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Conditions look favorable for home builders in 2017
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsHomeownership remains an elusive dream for many Americans, and probably will remain so at least for the foreseeable future. For others, however, an improving economy and job market are bringing the purchase of a home within reach.
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Surveying the Colorado River Aqueduct
Sherri Lee Barnes and Paul L. Tucker, PS Construction & Building MaterialsDuring the 1920s, the city of Los Angeles was burgeoning. Demographics were changing, and geographic boundaries were being pushed out in all directions. Oil was booming, industrialization was in full swing, and water was in high demand.
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Smart home devices help monitor and mitigate indoor air quality
Jennifer Tuohy Facilities & GroundsAir quality is becoming one of the biggest global threats to public health, putting people at risk for respiratory diseases, stroke, heart disease and lung cancer. According to research released earlier this year, air quality levels exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for 80 percent of those living in urban areas that track air pollution. In the UK, for example, air pollution is believed to cause between 40,000 and 50,000 deaths a year; in London it may be killing more people than smoking does.
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Marijuana laws increase chance of dangerous mold in homes
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityHomes are not designed to be used as grow operations for any plants. The result of growing an excess amount of vegetation inside private homes is damage to the walls and other structures with the potential for unhealthy mold.
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New tools bring VR to the job site
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsReal estate developers and sellers garnered media attention this past year with stories about how they are using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to help clients visualize and experience luxury properties or future projects for sale or investment.
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What happens when state laws conflict with a bond’s terms?
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsPayment bonds always have specific terms that purportedly must be followed to make a successful claim on the bond for payment. In a significant number of cases, however, the requirements for making a bond claim are also simultaneously regulated by state statute.
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Please, not another boom
Marc Cheves Construction & Building MaterialsExcitement is growing for the new year. Regardless of where you stand politically, there is new-found hope that progress with much needed infrastructure spending and the expansion of small business-friendly policies in Washington will support renewed vitality in the land surveying sector. These issues effect the lion's share of our readership.
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Housing industry regains momentum heading toward year’s end
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsHousing managed to get its second wind as it entered the final quarter of the year. Most industry indicators — with the exception of new home sales — showed notable month-to-month performance. Year-to-date figures continue on an upward trend, boding well for an overall positive finish to a year of fluctuating demand.
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Creating a better world with design
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesA substantial and growing body of research attests to what designers have long known. The design of the spaces we inhabit has considerable impact on our health, mood and state of mind. Now, researchers and practitioners are probing even further to discover the ways that design also can affect our behavior. What they are finding suggests it may be possible in the not-too-distant future to create spaces that promote not only health and well-being, but also more positive behaviors.
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Who are millennial homebuyers?
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsMillennials are back in the real estate news. After a much-anticipated influx of millennial homebuyers last year that never materialized, new data show millennials have been quite active in the housing market this year. Predictions are they will have an even greater presence next year.
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