This article first appeared in the PB August 2009
issue of Pro Builder.
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Who says older generations will be forgotten? The U.S. Census Bureau predicts the world's 65-plus population will be 1.53 billion in 2050, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Young whippersnappers — those under 15 — are expected to increase in population size by only 6 percent.
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That's how much the population of New Orleans grew in 2008. The 8 percent growth rate made it the fastest-growing large city in the U.S. last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The New Orleans population is up since Hurricane Katrina, at almost 312,000, but still falls below the pre-Katrina estimates of almost 485,000.
$1.2T
If the U.S. invests $520 billion in improving energy efficiency in homes — including basics such as sealing air ducts — the country has the potential to save $1.2 trillion by 2020, consulting firm McKinsey reports. That would be an energy savings of about 23 percent.
150
In fiscal year 2008, the Internal Revenue Service initiated 268 investigations of tax fraud in the construction industry; 150 of those investigations resulted in convictions. Do those taxes!
19
Nationwide, 19 communities have not faced declines in construction employment, according to an Associated General Contractors of America study that spanned June 2008 to June 2009. Construction employment increased in 10 cities of the 352 metro areas studied.
2.5%
There are fewer unoccupied homes out there: the homeowner vacancy rate dropped to 2.5 percent in the second quarter, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's the lowest level since 2006.
$14.2M
The buyers of Orchid House, a property in the United Kingdom said to be the most expensive green home ever sold, bought the home for $14.2 million, reports WebEcoist.com. That works out to approximately $6,000 per square foot.
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Home prices in Denver decreased only 5.5 percent in March 2009, according to The Denver Post. It was the lowest decline in 20 American cities surveyed.
4%
The percentage of clients who want more square footage in their new homes this year is 4 percent, compared with 16 percent in 2008, reports the American Institute of Architects.
