PB January 2007

Builders have made news with deep discounts and incentives to get rid of growing inventories. But what are the options for the average-size production builder who wants to stay competitive? The key to staying afloat — and perhaps coming out on top in your market — is focusing on brand identity.

Show Village — Professional Builder's annual model home display at the International Builders' Show — features real homes loaded with building products builders can use, all showcased in the show parking lot.

In our 70-year history series of articles, we've identified the major movements, report on what's happened in housing over the last 70 years, examin how PB reported on the industry, and recognized the events that have shaped where we are today.

Aggressive Atlanta-based builder Keith McSwain knows how to coax Southerners into buying houses. With more than 2,200 sales in six cities last year, his McCar Homes is showing the world how to grow a private home builder fast — organically.

When Professional Builder was founded in 1936, the housing market was in a slump, along with the rest of the country's economy. From the heights of 1929, the home building market dropped 90 percent in the first four years then flattened out for the middle part of the decade.

Research shows that certain things can capture women's attention more than others. That's where women-centric design concepts offer a blueprint for home builders.

Pinched pennies during the war led to spending in the aftermath. Economic growth started one year prior and continued through to 1960, making the United States the world's richest country. The two major sources for economic growth from 1946 to 1955: housing and automobiles.

Included are the latest products from top flooring producers

As soldiers made their way back home from World War II, the American family sprung into action. An increase in births from 1946 to 1964 created a population boom — known as the Baby Boom. The Baby Boom accounted for more than 76 million births in the United States during its 18-year run with the highest concentration of births occurring between 1957 and 1964.

The owner of Jagoe Homes talks about appliances, building material and softward solutions that they prefer.