Builder articles from May 2006

Builder archives from May 2006

Views from the top: Builder 100 execs look back on 20 years of progress.(EDITOR'S NOTES)(executives talk about construction history)
May 1, 2006... WHEN WE STARTED COMPILING OUR FIRST BUILDER 100 list, the biggest companies were regional players, building only 10,000 homes a year. Highly leveraged and thinly capitalized, these businesses were often run by executives who had come up from...

Another kind of military service.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... THANK YOU FOR THE FEBRUARY 2006 article on the Seabees, "Basic Training" (page 156). Like the veterans highlighted in the article, I, too, had a great experience serving my country in the Naval Construction Force as a reservist sent to Vietnam,...

Flashing point.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... JUST CURIOUS: IS THAT A NEW CONSTRUCTION technique for chimney flashing on cover of the December 2005 BUILDER? If not, somebody had better alert the builder that a callback is coming in the future for tan stains on the ceiling below. TOM...

Calendar.
May 1, 2006... MAY 13-June 25 Street of Dreams, Atlanta This will be the i5th Street of Dreams held in the Atlanta area, and the second one held by Lake Lanier. Five builders are constructing unique show homes within Marina Bag fronting a...

Soaking it up: desert developers face water supply woes.(RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT)
May 1, 2006... MOHAVE COUNTY, ARIZ., IS A CERTIFIABLE desert, but it boasts 158 square miles of water, including Lake Havasu and other parts of the Lake Mead National Recreational Area. That gives many the impression that there's plenty of water to support...

Mega acquisition.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)
May 1, 2006... Fortune Brands, a consumer brands company based in Deerfield, Ill., has agreed to acquire building products company SBR through a tax-free merger that will put Simonton Windows, SimEx, Fypon, Hy-Lite Products, and Dixie-Pacific under the...

N.J.'s domain.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Eminent domain cases)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The New Jersey Supreme Court is hearing a case that will determine whether a municipality can use eminent domain to acquire property to preserve open space and slow development. The NAHB filed a brief in the case, which dates back to 2002, when...

A private matter.(William Lyon Homes going private)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... William Lyon, chairman and CEO of Newport Beach, Calif.-based William Lyon Homes, has proposed to take the publicly held company private. He offered in March to buy all shares of the company's stock not already owned by him or two family trusts...

Aging boomer bonanza.(Pulte Homes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Pulte Homes told analysts and investors to expect the "majority" of its sales growth in 2006 to come from its Del Webb division, which specializes in large active adult communities. Pulte projects that its active adult closings would increase...

Master demand.(real estate industry sales)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... In 2004, 18 master planned communities nationwide reported sales of more than 1,000 homes. But in 2005 that number dropped to 13, according to Robert Charles Lesser &, Co., an independent real estate advisory firm that has tracked master...

The big fix: builder proposes to repair a major interchange in Northern Virginia in exchange for project approval.(CREATIVE THINKING)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... IN AN UNUSUAL MOVE FOR A home builder, the Washington division of Brookfield Homes has told Prince William County, Va., officials that it will finance in excess of $100 million in road and railroad repairs in exchange for project approval of a...

Storefront: Kohler opens its first freestanding showroom/ retail store in Chicago.(GRAND OPENING)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... ONE DRAWBACK OF A TRADITIONAL PLUMBING store or big-box retail outlet is that a buyer cannot actually see how a toilet or a faucet works. Plumbing giant Kohler has changed that: The company has opened its first freestanding store in the Chicago...

Real college.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Arizona Chapter of Associated General Contractors)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Arizona Chapter of Associated General Contractors raised $5 million to create a construction college at Arizona State University (ASU). Now the group is asking the state legislature for $20 million to help build the Del E. Webb School of...

Solution nixed.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Edward Rendell governor )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell recently vetoed a bill--the Residential Construction Dispute Resolution Act--that would have established an arbitration process between homeowners and contractors outside of court, but which Rendell said failed...

Going up: home elevator sales reach new heights.(APPLIANCE OPTIONS)(Otis Elevator Co. sales and earning )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... MOVE OVER, INFINITY TUBS AND WARMING drawers. Elevators are fast becoming the new status symbol in residential design: In a recent NAHB survey, 7 percent of home-owners rated elevators as an "essential" or "must have" feature. ThyssenKrupp...

Fair swap: Miami gives land to builders that develop it for low- and middle-income home buyers.(SOUTH FLORIDA RECLAMATION)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... THE CITY OF MIAMI HAS BEEN working with local builders and developers on an innovative land-exchange program aimed at making a dent in the market's affordable-housing shortage, which a new study claims is spreading throughout South Florida. ...

Digital revolution.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)
May 1, 2006... From home theaters to security to climate control and more, new homes are going high-tech. To educate builders about this notable--and decidedly profitable--development, BUILDER publisher Hanley Wood, LLC has created HANLEY WOOD'S DIGITAL HOME,...

Future tense: architecture billings may portend what's in store for builders.(BUBBLE TALK)
May 1, 2006... THE RED-HOT HOUSING MARKET HAS DEFINITELY lost some of its sizzle. That's confirmed by the latest American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Survey billings index, which tracks quarterly business conditions in 600 U.S. residential...

Construction countdown: builders to complete 500-plus Habitat homes in five days.(BUILDER BLITZ)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... AFTER LONG MONTHS OF PLANNING, THE FIRSTEVER Habitat for Humanity Home Builders Blitz is nearly ready to begin. One thousand builders are set to participate in the blitz, which will construct more than 500 houses at 158 sites across the country...

Battle lines drawn: Florida HBA claims that the city of Tallahassee's affordable housing law is unconstitutional.(INCLUSIONARY ZONING)
May 1, 2006... A COALITION OF BUILDERS AND REALTORS in Florida filed a lawsuit earlier this year in the state's Second Judicial Circuit Court in Leon County to challenge an inclusionary zoning law that the city of Tallahassee passed in spring 2005 to provide...

Let's split: survey looks at multihouse living.(THE STRAIGHT DOPE: THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Say hello to the splitters. They're defined as "individuals who own at least two homes and split their time between them for recreation, work-life balance, or to connect with family and friends," according to a recently released, first-ever...

Defect detente: KB settles Texas lawsuit by agreeing to notify buyers that warranty disputes aren't subject to mandatory arbitration.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... THIS SUMMER, 60,000 TEXAS RESIDENTS who purchased houses from KB Home over the past decade will receive notices that warranty disputes with the builder don't need to be settled through binding arbitration. A May 16 hearing in U.S. District...

Good Sport.
May 1, 2006... BECAUSE SMALL HOUSES AND TOWNHOMES DESERVE COOL PRODUCTS too, the maker has designed a miniature version of one of its popular Duet washer/dryer combos. Duet Sport Front-loaders use half of the water and energy required by top-loading machines,...

Pop art.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... DRYWALL IS AN ECONOMICAL AND VERSATILE PRODUCT, BUT EVERY now and then you may want to add a little more interest to your walls. Pop panels can do the trick, the company says. The form-pressed plywood sections have a rounded surface for a...

Bronze age.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... A DARK FINISH ON FAUCETS AND HARDWARE IS A Familiar and popular choice for home buyers, but it has not been available on appliances-until now. The manufacturer says that its new oiled bronze finish is inspired by the growing interest in...

Wrap up.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... GORILLA WRAP HAS A TEAR STRENGTH 300 PERCENT HIGHER than the leading housewrap on the market, the manufacturer claims. The nonperforated, nonwoven product creates air resistance, reduces drafts, and offers better water resistance and energy...

Snap to it.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... A CONCRETE PATIO OR BALCONY CAN BE an unattractive space. Snapping Tile t could be the way to dress it up, the company says. The 1-foot-square wood tile has a polypropylene base with interlocking tabs on all four sides. Snapping the tiles...

Socket to me.
May 1, 2006... THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THAT ITS CRESCENT [R.sup.2] RapidRench is an improvement in wrench design. Instead of sorting through socket sizes, users simply turn the dial, and the ratchet will accommodate hundreds of fastener sizes. It will replace...

Purely refined.(abstractso)
May 1, 2006... THE ROAD INTO MYSTIC RIDGE IN Hamburg Township, Mich., winds between tall trees. Driving through the woods, you can hear the hammering of rare woodpeckers and see pheasant, fox, and deer scooting along the paths. As the road leads to a clearing...

Bracing narrow garage walls.(HOUSE CALL)
May 1, 2006... Q: My building department says that parts of my house plans--such as the walls next to the garage-door openings--don't meet wall-bracing rules. How can I address these requirements? A: HOUSE FRAMES DON'T JUST HAVE TO handle the downward...

Every jobsite a stage: this consultant wants to make a fundamental change in the way builders and subcontractors work together.(PROJECT MANAGEMENT)(Clark Ellis )
May 1, 2006... AS MARKETS TIGHTEN AND builders look for ways to protect their margins, the next few years could prove to be a good time for consultants who can show them how. Clark Ellis certainly thinks so. Ellis is a principal at FMI, a Raleigh, N.C.-based...

Porch primer.(FIRST DRAFT)
May 1, 2006... Q: A good builder keeps up with design trends, but I confess that porches have me stumped. What purpose do they serve, and what features should I incorporate into a porch? A: PORCHES ARE A DISTINCTIVE AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT, ORIGINALLY...

Center of attention: the information/sales center for Seattle's South Lake Union redevelopment is a true evolution of the concept.(MARKET SMARTS: NEW MARKETING AND SALES TECHNIQUES WITH PROVEN RESULTS)
May 1, 2006... IHE DISCOVERY CENTER AT SOUTH LAKE UNION IN Seattle is what you'd expect from a development company owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen: In addition to a striking overall design, just inside the 11,000-square-foot facility's massive front...

Cirque du sales: landmark's grand-opening event results in high-flying sales.(Everest Development Co.'s opening of new project, Landmark)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... EVERYONE KNOWS THAT A GRAND-OPENING EVENT FOR A NEW project or phase can be a circus, but that's just what the team at Everest Development Co. wanted for Landmark, a mixed-use project featuring a 12-story, 122-unit condo tower in Greenway...

Model behavior: putting a full-scale model in its information center drove an impressive sales pace for Atlanta's newest condo tower.(MARKET SMARTS: NEW MARKETING AND SALES TECHNIQUES WITH PROVEN RESULTS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT NO SALES CENTER FOR AN ATLANTA condominium project had ever provided a full-scale model... until Eclipse. Designed into a distinctive ex-Mercedes auto dealership located directly across from the 358-unit project site, the...

Calendar check: the spring selling season is here. Will it bring enough buyers to boost lagging sales?
May 1, 2006... CALENDARS FLIPPING TO MAY TYPIcally signal the heart of the spring selling season. But heading into housing's busiest time of year, local and national data point to rising inventories and slowing sales, and industry experts acknowledge that...

Looking glass.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... LOOKING GLASS: The Monogram glass canopy range hood permits an unobstructed view of the cooking surface and of the entire kitchen when installed over an island. The tempered glass has a gentle curve and features hand-welded, stainless steel...

Urban legend.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... URBAN LEGEND: The maker has introduced the Vintage Series sink line to celebrate its 60th year in business. Offered as part of the UrbanEdge Collection, the sinks are made of 16-gauge stainless steel that is hand-welded and -polished. They are...

Mighty isis.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... MIGHTY ISIS: Styled and sized to appeal to more masculine tastes, the Isis freestanding tub is handcrafted from Lucite cast acrylic and reinforced with a layer of fiberglass, resin, and titanium. It measures 65 1/2 inches long and is available...

Dynamic duo.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... DYNAMIC DUO: The In2ition two-in-one showering system combines a traditional, handheld shower and a fixed showerhead. It has five spray functions, including three massage options and an aerated champagne spray. A three-way diverter redirects...

Water world: a sampling of the groovy products at this year's kitchen and bath show.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... NOW THAT THE KITCHEN/BATH INDUSTRY Show (K/BIS) is over, it's time to take stock--time to look at what trends emerged and what products are likely to make waves in the year to come. One of the best shows of the year, K/BIS is a nonstop...

Egg roll.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... EGG ROLL: With its rich textural feel and tight rows of miniature egg shapes, the Caviar line of cabinet knobs is designed for touch, the manufacturer says. Sizes range from 1 3/8 inches by 7/8 inches for an egg-shaped knob to 3-inch and 4-inch...

Cold storage.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... COLD STORAGE: This 48-inch side-by-side unit represents the manufacturer's official entrance into the large-fridge category (it also comes in a 42-inch size). The company says that sensors are placed so that the two cooling zones store food at...

Silver bullet.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... SILVER BULLET: This washing machine uses silver ions in its wash and rinse cycles to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria without the use of bleach or hot water, the manufacturer says. A small device alongside the tub uses electrical currents to...

Pro leagues.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... PRO LEAGUES: The FF 1700 is a restaurant-style faucet that offers efficiency for residential kitchens. It has a full-height, pull-out sprayer handle with armrest and an independent faucet spout. Made of cast brass, the unit features ceramic...

Drink machine.
May 1, 2006... DRINK MACHINE: This undercounter beverage center is equipped with three temperature zones, so homeowners can store red wines in the bottom rack, white wines in the middle, and other items on top. The unit has an LED screen to display the...

Counter offers.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... COUNTER OFFERS: NuCrete Counter Tile is a lower-cost alternative to the maker's concrete countertops since they are available from stock. Offered in 25 1/2-by-24-inch sections, the tiles are made from a stain-proof concrete formula, the company...

Sound off.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... SOUND OFF: Tao Collection whirlpools feature the Ultim-O immersion system, so the overflow sits on the interior top edge of the bath; this increases the water depth by about 3 inches. Installed as either an undermount or a deck-mount with a...

Bamboo shoots.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... BAMBOO SHOOTS: This open-waterway, Roman tub faucet is an expansion of the manufacturer's Bamboo powder room collection. The collection now offers a full line of products for master bath suites, including shower units equipped with the latest...

Ergo sum.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... ERGO SUM: The Ergo Classic pull-down is a traditional spin on a modern faucet. The unit has a 360-degree swivel spout, a pull-down spray head that locks into place, and an extra long, double-braided stainless steel hose. It is made of solid...

A new leaf.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... A NEW LEAF: Fifi bath faucets feature levers created through hand chasing, a process in which craftsmen carve each faucet's handle and spout to ensure a one-of-a-kind appearance. Each uses durable ceramic discs and quick-connect, German-made...

Rainier day.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... RAINIER DAY: Rainier cabinets combine a contemporary design with the traditional warmth of wood, the company says. The modified full-overlay, 3/4-inch doors are made of a wood composite sandwiched between architecture-grade wood veneers to...

Sirius situation.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... SIRIUS SITUATION: The geometric lines of the Sirius Collection push modern design in a striking direction, the company says. As a result, water flows out of the spout in a ribbon-like stream. Available in a variety of styles, the product is...

Tuscan sun.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... TUSCAN SUN: The manufacturer's Masterpiece line of semicustom, made-to-order cabinets now includes Caliseo. a Tuscan-inspired door with a solid mitered frame. The full overlay product also has a five-piece mitered door-front inset and drawer....

Canterbury tales.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... CANTERBURY TALES: A new addition to the manufacturer's Elements line, the Canterbury Suite was created using the company's Signature Design Studio, which has helped design fittings for hotels such as the RitzCarlton. Canterbury is the set of...

Classic contemporary.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY: The Huntington faucet combines the best of classical and contemporary design, the manufacturer says. Available in polished chrome, the faucet features a curved spout and simple lever handles. The result, the company says,...

Magnetic attraction.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
May 1, 2006... MAGNETIC ATTRACTION: Instead of gas or electric, this new 36-inch cooktop features four magnetic induction elements. Because it uses electromagnetic energy, the cooking surface stays cool to the touch even though the pot gets hot. It has...

New direction: Smarthome focuses on new Insteon technology, research and development, and joint-venture products.(Home automation software industry)
May 1, 2006... SMARTHOME, BEST KNOWN AS AN ONLINE distributor of home automation products, has reconfigured its corporate image, changing its name to SmartLabs to better reflect the company's recent shift toward new product development. The move is...

Acenti's award.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)
May 1, 2006... Leviton's Acenti collection of dimmers, switches, and receptacles won a Good Design award for electronics from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Introduced last year, the Acenti collection consists of more than 40...

Wired legacy.(Shentel, Legacy Custom Homes )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Telecom provider Shentel has signed an agreement with real estate development company Legacy Custom Homes to build a fiber network for Legacy's newest community, Tackley Mill, in Ransom, W.Va. Shentel will provide voice, data, video, and...

AT&T goes west: the revitalized telecom signs a deal with a Nevada developer.(AT&T, Kiley Ranch)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... ONE OF THE FIRST BIG RESIDENTIAL SPLASHES to come out of last year's merger of AT&T and SBC is an exclusive marketing agreement the new AT&T signed with Kiley Ranch, a "live, work, play" development in the Spanish Springs Valley in Sparks,...

See it now.
May 1, 2006... Chameleon Technologies is now shipping BuilderVision, a Web-based options management tool that gives new-home buyers a photographic image of what product options will look like on the inside or the outside of a new home. BuilderVision is hosted...

Smart start.(Smart Builder Solutions)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Smart Builder Solutions, a new software company based in Alpharetta, Ga., has plans to market a full construction management system together with a workflow tool later this year. For now, the software maker is working with Tampa, Fla.-based...

Reflex action: Canadian-based company offers smaller builders a complete software package.(TECHTOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)
May 1, 2006... SKEPTICS SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE, BUT Reflex Software Solutions of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which is better known in the real estate market, has developed a complete construction management system for small to midsize home builders. The...

Dean's list.("Building Homes of Our Own")(National Association of Home Builders education program wins Computers for Youth Family Learning Software of the Year Award)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... At press time, "Building Homes of Our Own," the NAHB's education simulation program, had been selected by executives from eight top U.S. school districts as a finalist for the first Computers for Youth Family Learning Software of the Year...

Laborsaving efforts: now in its second year, the Innovation in Workforce Housing Awards program recognizes builders helping those who serve our communities.(FROM THE PRESIDENT)
May 1, 2006... THE HOUSING MARKET HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO homeowners in recent years. Most markets have seen significant increases in property values; nationwide, homeowners now have more than $11 trillion in equity. The homeownership rate has also increased,...

High standards: builders continue to produce quality homes, even as the number of homes built reaches record levels.
May 1, 2006... SINGLE-FAMILY BUILDERS PRODUCED RECORD numbers of homes during the past year, and those homes were larger and contained more amenities than ever before. Furthermore, the American home buyer has become more and more demanding as time has gone...

Buckeye bequest.(National Housing Endowment gets donations from M/I Homes Foundation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The National Housing Endowment, the NAHB's philanthropic arm, is the recipient of a $1 million gift from The M/I Homes Foundation, a charitable organization funded by M/I Homes, based in Columbus, Ohio. The unrestricted gift primarily will...

Business data.(The Cost of Doing Business Study)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Builders now have an opportunity to see how their business stacks up against the competition. The NAHB has released The Cost of Doing Business Study, a national study of more than 350 builders' business practices and financial performance. ...

Powering down: the Research Center is working to bring an ultra-energy-efficient production model to the Mid-Atlantic region.(THE NAHB RESEARCH CENTER CORNER)(National Association of Home Builders Research Foundation)
May 1, 2006... IS RISING ENERGY COSTS continue to make headlines, builders and home buyers have become more aware of the need to reduce energy consumption. Granted, many builders include at least some power-conserving features in homes, such as energy-rated...

Philly fight.(National Association of Home Builders files suit against Army Corps of Engineers )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Citing a new rule that not only is contrary to the goals of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) but that also can affect housing affordability by adding excessive regulatory burdens to home building, the NAHB filed suit in March against the U.S....

Career center.(National Association of Home Builders and ConstructionJobs.com launch a creer center)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The NAHB, in collaboration with ConstructionJobs.com, has launched a building industry-oriented career center that will provide members with a cost-effective recruiting solution that makes locating qualified candidates and advertising open...

Par for the course: El Encanto at The Crosby, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.(HOT SELLERS: SOLD OUT! FAST-MOVING COMMUNITIES)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... WHY 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...

Best of both worlds: the fountains at Town Center, Carol Stream, Ill.(HOT SELLERS: SOLD OUT! FAST-MOVING COMMUNITIES)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... WHY IT WORKED: With units starting at 2,107 square feet, the Georgian-style townhomes 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...

American classic: Harbor Village, Keego Harbor, Mich.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... WHY 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...

Staying power: twenty years ago, experts doubted whether a handful of companies would ever dominate home building. But Builder 100 firms refined their finances, expanded geographically, and targeted new segments of buyers. Today, the top 10 builders account for more than one-fifth of all new homes built in America, and they say they'll only keep growing from here on out.(BUILDER 100)(Cover story)
May 1, 2006... OVER THE YEARS, MORE THAN A THOUSAND home and apartment building companies have ranked among the top 100 builders in our annuallist. But just 11 have made the cut every year: Centex Corp., Hovnanian Enterprises, Jim Walter Homes, KB Home,...

In command: no one forecast a market share of more than 36 percent for the industry's top 100 builders 20 years ago. Here's how they scaled the heights--and where they're headed now.(BUILDER 100)
May 1, 2006... IT SEEMS SAFE TO SAY THAT AN INCREASE is no longer in doubt. When that story was written, the BUILDER 100's market share stood at 24 percent. Today it's 36.57 percent, with the top 10 builders capturing nearly 21 percent on their own. Some...

Trends to watch.(factors that may drive the housing industry's)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... some factors that may drive the housing industry's performance over the coming decades are just now taking shape. Keep your eyes on: * Changes in mortgage finance. The development of myriad new mortgage products during the last 20 years...

Consistent performers: in the best year yet for home building, the top builders continued to outpace the industry. Can they sustain their momentum?(BUILDER 100)
May 1, 2006... WITH HOME BUILDING OPERATIONS in 77 markets across 26 states--which generated 51,383 new homes last year--D.R. Horton can get a good read on the health of the housing market. "There are pockets of weakness. For certain, 2006 will be a more...

The 2005 top 100.(BUILDER 100)(Table)
May 1, 2006... Steven Petruska COO Pulte Homes 2006 rank: 2 1986 rank: 5 For Pulte, the 1990s were characterized by the company's feverish expansion of its geographical footprint. In that decade, Pulte's market total went from about 15...

The 2005 next 100.(BUILDER 100)(Directory)(Table)
May 1, 2006... Next 100 snapshot The BUILDER 100 companies weren't the only builders growing quickly during 2005. The average Next 100 company closed 495 homes during the year, up from 469 in 2004, and grossed $192 million, $42 million more than its 2004...

The 2005 alphabetical listing.(Directory)
May 1, 2006... THE 2005 ALPHABETICAL LISTING COMPANY RANK WEB SITE AMERICAN HOMES & LAND 139 n/a AMERICAN WEST DEVELOPMENT 43 www.americanwesthomes.com AMERICA'S FIRST HOME 74...

The 2005 gross revenue ranking.(real estate industry)(Statistical table)
May 1, 2006... THE 2005 GROSS REVENUE RANKING GROSS RANK COMPANY REVENUE * 2 PULTE HOMES $14,695 4 CENTEX CORP. ...

Standing firm: to compete against national builders, smaller companies are diversifying their product mix and cozying up to developers.(BUILDER 100)(Statistical data)
May 1, 2006... WHEN IT CLOSED 250 homes two years ago, Altmann-Ott Homes ranked as Reno, Nev.'s fifth-largest builder. But this western market of 200,000 people, which issues around 5,000 permits per year, has since become a magnet attracting national...