The clients wanted a home that could entertain on a grand scale, accommodate their large family plus extended-stay guests, and feel comfortable once they become empty nesters. They had found a secluded flag lot and envisioned a home with a timeless exterior and a light and fresh interior where they could live with their growing art collection. Considering the clients’ passion for French rural architecture and Art Deco design, the design team implemented elements of both with a fresh eye.…

The prices of building materials rose 0.5% in August (not seasonally adjusted) even as softwood lumber prices decreased 5.2%, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report. Building materials prices have climbed 4.9% through the first eight months of 2022 and 14.3% over the past year. The PPI for goods inputs to residential construction, including energy, decreased 0.9% in… Read More ›

Warner Red Hill celebrates Santa Ana’s industrial heritage, promoting an enriched and diverse culture, healthy community living, and thriving regional economy. The site comprises four distinct neighborhoods, retail, and an energetic mix of public and private amenities, and community gathering space. At the gateway sits Market Hall, a carefully curated experience featuring local restaurants and food concepts that reflect Santa Ana’s diverse culture and unique identity. Residents and visitors can enjoy local bands and art exhibits, grab a craft brew,…

Consumer prices eased in August for the second-straight month as declines in energy prices offset increases in food and shelter indexes. Despite this slight improvement, inflation remains above an 8% year-over-year rate for the sixth straight month. The food index recorded its largest annual gain since May 1979 as all six major grocery store food group indexes increased. Though it… Read More ›

Situated on 2,000 acres of picturesque land with 20 miles of shoreline and an extensive trail network, the community combines residential, retail, and hospitality offerings in a natural riverside setting. Designed specifically for the Kiawah River community, The Swallow home plan exemplifies Southern style interpreted for modern living. Artisan trim boards and a metal roof create charming curb appeal; a large front porch captures island breezes. A vaulted family room leads to the kitchen featuring a generous island, dining nook,…

The number of women employed in the construction industry increased to over 1.24 million in 2021, as the construction industry was quickly recovering  jobs lost earlier during the pandemic induced recession. Currently, women make up 11%  of the construction workforce, up from 9.3% in 2002. As the construction skilled labor shortage remains a key challenge for housing, adding new workers… Read More ›

By Don Ruthroff Join us as we explore 5 floor plan trends that you thought had gone away, that are actually back in vogue. Find out how to address these trends in a fresh and modern way so your home doesn’t look lost in a bygone era. The Design Bites series is free for NAHB members, $49 for non-members. All registrants receive access to the replays. REGISTER NOW Don RuthroffPresident at DAHLIN Architecture

An expected impact of the virus crisis is a need for more residential space, as people use homes for more purposes including work. During the housing boom of recent quarters, this led to a rise for new single-family home size. However, as the housing market weakens this trend appears to be reversing. According to second quarter 2022 data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis, median single-family square floor area inched down to 2,302 square…

Lot values for single-family detached housing starts in 2021 increased across the nation, with the national value and six out of nine Census division values setting new records. U.S. median lot price now stands at $55,000, according to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) data. In New England and Pacific, lot values surged 67% and 39%,… Read More ›

Of the roughly 1,127,000 single-family and 474,000 multifamily homes started in 2020, 37,000 (15,000 single-family and 22,000 multifamily) were built in age-restricted communities, according to NAHB tabulation of data from the Survey of Construction (SOC, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and partially funded by HUD).  A residential community can be legally age-restricted, provided it conforms the one of the… Read More ›