Latest in industry-data-&-research

Parks Raise Revenue, Reduce Risks
on September 30,2003 in Feature

The days of 'back-of-the-envelope' land deals and 'rule-of-thumb' land planning disappeared in the last decade, replaced by rigorous analysis with the goal of eking out every potential dime from...

Keeping Score on Your Metrics
on September 30,2003 in Feature

quarterly and yearly planning sessions fall under your strategic planning umbrella, and regular tracking gives you timely, accurate and plentiful data with which to work.

Housing Cost Among Top Consumer Worries
on September 30,2003 in Feature

National Association of Realtors study shows that affordability ranks higher than pollution and crime in terms of concerns.

Scoring Points With Customers
on August 31,2003 in Feature

The good news coming out of the NRS homeowner satisfaction study? Most customers are very satisfied with their remodelers.

Administrative Metrics
on August 31,2003 in Feature

Your administrative department must provide timely, accurate information for you to make important fiscal decisions such as whom to hire, how much to pay, what to buy (capital expenditures) and...

Estimating Metrics
on July 31,2003 in Feature

If your business begins with sales and marketing, it can end with poor — or a lack of — estimating.

Sales and Marketing Metrics
on June 30,2003 in Feature

You can't afford not to pay attention to key indicators for sales and marketing. Study the numbers, ask yourself why you might be missing your targets and adjust.

Your Charity Shouldn't Be Secret
on June 30,2003 in Feature

Thanks to the rhetoric of politicians, the image of builders as land pillagers is widespread. Thus, when builders use some of their hard-earned profit for charity, they should do so in a very...

Diversify Your Investments
on May 31,2003 in Feature

Builders who put many of their investment eggs into the housing basket might suffer significant (and disproportionately large) losses when, and if, the housing markets turn down.

Measure What You Want To Improve
on May 31,2003 in Feature

Measure what drives your goals. Inspect what you expect monthly. Identify weaknesses and repair them. Reward and celebrate success.

Assisted Laid-Off Employees
on April 30,2003 in Feature

As we learned from the stock market during the past three years, all bubbles eventually burst.

New Association Seeks Role in Construction Financing
on February 28,2003 in Feature

Builders ought to keep on eye on the new National Association of Residential Construction Lenders be-cause it could lower the cost of residential construction financing.

Building Materials Price Inflation: December 2002
on January 31,2003 in Feature (Web Exclusive)

Average construction material/supply prices declined by 0.2% from November to December.

Housing Starts Activity Records Rise During December
on January 31,2003 in Feature (Web Exclusive)
The seasonally adjusted annualized rate of building permits issued nationwide for new housing construction soared by 8.2% from November to December 2002.
Consumer Confidence: January 2003
on January 31,2003 in Feature (Web Exclusive)
The Conference Board's composite Consumer Confidence Index fell by 2.1% from December to January, reaching its lowest point since November 1993.
New Residential Building Permits by Region: December 2002
on January 31,2003 in Feature (Web Exclusive)
The number of residential building permits issued nationwide during 2002 was 5.6% greater than during 2001, according to preliminary estimates by the U.S. Commerce Department
New Residential Permit Volume Through December 2002
on January 31,2003 in Feature (Web Exclusive)

Permit volume throughout the nation rose by 5.6% during 2002, and 18 of the country's top 25 highest-volume metropolitan areas contributed to this increase

Housing Starts Activity Records Decline During November
on January 07,2003 in Feature (Web Exclusive)
The seasonally adjusted annualized rate of building permits issued nationwide for new housing construction declined by 2.7% from October to November 2002.
New Residential Building Permits by Region: November 2002
on January 07,2003 in Feature (Web Exclusive)
The total number of residential building permits issued nationwide during the first 11 months of last year was 6.1% greater than during January-November 2001.
Consumer Confidence: December 2002
on January 07,2003 in Feature (Web Exclusive)
The Conference Board's composite Consumer Confidence Index ended 2002 on a sour note, falling to a point 15.1% lower than in December 2001.