The Pro Builder

APRIL 23, 2024

Mortgage Rates Are Up but New-Home Sales Still Solid in March ibush Tue, 04/23/2024 - 13:42 Lack of existing home inventory drove a rise in new-home sales, despite higher interest rates in March Despite higher interest rates during March, lack of existing home inventory drove a rise in new-home sales, the National Association of Home Builders' Eye On Housing reports.

Lifts 130

Lifts 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 23, 2024

Light But Tough: MDLR Brands’ Building Panels qpurcell Tue, 04/23/2024 - 09:33 The building panels manufactured by Tennessee-based MDLR Brands are so lightweight that just four people can carry a panel sheet measuring 8 by 32 feet. “You couldn’t have four men carry an 8-by-32 wooden or metal SIP,” says Harrison Langley, CEO, MDLR (pronounced “modular”) Brands.

Modular Construction 264

Modular Construction Building Materials Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Controls Manufacturing 264

The Pro Builder

APRIL 22, 2024

Mention of Eco-Friendly Home Features Is on the Rise in Sales Listings ibush Mon, 04/22/2024 - 09:01 Home listing descriptions using eco-friendly terms have been rising over the past five years in line with growing consumer interest in the environment and energy efficiency As consumer awareness of climate change and energy efficiency rise, eco-friendly home features are also becoming more common and sought after by buyers.

Energy Efficiency 130

Energy Efficiency Sustainability 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 22, 2024

Webinar on Demand: 5 Tips to Build a High-Performance Home ibush Mon, 04/22/2024 - 07:46 See and hear how the production team for The New American Home 2024 achieved a remarkable -45 HERS rating for the residence. Discover details about how Sun West Custom Homes, in collaboration with green building consultant Two Trails, used an integrated approach to energy efficiency, air-tightness, and renewable energy to create this high-performance home that also improves indoor air quality and comfort fo

Renewable Energy Systems 249

Renewable Energy Systems Energy Efficiency Project Management Consulting Green Building 249

The Pro Builder

APRIL 19, 2024

Todd Dawalt Todd Dawalt is the founder and host of The Construction Leading Edge podcast, dedicated to helping construction business owners from his experience managing projects from bathroom remodels to high-rise buildings. Now, he coaches construction business owners to systematize their business so it runs without them. Contact him at todd@constructionleadingedge.

Construction Management 130

Construction Management Project Management 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 19, 2024

Metros Where Housing Prices Have Doubled in Less Than 10 Years ibush Fri, 04/19/2024 - 10:15 Historical data show it's taken less than 10 years for home prices to double in 68 of the country’s 100 largest cities A commonly held theory regarding home appreciation is that residential properties tend to double in value in around 10 years. But it turns out most major U.S. cities have seen home prices double faster than that, according to analysis of historical data by online real-estate marketplac

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The Pro Builder

APRIL 19, 2024

Who's Earning What in Construction ibush Fri, 04/19/2024 - 12:21 Workers in construction management roles may earn a higher median wage, but on average, lower-paid occupations have experienced somewhat faster wage growth The U.S. median wage is $48,060, while the top 25% of workers earn at least $76,980, according to data from the May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program released by the U.S.

Construction Management 130

Construction Management Architecture Engineering 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 18, 2024

March/April 2024 ibush Thu, 04/18/2024 - 23:21

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The Pro Builder

APRIL 17, 2024

Proven Ways to Improve Jobsite Productivity rbinsacca Wed, 04/17/2024 - 12:37 At the International Builders' Show in February, I moderated an educational session titled “Improving Jobsite Productivity.” It must have struck a nerve because we had a capacity crowd of 315 people and were asked to present it again later that day to accommodate another 120 or so who’d been turned away from the first session.

Quality Control 130

Quality Control Project Management Consulting Cost Control Communication 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 18, 2024

2023 BALA Winners: The Best of the Best ibush Thu, 04/18/2024 - 15:50 You'll find plenty of inspiration in these four award-winning projects from the Best in American Living Awards Michele Lerner From stylish custom homes to a mixed-use infill project in Music City, these four award-winning projects from the 2023 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) exemplify the tenets of outstanding housing and community design.

Ceiling Systems 130

Ceiling Systems Flooring Systems Real Estate Development Wall Systems 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 18, 2024

5 Steps to Cracking the Code for a High-Performance Home ibush Thu, 04/18/2024 - 13:32 As a model of energy savings, water conservation, indoor comfort and health, and use of on-site renewable energy, The New American Home 2024 offers valuable lessons Drew Smith The New American Home 2024 is a testament to the evolution of sustainable, high-performance home design and construction.

Renewable Energy Systems 243

Renewable Energy Systems Energy Efficiency Energy Conservation Wall Systems 243

The Pro Builder

APRIL 18, 2024

Combining Concrete and Offsite Manufacturing to Create Resilient Homes qpurcell Thu, 04/18/2024 - 12:53 Before it could build resilient , high-performing homes across the country, Onx Homes decided it first needed to prove it could do so in a challenging climate. The offsite manufacturer, which launched in 2021, decided to build its initial homes in Florida.

Building Materials Manufacturing 264

Building Materials Manufacturing Building Resilience Controls Manufacturing Building Materials 264

The Pro Builder

APRIL 18, 2024

How This Luxury Custom Home Builder Wins Business with AI and Innovation kcichowicz Thu, 04/18/2024 - 13:08 Vancouver, Washington, has experienced significant population growth over the last thirty years. Since 1990, the city has more than tripled in size and has consistently grown by nearly 9% annually for the past four years. This growth has spurred a heightened demand for new housing, resulting in an abundance of residential construction companies to choose from.

Communication 130

Communication Project Management Construction Management Foundation Systems 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 18, 2024

Build-to-Rent Is Booming, Particularly in These Metros ibush Thu, 04/18/2024 - 09:53 A recent report finds that the Phoenix metro leads with more than 4,000 build-to-rent units completed in 2023, and Texas is the leading state for build-to-rent development Build-to-rent housing is at a historical peak right now, according to a recent report released by apartment search website RentCafe.

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The Pro Builder

APRIL 18, 2024

The Disappearing Act That Is Middle-Income Housing ibush Thu, 04/18/2024 - 11:00 An expert weighs in on the diminishing supply of middle-income housing, which is particularly acute in California, and what to do about it Amidst escalating housing costs and widening socio-economic disparities, the issue of affordable housing has become a growing concern for U.S. policymakers, economists, and communities alike.

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The Pro Builder

APRIL 18, 2024

7 Sales and Marketing Trends to Watch (and Learn From) ibush Thu, 04/18/2024 - 02:23 These award-winning campaigns from NAHB's 2024 National Sales and Marketing Awards showcase next-level strategies and stellar results Rich Binsacca, Editorial Director The annual National Sales and Marketing Awards (“The Nationals”) has long been the housing industry’s bellwether of the latest and greatest campaigns to build homebuyer awareness, drive sales traffic, and close deals, and the latest crop of winner

Painting/finishing 130

Painting/finishing Building Controls Building Design Quality Control 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 17, 2024

Which Green Building Practices Are Home Builders Using Most? ibush Wed, 04/17/2024 - 10:16 A recent report reveals which green-building practices are most popular among single-family home builders and remodelers A recent survey of 250 single-family home builders and remodelers by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) looked at current green building practices and their adoption rates.

Green Building 130

Green Building Energy Efficiency Energy Conservation Building Resilience 130

The Pro Builder

APRIL 16, 2024

What Gen-Z Buyers Really Want in a Home ibush Tue, 04/16/2024 - 08:04 The fervor of planning for Millennials in the home building industry has now pivoted to Gen Z. So, what does this new generation want? Jenni Nichols Believe it or not, but Gen Z—the generation born between 1997 and 2012—is dipping the toe of its 68-million-strong cohort into the new-home buying market and builders are getting anxious about how to tailor their products and features to this generation.

Surveying 306

Surveying Building Design Insurance Management Collaboration 306

The Pro Builder

MARCH 22, 2024

Survey Finds Women in Construction Still Lack Appropriate PPE ibush Fri, 03/22/2024 - 05:41 The survey found that women working in construction face challenges when it comes to finding properly fitting personal protective equipment for the jobsite In July 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a proposed rule to revise its standard on personal protective equipment (PPE) in construction “to ensure that all PPE that is selected properly fits each affected employee.

Surveying 130

Surveying Construction Equipment Construction Management 130

The Pro Builder

MARCH 22, 2024

Mortgage Rates Set to Remain Higher for Longer ibush Fri, 03/22/2024 - 07:00 After the Fed's announcement on Wednesday that it is holding interest rates steady, homebuyers hoping for lower mortgage rates will have to keep waiting The U.S. Federal Reserve's decision on Wednesday to hold interest rates steady for now has disappointed homebuyers hoping to see lower mortgage rates.

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The Pro Builder

MARCH 21, 2024

Building Homes with ‘Legos on Steroids’ qpurcell Thu, 03/21/2024 - 10:48 A crew leader consults an assembly drawing with color-coded instructions, then calls out a color: blue, red, yellow. Another worker retrieves that color’s corresponding size of building blocks and hands them to a third worker—who uses a mallet to pound each block into place. A fourth worker uses a glue gun to apply a special adhesive that fuses the blocks together.

Heavy Equipment Manufacturing 264

Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Building Materials Manufacturing Building Codes Building Materials 264

The Pro Builder

MARCH 20, 2024

Looking Ahead: Second-Quarter Housing Market Trends ibush Wed, 03/20/2024 - 13:35 Industry pros offer insights about what real estate trends we can expect to see during the next three months Traditionally, the second quarter of the year is characterized by increased buyer and seller activity and peaking inventory levels, but what does Q2 2024 hold for the housing market in terms of mortgage rates, inventory, and home prices?

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The Pro Builder

MARCH 14, 2024

Putting AI at the Center of Home Building kcichowicz Thu, 03/14/2024 - 10:17 Even though my wife and I worked with a top-notch, reputable custom home builder, building our first custom home turned out to be more challenging than expected. Communication was sent through emails, texts, and spreadsheets, making it difficult to keep track of decisions and project progress.

Warranty 130

Warranty Collaboration Building Design Change Management 130

The Pro Builder

MARCH 14, 2024

As Mortgage Rates Dip, Homeowners With High Rates Move to Refinance ibush Thu, 03/14/2024 - 11:04 Following a decrease in mortgage rates last week, applications rose, driven by an increase in refinancing by homeowners who obtained their mortgages at near-peak rates In the week ended March 8, the contract rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage decreased to 6.84% (down from 7.02% the week before), according to Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) data.

Contracts 130

Contracts 130

The Pro Builder

MARCH 14, 2024

Putting AI at the Center of Home Building kcichowicz Thu, 03/14/2024 - 10:17 Even though my wife and I worked with a top-notch, reputable custom home builder, building our first custom home turned out to be more challenging than expected. Communication was sent through emails, texts, and spreadsheets, making it difficult to keep track of decisions and project progress.

Warranty 130

Warranty Collaboration Building Design Change Management 130

The Pro Builder

MARCH 13, 2024

The Passive House Network Publishes Guidance for 2024 qpurcell Wed, 03/13/2024 - 10:40 The Passive House Network has published a new resource that clarifies the expectations and roles of the certifier in certifying buildings to Passive House building standards. The “Building Certifier Scope of Services” helps outline a range of services a certifier might provide in the process of certifying a building to Passive House standards.

Building Optimization 203

Building Optimization Building Standards Project Management Consulting Building Design 203

The Pro Builder

MARCH 13, 2024

These Design Trends Get the Thumbs-Down From Boomers ibush Wed, 03/13/2024 - 10:55 Whether it's garage doors dominating a home's façade, outdated smart home features, or walk-in closets off the bathroom, homeowners in their 60s, 70s, and 80s have opinions There's little doubt that interior design preferences vary from generation to generation, and to truly offer universal design so homes are accessible and appealing for all ages, it's worth listening to the feedback from older adults.

Cost Control 130

Cost Control 130

The Pro Builder

MARCH 13, 2024

What's Standing in the Way of Building Housing Near Transit Stops ibush Wed, 03/13/2024 - 12:14 Two recent studies look at the factors hindering housing development near rapid transit Transit-oriented development has gained popularity among a growing number of interest groups and yet developers commonly face a series of hurdles when building apartments and other dense housing options near subway, rail, and bus rapid transit routes, a new study conducted by the Urban Institute finds.

Zoning 130

Zoning 130

The Pro Builder

MARCH 12, 2024

The State of Hispanic Homeownership ibush Tue, 03/12/2024 - 09:24 2023 saw a net gain of 377,000 Latino owner-households, the largest single-year gain in almost 20 years, a recent report finds Despite challenging conditions with regard to housing affordability, during 2023 Latinos persisted in their efforts to turn dreams of homeownership into reality, according to the most recent "State of Hispanic Homeownership Report" from the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the

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The Pro Builder

MARCH 11, 2024

February Saw More Sellers Jumping Back Into the Housing Market ibush Mon, 03/11/2024 - 10:27 February's housing market saw an increase in the supply of available homes, with Dallas leading among metros where the most sellers are getting into the market A substantial infusion of new inventory in the housing market in time for the spring homebuying season is good news.

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The Pro Builder

MARCH 5, 2024

Looking Up: Single-Family Housing Production Numbers Show Improvement ibush Tue, 03/05/2024 - 13:56 The tide appears to be turning for single-family housing production in almost all metros, from large to small, based on Q4 2023 data Single-family housing production continued its upward trajectory during Q4 2023, largely due to easing mortgage rates and a lack of existing housing inventory.

Building Permits 130

Building Permits Permits Surveying 130

The Pro Builder

MARCH 4, 2024

Ways Women Are Overcoming Hurdles and Making Gains in Construction Careers ibush Mon, 03/04/2024 - 11:44 Actionable advice for women construction workers who encounter bias on the job Bias on the construction jobsite is often unconscious, but it ultimately affects women's experience of working in the skilled trades and other construction careers, Safety+Health magazine reports.

Lifts 264

Lifts 264

The Pro Builder

MARCH 5, 2024

9M Baby Boomers to Exit Housing Market by 2035—but Gradually ibush Tue, 03/05/2024 - 10:00 Latest Freddie Mac report finds the contraction in the housing market resulting from Baby Boomers making their exit is unlikely to be a dramatic wave but more like a gradually receding tide The "silver tsunami," a metaphor used to describe the coming influx of housing supply due to aging Baby Boomers looking to sell their homes as they downsize or because the Boomers have passed away, may not be the dramat

Estimating 147

Estimating Contracts 147

The Pro Builder

MARCH 3, 2024

Nevada State Contractors Board Hosts Third Annual Hammers & Hope Event ibush Sun, 03/03/2024 - 10:20 The event, to be held on March 7 in Reno, Nev., will provide information for women and high school girls about the benefits of working in the construction industry and the varied career options available In honor of National Women in Construction Week, the Nevada State Contractors Board is holding its third annual Hammers & Hope event that highlights construction industry career opportunities fo

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The Pro Builder

MARCH 1, 2024

New-Home Trends: Home Sizes Shrink Further and Personalization Has Power ibush Fri, 03/01/2024 - 10:35 The National Association of Home Builders' latest new-home trends report shows homebuyers prefer fewer square feet, more personalization, and more tech During 2021 there was a brief bump up in the average size of new homes, but the home-size trend since then has been on a downward trajectory, with the average square footage dropping from 2,479 square feet in 2022 to 2,411 in 2023—the smallest a

Energy Efficiency 130

Energy Efficiency HVAC Systems Ceiling Systems Flooring Systems 130

The Pro Builder

MARCH 1, 2024

Biden Administration Extends Federal Housing Financing Program ibush Fri, 03/01/2024 - 12:48 Funds from the program are used to develop or rehabilitate affordable rental homes, helping boost US housing supply In an announcement on Thursday, Feb. 29, the Biden administration said it is extending a federal housing financing program originally set to expire in September, Route Fifty reports.

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The Pro Builder

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Report Explores US Homeownership Trends, Finds Minorities Making Gains ibush Thu, 02/22/2024 - 11:37 A new National Association of Realtors report finds Asian Americans and Hispanics have made the greatest gains in homeownership over the past decade From 2012 to 2022, homeownership among Americans increased significantly, with rates consistently growing across all racial and ethnic groups.

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