Who makes what when it comes to management, sales and amrketing, customer service/support and construction personnel.

When choosing who to interview, remember to compare their qualifications and characteristics with what you're looking for - not just with each other.

So, what are the right questions, and how do you ask them? There are no hard and fast rules, but help is available in getting started, including books of questions that can be used verbatim or adapted to your needs.

Wrong hires cost you at least two times the salary. You'd never skip due diligence on a piece of land or an acquisition, so why trust only your instinct on an investment as costly as people?

Hovnanian Enterprises' Successor Candidate Profile

Creating strong, skilled leaders internally is an overriding passion at Giant K. Hovnanian Companies - because it has to be.

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

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.

Most local builders still are trying to build too many products for too many segments, give the market share they want.