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www.NAHB.org
Week of May 5, 2003

Front Page

President's Message

* There Are No Better Housing Advocates Anywhere

Regulation

* Urban Growth Boundaries Strike in San Jose
* City Claims Impact Fee Is a ‘Tax’
* Web Site Offers Help on EPA Compliance

Member Dividends

* NAHB Plays Key Role in Introducing Cost-Saving Foundations

Housing and Economics

* NAHB Works With Census on Property Tax Data
* Impact Fees Grow as Property Taxes Decline
* Home Building Rises in California, But It's Still Not Good Enough
* Spotlight on: Santa Fe

For Consumers

* The Kitchen Is the Most Important Room in the House

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Harvard Index Shows Gains in Remodeling Activity

Business Management

* Does Your Planning Software Match Your Project's Sophistication?
* Early Warning Signs Point to Possible Business Failure

Seniors Housing

* Seniors Buy Maintenance-Free Homes Close to Current Address
* Nursing Homes on the Decline

Research

* Wearable Computers a Possible Solution for Reading Blueprints

Building Systems

* Carpenter Bees Can Be Stopped From Tunneling Into Wood

Sales & Marketing

* Know Your Competition and Increase Your Sales

Labor

* Training Program Graduates Its First Class in Nashville

Building Products

* Fiber Glass Insulation Addresses Air Quality Concerns

Design

* Best in American Living Awards Accepting Entries

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Charlotte Builders Exemplify Ethics in Business

NBN Back Issues

 

Best in American Living Awards Accepting Entries

The Best in American Living Awards (BALA) give professionals in the home building industry an opportunity to enhance their reputation as a leader in the residential design arena.

Co-sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and NAHB, the annual Best in American Living Award is the foremost residential design competition in the country, recognizing individuals who produce homes that illustrate design quality and success in the marketplace and exemplify the best in American living.

Now in its 20th year, BALA has grown to 38 categories, ranging from single-family attached and detached homes in a variety of sizes, to rental developments, custom homes, best community and one-of-a-kind spec homes.


Sponsored by: Countrywide Home Loans

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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.

Thirteen interior design categories have been added for the 2003 competition — including 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, the flow of the traffic in 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.

Entries should be clear and concise, yet detailed.

Builders, developers, architects, land planners, designers and those working through cooperative public/private efforts to expand homeownership opportunities are encouraged to enter.

The registration deadline for the awards is July 1, and entries are due by July 15.

For information, visit Professional Builder’s Web site. Or e-mail Michelle Persinger at NAHB or call her at 800-368-5242 x 8343. Or call Professional Builder at 630-288-8184.

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