Professional Builder (1993) articles from December 2004

Professional Builder (1993) archives from December 2004

The Pennsylvania State University Hankin Chair in Residential Building Construction.
December 1, 2004... The College of Engineering at Penn State University seeks candidates for the Bernard and Henrietta Hankin Chair in Residential Building Construction. This Chair provides an opportunity for a distinguished faculty member in the Department of...

Business planning 2005.(PERSPECTIVE)(Bigelow Homes)
December 1, 2004... Read the Special Report this month on page 54 and the likely result will be a rewrite to the 2005 business plan already on file in your office. Like every company selected as Professional Builder's Builder of the Year, Bigelow Homes in Aurora,...

Expanding market Horizons: when Engle Homes helps put a new edge on the Phoenix market, the builder beats all odds with hot pricing and scorching sales.(Plans & Projects)
December 1, 2004... Phoenix, a consistently strong housing market, keeps pushing its boundaries with communities on the fast-growing citiy's outer ring. One of the newest is the master plan of Verrado, a half-hour drive west of the city. There, with its Horizons...

Design sketchbook: formal or informal?(FAMILY ENTRYWAYS)
December 1, 2004... For years we've placed tremendous emphasis on the design and construction of front entries. From richly detailed doors to elaborate foyers with vaulted ceilings and multiple layers of crown molding, formal entryways all contribute to the...

Queen Elizabeth II: the reckoning.(LESSONS LEARNED)(Column)
December 1, 2004... In my "Lesson's Learned" column last month (November PB), we spent a morning with two very successful salespeople--Liz and Beth. The magazine arrived just this week and I have already received e-mails from several people in different parts of...

Price does not affect profit: study of Lee Evans Group clients shows no correlation between product price and builder profitability. It's management that matters.(BOTTOM LINE BUILDING)
December 1, 2004... When we dig into the data from our most recent Builder Financial Study (the 11th consecutive survey of Lee Evans Group clients), we find house prices in 2003 ranging from $98,800 to $3.2 million, but no direct correlation of price and...

The Wizard of Oz.(human resource management)
December 1, 2004... The story of Dorothy's quest to meet the Wizard of Oz is analogous to what often happens in the world of personnel and executive recruitment. Working within process-bound organizations, we often journey down long and winding roads, only to have...

Land planning--Part VI.(LEARN)
December 1, 2004... For 5 installments of this series, we have been discussing the ins and outs of the land development process. From finding and evaluating the land, developing and engineering the site, going through the government approval process, to installing...

Keystone Country Manor: adds old-time feel to new construction.(KEYSTONE PROJECT FOCUS)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... It's a modern idea-making a new housing development seem like it was built long ago. Harveston is a meticulously planned development in Temecula, California that draws heavily on the best of historic California architecture. Keystone Country...

Town founders: Chicago's Bigelow Homes sets a benchmark for builders who aspire to (profitably) better the lives of the people who buy their homes.(Builder of the Year: Special Report)(Company Profile)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... It would be rare to find a home builder who has not made a public claim to positively impact society. Ownership housing plays a big role in knitting together the fabric of community in America. But what would happen if social engineering role,...

How to create community: Bigelow Homes created its own community within the town of Aurora, III. People, and the relationships formed, make up HomeTown, a community designed to encourage people to live out their humanity.
December 1, 2004... Imagine a community where home buyers can watch their children ride their bikes along the sidewalk from their front porch without the worries of traffic being a danger. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Imagine a neighborhood where residents walk...

Opening the door to profits: from fiberglass to wood there's a door designed for everyone.(PRODUCT REPORT)
December 1, 2004... If there were a way to increase a home's value by up to six percent, most builders would rush to learn how. One answer lies in paying attention to the entry door, according to the National Home Valuation Study, recently conducted. "Why...

Multifamily rising? Changing demographics and psychographics point to an impending boom in condo and rental apartment construction.(DEMOGRAPHICS)
December 1, 2004... Building industry consultant and PB columnist John Burns believes multifamily housing is about to break out of the doldrums afflicting that sector for the last decade. "Due to changing demographics, and a multitude of psychographic trends,...

Dilbert's Ultimate House a virtual hit.(News2Use)
December 1, 2004... DILBERT, THE TECH-GEEK'S CARTOON HERO, has moved out of his cube into a home, courtesy of Scott Adams, Dilbert's creator. Adams has launched the Dilbert Ultimate House--DUH--in an attempt to present his alternately whimsical and serious ideas...

Housing's agenda.(National Association of Home Builders' opinion)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The presidential election went right down to the wire this year in a hotly-contested campaign that drew record numbers of voters to the polls. Among NAHB's top priorities in working with President Bush and Congressional leaders will be...

San Francisco's $100,000 house.(AFFORDABLE HOUSING)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... CLEVER HOMES, A SAN FRANCISCO CONSTRUCTION-SYSTEMS COMPANY that develops pre-fabricated homes partnered with Affordable Green Development and CNet Networks to unveil the "Now House," a 2,400-square-foot-house that cost a little over $100,000 to...

Two of the top 10: BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of the GreenSpec Directory and Environmental Building News, announced its selections of the top ten green building products of 2004.(GREEN BUILDING)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... TimberSIL Nontoxic Pressure-Treated Wood: A sodium-silicate-based pressure-treatment system for wood that relies on a mineralization process rather than toxins to prevent infestations and decay. The patented chemistry and heat-treatment process...

New design for outdoor room: Fire Stone Home Products now offers the Fire Stone Outdoor GreatRoom[TM] Pergola.(NEW OUTDOOR SPACE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... "Like outdoor living enthusiasts across North America, we've been looking for a product that brings all of our Outdoor GreatRoom elements together," says Dan Shimek, Fire Stone Home Products president and CEO. "The Fire Stone Pergola does more...

Eucalyptus hybrid flooring.(UNIQUE FLOORING)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A hybrid eucalyptus tree, Lyptus is quickly becoming one of the world's most important hardwood lumbers, says manufacturer Weyerhaeuser, primarily because it represents a sustainable and renewable resource. In density, strength and technical...

In-home meditation room.(Design)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES OF BUSY LIFESTYLES and people wanting to stay close to home, Toll Brothers' latest model features a room dedicated to meditation or a spa-like environment. This room creates ideas for home buyers wanting a room...

Fight for fair permitting.(SINGLE-FAMILY DISINCENTIVES)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... WHILE 2004 LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER BANNER YEAR, healthy top-line numbers can mask a growing problem for those in politically constrained markets like Massachusetts. There, despite a 10.5 percent increase in total permits, those issued for detached...

Adjustable-rate mortgages: current high use could be trouble.(FINANCE WOES)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The good news out of the University of Southern California's Lusk Center for Real Estate is that experts there see no pricing bubble in the California housing market. The bad news is that they are concerned about current high use of adjustable...

Las Vegas settles down.(MARKET FORCES)
December 1, 2004... The once red-hot Las Vegas housing market is now showing signs of a return to normalcy, proving once again that markets do work, if they are allowed to function. Larry Murphy, president of Sales Traq, a Las Vegas firm that tracks new...

Zero-Energy homes is latest option.(ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... San Francisco Bay area's Ponderosa Homes showcases its Zero-Energy home--one of the home builder's newest options--at The Classics at Ironwood in Pleasanton, Calif., through an inviting "Green Gallery." The gallery, located in the garage of a...

49 home sales in one day.(LOTTERY SUCCESS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... CROSSWINDS COMMUNITIES, HEADQUARTERED IN THE DETROIT area, recently enjoyed huge success with a lottery that resulted in 49 home sales in one day in its 727-acre, award-winning master-planned community, The Sanctuary, in Ovieda, Florida. ...

Good news for home sales.(SALES FORECAST)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... How are new home sales likely to fare in 2005? According to economists at the National Association of Home Builders' Construction Forecast in October, single-family production will set another record next year. However, says David Seiders,...

Local leaders lack stately vision.(MANIFEST DENSITY)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Peter S. Reinhart, senior vice president and general counsel for Edison, N.J.-based K. Hovnanian Cos., believes the ever-populous Garden State needs higher density zoning. But first, state planners must wrest power from municipal leaders, who...

The affordable zoning paradox.(Land)(reports)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Builders have long railed against inclusionary zoning, a popular municipal tactic that requires a number of homes in a new community be set aside for sale at below-market prices. Builders say it violates supply-and-demand common sense and...

Public/private partnerships pay.(Land)(public school construction)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Public/private partnerships present a compelling win-win for builders of all sizes. When, for example, planners in Washington, D.C., wanted to replace a 1920s-vintage public school, they put out a request for proposals, but no bidders...

Rebound markets gain in starts; gain in pricing.(market intelligence)
December 1, 2004... This month, we feature two markets that are on the rebound from housing downturns, Denver and Honolulu. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Major Market: Denver Denver is one of our favorite markets in the country. In addition to being...

Where is a nexer to go? Making homes nexer friendly.
December 1, 2004... As we continue our focus-group research with the nexers, we've been hearing about their preferences for features and layout inside the home. The nexers have already provided us with a mountain of ideas that might motivate them to buy a new...

Hiring and retaining employees: learn from Pulte Homes' processes for attracting and growing the right people to fuel their success.(process improvement report)
December 1, 2004... An employee leaving a company is like a stone thrown in a still pond: ripples of disruption spread through the organization, creating unbalance. In any business, this unbalance can be expensive. Turnover can cost a builder in recruiting and...

The people side of M & A: a merger or acquisition provides a builder a unique opportunity to rethink its organizational structure and realign talent.
December 1, 2004... The race to become the first 100,000-unit GIANT is fueling merger and acquisition activity throughout home building's GIANTS. Given that the top five home builders in the United States each own only 3 to 4 percent of national market share and...

Product news.
December 15, 2004... In every readership survey ever conducted, builders rate product information in their top three information needs. Again, in every readership study builders say that the product information in the market falls far short of fulfilling those...

Pulte Homes Las Vegas.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Merrillat Cabinets www.merrillat.com Merrillat offers three cabinetry lines designed to meet nearly every need and budget: Classic, Masterpiece and Essentials. Each comes in a variety of sizes, styles, finishes and with various...

The Green Company.(PRODUCT REVIEW)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 15, 2004... T JI Floor Joists by Trus Joist MacMillan (a Weyerhauser company) www.trusjoist.com Engineered to provide strength and consistency, Trus Joists' Silent Floor joists allow for faster, easier installation with less waste. Uniform,...

The Estridge Companies.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Andersen Windows: Series 200 Windows www.andersenwindows.com The Andersen 200 Series line offers a streamlined selection of the most popular sizes and styles of windows and patio doors, priced to fit a wider range of project budgets....

Ray Tonjes Builders Inc.(PRODUCT REVIEW)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 15, 2004... Dupont Flexwrap www.construction.tyvek.com Dupont Flexwrap is a flexible flashing tape that promises superior sealing of windowsills and curved or custom shapes. FlexWrap is designed to be compatible with Tyvek Weatherization Systems...

Cedar Knoll.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Certain Teed Vinyl Windows www.certainteed.com CertainTeed High Performance Vinyl Windows are designed for value first. Whether for residential, institutional or light commercial use, every feature--from the sash and frame to the...

Laing Luxury Homes.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Kohler Bath Fixtures: Memoir and Revival Series www.us.kohler.com Kohler continues to explore new color dimensions in the kitchen and bath. The company recently introduced six new colors, available exclusively on key Kohler cast-iron...

Custom Construction Concepts.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... James Hardie Hardie plank Siding www.jameshardie.com James Hardie fiber-cement siding provides low maintenance, without sacrificing the beauty and character of wood. James Hardie siding resists rotting or cracking, as well as damage...

Simonini Builders, Inc.(PRODUCT REVIEW)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 15, 2004... Kohler Plumbing Fixtures www.kohler.com Long recognized as a global leader in kitchen and bath design, Kohler offers a diversity of products and a powerful portfolio of brands. The company is the acknowledged leader among plumbing...

Shea Homes Colorado.(PRODUCT REVIEW)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 15, 2004... Monier Lifetile Roof Tile www.monierlifetile.com Concrete roof tile from Monier Lifetile offers a lifetime warranty and protects homes from fire, high winds and blistering heat. It's also environmentally friendly. The company offers a...

Tripp Corporation.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Monier Lifetile Roof Tile www.monierlifetile.com As beautiful as it is, the Florida collection of concrete roof tile from Monier Lifetile recognizes that this state's climate often demands the most from a roof. That's why Monier...

Tilson Home Corporation.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... GE Appliances www.geappliances.com GE is continuing to revolutionize the refrigeration industry with the introduction of the first GE Profile 42-inch Built-In Side-By-Side Refrigerator. State-of-the-art technology and design have...

Young Homes.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Dunn-Edwards Paints www.dunnedwards.com Dunn-Edwards has produced premium paint products for more than 75 years throughout the Southwest, and is one of the nation's largest independent manufacturers and distributors of interior and...

Regency Homes.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Beam Central Vacuum Systems www.beamvac.com A Beam Central Vacuum System is the builtin cleaning appliance that lets you clean the home and improve indoor air quality at the same time. Research at the University of California at Davis...

Bozzuto Homes, Inc.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... FlowGuard Gold www.flowguardgold.com FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings are made from a specialty plastic known as chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC). FlowGuard Gold systems are assembled with readily available, inexpensive tools....

New Urban Communities.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... GE Appliances www.geappliances.com The new GE Profile Ovens with Trivection Technology give everyday cooks the ability to create savory, mouth-watering meals with incredible ease and speed. These versatile ovens combine thermal,...

Ginsburg Development LLC.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Shaw Carpeting www.shawfloors.com Shaw, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., produces and sells carpet, rugs, ceramic, hardwood and laminate flooring for residential and commercial applications throughout the world. In fact, the...

Puzzitiello Builders, Inc.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Kohler: Nature's Chemistry www.kohler.com Kohler Co. offers a new category of products called Nature's Chemistry that transforms indigenous materials--metal, glass, clay and stone--into evocative kitchen and bath fixtures, while...

Vogue Homes.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Comfort Foam www.comfortfoam.com Comfort Foam, a division of Foam Enterprises, Inc., is a spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation and air-seal system that provides a code-approved, closed-cell, seamless building envelope with the...

Striegler and Associates.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Ozark Pattern Concrete: Imprinted Concrete Ozarkpatternedconcrete.com Ozark 'Patterned Concrete specializes in architectural finishes that range from imprinted concrete to stained and saw-cut finishes to colored, sponge-float surfaces....

Centex Homes Seattle Division.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Granite Countertops by Super Floors www.superfloors.com With locations in Washington State, Oregon and Arizona, Super Floors Inc. provides homebuilders and homebuyers with quality flooring products and by superior service. They also...

Harwick Homes Construction Inc.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Wolf 48" Dual Fuel Range #DF486G www.subzero.com Discover a new world of cooking with the Wolf Dual Fuel Range, available in four sizes; 30, 36, 48 and 60-inches. The range includes a dual convection oven with two fans and four heating...

Noble Hill Custom Homes.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Schlage F Series Lever Interior Hardware www.schlage.com Schlage residential levers provide an easy and affordable way to upgrade the look of new and existing homes. Featuring a universal latch that fits all doors, Schlage levers meet...

Bigelow Homes.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Sheetrock Paper-Faced Metal Drywall Bead by USG www.usg.com Sheetrock Brand Paper-Faced Metal Drywall Bead and Trim from USG includes a full range of high-quality products in shapes and sizes designed to meet any decorating need. Made...

D. R. Horton Continental Series.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
December 15, 2004... Smooth-Star line of Therma-Tru Exterior Fiberglass Doors www.therma-tru.com The newest member of the Therma-Tru door family, Smooth-Star delivers excellent value for those who prefer the smooth look of fine painted wood and the...

Plans that sell: the teams that make it happen. The ideas that ensure success.(Special Issue)(Home selling)(Brief Article)
December 30, 2004... Professional Builder magazine presents this unique issue, "Best Sellers in the Top Markets," as a means for builders and architects to gather ideas from the best selling floorplans in the country and the people who made them happen. As...

Metrostudy: housing starts here.(Advertorial)(Home selling)(Advertisement)
December 30, 2004... Established in Houston in 1975, Metrostudy is the leading provider of primary and secondary market information to the housing industry and related industries nationwide. In addition to providing information, the company is recognized for its...

An unexpected surge.(Residential real estate)
December 30, 2004... In October 2004, the US Commerce Department announced an unexpected surge in single-family home sales for September. Totaling almost 1.206 million units, it is the third highest surge on record. Low mortgage rates have peaked buyer demand but...

Atlanta, GA: Ryland Homes charms the new south; Atlanta homebuyers like the Wexford for its open friendliness.
December 30, 2004... The Wexford offers homebuyers true Southern hospitality. "The family room and kitchen make the Wexford a truly great home for families and entertaining," says C. Matthew Dooley, architect for Ryland Homes in Atlanta. "It has a warm, open and...

Charlotte, NC: Simonini Builders give charlotte classic upscale appeal; The Lillington at Heydon Hall offers discriminating buyers grace and elegance.
December 30, 2004... The Lillington at Heydon Hall in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been a best seller for numerous reasons, according to Alan Simonini, president, chief operating officer and director at Simonini Builders, Inc. These include a spacious floor plan,...

Chicago, IL: Lakewood Homes blows away buyers in windy city; Chicago homeowners go for the flexibility of the Lancaster.(Illinois)
December 30, 2004... In Chicago, Lakewood Homes is dominating the market with The Lancaster: a traditional, two-story home with four bedrooms and two and a half baths. "It's popular because of its flexibility," says Lakewood Homes executive vice president...

Columbus, OH: Beazer Homes shakes up Columbus; Value-conscious Columbus homebuyers make the Shenandoah a best-seller.
December 30, 2004... Columbus, Ohio, homebuyers know the value of a dollar. They want value in their homes, which explains why the Shenandoah from Beazer Homes is a best-seller. "This plan is offered in several of our communities with a base selling price in the...

Fort Worth, TX: David Weekley Homes reins in Fort Worth housing market; The Kingsley's affordability makes it a best seller.
December 30, 2004... At more than 2,000 square feet, the spacious, ranch-style Kingsley is perfect for small lots. It's also affordably priced, at between $128,000 and $160,000. So it is little wonder why first-time and move-up buyers in Fort Worth have made this...

Denver, CO: D.R. Horton, Inc. soars in mile high city; The Blue Mesa wows Denver housing market.
December 30, 2004... "The Blue Mesa combines high design with luxury in a real, livable floor plan," says Troy Warrick, director of marketing for D.R. Horton's Continental Series in Denver. "From the moment you enter the home, you say 'Wow!'" [ILLUSTRATION...

Houston, TX: Village Builders is Houston's yellow rose; The Memphis doesn't sing the blues; it shouts curb appeal and value.(Village Builders Inc. (Houston, Texas))
December 30, 2004... The Memphis by Village Builders offers Houston buyers a tremendous value for the square footage in a spacious home that makes a statement from the moment you pull up to it on the street. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The exterior of this...

Indianapolis, IN; Ryland Homes finds itself in Indy's winner's circle; The Stratford offers a hard-to-find combination: aesthetics and value.
December 30, 2004... "Our Stratford floor plan was based on the needs of the Indianapolis market, where people want a nice sized home for a great price," says Craig Jensen, vice president of sales and marketing of Ryland Homes' Indianapolis Division. "We've been...

Jacksonville, FL: KB home brings affordability to Jacksonville; A popular floor plan at a great price attracts buyers.
December 30, 2004... Ask Vince DePorre, division president of KB Home in Jacksonville, what makes his Adam's Lake Signature Series--1691 Model so popular, and he answers without hesitation: "Location, location, location! This popular, three-bedroom, two-bath floor...

Kansas City, MO: Pulte Homes ensures everything's up to date in Kansas City; Homebuyers entertain in style in the Rosedale.
December 30, 2004... The Rosedale is a beautiful one-story home with soaring ceilings and elaborate detail that make it perfect for entertaining, reports Michelle Capek, a sales professional with Pulte Homes of Greater Kansas City. "Vaulted ceilings and arched...

Las Vegas, NV: KB homes gambles and wins in Las Vegas; Vegas homebuyers go "upside down" for the Cantabria.
December 30, 2004... The 2,312-square-foot Cantabria has created quite a stir among West Coast buyers for its unique layout. The home is actually a "split-level" design, which inspired its local nickname: the "upside-down" house. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Minneapolis, MN: Centex Homes warms up Minneapolis homebuyers; The Whitfield gives buyers what they want in a townhome.
December 30, 2004... "It fits the needs of homebuyers in Minnesota," states Annisa Olsson Jones, marketing manager of Centex Homes' Minnesota Division, explaining the popularity of the Whitfield. "The floor plan's innovative design makes very good use of the space,...

Orlando, FL: Engle Homes heats up Florida housing market; Santa Maria Plus is "Florida Traditional" with a twist.
December 30, 2004... Engle Homes describes the Orlando area's best-selling floor plan as "Florida Traditional." But for anyone who equates traditional with old-fashioned, think again. The Santa Maria Plus packs plenty of pizzazz, and that alone has turned up the...

Philadelphia, PA: Toll Brothers dominates Philadelphia; The award-winning Cornell/Columbia deserves its kudos.
December 30, 2004... It's the floor plan that goes by two names. For years, the award-winning "Cornell" had been one of Toll Brothers' best-selling models. Then, seven years ago, this builder redesigned the structural system of the house to take advantage of new...

Phoenix, AZ: KB Home rises in Phoenix; Plan 2232's one-story layout woos homebuyers.
December 30, 2004... It's name, Plan 2232, may not pack much pizzazz. But once inside this beautiful single-story home, named for its 2,232 square feet of living space, Phoenix-area homebuyers don't seem to mind the lack of a glamorous name. "Homebuyers here like...

Raleigh, NC: KB Home tops Raleigh's housing market; The Tyler's open floor plan makes it Raleigh's best seller.(North Carolina)
December 30, 2004... "The open flow of the first floor and the fabulous open loft set the Tyler apart from other floor plans available in our market," states Trish Hanchette, division president of KB Home in Raleigh, N.C. But that's not all that characterizes the...

Riverside, CA: Young Homes customizes home plans for Riverside; Best-selling Plan 601 was created by and for homeowners.
December 30, 2004... It's the house that Jane and John Doe built. Plan 601 at Autumn Glen in Moreno Valley, Calif., wasn't the result of an architect sitting at his desk, rendering his vision of a dream home. 601 was, in effect, the dream of local homebuyers. ...

Sacramento, CA: KB Home flexes its muscle in Sacramento; Numerous design options give Sacramento buyers freedom of choice.
December 30, 2004... Why is Plan 3037 at Spring Creek a bestseller? The answer is simple: It's like getting a custom home at a mass-housing price. Sacramento-area home-buyers--or homebuyers in any other area, for that matter--are unaccustomed to so many choices....

Seattle, WA: Seattle rains fortunes on Centex Homes; The Willow bends to homebuyers' desires.
December 30, 2004... The Willow, one of five home plans Centex Homes is offering at Settler's Grove and Settler's Meadow in the Seattle area, has taken the market by storm. This 2,023-square-foot home features three bedrooms plus a flex loft, two and a half baths...

St. Louis, MO: Whittaker Homes responds to St. Louis home buying market; The Georgetown answers buyers' need for separate living and dining areas.
December 30, 2004... Whitaker Homes enjoys a give-and-take relationship with St. Louis-area homebuyers. The latter share their must-haves, and Whitaker gives them their preferred layout at a reasonable price. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "St. Charles County...

Tampa, FL: Lennar Homes fuels home-buying on Florida's gulf coast; The Geneva offers Tampa homebuyers a lot for a little.
December 30, 2004... The Geneva is a rare home, indeed, because it doesn't feature a lot of extras. That's because the extras are considered standard, not add-on options. "The Geneva provides buyers with many architectural details not usually found in this price...

Washington D.C.: Bozzuto Homes governs Washington, D.C.; Empty nesters and seniors make the Faulk a best-selling townhome.
December 30, 2004... Bozzuto Homes, Inc. designed the Faulk plan at King Farm with empty nesters and seniors in mind. Bozzuto had been a traditional apartment-building company that moved into the condominium business in the early 1990s in response to higher land...