data in XML," predicts Tom Leete of Builders First Source, who is spearheading an...

Sound choices. (Tech).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2002... M&S Systems' (www..mssystems.com) MC2000 is a new, whole-house audio system that allows music from different media--audio tapes, CDs, or MP3 files--as well as radio stations to play on the same network. It includes a digital network hub with a...

I spy: streaming video for custom builders. (Tech).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... SOME BIG BUILDERS HAVE been putting Web cams on site so that customers can log onto the Internet to see their homes being built. Now smaller builders willing to invest in some equipment can get a turnkey video system they can move from job to...

Show and sell: design software can help sell upgrades. (Seeing is Believing).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... HOME BUYERS ARE MORE LIKELY to move from considering an up grade to buying if they can see how it will look. That can make product-specific design software a useful sales tool. One of the best we've seen is Fireplace Design Solutions (FDS), an...

Home run: choosing a home networking system is like trying to pick a winning team. Your odds will be better if you evaluate each company in light of the competition.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... ARE YOU TRYING TO CHOOSE A structured wiring system for your homes? We feel your pain: A glut of vendors with incompatible offerings makes comparing products about as fun as choosing a health plan. In fact when we set out to review these...

Company stats.(cost of home control system equipment)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... Company Stats We asked leading vendors about price, profits, and the like. Here are the answers we got. Installed cost for basic system: ...

High-tech improvements, easy installation and low maintenance define today's window and doors. (Special Advertising Section).
July 1, 2002... The range of options available to builders in the window and door market is broader than ever before. From wood to clad to self-cleaning glass to unique shapes and beautiful treatments, today's windows and doors allow builders the flexibility...

Plans online: www.eplans.com makes project planing as easy as 1,2,3. (Special Advertising Section).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... WWW.EPLANS.COM provides builders and homeowners a simple, easily accessible way to streamline one of the most challenging stages of building a home: choosing a house plan. By providing fast and easy-to-navigate options, the process of selecting...

Updated farmhouse. (Builder Plans). (4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... This updated farmhouse has been given additional custom-styled features. Twin gables, sidelights, and an arched entryway accent the facade, while decorative ceiling treatments, bay windows, and French doors adorn the interior. From the large...

Urban or rural. (Builder Plans). (two-story home, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... This roomy two-story home fits as well in an urban setting as it does in a rural neighborhood. Plenty of windows open to the outdoors, filling the living areas with natural light. The impressive two-story foyer opens to the dining room and the...

Three-season porch. (Builder Plans). (two-story farmhouse, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... This traditional two-story farmhouse offers expansive covered porches both front and rear. The tiled foyer leads to the living room where the fireplace is flanked by windows. The dining room adjoins the U-shaped kitchen and leads out to the...

Two-story great room. (Builder Plans). (single family home, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... A two-story grand room, a den, and a formal dining room comprise living spaces on the first floor. The island kitchen serves a light-filled breakfast nook. One bedroom and a full bath are on the first floor, while four additional bedrooms and...

Vaulted great room. (Builder Plans). (two-story home, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... Wood siding and multi-pane windows characterize the facade of this farmhouse. The interior holds open living spaces: a dining room, a vaulted great room, a breakfast room and a U-shaped kitchen. The master suite is on the first floor while...

Classy ceilings. (Builder Plans). (summer cottage, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... This delightful summer cottage design offers a simple layout, favorable to any family The foyer is flanked by a dining room and two family bedrooms that share a hail bath. The great room is enhanced by a cathedral ceiling and a warming...

Warmth and ambiance. (Builder Plans). (two-story home, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... The great room of this fine traditional home shares a see-through fireplace with the breakfast bay--and the adjoining kitchen benefits from the warmth and ambiance. A split-bedroom sleeping plan places the master suite in a private wing to the...

Stylish good looks. (Builder Plans). (two-story home, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... The stylish good looks of this home's brick-and-stone facade and covered porch create outstanding curb appeal. Raised ceilings are featured in the great room, formal dining room and breakfast area. Set to the rear of the home. the great room...

Charming highlights. (Builder Plans). (two-story home, 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... Charming highlights abound in this quaint family manor. The kitchen features an island, a pantry and an eating bar which overlooks the bayed breakfast nook. The master suite resides on the first floor for privacy and offers a private bath and...

Split-bedroom planning. (Building Plans). (one-story home, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... This one-story home offers a side-loading garage and covered porches both front and back. The dining room enjoys a stepped ceiling, the great room offers a coffered ceiling, the study has a beamed ceiling and the master bedroom delights with a...

Backyard bay windows. (Builder Plans).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... This home offers Colonial influences that include the inviting covered front porch. Inside, the living spaces radiate from the kitchen that is flanked by the dining room and the breakfast nook. The vaulted family room boasts a warming fireplace...

European influence. (Builder Plans).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... European style influences the elevation of this distinctive ranch home. Appealing rooflines and a covered porch with repeating arches provide stunning curb appeal. An open concept pervades the kitchen/dinette area. Bright windows frame a...

Twin peaks. (Builder Plans).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... 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. An efficiently laid-out kitchen is uniquely designed with its island and angular shape....

Kitchen & bath. (Special Advertising Section).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... When building a home, there are two rooms that deserve extra attention: kitchens and baths. These are the busiest rooms in the home, so it's imperative that they look great and function well. That means you should choose products that create an...

Fireplaces and flooring. (Special Advertising Section).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Homeowners have long appreciated the warmth, beauty and ambiance that a fireplace provides. Nothing can warm a space, add decor to a room, or provide a focalpoint for social gatherings like a fireplace can. Builders can offer homebuyers heat...

Ventana Canyon, Tucson, Ariz. (Walkthrough).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... NATIVE BOAR-LIKE JAVELINA FORAGE AMONG HOMES DIS-creetly nestled into Santa Catalina Mountain foothills. Hikers trek the abutting Coronado National Forest. Some homes rest on building pads blasted from ancient rock; others spectate desert...