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New home sales rise as inventory shrinks
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsA patch of blue has opened up in the murky waters clouding the prospects for the housing industry. Both new home starts and new home sales rose in June, the latter well above expectations. Builders received the news with guarded optimism, however, as a number of challenges still confront the industry. Among them, demand continues to outstrip availability as inventories shrink and prices rise.
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New home buyers help fuel remodeling surge
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesRemodeling activity is at its highest level since before the housing bubble burst. With mortgage rates and home prices increasing, homeowners are choosing to fix up their current home rather than move up to a more expensive one.
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When to program it again
Leslie LaskinReese Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesYour project began a while ago. Remember? You asked your client a lot of questions, probably using some version of a questionnaire that was distributed to the many stakeholders involved in your project. There were interviews and meetings. They told you how they'd be using the designed space, who would be using the space, when the space would be used and by how many, what time of day the space would be used, what they wanted the space to look, feel, sound like. And probably a whole lot more.
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For first-time buyers, the American dream can wait
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsBuying a home has long been regarded one of the hallmarks of entering adulthood, something to achieve sooner rather than later. For many of today's young adults, however, that is no longer the case. Whether by necessity or choice, they are delaying making that first home purchase, and that is changing how they think about how home ownership fits into their life.
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How a Miller Act claim can get you paid on a federal project
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsTo understand the Miller Act, it's important to note why the act was even necessary. A subcontractor's favored recourse for nonpayment is often a mechanics lien. Mechanics liens allow for a labor or material provider to encumber the property where work was done until they are paid. If not paid, they can then foreclose on the lien and force the sale of the property, and the payment due is taken from the sale price.
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Can Rio de Janeiro handle the Olympics?
Kate Hessong Sports & FitnessWith the Summer Olympic Games one month away, it's difficult to ignore all the bad press they've been getting lately. Rio de Janeiro is in a state of disaster — both physically and financially. From their governor declaring a "state of calamity" over their financial problems, to the raw sewage and super bacteria floating through their waterways, experts are beginning to question whether this year's games will be a complete failure.
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Housing’s new normal: A dragging industry
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsYet again, housing took a step back in May after taking a step forward in April. It is a pattern with which builders are becoming all too familiar. Despite optimism that housing is poised for a big comeback, the industry continues to experience modest, erratic growth. For every driver that should be propelling homeownership forward there is another that is holding it in check.
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How can we make sustainable design an unconscious effort?
Susan Mulholland Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesSustainability is a word that is used a lot these days. Our built environment is constantly being evaluated for how sustainable it is. Architects and interior designers who are regularly practicing the principles of sustainability will tell you it isn't about the placard on the wall, the number of LEED points they can get or how many LEED platinum buildings they design. They do it because it is ethically the right thing to do.
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Create an amazing backyard by integrating a deck into landscaping
Faye Williams Construction & Building MaterialsWhen it comes to backyards, the possibilities are endless. The popularity of simple, boxy deck and landscape designs is transitioning to a desire to create something unique and modern. From multilevel decks to decks shaped like leaves, deck builders and homeowners are imagining amazing designs and figuring out how to make them come to life.
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10 marvels of American architecture
Dave G. Houser Recreation & LeisureFor many of us, architecture is one of the most exciting aspects of travel. We enjoy seeing how cities convey space and how designers have played with styles and shapes to create the surroundings where we live and do our business.
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