Industry News

• Survey Finds Consumers Prefer Aesthetics to Energy Efficiency Efficiency
  A new national survey finds Americans are saying that they prefer aesthetic home improvements — a refinished kitchen or bathroom — over money-saving improvements, such as energy-efficient windows or a high-efficiency furnace. Take a look at the results.
• Pending Home Sales Contracts Rise for 8th Straight Month
  The number of signed sales contracts to buy homes rose in September for the eighth straight month, according to a recently released real estate industry report. Here's a look at the current numbers.
• Remodeler Finds Manufactured Homes to be Business Opportunity
  This remodeling firm in the California market recognized an opportunity to build their business by targeting owners of manufactured homes. Before they knew it, their business was off and running. This is how it has all played out for them.
• Consensus: Real Estate Recession to End in 2010
  The real estate market will experience growth and expansion next year, according to projections from most major real estate organizations. The recession will be behind us. Here’s a look at the forecasting consensus.
• Social Networking for Connecting Pros and Consumers
  Find out how those in the real estate business – from remodelers to Realtors – have been using social networking tools in order to communicate with their peers and prospects.
• The Allure of Kitchen Remodels
  Here are some ideas on how to spice up a kitchen remodel that you can share with clients who are either planning on doing kitchen remodel project, or may be thinking of doing one.
• Galley Kitchens Regain Popularity
  When the kitchen in this home that is located in a historic district was renovated, the designers were faced with three challenges. They had to maintain some measure of historical accuracy, adapt to the needs of modern caterers, and work within the confines of a long, narrow space.
• Interior Design Realities for Lean Budgets
  It's a new world out there for interior designers. As the recession continues to paint a bleak landscape in most retail segments, homeowners are spending less on luxury items. For designers, that means smaller projects, but not necessarily less business.
• Hot water from the sun
  Tucson Electric Power Co. in Tuscon, Ariz., is expecting $1.3 million in federal stimulus funds to help get solar water heaters into low-income residences and the offices of nonprofit groups. And that means local installers also are looking to get the energy-saving appliances into more homes.
• Recession Chips Away at Granite Kitchen Tops
  Not long ago, it was a home-improvement rule seemingly set in stone: a new or upgraded kitchen had to have granite countertops. Now, 21 months into this recession, granite countertops seem to be relics of a fizzled-out housing boom. Here’s the reason why, and a look at what consumers are starting to choose instead.
• NAHB Book Offers Success Strategies for Remodelers
  Remodelers just starting up a business and those who want to streamline their companies to be more profitable and efficient now have a new resource to tap. BuilderBooks, the publishing arm for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has released The Paper Trail: Systems and Forms for a Well-Run Remodeling Company, Second Edition. Find out how you can get a copy.
• Stimulus Implementation a Struggle for Organizations
  Results of a survey focused on how companies and government agencies across the nation are planning to use the $787 billion economic stimulus package showed that many organizations face a common chicken or egg situation.
• Landscape Architects Create New Sustainability Resource Guides
  The American Society of Landscape Architects has launched a new series of comprehensive online resource guides on sustainable design and planning. The guides include hundreds of project case studies, research papers, organizations and other government resources on sustainable design aggregated for the first time. Find out more about it here.
• Home Buyers Desire Energy Efficiency— But Only At Right Price
  Even though prospective home buyers want the benefits of new, more efficient homes, they are unwilling to pay much more for a "green" home, according to a recent member survey from the National Association of Home Builders.
• Lender Pilots Low-Cost Green Home Equity Loan
  Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank is testing a new home-equity loan and line of credit program in Colorado that offers customers a three-eighths percent rate reduction for qualified "green" home improvement projects. Check it out.

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