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Best in American Living Award Deadline Extended

• Entry notebooks are now due: Saturday, July 31

Co-sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and NAHB, BALA is open to builders, architects, designers, developers, land planners and interior designers.

Now in its 21st year, BALA has grown to 41 categories, ranging from single-family attached and detached homes in a variety of sizes, to custom homes, rental developments, best community and one-of-a-kind spec homes.

The competition also includes the Best Affordable Home category, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary’s Award for Excellence and the Best Smart Growth Community award.

Additional design categories include best kitchen, best bath, best specialty room and best detail.

Entries are judged on: exterior design/curb appeal, interior architecture and interior design, sales success of the product, construction quality and cost efficiency, and the site plan.

Entrants are advised to submit good photographs along with their entry notebook so that the judges can evaluate architectural elements of the project.

Floor plans are evaluated for their livability; considered are such elements as accessibility of the kitchen from the garage, traffic flow through the home, the relationship of formal to informal space and how adult areas relate to those for guests or children.

Entrants are also asked to identify their market; judges consider the plan within the context of the identified market to ensure it makes sense for the region and has market acceptance.

Winners will be announced at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, FL. Winning entries will also be displayed on the Professional Builder Web site, HousingZone.com, for up to one year.

For information, eligibility requirements and application forms, click here, or contact Professional Builders' Judy Brociek (630-288-8184) or Colleen Paez (630-288-8168) or Michelle Persinger of NAHB at 800-368-5242 x 8343.

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