No Longer Storage Areas, Basements Become Chic
A growing number of home owners are capitalizing on low interest rates and converting their basements from storage areas to home theaters, saunas, fitness rooms or play areas. Linda Urban of Bloomfield Hills, MI-based Coldwell Banker Schweitzer Real Estate says resale returns of 40% or more are possible with basement remodeling projects; but home owners who install top-quality cabinets, granite countertops and other pricey features will not recoup all of their investments. The trend can be attributed to the post-Sept. 11 nesting instinct and the desire for gathering spaces. According to Southfield, MI-based Fairway Construction President Adam Helfman, home owners can shave 30%-40% off the project's cost by hiring a professional to handle the design, plumbing, electricity and floors while tackling the carpeting, tiling, painting and other basic jobs themselves. Projects that involve high-end materials and full baths, among other design elements, could easily top $100,000. (www.chicagotribune.com)
Chicago Tribune (12/05/03) P. 10; Anstett, Patricia
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Back at the Ranch House
Ranch homes, or ramblers, emerged in Southern California and expanded throughout the country following World War II. These one-story dwellings feature V-, L- or U-shaped floor plans with courtyards instead of front porches, pitched roofs, extended eaves, half-walls and few doorways. The homes were once popular for their privacy, spaciousness and connection to the outdoors — the latter of which was accomplished with walls and doors made of glass. "Ranches: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling and Building New" authors and architects M. Caren Connolly and Louis Wasserman believe ranches are once again gaining popularity. "Home buyers have come to appreciate both the subtle appeal of these straightforward homes and the settled suburban neighborhoods in which they tend to be found," they explain. (www.latimes.com)
Los Angeles Times (12/04/03) P. F9; Balzar, John
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Tuned In to Home Remodeling
Of the two-thirds of home owners who watch home-related television shows, close to 75% use what they see to tackle projects in their own homes, reveals a recent survey by the home-improvement retailer Lowe's. Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies reports that home owners are on pace to spend over $125 billion on remodeling this year; and chairman of the NAHN Remodelors™ Council, Mike Weiss, believes the industry will gain strength as consumer confidence rises and the economy continues to improve. Lowe's also discovered that 55% of home owners prefer rural living, and 41% have a penchant for older properties that must be restored or repaired. The top features demanded by the survey's respondents include such retro amenities as front porches, gunmetal gray appliances, hand-painted murals and separate relaxation quarters for men and women. (cbs.marketwatch.com)
CBSMarketWatch.com (12/02/03) Kerch, Steve
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Rising Costs of Lumber Drive Up Housing Prices
Plywood and composite board prices have surged in the past five months due to strong demand for new homes, rebuilding in Iraq and wildfires in Canada. According to publishing firm Random Lengths, the cost of plywood sheets jumped from $240 per thousand square feet in October 2002 to $539 during the same month of this year. Oriented strand board prices, meanwhile, shot up from $155 per thousand sq. ft. to $465 over the same period. Though home builders and contractors are absorbing some of the increases to hang onto their customers, they have been forced to pass some of the costs onto consumers in the form of higher home and renovation prices. In fact, the jump in wood prices has boosted new-home prices by upwards of $4,000 and added 20% to the cost of improvements. Acuff Homes Inc. President Collin Acuff says first-time home buyers are hurt the most by the price hikes, especially since many have struggled to accumulate downpayments that are no longer sufficient. Lumber prices could decline in the coming months, but experts believe low interest rates will keep consumers' wallets open. (www.kcstar.com)
Kansas City Star (12/01/03) P. A1; Wenske, Paul
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Lap of Luxury
Home theater systems complete with surround sound and 106-inch video screens are popular in upscale residences, according to Mike Frye of Automated Home Technologies. Frye, the company's president, says the systems range in price from $2,000 to $50,000 — although most home buyers spend between $3,000 and $10,000. Dimmer switches once were located only in dining rooms, but Frye notes that home buyers now are requesting lighting controls in other rooms. Vertical spas also are gaining popularity among buyers of $300,000-plus homes. The shower units — priced between $2,500 and $5,000 — use six or more nozzles to spray water on the entire body. Warming drawers under the stove or oven; stainless steel appliances; six-burner stoves; central vacuums; and power-assisted toilets are popping up in luxury homes as well. (www.dayton.bcentral.com)
Dayton Business Journal (12/01/03) Wilfong, John
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Prefab-ulous
An increasing number of architects are designing prefabricated homes, or factory-made dwellings that are assembled on site, in an attempt to give home buyers an alternative to high-cost, cookie-cutter developments. These new offerings are different from other mobile, modular and prefabricated homes in that they incorporate modernized gables, sloped roofs, dormers, four-quadrant windows and other traditional features. Moreover, many of the designs are flexible and can be fitted together to create different floor plans. The architects involved in this new wave of prefabricated housing plan to target the $200,000-$300,000 price range, although costs will vary depending on region. Buyers will still need a conventional local builder for permits, foundations, plumbing and other necessities. If the concept catches on with buyers, however, stylish prefabricated homes could eventually evolve into the very mass-produced housing that architects are hoping to avoid. (www.newsday.com)
New York Newsday (11/24/03) P. B6; Davidson, Justin
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More People Calling the Mall Home
In a growing number of cities across the country, developers are combining residential and retail components to create pedestrian-friendly enclaves with top-notch amenities such as fitness centers, private parking and swimming pools. In Aventura, FL, developers are transforming the Loehmann's Fashion Island mall into Aventura Town Center, which will feature 655 condominiums priced between $139,000 and $279,900, offices, shops and restaurants. Such mixed-use projects generate property taxes; boost business for struggling mall operators; make it easy for home owners to run errands without having to drive; and efficiently use the last urban parcels. "Greyfields Into Goldfields" author Lee Sobel notes that "in certain communities that want to achieve an identity and may not have one, these properties can make that happen and serve as a catalyst for redevelopment." Similar projects are popping up in other parts of South Florida, including 159 apartments above a Publix supermarket in Coral Gables and 360 units on top of a Publix in Miami's Brickell Village. In order to facilitate such development, most municipalities need to throw out zoning laws that keep residential and commercial areas separate and encourage commercial developers to include housing. (www.miami.com)
Miami Herald (11/24/03) P. A1; Viglucci, Andres
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Study Proves Growth Pays Its Way
According to research by University of Florida economist Dr. James Dewey, the average new home in Manatee County, FL, generates about $14,782 in taxes. Dewey's study shows that new dwellings contribute $1,439 more in taxes than they cost in terms of public services. Gulf Coast Builders Exchange Executive Director Jay Brady believes this research proves that impact fees are not necessary to pay for new development. Brady says municipalities should use the surpluses to pay for infrastructure. Rather, he notes, local governments are forced to boost property taxes because they spend the funds in other areas and cannot make new residents pay existing deficiencies in the infrastructure system. (www.bradenton.com)
Bradenton Herald (11/24/03) P. 12; Brady, Jay
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California a Niche for New Home Materials
According to the Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Association, homes built with insulated steel or oriented strand board panels are more airtight and energy-efficient than conventional stick-built dwellings. Home buyers also benefit from lower property prices, which is especially important in high-cost states like California. In fact, the 108 dwellings being built by Grand Terrace-based Victoria Homes in Beaumont will fetch between $170,000 and $210,000. Despite the benefits of SIP construction, the NAHB Research Center reveals that fewer than 1% of the nation's homes have insulated panels. Industry insiders believe builders either know nothing about SIP or simply do not want to change their building practices. Structural Insulation Panel Association Executive Director Bill Wachtler says the technology makes it difficult to add skylights or change the placement of doors, windows and wiring, for instance, because the panels are pre-cut. (www.chicagotribune.com)
Chicago Tribune (11/23/03) P. 7N; Tucker, Darla Martin
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My Other Front Door Is for My Customers
Ladera Ranch, a master-planned development in Orange County, CA, features 22 homes that combine residential and business components. Such innovative development — which allows home owners to live in one section of the dwelling and work in another — is expected to catch on as local governments look to expand telecommuting as a means of minimizing traffic and air pollution. Orange County officials established a special zoning designation, "home-based business enclave" (HBBE), so the project could proceed. According to county building guidelines, a fire-resistant wall is necessary to separate the homes from the businesses. In addition, the dwellings must have public restrooms, customer parking and handicap access. Though the county did not place any restrictions on the types of businesses allowed, the Front Street home owners association will be responsible for such decisions. Critics are concerned about aesthetics and business-related noises and odors, but the concept proved to be popular among home buyers. In fact, the $600,000-plus residences attracted nearly 140 prospective buyers. (www.latimes.com)
Los Angeles Times (11/22/03) P. A1; Yi, Daniel
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A High-Tech Load
A growing number of home owners are transforming their laundry rooms into so-called "laundry centers" or "family studios" complete with upscale appliances. These areas today might feature $3,000-plus washers and dryers, sink spas, ironing stations, sorting areas, drying cabinets, valets, custom cabinetry and granite countertops as well as pricey aromatherapy detergents, fabric softeners and linen sprays. They are no longer relegated to the basement but are now located in dressing rooms or near the family's bedrooms or fitness areas. New York-based architect William Hellow says many home owners design their laundry rooms around high-tech washers and dryers, which are now available in assorted colors with touch screens, front-loading options and moisture sensors, among other features. According to Yale Appliance and Lighting Sales Director Steve Sheinkopf, laundry rooms have made their way out of the basement because home owners no longer want to climb stairs. In fact, some families have gone as far as building multiple laundry rooms in different areas of the home. (www.boston.com/globe)
Boston Globe (11/20/03) P. H1; Matchan, Linda
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Shipping Containers Show Promise for Living Space
Fox & Fowle Architects PC has thought of a use for the many empty shipping containers stored at seaports, and is discussing the idea with developers. The concept of converting the metal boxes into low-cost housing and commercial space was sparked by a Boston Society of Architects (BSA) national design competition to find mixed-use alternatives to deal with sprawl. "Fox & Fowle developed an innovative solution allowing them to leverage the design flexibility inherent with density," enthuses BSA President David D. Dixon. The team chose an 18.6 acre site that had woodlands, abandoned industrial property, open space and a nearby commuter rail station, and removed the sheathing on the shipping containers to use them as structural components for duplex loft-housing units made up of four containers each. The project also included commercial and civic/cultural space and parking. The plan stacked some 3,000 containers eight high. Textainer Group Senior Vice President Philip K. Brewer says that there are major savings in using the containers, rather than shipping them empty. (www.enr.com)
ENR (11/17/03) Vol. 251, No. 20, P. 22; Angelo, William J.
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Mobile Technology Helps Small Company Keep Big One at Bay
Hand-held wireless technology is helping a small home improvement chain in New York stay a step ahead of its larger competition. Chase-Pitkin sales representatives are equipped with personal digital assistants (PDAs), which give them access to the company's database when they are in the field. The company's reps can easily look up products and prices, allowing them to spend more time building relationships with clients. Chase-Pitkin has achieved productivity gains from the technology, with the amount of time spent with customers up 50%. In addition, reps can now spend three-quarters of their day on the road. The technology has made it difficult for big competitors like Home Depot and Lowe's to encroach on Chase-Pitkin's territory. "One potential customer told us we wouldn't have been welcomed in if we didn't have this technology because clearly it's far ahead of the competition," remarks Chase-Pitkin Chief Information Officer Chris Dorsey. (www.newsday.com)
Newsday Online (11/29/03) Dobbin, Ben
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Small Business Embraces the Tablet PC
The Tablet PC did not catch on with large corporations as Microsoft and its partners had hoped, but a growing number of small businesses are adopting the technology. Austin, TX-based Gram Traffic Counting, which conducts roadside travel surveys for highway departments, began using Tablet PCs earlier this year and saw an instant increase in productivity and efficiency. According to company president Patricia Nassour, the greater efficiency has allowed Gram to reduce personnel, offer more competitive bids and cut delivery time for reports. In addition, the shift from paper to the Tablet PCs has eliminated the need to re-key information from paper forms, therefore eliminating transcribing errors. Burnaby, British Columbia-based Bartec Fire Safety Systems eliminated field technicians paperwork with the Tablet PC, which allows customers to write directly on the Tablet screen; in fact, the system also sends Bartec work orders via a wireless network. In addition, dispatchers can more easily redistribute work orders and rearrange schedules to respond to an emergency. According to company president Rob Barrett, use of the Tablets and wireless network has allowed Bartec to produce a report in one hour, instead of the three weeks that competitors take. Barrett says the greater efficiency has won the company new business from competitors. (www.smallbusinesscomputing.com)
Small Business Computing Online (12/01/03) Blackwell, Gerry
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Powering Up
The Lindows.com-based BusinessStation computer, which costs $169, demonstrates that Linux can be made to work on the desktop, but only for certain types of workers doing certain types of work. The BusinessStation is similar to a network PC or thin client that uses a CD-ROM or network server rather than local storage, and it runs applications designed to work like Microsoft Office. This sort of setup can be workable for what the research firm Gartner refers to as "structured task workers," who use a few applications for repeated tasks, and it can be useful for employees such as call-center or retail employees, or those working in cubicles, who need something that does not take up much space and can be handled remotely by IT staff. However, it is less of an ideal solution for what Gartner calls knowledge workers, who use a broad variety of applications, some homegrown or full of special formatting or macros, because of the training and porting costs that these entail. Some Linux suites can still work for smaller enterprises or those that stick to off-the-shelf software, however, such as the StarOffice suite from Sun Microsystems or the OpenOffice.org software. (www.entrepreneur.com)
Entrepreneur (12/03) P. 57; Hogan, Mike
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