Helena Habitat for Humanity Aims to Build 1,000 Affordable Homes
A new Habitat for Humanity project in Helena, Mont., aims to deliver 1,000 affordable housing units and outdoor community amenities
How Eminent Domain May Be Used to Respond to Climate Crises
Eminent domain, which grants the government power to take private property for public use, has displaced thousands of Americans for the sake of infrastructure in the past, but it may be used for a better purpose in a global climate crisis
Soil Connect Is Moving Dirt and Building Relationships
Cliff Fetner created Soil Connect so builders and developers could more easily move dirt and other aggregates from jobsite to jobsite, but it has expanded to become something much more
NAHB Develops Land Use Resources for Home Builders and Buyers
NAHB Chairman's Message: An NAHB Land Development Committee working group is creating educational resources to help make land-use policy information more accessible
How to Transform a Non-View Lot Into an Eye-Catching Home Site
Not everyone can afford to pay a premium for sought-after view lots, but following these design tips can turn any basic yard into a charming outdoor living space
North Carolina Habitat for Humanity Buys 100 Acres of Land for Workforce Housing
The Sandhills, NC, office recently bought 100 acres of land to build workforce housing for hundreds of families
Exclusive Research + Data
Most Builders Believe Now Is a Great Time to Buy Land
Recognizing the abundance of land deals available, the fact that banks are loosening their grip on distressed properties, and forecasts that show the housing market is finally on the road to recovery, most home builders believe now is a great time to be in the market for land
KB Home, Toll Bros. among builders that may be on hook for desert land
Some of the country’s largest home builders might have to buy hundreds of acres of desert near a failed development at boom-era prices. The legal battle between builders such as KB Home and Toll Brothers and a group of banks led by J.P. Morgan Chase stems from Inspirada, a failed development near Las Vegas.
Beazer Homes settles stormwater violations in 21 states for $925,000
Beazer Homes has agreed today to pay a $925,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations at its construction sites in 21 states, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced. As part of the settlement, Beazer will also implement a company-wide stormwater program to improve compliance with stormwater runoff requirements at current and future construction sites around the country.
Starwood Capital infuses TRI Pointe Homes with $150 million for home building operations
Southern California home builder TRI Pointe Homes, LLC, Newport Beach, Calif., has entered into a strategic partnership with an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group Global, LP, a leading global private equity firm focused on real estate. The partnership infuses TRI Pointe Homes with $150 million in new strategic growth equity capital to drive the expansion of its home building operations in California and the Western Region.
4 best practices from the 2011 NHQ Award winners
The NHQ Awards represent the best of the best in quality-driven home building companies, and the 2011 class is no exception. All three winners — Charter Homes & Neighborhoods, Haseko Construction, and Wathen Castanos Hybrid Homes — employ numerous quality management best practices. Here are a few particularly interesting best practices that caught our attention.
Community Development
Back to the land: Trends in conservation communities
Are conservation communities on a comeback? Some experts believe so. We profile three recent conservation community developments that re-think the decades-old planning model.
Home building Industry Years Away From Recovery
Signs are increasingly pointing to a home building industry that is years away from recovering from the excesses of the housing boom. Even with a modest rise in construction last month, the pace of building would need to at least double to signal a healthy market and contribute in a meaningful way to job growth, according to most economists.
Taylor Morrison opens 1,900-site development in Arizona
Nestled against the San Tan Mountains, the Valley’s newest sanctuary — and the largest community ever by Taylor Morrison — opened to home buyers on September 18.
Mastering Mixed-use Housing
Mixed-use residential development is on the upswing, particularly in urban areas. But before jumping into this market, home builders need to consider the risks versus rewards.
Sustainable Landscaping: the Next Step in Green Building
Home builders are getting up to speed on sustainable landscaping practices such as bioswales, rain gardens and the use of native plants