| Storage |
With the evolving trends that sweep in and out of the building world, there's one particular trend that seems to be evolving beyond attics and basements — unlimited storage space. For some, organizing comes easily; for others organization is the result of having available space. As the number of material possessions grows, it's only a matter of time before homeowners run out of places to ...
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| Lessons Learned |
This column is best read while humming Bonnie Raitt's classic, "Something to Talk About." Trust me — just try it and feel the difference. In the July issue I challenged the notion that builders receive good value from their advertising expenditures. My not too hidden premise is that most builders are doing what everyone else is doing — screaming out in big, expensive print ads hopin...
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| Plans and Projects |
In Sycamore Heights, Pleasanton, Calif., SummerHill Homes creates upscale homes designed to take advantage of a premium location and hillside views. Located on a 35-acre rolling hillside site, with views of the Sunol Ridge and Mount Diablo, nature infuses the homes of Sycamore Heights by inviting outward views into the home, but also creating private spaces for owners inside of the home.
The ability to move fast is often a critical element of success in home building. DeLuca Homes — based in Yardley, Pa., but with half its $237 million in 2004 revenues generated from a division in Central Florida — demonstrates how getting things done at double-time enhances the bottom line.
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| Plans & Projects |
Building in the golf and recreational resort community of Lansdowne on the Potomac — in Lansdowne, Va. — Brookfield Homes' Washington metropolitan division faced the challenge of including 39 mandated affordable housing units in a 100-unit townhouse development. Rather than treating that element of the project as a down-market stepchild, the upscale builder rose to the occasion with...
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| PATH Report |
Home builders despise two things: punch lists and callbacks. "Callbacks pertaining to the comfort of a home are common in our industry," says Ross Benline, a customer service manager with Ryland Homes Austin/San Antonio division. Yet when it comes to one of the most common causes of aggravation — heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installation — many builders leave the...
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| Perspective |
In July 1998 I sat intimidated in front of my computer screen, wondering what I could possibly say to all of you about a business totally new to me and wonderfully familiar to you. Adding the words, Editor-in-Chief, Professional Builder behind my name did little to eliminate my butterflies or erase my uncertainty.
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| New Home Knowledge |
This month, we sit down with new home sales professionals Kelly Boehmer, Debbie McGhee and Reed Schweizer to discuss listening skills. John Rymer: One of the most important skills in selling is learning to listen. What are some tips on improving your listening skills? Kelly Boehmer: Listening skills are the most important thing in sales.
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| Learn |
Land development is both an art and a science. It is an art that builds on creativity, instincts and vision to transform an idea from concept into reality. As a science, it systematically progresses through a series of activities to accomplish a successful outcome — a new development. In this article, we will discuss the land acquisition and development finance process, which includes: Th...
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| The H.R. Dept. |
One of the main reasons relationships fail, whether they are professional or personal, is because of misalignment of expectations. The sales and marketing folks know this all too well and focus heavily on "establishing buyer expectations" in order to stem misunderstandings. Problem — the X and Y Dilemma As an employer, you might be expecting X performance from an employee who is deliverin...
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