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Sales

The Retirement Housing Boom

While there are huge demographic, lifestyle and value differences among the 61 million people who belong to the Pre-Boomer and Early Boomer generations, they have shared some common experiences that have helped differentiate them from prior retirees.

New-Construction Projects

Ryland Pays Big for Bad Land

Ryland Homes is offering to buy back homes for the original selling price from residents of its Lexington Manner subdivision in Butler Country, Ohio, after hazardous lead levels were discovered in yards earlier this year.

Government + Policy

California SB800 General Summary

A complete list of highlights of California Senate Bill 800

Custom Home Design

Greetings from Southern California

Seven standouts Professional Builder toured this spring in the Inland Empire and Orange and L.A. counties

Management

The New HR Model

The old HR model had these people in a strictly tactical mode, moving payroll and benefit papers, and posting jobs. Today a good HR professional is worth the same financial return as a seasoned chief financial officer.

Custom Home Design

Color Selection Tools

A few recent innovations in choosing interior and exterior paint mean builders can delegate at least one chore to someone else - the buyer.

Building Materials

Solid Growth in Fiber Cement Sector

The most dramatic change in the industry in the last five years, according to a 2002 report, is a 258% growth surge in use of fiber cement cladding.

Management

Survey Shows Declines In Incentive Selling

Wall Street housing stock analyst Ivy Zelman of Credit Suisse/First Boston has come up with an interesting measure to keep her finger on the pulse of the industry.

Building Materials

Gypsum Alternative to Parapets

In some parts of the country, multifamily builders are replacing masonry parapets with 5/8-inch (15.9mm) Type X gypsum board as a roof underlayment.

Management

'Road map' Targets Financial Ratios

Colorado-based management consultant Chuck Shinn simplifies the route to double-digit builder profitability with a set of financial ratios that target cost control.

Home Builders Institute's Schools to Skills Grant Application Open Through December

As Mortgage Rates Rise, Buyers Lose Purchasing Power

Renters Are Choosing Single-Family Homes for These Features