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Professional Builder Top Stories

See the 2009 Best In American Living Award Winners
Take a look at the 2009 BALA winning entries,including Home of The Year and the Platinum, Gold and Silver winners, among others.

Take the 2010 Survey of Housing's Giants
It's time for home builders to fill out our annual survey for the 2010 report on Housing's Giants. Do it now. Deadline for survey submissions is April 16, 2010.

Builders Need to Act Fast to Capture Tax-Credit Sales
With the federal home-buyer tax credit expiring June 30, builders shouldn't waste time on anything that doesn't produce sales.

Water Efficiency to Play Bigger Role in Home Building
Home building professionals expect to see increased investment in water-conservation measures in home-building and remodeling projects through 2011.

Featured Stories From Our Publications

Nation's First Set of Green Building Model Codes and Standards Released
First of its kind collaboration designed to boost critical green building practices across the country.

2009 Property Report for U.S. Released by Xactware
Recession plays large role in flattening construction costs throughout the year, according to report

Economist: Housing Fights Headwinds
Mesirow Financial Chief Economist provides outlook for housing

Home Builders Institute Gets Grant for Residential Construction Mentoring Program
Underserved, at-risk and court involved youth to work with construction industry mentors in 11 states

Survey Finds Shift Away from High-End Kitchen and Bath Features
Homeowner preferences lean to energy efficiency and simplicity in design

Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. Files Voluntary Chapter 11 Petitions
Orleans obtains up to $40 million in anticipated new DIP financing; all homebuilding and management services to continue operations

News

Millennial Generation Chooses Urban Apartments and Condominiums Over Single-Family Houses

There is a shift occurring in the housing demands of young professionals away from suburban lifestyles and a renewed interest in urban living, according to Carol Coletta, president and CEO of CEOs for Cities.
KB Home to Pre-Wire Homes for Electric Vehicles
KB Home announced that it will begin offering an option to pre-wire its homes to accommodate charging stations for homeowners' electric vehicles.
Bankrupt Orleans Homebuilders Gets Financing, Continues Operations
Orleans Homebuilders Inc. has received Court approval on several key motions that will allow the continued operation of its homebuilding and management services operations after filing for Chapter 11 protection.
“Cash for Caulkers” Program to Boost Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market
A recent SBI Energy market study titled “Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market” reports that energy-efficient windows already far outsell other types of fenestration products in the home remodeling industry.

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Blogs
White Papers
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Editorial Blogs

THE PRODUCT GUY - Nick Bajzek
Fireplaces Climb to 1.2 Million Products Shipped in 2009
March 11, 2010

The 2009 Industry Shipment Statistics were released today by the Hearth, Pa... More

MY TWO CENTS - Susan Bady
ASLA Survey Indicates Rising Interest in Sustainable Landscaping
March 11, 2010

A recent survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)... More

Advertisement Sponsor White Paper

Making Walls Quiet for Less: A How to Guide

INSIDE STORY: Open-cell Foam

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Industry News

Mar 11, 2010

brought to you by Lexis Nexis

Estimating Software for Builders and Remodelers Released
The NAHB has released construction estimating software that allows builders and remodelers to complete complex estimates quickly and accurately.
New Study Offers Glimpse into Builder Financial Records
The NAHB publication provides data about profitability, cost of sales and expenses from hundreds of home builders across the country.
Home Builder Sentenced for Defrauding Mortgage Lenders
A home builder in Minnesota was sentenced recently in federal court for defrauding lenders into making home loans for amounts exceeding the actual values of the properties involved.
Class Action Lawsuit Against Pulte Homes Dismissed
The lawsuit that was dismissed alleged, among other things, that Pulte engaged in misconduct that contributed to the mortgage crisis.
Regulators Move to Shut More Banks
Regulators late last week shut down small banks in Florida and Texas, boosting to 18 the number of U.S. bank failures this year.
Maine Considers Legislation to License Contractors
Contractors and their trade organizations in Maine are split on whether to support legislation to start licensing home builders in 2012.