Real Estate Wire/Green Trends News Wire

WASHINGTON - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has had a long history of tracking the evolution of home buyer preferences. Builders and other industry professionals now have an opportunity to find out what baby boomers want compared to other home buyers in Housing Preferences of the Boomer Generation: How They Compare to Other Home Buyers, a study recently released by NAHB's publishing arm, BuilderBooks. Based on a comprehensive, nationwide survey of recent and prospective home buyers conducted in 2015, the study discusses how various designs influence the home purchase decision; the location, features and size of the homes consumers want, and the influence of certain events and people on the decision to move to another home.  "This survey is a great resource for building professionals, as it provides an inside look at the things boomers, and other generations, are looking for in today's homes," said Rose Quint, NAHB's Assistant Vice President f...

WASHINGTON -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes dropped 9.2 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 494,000 units, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. "After an unusually high December reading, some pullback is to be expected," said Ed Brady, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and home builder and developer from Bloomington, Ill. "On the positive side, builders are adding inventory in anticipation of future business."  "Consumers are exhibiting caution in the face of some uncertain market conditions," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "The average of the December-January reports shows that housing is moving forward at a modest pace, buoyed by relatively low interest rates and ongoing job creation." The inventory of new homes for sale rose to 238,000 in January, which is a 5.8-month supply at the curren...

James Heistand REAL ESTATE WIRE GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Heistand, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parkway Properties, an Orlando-based real estate investment trust (REIT), will be inducted into the University of Florida’s Kelley A. Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies Hall of Fame on Feb. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The induction will take place on the second and final day of the Center’s Trends & Strategies Conference, a premier networking and professional development event examining critical issues in real estate.  Heistand has made a significant impact on Florida real estate since arriving in Orlando in the mid-1980s as Southeastern Regional Vice President for Carnegie Properties, Inc. Since then, Heistand’s ventures have been increasingly successful, and established him as an influential real estate leader at the state, regional and national levels.  “We are proud to induct Jim Heistand into our Hall of Fame,” said J. Andrew Hogshead, Chie...

WASHINGTON -- Modest home price and interest rate decreases resulted in a slight increase in nationwide housing affordability in the fourth quarter of 2015, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released today. "Affordable home prices, attractive mortgage rates, and pent-up demand are keeping the housing market on a gradual, upward path," said NAHB Chairman Ed Brady, a home builder and developer from Bloomington, Ill. "While this bodes well for housing in 2016, builders continue to face a number of challenges, including excessive and costly regulations and a lack of available lots and skilled labor." "The signs point to continuing growth in home sales," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "We've seen an improvement in affordability due to favorable home prices and interest rates. Steady employment and economic growth, along with rising consumer confidence and pent-up demand will ...

ED BRADY By MIKE BONTS EDITOR The industry been looking for some acknowledgement from the field of presidential candidates that they understand the role housing plays in the success of the economy and welfare of Americans. According to the Housing Wire part of Hillary Clinton’s $125 billion Economic Revitalization Initiative  program is a $25 billion housing investment program that aims to “lift more families into sustainable homeownership.”  This will be accomplished by offering down payment assistance, increasing housing counseling programs, expanding beyond traditional credit scores, building more affordable rental housing, clarifying lending rules and other changes. Ed Brady, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, favors the housing impact of the former Secretary of State's recently economic revitalization agenda. "We applaud Secretary Clinton for recognizing the significant role that housing plays in our local communities and economy and ...

Dallas, Texas. (February 15, 2016) – Richman Ascension, an affiliate of The Richman Group, the nation’s 7th largest rental apartment owner, has broken ground on its first multi-family project for the Dallas, Texas area. Named The Parc at White Rock, this development will be a $51 million luxury apartment community encompassing 291 residences located at the doorstep of the popular White Rock Park. “We’re incredibly excited about our new venture in the Dallas market,” said Kristin Miller, President of The Richman Group Development Corporation. “We are committed to bring to market a community infused with the same vibrancy that exists in the nation’s fourth-largest metro area. From responsive floor plan designs to innovative amenities, The Parc at White Rock will be the perfect complement to our residents’ lives just five miles from downtown Dallas overlooking scenic White Rock Park.” The community is comprised of a sophisticated, modern five-story complex that will showcase sweep...

WASHINGTON - Cindy Cepko, CGP, CMP, MIRM, Master CSP, co-owner of Granite Homes Inc. in Paupack, Penn., was recently sworn in as the 2016 chair of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council. "The PWB Council was an invaluable resource for me when I first started my business, and I look forward to working with our new members to share all that I've learned," said Cepko. "My goal is to spread awareness of the council to other women in the home building industry and show them how the council and its members can help them exceed in this industry."  As chair of the PWB Council, Cepko will manage the council's business and represent the interests of the council members throughout NAHB. Her year as national chair is already underway as she has started working toward the goals of recruiting and retaining members. Throughout the year, the council will be focused on working with student chapters across the countr...

REAL ESTATE WIRE CHICAGO – The nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers and a U.S. standards-setting body for energy efficiency rating and certification systems have agreed to work together to promote education, research and data standards. The Appraisal Institute and the Residential Energy Services Network, known as RESNET, signed a cooperation agreement Jan. 21. The two organizations agreed to work together to present education programs on real estate valuation topics and building energy efficiency rating and certification systems to appraisers, builders, developers and other interested individuals. AI and RESNET also agreed to cooperate in research and studies on topics of interest to both organizations. And they agreed to cooperate in developing data points relating to the rating of building efficiency and performance for use by appraisers in real property residential valuations. “The Appraisal Institute is thrilled and honored to have this opport...

Tyler Curl, AIA REAL ESTATE WIRE JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (February 3, 2016) – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Jacksonville Chapter welcomed the 2016 Board of Directors at the Chapter’s annual Board installation. Tyler Curl, AIA, Reynolds, Smith and Hill, will serve as President. President-elect is Christopher Allen, AIA of Haskell. Jennifer Suharmadji, AIA, Stellar Group, Inc. is Treasurer. Michael Compton, AIA, Reynolds, Smith and Hill, is Secretary. Chapter Directors are, Patrick Kern, AIA , Reynolds, Smith and Hill; Skip Yauger, AIA, Gresham, Smith and Partners and John Allmand, AIA, JAA Architecture, Inc . Tony Lamell, AIA of   Stellar Group, Inc. is State Director. For more information call 904.389.8421 or e-mail admin@aiajacksonville.org. ABOUT AIA JACKSONVILLE AIA Jacksonville is a Chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) representing and serving AIA Florida members in Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau counties.  Within these c...

WASHINGTON D.C -- More than 110,000 housing industry professionals packed the aisles at Design & Construction Week, held Jan. 19-22 in Las Vegas. This marked the third year of the co-located mega-event, which included the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders' Show (IBS), the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, the International Window Coverings Expo and The International Surface Event. Official attendance for IBS was 59,687, which was 8 percent higher than last year's show. Nearly 1,400 IBS exhibitors filled more than 500,000 square feet of space, including a record-breaking 30,000-square- foot outdoor exhibit space. New products focused on home technology and increased energy efficiency: two factors boosting the return of buyers to the new home market. "The packed crowds and positive energy throughout this year's Design & Construction Week are another indication of the residential construction industry's ongoing recovery,...

REAL ESTATE WIRE JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  – LandSouth Construction, a Jacksonville, Fla. based general contractor specializing in multifamily, senior housing and mixed use development has broken ground on Integra Sands, a $24 million luxury apartment community in Daytona Beach, Fla.  Integra Land Company of Lake Mary, Fla. is developing the 358,480 square foot project. Charlan, Brock and Associates of Maitland, Fla. is designing Integra Sands. Completion is scheduled for April 2017. “The plan is for Integra Sands to attract a wide span of lifestyles, from students to young professionals to working empty-nesters,” noted LandSouth Construction President and CEO James Pyle. “With spacious interiors, sophisticated finishes and resort-style amenities the community offers the perfect balance between small-town charm and big-city comfort.” Nestled on 14.5 beautiful acres, Daytona Beach’s newest apartment address will feature 264 garden style apartment homes in six four-story bu...