Issue Contents

January 2000

Feature

'Career Path' Requirements for Construction Superintendents

Knowledge & Skill Requirements

New data released by the United States Census Bureau shows that an increasing number of households prefer apartment living, even though they can afford to buy a home.

Accomodate Growth, Don't Limit It

Although the pace of growth and traffic congestion in their communities concern Americans, they prefer accommodating growth by expanding and improving infrastructure such as roads and schools rather than limiting it through regulation.

Achievers

Achieve: to carry out successfully; to get or attain as a result of exertion; to attain a desired end or aim.

Affordable Solutions to Inner-City Housing Woes

Engaging examples of manufactured homes have popped up on previously abandoned sites in five urban communities thanks to a forward-thinking programmed called the Urban Design Demonstration Design Program, sponsored by the Manufactured Housing...

Applying for the National Housing Quality Award

Unlike quality awards concerned only with the finished product, the National Housing Quality Award examines the builder’s business and quality management practices.

Big Gain? Plan Then Train

Organizations that routinely train their employees have higher morale and lower turnover -- but not necessarily better business results.

Building Home Building Careers

From the perspective of today's workers, the robust economy is perfect.

Cabinet Maker Zeros Out Pollution

Canyon Creek Cabinet Company, Monroe, Wash., recently reduced its level of hazardous airborne pollution to zero and made its liquie discharge waste clean enough to siply pour down the drain.

California Builders Ponder New Product Liability Woes

For more than three decades, California home builders have battled their state’s peculiar application of strict product liability laws to housing construction.

Chicago Condo Sales Outpace Single-Family Homes

Condominiums have become the dominant choice in the booming Chicagoland market, say area housing analysts.

Court Expands Protection for New-Home Buyers

This past November, the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio ruled that Centex Homes cannot enforce the protion of its contracts requiring buyers to waive the guarantee that their new homes are 'habitable' and made with 'good and workmanlike...

Del Webb Supers Get Connected

Del Webb Corp., Phoenix, has introduced a computer system for field superintendents which is expected to save the company $60,000 per year in Las Vegas alone.

Delcor's Quality Journey

Phil McCafferty, president of Delcor Homes, New Hudson, Mich., is living in the future more ways than one.

Dutch Builder Finances Virginia Community

Reston, Va.-based Waterford Development has formed a 'strategic alliance' with Bouwfonds, one of Holland's largest home builders and developers, to finance residential and mixed-use projects in the Washington, D.C. market.

E-Dreams for the New Millennium

While leading a discussion group during an industry executives' meeting just over two years ago, I overhead the president of a national homebuilder proclaim authoritatively: 'This Internet stuff is never going to materially affect our business...

Florida Beckons Builders as Baby Boomers Age

If baby boomers flocked to California in the 1970s, when they were in their 20s, will they migrate again--this time to Florida--as they enter their 50s?

Get Bored

This Year, let's get tired of talking about the labor crisis.

Godfrey Interiors Expands, Moves H.Q. to Naples, Fla.

Squelching rumors of a merger with long-time interior design competitor March-Michaels & Associates, Florida model merchandising maven Betsy Godfrey (right) is expanding her firm instead.

Green Building Conference Combines Theory with Practice

The second annual National Green Building Conference offers attendees three days of educaqtion where the theory behind the resource efficient construction is brought to life through residential case studies and housing tours.

Hearts of Gold

When additional housing was needed to accommodate the growing number of terminally ill chilcren and their families who visit Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, Fla., it seemed only a miracle would get the job done.

Home Finishes Redefines Custom Service for Builders

When passion and necessity collide the result can be potent.

Housing Slowing to a High Plateau

When will the good times end?

Importance of BALA

It takes more than an eye-catching exterior to be chosen as a Best In American Living Award (BALA) winner.

Information-Based Web Portal for Builders

The Internet is now zoned for housing.

Internet Redefines New Home Selling Strategies

For all of you still wondering whether web site selling is worth the necessary investment, consider the experience of the Giordana family in Atlanta.

Just Like Lots, Solutions Are Few And Far Between

The Portland city government’s official position is their new base zone design standards are a response to past construction standards that have negatively impacted the livability and safety of surrounding neighborhoods

Key Demographic: U.S. Immigrants by Metro Area, 1995-1998

All Metro Areas

Manufacturer News

Trex Company Inc. announced an initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:TWP). Trex is a manufacturer of alternative decking products.

Masco Corp. Names New Executives

Masco Corporation of Taylor, Michigan, has announced the appointment of three new executives in their management team.

Mind Trips

Think back--what were you doing a year ago?

NAHB Housing Forecast (1997-2001)

Housing Activity

Negotiating Skills

Every builder or remodeler has been there, or will be someday: The contractor has done his or her best to complete the job as agreed, but the customer is not satisfied. Settling the disagreement is a painful challenge that will require sophisticated...

New Employee-Development Programs at K. Hovanian

1. Homebuilding Benchstrength Process:

OnQ Boosts Technology Know-How

OnQ Technologies recently introduced a program aimed at helping home builders capitalize on the growing consumer interest in a wired home.

Portland, Ore. Gets Facade Lift

Over the last 20 years, most of the infill development in the city of Portland, Ore. has consisted of garage-dominated row houses.

Rates Return to Neutral

Last month, when the Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates by a quarter point, many assumed a negative impact on builder’s stock prices would soon follow.

Rutenberg Ushers Alternatives Into the Industry

Having basically grown up in the building industry (his father Art is a prominent national builder, now retired), Barry Rutenberg seems to view all builders as his extended family.

Shelter or Home: Which Builder Are You?

While all of us may be tiring of Millennium Fever, the fact is all the ballyhoo can cover important grist for the collective mill of our industry.

Study Says Growth Control a Recipe for Unaffordable Housig

A new study by the Reason Public Policy Institute points to growth control policies--specific urban growth boundaries--as having a detrimental impact on housing supply and affordability.

Success Drivers for Home Builders

What are the most important keys to success for a home builder?

Sunny Conditions Forecasted

The 2000 forecase for the housing industry should look something like this: overall, mostly sunny with clean conditions expected across the country with the presence of a stationary high front that extends from the nation's capital.

The 20 Elements of ISO 9000

The Case For Expanding Low-Income Credit Program

An important provision of tax legislation recently passed by Congress would expand funding for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, spurring the creation of 28,000 additional units of affordable rental housing every year.

The Sales Process

We're finally here. The last installment in our series of Sales and Marketing LEARN articles.

The Talent Wars

The TEAM with the best players wins!

Think Fast!

Everything seems to happen faster today than ever before.

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Reference Library

Professional Remodeler's 2013 Market Leaders

Professional Remodeler’s annual Market Leaders list, which identifies the top...

15 design trends for kitchens & baths

With demand for custom design, remodeling, and renovations at its highest level since 2005, ...

Project Spotlight: Kitchen countered

Normandy Remodeling converts confined kitchen into sprawling galley.

5 bathroom design trends for 2013

Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association surveys its members to identify the latest...

6 kitchen design trends for 2013

Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association surveys its members to identify the latest...

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