Monday, August 31, 2009
Construction industry competition escalates
FORT WORTH, TX - At a sales meeting in late February, Speed Fab-Crete Vice President of Sales Ronald Hamm told his staff they were going back to the basics. The company, which had long since abandoned the traditional bid process in lieu of a design-build business model, had to change to meet today’s market. And like many construction firms out there today, Speed Fab-Crete entered the public projects arena – an arena that is bursting at its seams. Full Story.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Investors Pluck Deals From Housing Crash Wreckage
As Southern California's homebuilders stumble through the wreckage of the worst bust in their industry's history, investors are collecting the pieces in anticipation of the next boom. Buyers are snapping up empty expanses as large as 100 acres from developers and builders in San Diego and Riverside counties who were caught wrong-footed when housing demand began to slow in 2005. The prices are typically half or less of what was initially loaned on the properties in the first half of the decade, and many are the product of bankruptcy or foreclosure. Full Story.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Green designs focus of homebuilders
FORT WORTH, TX - Neither Trey Neville nor his business partner Brett Relander want to be called home builders. But with both standing at the precipice of launching a new, energy efficient line of homes in the Metroplex, that’s just what they are. Together, Neville and Relander are launching Green Star Homes, a new home building business in North Texas. Currently, the pair has purchased a few lots just off of Montgomery Street in Fort Worth and already has been commissioned to build a custom home for a local couple. Full Story.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Economic downturn forces Gulf Coast homebuilders to focus on lower-end houses
Jason Hons' goal is to build homes in a price range that nobody else occupies, and it seems to be working -- he's got 15 homes in the works on the Eastern Shore. When competitors were building high-end homes three years ago, Hons Builders in Daphne bought Chelcey Place off Milton Jones Road in Daphne and focused on 1,600- to 2,000-square-foot homes. "Now we're known as the ones who do small houses with nice amenities at an affordable price," he said. "That big-house builder market is gone." Full Story.
Saturday, August 29, 2009>
Homebuilders seek a little help from their government
LAS VEGAS, NV - The turnaround in sales of existing homes has spurred hope that Las Vegas’ housing market is recovering, but local homebuilders remain on the outside looking in and are calling on the federal government for help. The group, represented by the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders, is urging Congress to extend tax credits for first-time homebuyers that expire Dec. 1, pass legislation that will help them recoup taxes, support their efforts to get financing and help streamline the appraisal process. Full Story.
Friday, August 28, 2009
New law set for Missouri homebuilders
ST LOUIS, MO - For the first time in Missouri, homebuilders are required to ask customers if they want a residential sprinkler system. The sprinkler would be added to the inside of the home. Full Story.
Friday, August 28, 2009
FMI index: Federal stimulus yet to help nonresidential construction
FMI Corp.’s latest quarterly survey of executives in the nonresidential construction industry indicates that while the market appears to have stabilized somewhat, it does not look ready to mount a rally anytime soon — in part because the federal economic-stimulus package has yet to live up to its promise. Responses to FMI’s survey produced an index score of 44.8 on a 100-point scale for the third quarter. A score above 50 indicates growth. A score below 50 shows contraction. Full Story.
Friday, August 28, 2009
$6.7 million in weatherization funds awarded to North Central Texas
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has announced a major award to a local nonprofit designed to generate a wide array of jobs that will help jump start the state’s construction industry, while increasing home energy efficiency for low income households, reducing their cost burden and creating a healthier environment. Full Story.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Home builders are key to a housing rebound
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The South Florida housing market will bounce back when home builders are busy again. “The real sign that we have bottomed out is when we start seeing new-home building,” housing consultant Lewis Goodkin says. “This is the lowest level I’ve ever seen in many markets.” Goodkin, a noted analyst based in Miami, spoke Thursday during a two-hour real estate seminar in Fort Lauderdale sponsored by the Gunster law firm. Full Story.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
New Home Selects Bay Area to Launch Its Green Building Materials Superstores
DUBLIN, CA - Green's going mainstream with a new breed of green home superstores. New Home Green Materials and Learning Center is set to launch a game-changing green building materials distribution and retail chain offering eco-friendly products in every category of home building and home improvement. New Home Inc. plans to open 25 brick and mortar stores throughout California, 10 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Full Story.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
July numbers don’t tell story, local builders say
CANTON, OH - A drop in the number of home-building permits issued isn’t an indication that the market is sour, according to several area builders. After climbing sharply to 38 in June, only 28 permits were issued in July. A year ago, 23 permits were issued in June and 48 in July, according to figures from the Building Industry Association of Stark County. Full Story.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
As Home Market Improves, Builder Toll Brothers Hikes Some Prices
NEW YORK - During the downturn, desperate home-building companies cut prices dramatically and threw in everything from free vacations to below- market mortgage rates as enticements to get buyers to the closing table. Now, those days might be numbered. As improving economic conditions soothe the nerves of jittery consumers, luxury home-building company Toll Brothers Inc. (TOL) is reducing incentives and raising prices "in selected communities." It isn't clear exactly where this is taking place, but any builder that is increasing prices - instead of shaving them - and cutting back on profit-eroding incentives signals a return to a more normal sales environment for a sector recovering from the worst downturn in decades. Full Story.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
MELBOURNE CITY, MC, AUSTRALIA - NO building code is enough to protect a home from being destroyed in a bushfire. That's the stark message from the head of the Australian Building Codes Board to the royal commission into the devastating Black Saturday bushfires. General manager Ivan Donaldson yesterday told the commission those who lived in bushfire prone areas needed to be aware of the risks. Full Story.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
New fire code to be assessed
PARIS CITY, TX - The Paris City Council this week named an International Fire & Building Codes Review Committee to study the implications of new fire and building codes. Adoption of the 2006 International Fire Code was scheduled at a June 22 meeting but council members tabled action after hearing from a number of concerned business owners about the code’s effect on both current and future businesses. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Leap in new home sales sends homebuilders higher
The upwards tear in homebuilder stocks continued Wednesday as a government report showed a big leap in sales of new homes last month, yet another sign of recovery in the battered housing market. The Commerce Department said new U.S. home sales rose 9.6 percent in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 433,000 unit sales. That's the fourth straight monthly gain and the strongest sales pace since September. The number of unsold homes on the market also shrunk to the smallest amount since April 2007. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
New Home Construction Rises In State
HARTFORD, CT - New home construction in Connecticut rose slightly in July compared with the same month a year ago -- the first monthly, year-over-year increase since November. Towns and cities issued 446 building permits for single-family houses, condominiums and apartment units in July, a 9 percent increase from 409 a year ago, according to a new report today from the state Department of Economic and Community Development. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
New Online RFID in Construction Event to Be Held on Sept. 1
NEW YORK - RFID Journal, the world's leading media and events company covering radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, today announced its partnership with FIATECH, a consortium of industries and companies that build large refineries, power plants, commercial buildings or manufacturing facilities, to produce a virtual event covering RFID in construction. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Special building code meeting set
MOUNT CARROLL, IL - The Carroll County Municipal Partners group will hold a special meeting tonight to explore the possibility of adopting building codes for the area. Organizers say Municipal Partners is taking on this subject in response to recent state legislation that may require municipalities to adopt building codes regulating commercial structures. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
APS argues against free power lines to homebuilders
Depending who you ask, the free power lines that Arizona Public Service Co. once offered new homes either boosted the state's economy, or encouraged wildcat growth and drove household energy prices higher. Investors who buy and sell land, homebuilders and real estate agents have been arguing to the Corporation Commission to restore the free line extensions that were cancelled in 2007. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wind tower construction remains on schedule
ODELL, IL - Iberdrola Renewables, the wind tower providers currently doing construction between Emington and Odell, is within one week of being right on track in building and have already submitted its first $1 million payment to the Livingston County Board. The $1 million represents payment in lieu of sales tax money as part of an Enterprise Zone Agreement made between the county and Iberdrola. Full Story.
Monday, August 24, 2009
California tax credit expires, home permits sink
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Homebuilding permits filed in California in July fell significantly from June as a state tax credit for buyers of new homes expired, a homebuilders group said on Monday. The group also said the number of new homes built in the most populous U.S. state would sink to a record low this year. California has been hit hard by the housing downturn which, combined with a foreclosure glut and tight mortgage credit, have hammered the state's homebuilding industry. Full Story.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Turner Completes Largest Green Roof in New York City
Roof atop the United States Postal Service Morgan Mail Processing Facility is Part of the USPS's Goal to Reduce Energy Usage by 30 Percent by 2015
NEW YORK, NY - Turner Construction Company, the nation's largest green builder, has substantially completed New York City's largest green roof for the United States Postal Service (USPS) atop the 2.2 million sq. ft. Morgan Mail Processing Facility on West 28th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. Full Story.
Monday, August 24, 2009
From 'concept to concrete' in less time
MIAMI, FL - Miami-Dade County's Office of Capital Improvements might not seem a likely place to discuss South Florida business. But last May, Director Johnny Martinez and his staff began hearing from the construction industry as the base of private project work began to dry up. The county staff worked to establish a program similar to what had been created after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which was a program designed to expedite contracts that would be funded through a county stimulus plan. Full Story.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Houston County Commission approves building codes
DOTHAN, AL - Houston County adopted a building code for county residents on Monday, which does not assess any new fees or taxes, or limit construction in unincorporated areas of the county, except in the flood plain. The codes, assistant county engineer Justin Barfield said, which had already been county approved, bring the county into compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations. Full Story.
Saturday, August 22, 2009>
East Texas home sales surge
LUFKIN, TX - A surprising boom in the midst of a recession, the U.S. housing market surged 7 percent last month, making it the largest monthly increase in ten years. East Texas homebuilders and realtors say the low interest rates and government incentives have home buyers on the move. Full Story.
Saturday, August 22, 2009>
Groundbreaking Buildings
PETERBOROUGH, FL - The housing market is picking up again, and with it comes another round of condominium construction projects destined to raise our homes ever higher off the ground. But as our square footage decreases and downtown urban living becomes more popular, the environment is far from being forgotten. Thinking about making a condo your next home? Here are some state-of-the-art environmental considerations that are quickly becoming part of the green condo living the world over. Full Story.
Friday, August 21, 2009
CSPD Theft Sting Yields Two Arrests
COLLEGE STATION, TX - Following months of thefts at local construction sites, College Station police with the help of local homebuilders set up a sting operation to catch those responsible for stealing construction materials and early Friday morning two arrests were made. Full Story.
Friday, August 21, 2009
O.C. housing is 6th least affordable in U.S.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - While some folks cheer recently rising home prices, there is a price to pay: Orange County is a very challenging place to pay for a home! O.C. was the 6th least affordable housing market in the nation in the second quarter. That’s according to economists at the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Bank. Full Story.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Myrtle Beach area builders prepare for energy code changes
MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Local home builders are getting ready for some changes in the building code that will require more energy efficiency and documentation. The Horry-Georgetown Home Builders Association hosted an educational workshop Thursday about upcoming changes to the energy code. The changes include increased documentation of insulation and windows in homes. Starting Jan. 1 builders must place an energy efficiency certificate on the electrical panel in all single family homes proving that they comply with the energy standards. Full Story.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Dozens of Shiprock homes crumbling
SHIPROCK, NM – Dozens of new homes are crumbling in Shiprock as the Navajo Nation continues its probe into a $9 million construction project gone awry. Shiprock officials and representatives of the Navajo Housing Authority met this week to discuss an abandoned 91-home construction project that began nearly three years ago. About 50 homes were built. They stand empty, vandalized and deteriorating near the existing Navajo Housing Authority community. Full Story.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
St. Paul Condemns Circus Bleachers
ST PAUL, MN - St. Paul officials found bleachers that collapsed during a performance at Circus Juventas were in violation of building codes and condemned them. Seven people were taken to a hospital when the bleachers failed Sunday. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sprinkler pitch could spike home costs
LIVINGSTON, MI - Some fire-prevention advocacy groups are pushing for a measure that would require the installation of indoor sprinklers in most new residential buildings in Michigan — a requirement some opponents said could cost upward of $11,000 per home in an already near-stagnant homebuilding economy. The proposal has met fierce opposition, and the Michigan Building Code Review Committee in July recommended making sprinkler systems voluntary, rather than mandatory, in the state’s 2009 residential code. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Firm Plans Leadership Role In Green Homebuilding
LEESBURG, VA - The green movement in Loudoun continues, with the groundbreaking of the county's first LEED-certified homes. Village Green Homes, LLC, is initially planning construction of six homes in Purcellville that will be LEED certified to at least the silver level, according to Elsa Anders, co-owner of Village Green Homes with her husband Rob Lauten. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Single-family home building rises for 5th month
WASHINGTON - Construction of new single-family homes rose for the fifth-straight month in July as more buyers walked into model homes ready to sign contracts, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The pace of single-family home construction edged up almost 2 percent and building permits for future construction climbed nearly 6 percent. The confidence level in the industry this month is the highest in more than a year, the National Association of Home Builders said Monday. Full Story.
Monday, August 17, 2009
New homebuyers extending welcome mat for porches
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Forget the days of the solitary porch swing; today’s front porches are hubs of full-fledged outdoor living. A few years ago, the humble front porch was a disappearing icon thanks to air conditioning, video games and backyard barbecues. But what was old suddenly has become new again. Full Story.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Homebuilder Confidence in U.S. Rises to One-Year High
Confidence among U.S. homebuilders rose to a one-year high, another sign that the worst of the housing decline that began in 2006 has passed. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo confidence index climbed to 18, matching forecasts by economists and reaching the highest level since June 2008, the Washington-based group said today. A reading below 50 means most respondents view conditions as poor. Full Story.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Queen Creek defends hefty impact fees
QUEEN CREEK, AZ - Right or wrong, Queen Creek and its development impact fees totaling $16,000 for a single-family home have become a prime example used by Arizona’s homebuilders this year as they lobbied the state Legislature for a moratorium on such fees for a couple of years. The homebuilders viewed the move as Arizona’s own economic stimulus. I discovered today just how much that argument irritates Queen Creek leaders during a meeting at their town hall between some Tribune journalists and a couple of top administrators. Full Story.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Building permit ordinance work underway
FARMINGTON, ME — Work has begun on a proposed building permit ordinance to address the state's requirements for towns that have 2,000 or more residents to adopt building codes by Jan. 1, 2012. The state will impose a fee of 4 cents per square foot on local construction at that time, town Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser said. Full Story.
Monday, August 17, 2009
New homes becoming more scarce in Montco
NORRISTOWN, PA — New housing construction continued to decline last year in Montgomery County, and the downward trend shows no signs of leveling off, according to county planner Scott France. Last year, only 1,569 housing units were built across the county, reflecting a 26 percent drop compared to 2007, according to the 2008 Montgomery County Housing Units Built Report. France gave highlights of the report at last Wednesday’s planning commission meeting. Full Story.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Builder finds niche fixing shoddy work
BOSTON, MA - No one is calling Von Salmi a rat, but he did hop off the ship before it sank. Then he started building his own boat. Salmi was working in the construction industry when the economy started to head south. Instead of grabbing onto his job for dear life, he decided to launch out on his own. Full Story.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Valley home building resumes as new builders take over
PHOENIX, AZ - When the housing market collapsed, several bankrupt builders left behind half-empty subdivisions throughout the Phoenix metro area. But in recent months, lenders and land investors have been selling the vacant portions of those communities to other home builders, who are picking up where their failed competitors left off. Home builders see a limited opportunity to build and sell homes quickly and inexpensively, because all of the grading, paving, plumbing, cabling and wiring are already done. Full Story.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Permits crawl upward
BREVARD COUNTY, FL - New home building in Brevard County inched up in July, the fourth consecutive month of improvement, but the number of new houses, townhomes and condos under construction remain dismal by historical standards. Full Story.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Chandler company to turn world-record denim collection into insulation
PHOENIX, AZ - Bonded Logic Inc., which specializes in turning scrap denim into insulation, is converting the world’s largest pile of jeans into home building materials. Representatives from the Chandler company were among those on hand Wednesday to oversee the collection of more than 33,000 articles of denim clothing to be recycled as part of a national campaign by National Geographic Kids Magazine. Full Story.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Inspectors a problem for some rural residents
WINONA, MN - As Winona County leaders mull whether to begin enforcing building codes, it’s clear some rural residents have problems with inspectors. Listening sessions in St. Charles last week and Wilson Township on Wednesday produced skeptical reactions to the proposal, which would charge residents fees for inspectors to review major building upgrades and construction of new buildings. Winona County currently does not enforce building codes with inspections. Full Story.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Caroline makes move to boost construction
Caroline supervisors adopt a stimulus incentive ordinance to boost construction in the county
FREDERICKSBURG, VA - The Caroline County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night adopted an emergency ordinance that it hopes will kick-start the construction industry in the county. The ordinance will enable builders to defer the payment of availability fees for up to 90 days, or until the time the meter is set for water use. Full Story.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Vital Signs: Is a Housing Rebound at Hand?
On deck: Homebuilders' survey, producer prices, housing starts, Philadelphia Fed survey, leading indicators, existing home sales, Fed chairman Bernanke
The main focus of this week's economic reports will be housing. The recent news from this key sector has been almost uniformly positive. Sales of both new and existing homes have clearly bottomed out. Inventories are coming down. Housing starts are up, and prices are stabilizing. Given that it was the housing slump that led the damage to both Wall Street and Main Street, and a housing rebound will be crucial to repairing both the financial markets and the economy. However, with unemployment still high, mortgage foreclosures still rising, and few signs that loan modification programs are helping, it's clear that the road to a housing recovery will be a long one. Full Story.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Chaney gives views to Ala. lawmakers
MONTGOMERY, AL — Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney told an Alabama House of Representatives subcommittee earlier this week that the keys to holding down insurance premiums on the Alabama Coast are strong enforcement of building codes, proper land use and mitigating homes against future disasters. Chaney appeared before the House Insurance Regulations Subcommittee at the request of Alabama Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling, who asked Chaney to give advice and direction to Alabama lawmakers stemming from Mississippi's experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Full Story.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Green building code will begin this month
SACRAMENTO, CA - The state's green building code, the first of its kind in the nation, takes effect this month, the California Building Standards Commission announced this week. The code standardizes practices for reducing the environmental impact of buildings in a variety of ways, from cutting water and electricity consumption to using less resource-intensive building materials. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
For homebuilders, TV marketing has allure
LONG ISLAND, NY - Sal Ferro, president of Alure Home Improvements, has rebuilt seven homes for the ABC TV show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” He’s worked through the night, traipsed through mud, faced the glare of TV lights at 2 a.m. and even dealt with an occasional surly worker. And he’s done it for free. He’s donated hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of work and time and shelled out some of his own money to make these revamps go from blueprint to reality. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Homebuilders Are Back At It — Should We Be Worried?
Homebuilders are getting back to work. Is that good news for the housing market? In June, the number of new houses being built unexpectedly jumped from the month before. The Census Department recently reported that June also showed an increase — a small increase, but one nonetheless — in the amount of money going toward residential construction. Housing permits, which also speak to builder confidence, are creeping up too. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
AIA: Climate Change Bill Would Create Green Building Jobs
Association's analysis finds growth opportunities for home building, remodeling, and multifamily industries in two key legislative provisions.
As many as 270,000 design and construction jobs could be created or saved if building-related provisions in the American Clean Energy Security Act become law. That’s according to a recent analysis of the legislation by the American Institute of Architects, conducted at the prompting of Senate majority leader Harry Reid. The AIA study specifically examined two key provisions in the act: The Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) program and the State Energy and Environment Development (SEED) program. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Local Homebuilding Numbers Still Depressed
MEMPHIS, TN - Shelby County homebuilders continue chipping away at inventory by selling more homes than they start, but the industry remains mired in a slump as new home sales and permits hover at record lows. Homebuilders sold 53 homes in Shelby County in July, a 57.9 percent dip from 126 homes sold in July 2008 and a 34.6 percent dip from 81 homes sold in June, according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. Full Story.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Homebuilders: 'We need buyers'
WILSON, NC - Local homebuilders told U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones Monday night that they need more buyers -- or risk bankruptcy. Members of the Homebuilders Association of Wilson said Congress needs to do more for their industry to pull the country out of the recession. "Housing has to be fixed first," said Joe Moore, a general contractor for Town & Country Homes. "Health care should be a secondary concern." Full Story.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Supervisors vote to adopt building code
PASCAGOULA, MS - Jackson County supervisors voted Monday to adopt the 2006 International Residential Building Code with updates designed to make structures stronger. By adopting the code, they give county residents a shot at qualifying for discounts in state wind-pool insurance premiums. Adopting the code gives Jackson County points, Planning Director Michele Coats said. “The more points, the higher the reduction.” Full Story.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Sprinkler rule fuels debate
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - A move to mandate sprinklers in every new home built in Virginia has homebuilders squaring off against firefighters. And right smack in the middle of the competing arguments, fears and voices is Charlottesville’s fire chief, Charles Werner. At a recent public hearing on the issue, Werner was a prominent voice for compromise. Full Story.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Less risk a selling point for new ARMs
Lenders don't expect Ariz. to embrace product
PHOENIX, AZ - Even as skyrocketing adjustable-rate mortgage payments are forcing thousands of Arizonans out of their homes, some lenders and home builders are promoting the next generation of variable-rate loans. Today's adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are less risky than the exotic loan products pushed during the housing boom, experts said, but they operate on the same principle of initial low monthly payments in exchange for potentially high payments later on. Full Story.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Small area home-building projects inspire hope
Developers see "little green shoots" of a housing recovery, but they're proceeding with caution in a still-ailing market.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL, MN - Last week, the Blaine City Council approved construction of 19 new homes in that city's Willowbrook development. Three years ago, a project that small would barely make a ripple in the city's new-housing scene. But these days, city officials and developers, battered by the worst housing market in generations, find hope in the smallest of projects. Full Story.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Belton builder joins environmental homebuilding program launched July 16 by a Central Texas group
AUSTIN, TX - A little more than a year ago in Austin, Carol Bass first became curious about instituting a "green" homebuilding program in Central Texas. Then-president of the Central Texas Home Builders Association, Bass learned how successful environmental building programs were in Dallas and Houston and saw an opportunity to create a local version. "That's when I got really excited about it," she said. Bass, who owns B&B Builders in Belton, was one of the first two builders to sign on to the Central Texas Home Builders Association's "Green Star" program, which launched officially July 16. Full Story.
Saturday, August 8, 2009>
Homebuilders get break on Fresno's fees
FRESNO, CA - In an effort to spur the construction industry and put people to work, the city of Fresno is giving some homebuilders a multimillion-dollar break on fees for parks and firehouses. City Hall perhaps has no choice. Officials apparently already had promised developers a special deal on fees in exchange for some quick cash in 2006, and the construction industry rebelled when City Hall decided to break the promise in 2008. Full Story.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Housing Rebound May Stall on Climate Law, GE, U.S. Builders Say
Legislation requiring new U.S. homes to be more energy-efficient threatens to smother a rebound in the housing market, homebuilders say. Under a measure approved by the House and being considered by the Senate, new homes would be required to have more insulation, more-efficient doors and windows, and heating and cooling systems that consume less energy. The changes would cost $4,000 to $10,000 a home, and price more than 1 million people out of the market, Bill Killmer, a vice president of the National Association of Home Builders, estimated. Full Story.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Confidence grows among D-FW homebuilders
DALLAS, TX - Fear may be subsiding in the residential real estate industry, as leading indicators foreshadow a slow recovery, said Ted Wilson, principal of Dallas-based Residential Strategies Inc. “The fear is over,” Wilson said, speaking to an industry gathering Thursday morning at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas. “But it is still way too early to say that we’re out of the woods.” Residential Strategies hosted the event. Wilson based his assessment on upticks in several national and local market indicators. Full Story.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Homebuilders Eliminate Frills as First-Time Buyers Drive Sales
When Lucas Miller bought his first property in June, he decided it was no time to splurge. He opted for laminate rather than granite kitchen countertops in his $127,000 two-bedroom townhouse in Fishers, Indiana. “Spending another $20,000 on upgrades just didn’t make sense to me,” said Miller, 30, a chef at Ball State University in Muncie, who bought from Pulte Homes Inc., the second-largest U.S. homebuilder. Full Story.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Housing expert: Austin faces new-home shortage as economy rebounds
Too few lots under development for builders to meet demand, so prices will rise, local market tracker predicts.
AUSTIN, TX - A scarcity of new lots in the development pipeline, coupled with a continued slowdown in homebuilding through 2009, will create a shortage of new homes in the near future for Central Texas and an increase in home prices for buyers, a local housing expert said Wednesday. "The fact is that there are not enough new lots being developed," Mark Sprague, the Austin partner for housing market tracker Residential Strategies Inc., said at the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin's midyear housing forecast. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Lender targets Nevada County for housing ban at golf course
WALNUT CREEK, CA - A Walnut Creek commercial lender that has repossessed two troubled golf course communities near Auburn has filed a claim against Nevada County, alleging a failing sewage treatment plant at DarkHorse Golf Club has halted home building at the upscale development. "This has gone on for two years. We can't build any more houses," said Bob Bridge, vice president of real estate assets at Owens Financial Group. Full Story.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
DOE: No statewide building code needed for stimulus cash
ANCHORAGE, AK - The U.S. Department of Energy, less than a week before the Legislature is to vote on overriding former Gov. Sarah Palin’s veto of energy stimulus money, told lawmakers today that they don’t need a statewide building code to collect the cash. The letter said the Legislature “does not need to adopt, impose and enforce a statewide building code in order to qualify." It said the governor or the Legislature would need to provide assurances to DOE “that the state will encourage, promote and assist municipalities that choose to adopt their own energy-efficiency codes to achieve the goals of SEP – reduced energy consumption in public or private buildings.” Full Story.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Green building regs coming
Athens-Clarke Commission authorizes mayor to select panel
ATHENS, GA - Athens-Clarke commissioners will write an environmentally friendly building code for commercial developments and allow a new downtown mixed-use building, they decided Tuesday night. The commission voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Heidi Davison to appoint a committee of design and construction experts that will write the "green building" code. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
O.C.’s new housing starts double in June
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Orange County housing starts more than doubled in June from May and are up 53% from last June. The state shows a spike, too, as building industry officials attribute the demand to California’s $10,000 tax credit for new homebuyers. The program has run out of funding but the building industry is pushing to get it extended. Full Story.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
In single-family home building, a means for more affordable housing?
TELLLURIDE, CO - Stick by stick, brick by brick, single family houses rise slowly from Telluride’s lots and hillsides, evolving into what are often capacious structures. And unlike commercial, multi-family or hotel projects, single family homes or duplexes in Telluride don’t cost developers in terms affordable housing mitigation — the amount of affordable housing developers have to provide to offset the employees their project could generate. But that might change. Today, the Telluride Town Council will hold a work session to discuss creating affordable housing mitigation for single-family and duplex development. The work session is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. in Rebekah Hall. Full Story.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Homebuilding in county up in July, but so were foreclosures
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The local housing market sent mixed signals in July: Homebuilding increased for the second straight month, but foreclosure filings soared. Single-family homebuilding permits totaled 116 last month in El Paso County, a 7.4 percent gain from July 2008, according to a report released today by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Permits also rose more than 50 percent in June, which broke a 3 1/2-year streak of monthly declines. Builders have credited the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers, in part, for the bounce in permit activity. Full Story.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Construction spending rises unexpectedly on increased home building, government projects
WASHINGTON — Construction spending rose for the second time in three months in June as residential building increased and government-funded infrastructure projects jumped. The report provides fresh evidence the housing sector may be recovering, while the rise in government spending was partly due to the Obama administration's $787 billion stimulus package, economists said. Full Story.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Homebuilding in county up in July, but so were foreclosures
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The local housing market sent mixed signals in July: Homebuilding increased for the second straight month, but foreclosure filings soared. Single-family homebuilding permits totaled 116 last month in El Paso County, a 7.4 percent gain from July 2008, according to a report released today by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Permits also rose more than 50 percent in June, which broke a 3 1/2-year streak of monthly declines. Builders have credited the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers, in part, for the bounce in permit activity. Full Story.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Cruises, contests and closing costs: Homebuilders share incentive do’s and don’ts in down cycle
ORLANDO, FL - Years ago, Bob Hennen watched new custom homes in southwest Orange County’s Keene’s Pointe development sell for up to $7 million without much more effort than a model home and an ad in the newspaper. But today’s market requires a whole different approach. Full Story.
Saturday, August 1, 2009>
Gray Water Recycling Coming Soon
Drought prompting emergency action on water.
LOS ANGELES, CA - It will soon be legally OK to water your garden with suds from your washing machine, without fear of getting a nasty surprise from the local building safety inspectors, officials said Saturday. State building codes will be changed next week to make it legal to use "gray water" from washers, sinks, or showers directly on trees and other plants, but with safety restrictions for health purposes. Full Story.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sea Isle Has First Green Home in County
SEA ISLE CITY, NJ — “Going Green” has become a very important phrase over the years to help reduce energy consumption and negative environmental impact. With this in mind, many companies are looking for ways to create products that are more environmentally friendly—homebuilders included. Hooper Builders & Developers is one business that understands the importance of what it means to go green. That is why, in cooperation with Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio and Nicholas Asselta, Commissioner of the Board of Public Utilities, Hooper Builders and Developers celebrated the ribbon cutting of the first “green” home built in Cape May County. Full Story.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Newly formed building firm planning 185 homes in W-S
GREENSBORO, NC - A new home-building firm aimed at the first-time buyer market is planning to build approximately 185 houses in a Winston-Salem development, with a potential build-out value of $25 million. Greensboro-based Tradition Homes will build Energy Star-certified homes ranging from about $109,900 to $164,900 in Summit Pointe, off of Oak Summit Road near U.S. 52, said Sam Main, executive vice president of Tradition Homes. Full Story.
Friday, July 31, 2009
FEMA's U.S. Fire Administration Endorses Residential Fire Sprinklers
PATTERSON, NY - After 30 years of testing, research and development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has announced its support of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), which mandates the installation of fire sprinklers in all new homes beginning in 2011. Full Story.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
July a mixed bag for Twin Cities homebuilders
MINNEAPOLIS - ST PAUL, MN - Local homebuilding permits held steady in July, but the overall number of planned housing units was down sharply from year-ago figures as the homebuilding industry continues to struggle with a weak economy and low appraisals, among other challenges. In July, municipalities in the 13-county metro area issued 284 residential building permits, off only slightly from July 2008 (301 permits), according to the latest Keystone Report. However, the July 2009 activity will produce only 341 new housing units, compared to 721 planned units in July 2008. Full Story.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Base expansions spark building boom
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NM - While homebuilding remains mired in recession in many communities Clovis and Alamogordo are experiencing major expansions at the Air Force bases just outside their city limits. Holloman Air Force Base west of Alamogordo is in the middle of a huge housing boom. "Our folks are working overtime," homebuilder Ray Kleinau said. "We actually have family trying to track down our construction teams in the parking lot trying to get them to move along a little faster than they normally would." Full Story.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Economists Predict Home Building Will Recover in 2010
Construction economists warn builders to brace for higher prices for building materials next year.
This is one time we should be grateful for mixed messages. According to housing economist Kermit Baker, with some economic indicators up (housing starts) and others down (consumer confidence), “we are getting conflicting signals” about the economy, “which is typically the case when we are near a turning point.” Full Story.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Weatherization funds available
ALABAMA - Gov. Bob Riley has awarded an additional $30.6 million in economic stimulus funds to help thousands of low-income residents across Alabama reduce their home energy costs. The grants also are intended to stimulus employment opportunities for the construction industry. Full Story.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Nashville's green building code under review
Bill before Metro Council offers LEED alternative
NASHVILLE, TN - Metro Nashville is considering a controversial change to its requirements for energy efficiency and environmental friendliness in city buildings, rules some have criticized for being too expensive and restrictive. Since 2007, Metro has required LEED certification for new government facilities that have more than 5,000 square feet of occupied space or cost more than $2 million. The law also covers some renovation projects. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Conn. sees jump in housing permits in June
HARTFORD, CT - A spike in new housing permits in Connecticut has sparked some optimism among government and construction industry officials about the state's economic future. The 128 cities and towns that report monthly data say they handed out 403 permits for new housing units in June, more than double the number for May and the most since November. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Californian Tax Credit Proves Big Success
The Californian tax board has called a halt to a new tax credit scheme designed to encourage home buyers back to the market and boost the construction industry after it proved a huge success. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Home Building Remains Flat in South Florida
MIAMI, FL - New home and condo construction starts in South Florida remained in a veritable standstill, with home builders breaking ground on fewer than 100 homes and about two dozen condominium units during the second quarter. Bowing under a surplus of homes for sale, soft demand and stiff competition from foreclosures, builders started construction on a mere seven new single-family homes in Miami-Dade County, down from 43 in the first quarter. They broke ground on only 27 condos, all in a single project in Homestead. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Homebuilders Think Small
To attract buyers, homebuilders are slashing costs and square footage. KB Home is offering a new house in Tucson for $89,999
Homebuilders, facing stiff competition from a glut of cheaper foreclosures, are reversing their decades-old philosophy that bigger is better. They're now offering smaller, more basic homes designed specifically for the market's hottest segment: the first-time buyer. The median home size has risen steadily for decades, from about 1,500 square feet in 1970 to about 2,302 sq. ft. in the first quarter of 2007, when the trend began to reverse as the housing downturn worsened, according to the National Association of Home Builders. By the first quarter of 2009, the median home size had dropped to 2,239 sq. ft. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
New home sales stir hopes
U.S. figures soar 11% in June; Indy permits also surge
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Sales of new homes nationally in June took their largest month-to-month jump in more than eight years, but they remain well below their year-ago levels as homebuilders struggle to stay in business. The robust 11 percent rise in new-home sales from May to June was another sign the housing market is bouncing back from its recession-induced slump, even though June sales were 21 percent lower than June of last year, according to data released Monday by the Commerce Department and based on a survey of builders. Full Story.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Lawmakers discuss overriding Palin's stimulus money veto
ANCHORAGE, AK - One of the first challenges for new Gov. Sean Parnell will be dealing with former Gov. Sarah Palin's veto of $28 million in federal energy funds. Lawmakers are preparing to take action, and they discussed their options at a joint meeting of the House and Senate Energy committees Monday in Anchorage. Full Story.
Monday, July 27, 2009
New Photo luminescent Eco Exit Signs from Martinson-Nicholls Use No Electricity, Viewable from 100 Feet
CLEVELAND, OH - The new Eco Photo luminescent Exit Signs absorb and store ambient light, and are viewable from up to 100 feet without using electricity. In the event of an emergency with a blackout or smoky conditions this stored energy is immediately visible, creating a clearly recognizable, photo luminescent egress indicator. Full Story.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Texas leads the nation in homebuilding
AUSTIN, TX - Texas cities continue to lead the nation in homebuilding, even in the face of huge construction cutbacks. Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth are the top markets in the country for building permits for single-family homes, based on numbers for the 12-month period ending in May. Full Story.
Monday, July 27, 2009
New-home sales up, prices down in US and abroad
Sales of new homes in the United States rose to their highest level in seven months, providing one of the strongest signs that the decline in the residential construction industry may be over. But to achieve that stabilization, home builders are continuing to lower prices to lure new buyers – a phenomenon taking place in real estate markets around the world. In June, the sales of new US homes jumped a higher-than-anticipated 11 percent from the level in May, the Commerce Department reported (.pdf) Monday. The new report suggests that the home-building industry is nearly halfway back to its June 2008 level of sales, after hitting a record low in January (seasonally adjusted). Full Story.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Texas builder redefines downsizing to an extreme in home building
FORT WORTH, Texas – They had the land and the plan ready for a 3,000-square-foot retirement home. But sticker shock and a sour economy spurred Lee and Donna McCollough to downsize their dream into a 336-square-foot “country cabin.” Full Story.
Saturday, July 25, 2009>
D.R. Horton ramping up speculative starts in Central Texas
AUSTIN, TX - In the strongest sign yet that the local homebuilding market is turning around, the largest builder in Central Texas, D.R. Horton, is ramping up production by putting hundreds of speculative homes on the ground in its communities across the region. Most of the houses under construction are priced at less than $200,000, said Rob Hutton, president of Horton's Central Texas division. Full Story.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Existing home sales show signs of recovery
WASHINGTON — The U.S. housing market is finally on the mend after its most far-reaching collapse in 70 years. That could help rebuild consumer confidence and revive the economy. For the first time in five years, sales of previously occupied homes rose for the third consecutive month in June, while foreclosure sales and the glut of homes on the market both declined. Full Story.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Homebuilders can expect uptick in housing demand, new study states
CHARLESTON, SC - South Carolina’s homebuilders are riding out the housing industry collapse better than the rest of the nation, according to a new report from a University of South Carolina economist. The necessary factors are in place for homebuilders to see their business rebound in the coming months, according to new data from researchers at the Moore School of Business. Doug Woodward, who leads the University of South Carolina’s business research center in the Moore School, told attendees of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina annual convention in Greenville that U.S. leading economic indicators are starting to trend up, after six months of decline. Full Story.
Friday, July 24, 2009
County may get state building codes
RHEA COUNTY, TN - Rhea County may soon find itself under the rule of statewide building codes after county commissioners failed Tuesday night to exempt Rhea from recently passed Tennessee legislation. Five commissioners voted for an exemption of the codes, but commissioners Bill Hollin, Emmaly Fisher and Tracy Taylor all abstained. Commission chairman Ronnie Raper was absent. Full Story.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
State committee rejects mandate for fire sprinklers in all new home construction
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Home builder groups are claiming victory after a state building code review committee came down against a recommendation that fire sprinklers be mandated in all new home construction. The Building, Residential and Rehabilitation Code Review Committee heard testimony on the issue for five hours Wednesday at a meeting in Lansing with an overflow crowd of between 250 and 300 people, said Irvin Poke, director of the state Bureau of Construction Codes. The issue broke down with home builders and affordable housing advocates on one side, and fire safety groups on the other. Full Story.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
New Data Lays Foundation for Homebuilder Rally
More positive housing data came in on Thursday, and homebuilders responded in a big way. Announced today by the National Association of Realtors, U.S. home resales were up 3.6% in June. The metric has now increased for three straight months, spurring optimism for the housing market. The news followed yesterday's positive data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which announced that May's year-over-year home price decline was the smallest in 10 months. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Top International Design Firms
Large engineering and architectural firms explore new strategies to survive the slump
The construction industry has entered a recession that has affected virtually every region and market. The downturn has had its most immediate impact on the design professionals on the front end of projects. For the world’s largest engineers and architects, this means now is a good time to reexamine their services and strategies. Only a short time ago, the world market was one of the hottest most large design firms had ever seen. Many firms worried market sectors were close to overheating, putting pressure on staff, costs and materials supplies. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Augusta Supermarket Called Nation's Greenest
AUGUSTA, ME - Hannaford Supermarkets says its new store in Augusta -- the first to earn a top award for environmentally friendly construction - will be a laboratory of sorts. Opening Saturday, it's the nation's first to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's highest platinum standard. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tour Atlanta’s First Eco-Friendly Decorators’ Show House this Weekend!
ATLANTA, GA - Pace Homebuilders is proud to present Greenhaven, the first eco-friendly Decorators’ Show House in Atlanta. Open to the public Saturday, July 18 - August 9, 2009, Greenhaven will showcase the latest in sustainable interior design, state-of-the-art technology and energy efficiency. The home will feature over 20 of Atlanta’s top interior designers, each with a fresh and unique perspective on eco-friendly design. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Carbondale board OKs revisions to energy code
CARBONDALE, CO - Carbondale trustees, on a 6-1 vote last week, approved a set of revisions to the town's energy efficiency building code, but rejected a proposal to require renewable energy for new houses less than 3,000 square feet in size. Town staff and energy consultants working to refine the plan had recommended mandatory photovoltaic systems or other forms of renewable energy for houses of 1,500 square feet or more. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Home building here falls, but not as steeply
ST LOUIS, MO - The home building business in St. Louis is still searching for a bottom. But it seems to be getting closer to finding one. Permits for new single-family homes in June in seven local counties were down just 11 percent from the same month last year, according to new data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Wildhorse Dragging Davis Back to Green
DAVIS, CA - My town, Davis, California, adopted an ordinance requiring a 44% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from new homes by 2020. It was a daring move since all our homebuilders told us it couldn't be done. Davis has a history of being on the cutting edge of environmental challenges. But most innovations since the 1960s have been resisted, understandably, by builders who are sure the green embellishments will price their product out of the market. We don’t always call their bluff since we don’t know what they know, and we have no living examples to refute them. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Local home builders had busy June
PHOENIX, AZ - Metropolitan Phoenix's home-building market experienced a mini revival in June, signaling buyers aren't only interested in the area's bargain-priced foreclosure houses. Last month, 1,183 single-family housing permits were issued Valley-wide, according to RL Brown's latest "Phoenix Housing Market Letter." That's the highest level for home building in six months, and a 57 percent increase from May's permits. Full Story.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Irvine Co. Said To Be Hiring Homebuilders
In shift, company paying fee builders, holding homes
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Irvine Company is looking to spur homebuilding on its land with a shift in strategy, according to real estate industry sources. The company plans to pay builders to put up houses in Irvine and retain ownership of the land and homes until they’re sold to buyers, sources said. Full Story.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Brickell office tower's windows exceed Florida building codes
A developer has shelled out millions to strengthen the glass walls of his Brickell Avenue office project.
MIAMI, FL - After Hurricane Wilma raked Miami four years ago, developer Alan Ojeda picked his way down Brickell Avenue to survey his new apartment project, One Broadway. Glass from shattered skyscrapers was everywhere, covering streets and One Broadway's roof and balconies. His high-rise -- built to the latest codes with laminated windows designed to endure ''small missiles'' like roof gravel -- had escaped unscathed. Full Story.
Saturday, July 18, 2009>
HBA sprouts fall show
GREENVILLE, SC - The Homebuilders Association of Greenville plans to start offering a replica of its annual spring Southern Home & Garden show in the fall. The group's first fall Home & Garden show is set for Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 at the Carolina First Center. Michael Dey, the association's executive vice president, said the association had been getting a lot of requests from its exhibitors to offer a second show. Full Story.
Saturday, July 18, 2009>
Pima awards silver rating to 4 Habitat green homes
TUCSON, AZ - Don't tell Habitat for Humanity that "green" homes are only for rich folks. The first four homes certified "silver" under Pima County's new green-building code were built by Habitat Tucson volunteers. It is a template that will be used for all future construction, said Michael McDonald, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Tucson. Full Story.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Court fight on over American Homebuilders owner's assets
JACKSONVILLE, FL - After 17 years and hundreds of homes built across Northeast Florida, American Homebuilders Inc. is restructuring through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Jacksonville-based homebuilder filed for Chapter 11 June 10 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, stating the real estate market crash beginning in 2006 dried up sales of lots and homes “virtually overnight and these market conditions have left AHB without sufficient sales to continue to meet its debt obligations.” Full Story.
Friday, July 17, 2009
NM construction awards set for July 24
NEW MEXICO - More than 40 individuals and firms in the construction and subcontracting trades in New Mexico will be honored July 24 by the American Subcontractors Association of New Mexico at its Construction Industry Awards Banquet. Officials say the companies have been singled out for “excellence and professionalism in their fields.” The event takes place at Sandia Resort & Casino. Many of the largest general contractors, architects, engineers and subcontractors in the state have been invited to attend. Full Story.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Housing Starts Rise an Unexpected 3.6%
Construction was started on more new homes in June than in any month since November, the Commerce Department said Friday, a signal that the housing market was improving despite a mixed outlook. Housing starts unexpectedly rose last month by 3.6 percent, to 582,000 units, a solid gain from 562,000 units in May and far more than the 532,000 figure that economists had forecast. The gains were concentrated in construction starts on single-family homes, which increased 14 percent for the biggest rise since December 2004. Full Story.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Rating system puts a number on a home’s energy costs
Score cards to make regional debut at the Tour of Homes
BEND, OR - During the 21st annual Tour of Homes that kicks off this weekend, 40 new homes in Central Oregon will be open to visitors interested in seeing the latest trends in residential construction and design. In nearly half the homes, visitors will see a trend that many in the residential construction industry say is likely to be a standard for every home someday: a rating that quantifies a home’s estimated energy costs. Full Story.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Homebuilder Confidence Improves In July Amid Better Sales Conditions
With homebuilders seeing an improvement in current sales conditions, the National Association of Home Builders released a report on Thursday showing an increase in homebuilder confidence in the month of July. The report showed that the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose to 17 in July from 15 in June. With the increase, the index rose to its highest level since September of 2008. Full Story.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Building code enforcement vote splits urban, rural county commissioners
WINONA, MN - Winona County may start enforcing construction codes in rural areas, thanks to the votes of three urban commissioners. County commissioners voted 3-2 along urban-rural lines to hire inspectors to enforce the state building code, 30 years after rural voters in Winona County rejected the concept. City of Winona commissioners Dwayne Voegeli, Jim Pomeroy and Greg Olson backed the measure, while rural commissioners Marcia Ward and Mena Kaehler opposed it. Kaehler changed her vote after tentatively supporting code adoption in April, while Ward has been a steady foe of the proposal. Rural constituents “do not see the need for it,” Ward said Wednesday. “It’s just another part of government invading our private lives.” Full Story.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
New 'green' building codes in effect Aug. 1
OAKHURST, CA - A group of 39 general contractors, designers and interested community members gathered at a public meeting recently to learn about the 2008 California Green Building Standards Code scheduled to go into effect Aug. 1. Full Story.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Inspectors Support Building Code EvenThough It Means Extra Duty
PINEY FLATS, TN – When Sullivan County Building Inspector Gary Wilkinson stopped by a home’s construction site Wednesday, he had a chance to look at the building’s footing and ensure that the cement pad was big enough to keep the new home from sinking into the ground. But he didn’t. Instead, Wilkinson used the morning’s inspection to walk around the house and ensure that its setbacks – the distance between the building’s exterior walls and its property lines – were in line with the county’s zoning code. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Perry's words fuel construction protest
Call to end deaths in Texas construction industry
AUSTIN, TX - Gov. Rick Perry' s words regarding construction safety are fueling a demonstration Wednesday outside his office in a call to end the number of deaths in the Texas construction industry. The Workers Defense Project , construction workers and community supporters are protesting Perry's comments they said disregard the risks faced by construction workers, which come on the heels of a report revealing 142 Texas construction workers died on the job in 2007. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Green remodel eliminates home's electric bill
TIBURON, CA - Stepping through the front door, past the foyer and into the living room of Frank and Monika Levinson's home on a bright summer morning, it's easy to forget - for the moment, anyway - that their newly remodeled house in Tiburon is among the greenest around. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Riverside County supervisors considering reducing developers' fees
RIVERSIDE, CA - Riverside County supervisors could cut in half the fees that homebuilders pay to fund libraries, fire stations, parks, roads and other needs of growing communities. Supporters of reducing development impact fees say the proposal, which comes before the board today, would create jobs and help revive the region's battered housing industry. Some skeptics have questioned whether lower fees would achieve much, given the region's ongoing foreclosure crisis and collapsed home values. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tax Credit Boosts Local Housing Market
HIGH POINT, NC - The housing market is in a slump, but local Realtors and homebuilders say conditions would be much worse if it weren't for a small beacon of hope known as the first-time homebuyer tax credit. The tax credit, part of the federal government stimulus plan, offers first-time homebuyers who meet certain conditions up to $8,000 towards the purchase of a home. Officials are attributing the tax credit to the consecutive three-month rise in local housing sales. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Low appraisals kill contracts, builders say
One in four U.S. homebuilders say appraisals that are lower than the amount buyers agreed to pay have led to the cancellation of signed real estate contracts, according to a trade group. Three of five builders surveyed said flawed appraisals, including basing values on foreclosures and distressed sales, are causing “serious problems” in the housing market, the Washington-based National Association of Home Builders said in a statement this week. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
New home appraisal rules stir industry backlash
Less than three months after new rules for home appraisers kicked in, the real estate industry is in uproar. Realtors, homebuilders, mortgage brokers and the appraisal industry itself all agree the rules are causing problems. Some are backing a bill in Congress to kill them. The new guidelines bar mortgage brokers from ordering appraisals themselves, forcing them to do so through a mortgage lender. Lenders may order appraisals through in-house staff or appraisers hired by outside firms known as appraisal-management companies. But neither may talk to the appraisers about the value of the property they're evaluating. Full Story.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Outlook For Homebuilders: 'Grim, As In Reaper'
Experts suggest the valley's housing bust is entering its middle stages with significant recovery not likely until well into 2010
LAS VEGAS, NV - A few years ago, when 3,000 to 4,000 new homes were being sold monthly in Las Vegas, people were trampling each other to snap them up, camping for days to be first in line for new releases at some 500 subdivisions around the valley and pushing prices beyond reality. Homebuilders couldn't deliver fast enough. They were fetching top dollar for their houses and reaping huge profits. It was a bandwagon that carried the entire real estate industry. Full Story.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Building code confusion adds to hardship for fire victims
AUSTRALIA - More than five months have passed since fire destroyed their home at Callignee on Black Saturday, but the heartache has not ended for Tony and Louise Mann. Although initially eager to begin the rebuilding process soon after the smoke had cleared, the Manns now find themselves mired in problems due to the strict new building standard for homes in bushfire-prone areas. Under Australian Standard 3959, which was introduced by the State Government on March 11, the Manns' seven-hectare block of land is placed squarely in the "flame zone", the top bushfire attack level out of six possible categories. Full Story.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Barn blazes turn up heat on building codes
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA - Scenes of dying animals have become disturbingly common for firefighters in Manitoba, where regulations fail to reflect modern farms. Full Story.
Monday, July 13, 2009
New green building codes for London's publicly funded homes
Guidance aimed at greening council housing has been announced by Boris Johnson the mayor of London.
LONDON, ENGLAND - The new rules, which will come into force in 2011, were launched by the mayor for consultation in Croydon, at a conference organised to discuss his London Housing Strategy last Wednesday (8 July). Called the London Housing Design Guide the document proposes several key environmental requirements. Full Story.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Nonresidential construction expected to lag in 2010
LOUISVILLE, KY - A survey of national construction forecasters showed commercial construction is projected to drop significantly through 2010. The American Institute of Architect’s Consensus Construction Forecast reported nonresidential construction is expected to drop by 16 percent in 2009 and by another 12 percent in 2010, said a news release. “This nonresidential downturn is shaping up to be the deepest decline in nonresidential activity in over a generation.” said Kermit Baker, chief economist for the AIA. “However, we’re beginning to see some moderation in the trends in design billings at architecture firms, so we hopefully are nearing the bottom of this cycle.” Full Story.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Quinn Signs $31 Billion Construction Plan
CHICAGO, IL - Gov. Pat Quinn has signed off on a $31 billion state construction plan that includes money for everything from bicycle trails and university buildings to a major overhaul of Illinois highways. The plan is an effort to repair the state's crumbling infrastructure and create thousands of jobs. Quinn projects the money will support 439,000 jobs around, though projections weren't immediately available on how many new jobs he expects the bill to create. Full Story.
Saturday, July 11, 2009>
GOING GREEN: American West increases efficiency
Homebuilder joins with NV Energy to implement Energy Plus New Homes
LAS VEGAS, NV - American West Homes, one of the nation's largest privately owned homebuilders, is joining forces with NV Energy to increase energy efficiency in all its neighborhoods through the Energy Plus New Homes Program. The program, developed by NV Energy, certifies homes with energy-efficiency standards that exceed state building codes and the well-known Energy Star program. Full Story.
Saturday, July 11, 2009>
Stern: National building code coming
JAMAICA - THE Bureau of Standards of Jamaica has joined forces with the Jamaica Institution of Engineers to provide technical support in facilitating the development of a national building code. "This is necessary in order to regulate and control the design, construction, quality of materials and maintenance of our buildings, to ensure that any threat to life, health and welfare of occupants and the public is minimised or prevented," Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Michael Stern said. Full Story.
Saturday, July 11, 2009>
Arlington, Va. Home Named First Residential Property in Commonwealth to Achieve LEED Platinum Certification from U.S. Green Building Council
ARLINGTON, VA, - An Arlington, Va. home has become the first residential property in the Commonwealth to receive the nation's highest honor for green homebuilding and energy efficiency with a LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC.) The property is located at 5803 16th Street North in the Westover neighborhood of North Arlington and was built by Metro Green, a woman-owned, single family residential development firm also based in Arlington. Located less than five miles from downtown, Washington, D.C., the Metro Green home is situated one block from public transportation, shops and other conveniences. Design diagrams and high-resolutions photos of the four-bedroom plus loft home are available online at www.metrogreenhome.com. Full Story.
Saturday, July 11, 2009>
Local companies reclaim wood for new home construction
FARMINGTON, NY - Long before green became the buzz in the building industry, New Energy Works Timberframers and its sister company, Pioneer Millworks, were using reclaimed wood in their construction. Craftspeople in the Farmington, Ontario County, headquarters and another plant in Shortsville take wood from dilapidated textile mills and old barns and recycle it into timber for clients as high-profile as actors Matt Damon and the late Paul Newman and companies L.L. Bean, Eileen Fisher and Anthropologie. Full Story.
Saturday, July 11, 2009>
Group advises how houses can be upgraded for energy savings
CHATANOOGA, TN - Two area building officials have collaborated to take advantage of a new but growing trend in the construction industry. Ethan Collier, owner of Collier Construction, and Taylor Bowers, an architect with River Street Architecture, formed Performance Building Consulting to help inform homeowners about ways to make their houses greener and more efficient. “We’re very interested in building a better, greener product,” said Mr. Bowers, 36. Full Story.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Toughest times for Utah housing may be nearing end
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - These are tough times for Utah's home building industry, but better times may lie ahead. The collapse of the state's housing bubble in 2008 wiped out at least $20 billion in residential real estate wealth, eliminated thousands of construction jobs and forced hundreds of homebuilders out of business, according to James Wood, director of the University of Utah's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. Full Story.
Friday, July 10, 2009
City Living and Urban Retrofitting
Advancements in the green construction industry have enabled many new buildings to reduce their impact on the world around them. Yet reaching sustainability goals in cities will hardly be met by constructing all new buildings. Much promise lies in what is called "urban retrofitting," or the process of redesigning the existing infrastructure in a city to be more sustainable. Full Story.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Bredesen hopes building codes adopted
$9.3 million grant program may entice counties
NASHVILLE, TN - Gov. Phil Bredesen said Wednesday he hopes counties will adopt residential building codes as envisioned in recently passed legislation and a $9.3 million grant program should provide them with an incentive. "It's a carrot, not a stick," the governor said after a ceremonial signing of the Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act (SB2300). Full Story.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
New Building Codes Effect Across NY
Say Guidelines Will Make Sites Safer
NEW YORK, NY - All new buildings must comply with the new New York City Construction Codes that went into effect last Wednesday, July 1, Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri announced. The implementation of the new codes fulfills Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's commitment to overhaul the City's construction codes and represents the first major overhaul in more than 40 years. Modeled after the International Building Code, the new construction codes are designed to meet the needs of the City's dense urban environment by expanding sprinkler requirements for more buildings, increasing the width of stairwells in high-rise residential buildings, mandating emergency voice communication systems in more residential buildings, and reclassifying violations to focus enforcement efforts on problematic job sites. Full Story.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Clean Energy act sets state standard
NASHVILLE, TN - One of the most contentious bills approved by the Tennessee legislature this year, the Clean Energy Future Act requires towns and counties without residential building codes to implement a new statewide building code that includes energy-efficiency standards, enact a more stringent code or opt out of the program. About 60 mostly rural counties -- nearly two-thirds of Tennessee's 95 counties -- have no minimum residential building standards. Memphis, Shelby County and most of the state's larger cities and counties already have codes and inspectors. Full Story.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Debate Rages Over Fire Sprinkler Proposal
LANSING, MI - Firefighters are all fired up about a proposal that would require sprinklers in all new homes. But homebuilders say the idea is all wet. Darren Cunningham shows why this debate is heating up. Lansing Fire Marshall, Phillip Sabon, has battled a fair share of house fires. That's why he supports the mandate. Full Story.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Homebuilders Could Delay Local Taxes In Bill
RALEIGH, N.C. - Contractors having a hard time moving unsold homes they've built in North Carolina can delay paying property taxes on them for up to three years in legislation given final approval. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Chesapeake developer told to tear out Chinese drywall
CHESAPEAKE, VA - The Chesapeake Board of Building Code Appeals on Tuesday ordered a developer to remove drywall made in China from a hotel that was on the verge of opening its doors. After the panel announced its decision, developer Dilip Patel said he wonders why the city hadn't taken action against other builders when the drywall has been used in other projects in Chesapeake. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Bedford Fire chief supports sprinklers in homes
BEDFORD, NH - In Bedford, the fire chief and top building code official are in support of the state adopting new national building and fire safety codes mandating fire sprinklers in all newly constructed one- and two-family homes, but home builders in the state say that the choice should be left to those buying homes. “Nobody questions the effectiveness of the sprinklers. It really comes down to cost, and for us, as code officials and fire officials, how do we put a value on a life? We can’t. That’s why we’re so, I’m going to say strong, in favoring these sprinklers to be installed as soon as possible,” Bedford Fire Chief Scott Wiggin said. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sullivan County officials weighing options on building code
BLOUNTVILLE, TN — Sullivan County officials say they’ve been told the county has the right, under a new state law, to “opt out” of adoption of a residential building code — but doing so will mean a “drastic” loss of grant money flowing from the state. Sullivan County Building Commissioner Tim Earles and County Construction Oversight Manager Claude Smith both have said the word they’ve gotten from state officials is adopt a code or see a drop in grant funding. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Colfax project earns ‘green’ designation
COLFAX, NC - A 40-acre subdivision in Colfax has been certified as green through the National Association of Homebuilders, making it the first such development in the state. Sanford’s Creek, on Cude Road off of Pleasant Ridge road near N.C. 68, was recently certified under NAHB’s National Green Building Standards program. The designation means that the development of the land resulted in minimal impact on the environment and used an efficient site design. Additionally, the homes are green and have features such as energy efficient appliances, better insulation and specialized construction techniques in framing. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Ky. Sweetens The Deal For Prospective Homebuilders
CINCINNATI, OH - If you think you might be in the market for a new home in the Tri-State sometime in the next year, you may want to consider building one in Kentucky. Starting Wednesday, Kentucky is offering prospective residents an enticing new reason to build in the state. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Fatal collapse rings alarm bells for developers
SHANGHAI, CHINA - At 5:40 am on June 27, Shanghai was shocked out of its slumber by the sound of a 13-story tower block crashing to the ground. But the fatal accident may prove a bigger wake-up call for the construction industry, say experts, who have accused building firms of sacrificing quality for quick profits. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Building code needs changes
ONTARIO, CANADA - The devastating fire that destroyed more than 50 townhomes under construction in Mississauga Blaze razes 55 T.O. townhouses, is a shocking example of how current objective-based building codes do not adequately address public safety. Masonry professionals across Ontario are tireless advocates for ensuring building codes provide the necessary protection to homeowners in the form of the highest possible standards for fire performance and protection. Full Story.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sprinkler Debate Splits Firefighters, Builders
HARRISONBURG, VA - A statewide mandate requiring fire sprinklers to be installed in single-family homes has sparked a heated debate, dividing firefighters and homebuilders throughout Virginia. At a September meeting, the International Code Commission approved various codes, including one calling for the installation of a fire sprinkler system in new one- and two-family homes. States have the option of adopting the code in full, or in part. In this case, the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development has chosen at this point to strike the sprinkler requirement from the code. Full Story.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Local Builders Use Incentives to Lure Buyers
MANATEE, FL - With foreclosures still saturating the market and homebuyer demand remaining tepid, local developers and homebuilders are increasingly offering incentives and using other tactics to sell their new houses and condominium units. They're dropping prices, building smaller houses, offering country club memberships and paying closing costs in hopes of spurring sales. It's a far cry from the housing boom's peak, when buyers lined up outside sales centers to snag vacant lots and reserve homes at premium prices. Full Story.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Homebuilders, developers show signs of life
GALVESTON, TX - Rooftop report: Did anyone else see the home-building market blink? There are signs of life out there. Look this month for Newmark Homes Houston and Coventry Homes to launch sales at Edgewater, a 538-acre master-planned community in Webster. The Johnson Development Corp. and Cherokee Investments are behind the mixed-use development, which is expected eventually to be home to more than 2,600 people along with retail, 35 acres of public park land, wetlands and a marina. Full Story.
Saturday, July 4, 2009>
Inspectors find some electrical nightmares
BANGOR, ME - Some time ago in my checkered past, I was doing home inspections. Since I think I know a little bit about houses and have spent a lot of time looking at home building problems (of my own and others), I felt that this would be a fun pastime, especially since I was always being asked to look at these problems anyway. I went into this with no pre-conceived notions and figured that I had seen it all. Full Story.
Saturday, July 4, 2009>
Green sector jobs see slow growth
FLORENCE, AL - From home building to alternative energy, entrepreneurs in the "green" job sector hope to turn environmentally friendly products into commercial successes. The green sector employs few workers in the Shoals, but several companies are trying to turn that around. Green jobs are expected to become a greater part of the economy after President Barack Obama hired author and advocate Van Jones as the green jobs czar. Full Story.
Saturday, July 4, 2009>
BFD concerned about building code changes
BURNABY, BC, CANADA - Allowing wood-frame buildings to reach up to six storeys could mean trouble, says Burnaby Fire Department, referring to recent B.C. Building Code changes. Deputy Fire Chief Shaun Redmond said Burnaby has similar concerns to Coquitlam Fire Department, which raised the issue this week. The changes came into effect April 6 and were brought in by the provincial government to “encourage innovative building practices and expand domestic markets for B.C. wood products,” according to the housing ministry’s website. Full Story.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Area homebuilders see signs market recovering
June permit total is best of year
LOUISVILLE, KY - Building permits for single-family homes in Jefferson County are still down sharply from a year ago, but activity has picked up in recent weeks and some builders say the market is starting to recover. After a sluggish start to 2009, metro government issued 117 building permits in June, almost twice as many as any other month so far this year. Full Story.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Lennar Debuts First Home Completed Using Its Lunar Build Program
Homebuilder’s Maryland Division Celebrates Opening of its Baldwin Model in Summerwood in Accokeek
Columbia, MD - Lennar, one of the nation’s strongest names in the homebuilding industry is unveiling its first home model constructed using its Lunar Build program at its Summerwood Community in Accokeek, Maryland. The Baldwin model in Summerwood is the first of several additional home models the Lennar Maryland division plans to unveil built using the Lunar Build program. This program was created by the division to strive for model homes to be completed in just under 30 days, the same time it takes for the moon to orbit the Earth. Full Story.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Barn fires prompt Manitoba to develop farm building codes
MANITOBA, CANADA - The Manitoba government is looking to implement building codes for farm construction in the wake of several serious hog barn fires this year. In the last 18 months, nearly 37,000 farm animals have died in fires in Manitoba. The latest happened Wednesday near Zhoda, about 80 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg. Full Story.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Leaders seek input for state housing policy
WATERLOO, IA - A universal building code, available resources and need are part of ongoing discussions to develop a state housing policy. In April key leaders representing builders, developers, lenders and real estate agents met with technology and field experts and state agency leaders for two days in Perry to identify housing issues that affect Iowans. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Perry dismisses federal call to improve safety regulations
Gov. Rick Perry addressed industry professionals at the Central Texas Construction ExpoTuesday. Perry told the audience that the industry owes its success to the state's business-friendly motto: "Let free enterprise reign, and be wary of over-regulation." Full Story.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
How Homebuilders Are Surviving
ST PETERSBURG, FL - I recently attended the Tampa Bay Home Expo in St. Petersburg, Fla., where builders and renovators told me they needed work and were ready to deal. But as Marketplace radio pointed out, even though the government said last week that there was an unexpected dip in new-home sales, not one major homebuilding company has gone out of business. Lots of little guys have tanked, but not the big ones. Why is that? Full Story.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
New home starts up in Austin area
AUSTIN, TX - Austin area homebuilders increased the start rate of new homes in the second quarter, while the number of new homes closings fell compared with the first quarter of 2009, according to research from Residential Strategies Inc. The start rate for the second quarter totaled 1,861 units, a 52 percent increase compared with the first quarter of this year. The annual start rate in Austin from the third quarter of 2008 to the second quarter of this year was 6,949. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Springs-area home building activity jumps in June
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Finally, some encouraging news for the local home-construction industry: Single-family building permits in Colorado Springs and El Paso County totaled 146 in June, a 50.5 percent jump compared with the same month a year ago. It's the first year-over-year increase in monthly permit totals in about 3 1/2 years, according to a report issued today by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Full Story.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
New energy efficiency codes in place
GILLETTE, WY - Area contractors will be confronted with new energy efficiency requirements starting Wednesday. The Gillette City Council took another step forward in energy conservation by revising building codes for residential and commercial zones. City plans examiner Jim Brown said it is the first time that Gillette has enforced a minimum energy efficiency standard for new buildings. The code has been on the books but never really enforced, Brown said. New energy regulations on development is impelled from the federal government, he said. Full Story.
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