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The article reports on the first housing development community, Blanco River Village of Bigelow Homes in Texas. Bigelow Homes, an award emphasized the importance of sustainable development and energy saving and child safety features. The three-story Medina home was recognized as the best selling house model at Blanco River Village. The Medina home was not only a sustainable housing development, but also an elegant and affordable for first-time buyers.

The article offers seven steps in assuring successful public hearing regarding home building plans in the U.S. Approval of the government for home building projects depends on the approach home builders use. Helpful approach includes learning how to pronounce important names properly to eliminate issues that may question level of professionalism. Other approaches include awareness of the rules, learning everything related to the site and establishing good relationship with the neighboring area.

The article presents a corporate profile of Legacy Communities in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is chosen as the 2009 National Builder of the Year by the industry. It operates approximately 1,400 detached homes in 2008 with $265 million in revenue. Despite the global economic downturn, the company's net margin for 2008 is up by 11%.

The article reviews the architectural design of the two-storey Ironwood house at the Legends, Vista del Verde in Yurba Linda, California, by LSA Architecture.

The article explores the ranking of the companies in the housing industry in the U.S. It states that the giant companies are hit the hardest by the economic downturn, while the non-giants are slowly gaining market share. According to the 2008 Giant 400 survey, D.R. Horton Inc. regained the top because it has retreated and shrunk, rather than growing, by cutting its payroll by 60 percent. Lennar Corp. was first in 2007 but is now number two, while Centerline Homes rose from number 148 to 96.

The article discusses contingencies that are commonly included in most real estate purchases in the U.S. It states that it is detrimental to the rising housing market. Contingencies carry lower down payments, which are often refundable. The author suggests that if one must sell houses with contingencies, they should be treated as temporary stepping stones toward a real down payment rather than questionable deposits. INSETS: GET YOUR TRADES WORKING ON THE EXISTING HOME;LEASE THE HOUSE.

The author reflects on the influence of the survey conducted by J.D. Power about customer satisfaction in purchasing a house from American home builders across the U.S. He states that the survey of J.D. Power is considered a noble venture which raises the bar on customer satisfaction to the ultimate benefit of both builders and housing consumers. He assesses that many builders distrust the survey methodology, and believe the firm manipulates the results for the benefits of the large builders. INSETS: WHY YOU THE NAME;TRENDMAKER'S TALE OF WOE.

The article focuses on the impact of housing downturn in the construction industry in Texas. There were several builders who were included in the 2007 rankings of the "Professional Builder" despite the decreased business performance. The great land sales in 2006 has contributed to good market performance. The Giant 400 rankings changes every year which results in various sales rates in different parts of the country.

The article discusses the views of Bob Piper, principal of The Talon Group Inc., in planning for corporate succession in the home building industry. He affirms that it takes time for both parties to find the right person because of compatibility, responsibility and trust. He suggests to write a succession plan that includes the goals and time frame for succession. He adds to have a management consultation involved in the process, and takes time in finding successors outside the company. INSETS: SUCCESSION TO GROWTH - FREY & SON;A FAMILY AFFAIR - BIGELOW HOMES;GOLDEN SEARCH - MCSTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS.

The article features the McCar Homes by Keith McSwain which is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. It shows the world how to grow a private home builder fast. Stonegate is considered to be the fourth community in the city since 2003. It has stunning curb appeal for Southern development. This move is also part of disciplined market entry initiative though it has been regarded as aggressive. Its Hanley model is one of the five plans in its Masters Series.

The article discusses the customization strategy by Texas-based home builder Wilshire Homes of selling houses. Wilshire Homes is selling 3,315 square-foot Gunnison, a model home at Belterra, a master planned community with 1,400 homes in Austin, Texas. Home buyers are allowed to make changes or addition to the design or features through a custom set of plans in 56 days. The model home has a lot size of 70 feet by 130 feet at a price of $323,950.

The article reports that due to the annual price increases to unsustainable levels that was brought by investors, many markets across the country are in total retreat. It states that potential buyers are making hold of their earnings as excess inventory stagnates because of the uncertainty of what are the fair prices in the market.

The article reports that modular manufacturers are having business communications with home builders relative to products. It mentions that the Gulf Coast housing crisis created by Hurricane Katrina is churning up innovation on a huge level. It states that plant-manufactured modular housing will be a main player in economic recovery because there is not much labor supply to support home building operations.

The article focuses on the efficiency of U.S. Congress' immigration reform bills in countering the issue of illegal immigrants in the country and their effect to the construction industry. The bills authorize the attempt to close the American borders to illegal immigration. More punitive penalties against the employers hiring illegal workers were also imposed. However, housing depends on illegal immigrant workers in the construction trades implying the threat for a shortage in labor.

The article discusses two concepts of high-density housing design which are affordable and protect privacy. They are from two of the top practitioners in the United States - David Clinger, a Colorado land planner, and Scott R. Adams, the senior principal of Southern California's Bassenian/Lagoni Architects. More information could be found in the article.

The article discusses the building of luxury detached homes by Morris' Bayfair Properties at Newland Communities' MiraBay, a boating community with direct access to the waters of Tampa Bay. Niles Bolton Associates designed the neighborhood, which is composed of wide and shallow, two-story townhouses. More information could be found in the article.

Highlights the cast-in-place concrete homes developed by Florida-based Mercedes Homes Inc. Features of the homes; Estimated cost of building a cast-in-place concrete home; Ability of the structures to withstand hurricane winds of 200 meters per hour; Design features of Mercedes' cast-in-place houses.

Focuses on the construction of the Bellagio II model home by Pete McNabb, an Arthur Rutenberg Homes Inc., in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Architectural design of the model house as well as its added amenities; Average price of the home; Total land area of the house.

The article presents information on house construction industry. Sabal Homes, headquartered in the Tampa suburb of Brandon, Florida, is a family business run by Jim Lee and his two sons. Last year, Sabal sold 50 houses for $24 million in revenue, specializing in semi-custom homes for affluent families, all built in masterplanned communities. For more than 15 years, the Lees have relied on Southern California architect Aram Bassenian to provide Sabal Homes with a distinctive style of architecture that stands out in the Florida market.

Features the Old Palm Grove, a high-density housing complex, in Delray Beach, Florida. Design and dimension; Developers and planners; Ambiance and amenities.

This article presents information on custom builders. For many high-end custom builders, selling spec houses is an alluring alternative to the hassles of dealing with well-heeled clients. Texas builder Robin Rueby states that it's all about design leadership. Rueby builds eight to ten high-end homes a year, half of them specs, the other half for clients. Rueby Custom Homes had 7 million dollars in revenue in 2004 and 9 million dollars in 2003. Re-creating the look and feel of a 1920s Santa Barbara Spanish Colonial home is tricky business, especially when one factors in the necessity that the floor plan fit today's lifestyles and buyer expectations.

Describes Centex Homes Inc.'s Sutter's Mill, an entry-level condominium townhouse community at Ladera Ranch in Orange County, California. Interior merchandiser; Community size; Prices; Cultural creative psychographic profile; Features; Total area of two- and three-story townhouses.

The article describes the nuances of contemporary design for homes. Madison based Design Shelters, design/builder firm designed a custom home last winter that had already been selected as an entry in the 2004 Parade of Homes, held by the Madison Area Builders Association. This annual event generates more than half of the company's business. The company's clear desire to bring the outdoors in, the challenges of urbane renewal design are carried from the historic exterior to the updated interior.

Discusses the strategy in managing a construction business away from insider crimes. Implementation of a program that requires new hirees to fill an acknowledgement form that lists examples that things the company want to avoid; Measures that expose thieves; Signs revealing that something is amiss.

Explores the role of baby boomers in the increase in demand for vacation homes in the United States. Estimated number of baby boomers turning 50 years old every seven seconds in the country; Growth in the sales of second-homes and resorts; Rules for price appreciation in second-home communities. INSETS: Coral Canyon Keeps Golf Public;Centex Sells Hawaii;Promontory: Four Seasons Of Luxury;Kiawah's Touch Of Class

Focuses on the increasing design centers in the United States due to the increasing housing market and home renovations. Interior design consultants hired by design centers to service their customers; Concept of option sales; Benchmark established by the Hovnanian Enterprises' facility in Edison, New Jersey; Salesmanship involved in design centers. INSETS: Hovnanian 'Gallery' Sets Benchmark;A Growth Story.

Features the Silver Springs Village project of Leland Homes and Neighborhoods and McKenzie-Perry Homes in Powder Springs, Georgia. Architectural design; Construction of recreational amenity for active adults; Suitability of the initiative for senior citizens.

Presents the statistics in the revenue categorization of top home builders in the U.S. Five-Year Unit Cost Analysis of GIANT 400; GIANTS' Housing Revenue for Five Years; Five Years of GIANTS' Land Sales.

Reports on the re-creation of Heydon Hall, classic American homes architecture by Simonini Builders in Charlotte, North Carolina. Design of the house structures; Market segment for the housing project; Marketing of Heydon Hall.

Explores the success of several private home builders in the United States. Shea Homes; Drees Co.; Kimball Hill Homes; David Weekly Homes.

Discusses the concept of quality in the home construction industry. Role of design in forming a reputation for quality; List of factors affecting a builder's score; Significance of customer perceptions of the quality of a builder.

Focuses on the recognition of John Laing Homes as "Professional Builder's" Builder of the Year in Newport Beach, California. Description of the home building operations of the company; Historical background; Disclosure of pricing premiums.

Relates the management challenge faced by home builders into their path of business retirement. Strategies in managing family issues; Preparations for the business estate planning; Need to make decisions in advance to have the process in place. INSET: Check All Your Options.

Reports on the competition between big national and small local home builders in the United States. Turnkey purchasing practices of small companies; Local builders' strategy of giving trade contractors purchasing authority over the materials they use and products they install. INSET: Local Builders Play Unexpected Hole Card.

Focuses on the prices of the house for sale. Management of cost for the protection of margin; Effect of level of production on pricing; Relation of premium and standard lots on a development.

Features the home conceptual plans of architect Don Evans of Orlando, Florida. Features of the house; Area measurement; Construction budget.

Presents the recipients of the 2002 Professional Builder Achievement Award in the residential construction industry. Career highlights of Jack Robinson, manager of Rayco Home Builders; Educational background of the national director of Energy Star for Homes Sam Rashkin; Achievements of the chief executive officer of Home Aid America Mike Lennon.

Profiles several investment advisers in the real estate industry. Career highlights of builder/developer John Knott; Views on the importance of company strategy by the president of the Human Side Enterprise Leslie Dashew; Educational background of the director of the National Quality Research Center at the University of Michigan Claes Fornell.

Features the Pulte Homes Inc., a housing industry in the United States. Craftsmanship of a small-scale individual builder excercising personal control; Focus on branding and customer relationships; Plan to centralize the business functions in the entire company. INSET: E-Commerce Colossus?.

Focuses on the creation of a computerized options catalog to allow control of cost and margin on change order in the United States. Management of controlling the options process from one database; Benefits of a computerized catalog in the housing market; Provisions from the control the community standards and options catalog system.

Reports the contribution of Chris Spiro in shaping the public image and brand identity of Fidelity Homes in Sarasota, Florida. Collaboration of the company; Development process of brand identity; Response of the housing economic market on the company.

Focuses on the application of computer technology in home building industry in the United States. Availability of Web-based technologies and communication devices; Performance of technology in business management sophistication; Comparison between computerized application and manual operation management.

Part III. Takes a look at the housing construction products developed by the Fidelity Homes, targeted to different buyer profiles. Fidelity Homes' partnership with Florida architect Don Evans; Phases of the construction project; Several projects handled by Fidelity Homes and Evans.

Features the new home building firm, Fidelity Homes, developed by executives David Hunihan and Todd Menke in Florida. Use of Total Quality Management as basis for the development; Complementary skills between the two founders; Reason for choosing 'Fidelity' as company name. INSET: Fidelity's New Consulting Team.

Discusses the use of Internet-based technology in improving home builder efficiency. Cost savings projected from the use of electronic procurement of materials and products; Improvement in product inventory requirements using Internet's communications platform and forecasting tools; Cost effectiveness of Internet marketing of homes.

Features California-based construction company Olson Engineering Inc., named the 2000 Builder of the Year by the 'Professional Builder' periodical. Factors attributing to the company's success; Strategies used in building; Future growth and expansion plans.

Reports the alliance among developers John Cannon, Todd Johnston and Gary Roberts for a land purchase and development in Sarasota, Florida. Impact of the collaboration on the housing industry; Implication of the land development partnership on sales competition; Expansion plans of the developers.

Features Palm Harbor Homes, a National Housing Quality award winner in Dallas, Texas. Incorporation of statistical quality control methods of Total Quality Management on home building; Emphasis on customer and employee satisfaction; Change of management role from directing to facilitating teams on the company.

Focuses on Beazer Homes U.S.A. Inc.'s affordable housing project in Houston, Texas. Price range of homes; Beazer's strategy in developing affordable homes; Features of Beazer's product line.

Reports on the cooperation between home builders and environmentalists in Austin, Texas. Previous disputes between the two groups; Pressures on home builders to work with environmentalists; Strategies in building environmental-friendly homes; Major development projects in the area.