Report Gives Communities a Tool to Match Development to Growth
A Brookings Institution report estimates that close to 60 million additional housing units will be needed to accommodate the 94 million new residents that will join the U.S. population between 2000 and 2030. According to Urban Land Institute Senior Housing Fellow John McIlwain, states and municipalities have the opportunity to maintain quality of life by controlling the pace, type and location of future development. With household size shrinking due to age and delayed marriage and parenting, Arthur Nelson of the Brookings Institution says that spacious single-family homes in the suburbs may lose their popularity. He adds that building mixed-use communities in close proximity to public transportation on brownfields or other vacant parcels is one solution. Officials in Austin, TX, and metropolitan Washington, D.C., are among those revamping zoning codes and collaborating with developers and environmentalists to direct development toward urban centers. (www.usatoday.com)
USA Today (12/13/04) P. 4A; El Nasser, Haya
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Realty, Marketing Note Changing Face of U.S. Households
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average household size slipped to 2.57 people last year, down from 3.14 in 1970. According to "America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2003," a third of households have only two members. Experts attribute the drop in household size to changes in divorce and mortality rates, the aging population, a decline in fertility and delayed marriage plans. The survey also found that 4.6% of households in 2003 were comprised of unmarried heterosexual couples, rising from 2.9% in 1996. Urban Land Institute Senior Housing Fellow John McIlwain says these trends have spurred the development of small homes, condominiums and townhouses — which typically are marketed to empty-nesters and young professionals. He adds that the growing number of friends choosing to live together also has made homes with two master bedrooms more popular. (cbs.marketwatch.com)
CBS MarketWatch (12/13/04) Soga, Samantha
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The Future Is Now for 'Smart' Homes
High-tech products that perform a variety of household tasks and allow users to access information about their homes when they are away are becoming more affordable and readily available in the United States. Appliance manufacturers like Electrolux already have begun developing enhanced technological features on refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and other products. In addition to it and the over 5,000 companies listed online that offer "smart-home" products and services, home builders and developers are also getting in the game, constructing housing that is equipped to handle home-theater rooms and advanced wiring systems. As they become more commonplace, these high-tech options also are becoming more affordable. Home builders additionally are using new materials, such as polyvinyl products and cement fiber planks, to render surfaces virtually maintenance-free. In the coming years, home owners can expect to see new product built with more efficient window coatings; tankless water heating systems; remote-control access to heat, lighting, security and audio-video systems; sturdier building materials, such as aerated concrete slabs; and "smart" appliances with links to the Internet that can record everyday information, such as how much milk is left in the refrigerator. (www.washtimes.com)
Washington Times (12/10/04) P. F18; Ross, Audrey
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Stressing the Tax Revenue Generated by New Homes
Builders in Maryland are having a tough time getting the land they need for residential projects — mainly because local governments believe new residents put a strain on public services. Many jurisdictions are limiting how many homes can be built on each acre of land, which builders say has dramatically boosted property prices because the supply of available homes has failed to keep pace with demand. In the Baltimore area, the Meyers Group reports that the average price of new single-family dwellings and townhomes shot up 36.2% and 23.5%, respectively, from the second quarter of 2003 to the same period this year. In an effort to show that development generates a substantial amount of tax revenue and creates dozens of jobs, the Home Builders Association of Maryland studied the economic impact of 1,735 new homes in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil and Howard Counties. The study reveals that tax revenue tied to new-home construction exceeded the cost of public services for new residents. (www.baltimoresun.com)
Baltimore Sun (12/12/04) P. 1L; Erle, Bob
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Powder Room Plus
Powder rooms are following basement laundry facilities and stand-alone kitchens into obscurity. Powder rooms once were designed as extra bathrooms for guests, but today's home owners are using them to make their lives more convenient. They can be positioned near the mudroom, garage or back door so children can clean up before entering the home. Some home owners are locating them near their home gyms or close to the main bathroom in the master suite. Others are putting powder rooms in their home offices to serve clients and completely separate the office from the rest of the house. Powder rooms that are used frequently should have durable wall coverings, plenty of shelf space, a floor drain to facilitate cleaning and a permanent rod to hang wet clothes. (www.pbs.org/wgbh/thisoldhouse)
This Old House (12/04) Vol. 9, No. 10, P. 52; Dickinson, Duo
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Hurricane-Proof
Home Front's hurricane-resistant homes have gained popularity in Florida and other vulnerable areas since this year's devastating hurricane season. The homes are comprised of aluminum roofs, structural insulated panels made of foam and fiber cement, and a steel frame. The three that were put up in Port Charlotte, FL, prior to Hurricane Charley were able to withstand 145 mph winds. The dwellings also are highly energy-efficient and will not rot or suffer from termite infestations. Though they are priced similarly to traditional stick-built homes, they can be assembled in just three days. (www.pbs.org/wgbh/thisoldhouse)
This Old House (12/04) Vol. 9, No. 10, P. 26; Wardell, Charlie
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Slow But Steady Growth in 2005
Experts who spoke recently at the North American Forecast in Washington, D.C., stated that the North American construction industry should see measured but steady growth in 2005. Speakers ranged from Greenway Group Inc. President and CEO Jim Cramer to Legg Mason Inc. real estate investment strategist Glenn Mueller to NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. Forbes magazine Publisher Rich Karlgaard focused on the residential real estate market, stating that the gap of property costs between urban areas and the heartland is the widest he has ever seen it. Mueller, meanwhile, said he expects the commercial side of construction to noticeably pick up. He stated: "We bottomed out in 1990, then peaked in 2000. But it only took three years to go back to the bottom. We'll now start climbing back up." Among the challenges ahead for the overall construction industry are finding skilled workers and dealing with price increases that have put a significant strain on inventories in some areas. (www.manufacturing.net)
Industrial Distribution (12/04) P. 15; Kickham, Victoria Fraza
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Front and Center
A home's entryway should create an inviting atmosphere and complement the architecture of the entire house. Owners of older dwellings might want to add a porch, portico, gable or columns to jazz up the exterior. Experts say the landing should be no less than six feet wide and four feet deep to allow guests to stand side-by-side and protect them from outswinging storm doors. As for lighting, home owners need to consider aesthetics as well as safety and security. Most homes feature wall sconces on either side of the door and a recessed fixture in the overhang. Dimmer switches, meanwhile, can guard against overlighting. Finally, home owners should choose a detailed front door that incorporates the home's architectural features. They would be wise to select cedar, redwood or mahogany doors because they are the most weather-resistant. (www.pbs.org/wgbh/thisoldhouse)
This Old House (12/04) Vol. 9, No. 10, P. 108; Alexander, Max
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