The Future Is Now for 'Smart' Homes
Home owners already have access to sophisticated in-home theaters, whole-house audio and security systems that can be monitored from remote locations via the Internet. New technology expected to grow in the coming years additionally will allow them to control heating, lighting, security and video systems with a remote control or their laptops. They can even eliminate certain chores with the help of robotic lawn mowers and vacuums. Refrigerators equipped with bar-code systems that keep track of their contents and send e-mail reminders when certain items run out; super-fast dishwashers; and talking washers that let home owners know the correct setting also are in the works. Maintenance-free, single-family dwellings also are on the horizon as researchers look to replace wood with polyvinyl and polyurethane products as well planks comprised of cement fiber. (www.washtimes.com)
Washington Times (09/17/04) P. F31; Ross, Audrey
Panhandle Paying for Code Exemption
The Florida Building Code was passed by state lawmakers four years ago in response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. It mandates impact-resistant glass and wind-resistant shutters on all new homes so the structures can survive 130 mile-per-hour winds. However, not all areas of the state are subject to the code. Lawmakers and builders in the panhandle won an exemption on the grounds that the region is not prone to strong hurricanes — an argument that has lost its effectiveness since Hurricane Ivan ravaged that part of the state last week. Sen. Durrell Peaden (R-Crestview) and Rep. Dave Murzin (R-Pensacola) want the panhandle to follow the new code as well. According to Florida Insurance Council's Sam Miller, the new code has been deemed effective because newer dwellings held up well during the recent hurricanes. Meanwhile, Florida Home Builders Association President Mike Hickman believes lawmakers need to re-evaluate hurricane evaluation policies due to rapid population expansion and distinguish between safe and unsafe construction. (www.orlandosentinel.com)
Orlando Sentinel (09/18/04) P. B5; Kleindienst, Linda; Hollis, Mark
New Home Construction May Be Impeded by Materials Demand in Wake of Ivan
Home builders in Arizona and other parts of the country are bracing for a slowdown in construction activity as building materials, already in short supply, are diverted to Florida, Alabama and Louisiana for post-Hurricane Ivan rebuilding projects. Mesa-based Great Western Homes President Scott Smith is not anticipating as much of a strain as there was after Hurricane Andrew, but an existing materials shortage will exacerbate the problem. East Valley housing analyst R.L. Brown believes the shortages and subsequent slowdown will boost home prices. The shortages are being attributed to transportation inefficiencies, as railroads do not have enough tracks and cars to meet demand. (www.aztrib.com)
East Valley Tribune (AZ) (09/21/04) Gately, Edward
Houses That Defy Hurricanes
Homes without the appropriate safeguards can be easily destroyed by hurricane-force winds, which either rip the dwellings apart or inflate them and blow off the roof and walls. Poorly attached roof sheathing was a major problem when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida more than a decade ago, but Institute for Business and Home Safety's Tim Reinhold believes home owners now need to be concerned about the ways in which vinyl stripping is attached to the space where the roof and walls meet. Some of the problems can be attributed to the booming housing market, as builders rush to keep up with demand. Experts say hurricane strapping, shutters and embedded roof tiles can be installed to minimize storm damage, but such safety features will not become standard unless home buyers demand them. Dome homes designed by San Francisco-based architect Jonathan Zimmerman, however, have proven to withstand hurricane-force winds. These dwellings are comprised of an insulated concrete shell; and while they weigh significantly more than traditional stick-built homes — 850 tons versus 30 tons — they are similarly priced. Meanwhile, federal lawmakers may earmark $60 million for a wind-hazard mitigation program, which would mirror the national earthquake hazards program. (www.csmonitor.com)
Christian Science Monitor (09/22/04) Learner, Neal
All in the Family
Builders across the country are turning their attention to multigenerational communities that allow mingling among retirees and young families, but Ample Realty and ICI Homes have gone one step further. The companies have joined forces to build 74 estate homes in Orlando, FL, priced between $300,000 and $400,000. The homes in Lake Price Estates will feature a 600-square-foot multi-generational addition to house the home owner's adult children or parents. Multigenerational housing has been pushed to the forefront due to longer life spans, soaring home prices and the exorbitant costs associated with independent- and assisted-living facilities. In fact, the National Association of Realtors® reports a 24% boost in Orlando's median price from $137,700 to $170,100 during the past year. (www.orlando.bcentral.com/orlando)
Orlando Business Journal (09/20/04) Haner, Noelle C.
Growth Shifts Broward Ethnic, Racial Makeup
Recent research reveals that African-Americans and Hispanics will soon outnumber whites in Broward County, FL, where the population will explode to 2.4 million by 2025. The study finds that housing will be hard to come by when the county reaches buildout between 2010 and 2015. High-density redevelopment is expected to lure newcomers to Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale, but Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti resists any efforts to create "an almost entirely vertical city." Hollywood should welcome over 76,000 new residents by 2025; at the same time Fort Lauderdale's population is expected to near the 300,000 mark. Just as people continue to flock to California in spite of traffic, bad air quality, earthquakes and water shortages, Broward County planner Bill Leonard says hurricanes, transportation inefficiencies and soaring home prices have not curtailed growth. (www.miami.com)
Miami Herald (09/18/04) P. 1A; Bolstad, Erika; Nitze, Samuel P.
Fill 'Er Up!
South Florida developers are finding creative ways to free up land for new commercial, industrial and residential projects, including filling in rock pits once used for road construction. Miami-based developer Antonio Cabrera says it costs about $7-$10 per square foot to fill rock pits, which is equivalent to industrial land prices. While some builders are willing to pay this premium for prime locations, others believe such projects are cost-prohibitive. Developers are reclaiming a total of 18 rock pits in Broward County and six in Miami-Dade County. Residential builders even seek permission to fill in lakes, ponds and canals to secure land for new building projects. (www.miami.com)
Miami Herald (09/20/04) Danner, Patrick; Nitze, Samuel P.
Storms Dash Dreams of Florida Home
The succession of damage caused by hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan this season have some retirees, prospective buyers and even long-time Florida residents re-thinking their dreams of owning a home in the state. While the occurrence of three hurricanes in a row seems unusual, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns that changing weather patterns could make destructive storms a lasting trend in the region. Florida is still the top destination for U.S. retirees moving across state lines, but dry states like Arizona and Texas have recently grown more popular; and Wake Forest University sociology professor Charles Longino says more and more Americans are opting to "retire in place" rather than relocate to a new destination. In addition to this shifting trend, home and condominium prices have been soaring in some parts of Florida, even before the hurricane damage drove up insurance premiums and building costs. Record-low mortgage rates and a hot housing market led property prices to increase by as much as 20% in some areas of the state last year. While some realty insiders say these factors — combined with the nasty hurricane season — have caused several deals to fall through, others say many buyers are not being deterred and that the market will likely rebound in the long term. (www.usatoday.com)
USA Today (09/17/04) P. 1B; Adams, Marilyn; Shell, Adam
Talk of Housing Bubble Has Fears Rising, But in Reality It's a Lot of Hot Air
Though some observers believe soaring home prices, a jump in mortgage debt from $5.6 trillion to $8 trillion over the last four years and a recent slowdown in sales mean a housing bubble is poised to burst, most experts believe the market will remain hot for years to come. Strong economic growth, demand from immigrants and the population explosion will continue to fuel the market. In fact, research from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that a 10% yearly boost in the nation's housing inventory is necessary over the next 11 years to keep up with household formation. Nationwide supply remains at record lows due to growth restrictions and cautious builders looking to avoid speculative development, both of which have driven up home prices. As for expanding household debt loads, record-low mortgage rates have slashed mortgage debt from 30% of household income in the late 1980s to just 18% today. (www.latimes.com)
Los Angeles Times (09/19/04) P. C1; Flanigan, James
Construction Materials Costs Are Soaring, Due to Various Market Factors
Home builders and contractors across the country have watched the cost of concrete, steel, plywood, insulation, asphalt, vinyl siding and other materials soar by upwards of 50% in the last year. Experts blame the higher prices on shortages stemming from rebuilding in Iraq and China's building boom, and many are bracing for even tighter supplies as a result of the recent hurricanes. Others point to suppliers that quickly hiked prices in response to the surge in demand created by record-low interest rates. "We've seen this kind of price increase happen to products before, but this is across the board," remarks NAHB economist Michael Carliner. "This may be more broad-based that we've ever seen." Some anticipate price declines once higher interest rates put a damper on demand, but others are skeptical after expectations of a drop in sheet-rock costs in recent years failed to materialize. While custom-home builders have been able to pass the higher prices onto buyers, those building lower-priced dwellings have had to eat much of the costs to avoid losing business. (www.jdnews.com)
Jacksonville Daily News (NC) (09/17/04) De Nittis, Christopher
Sales Booming in Luxury Homes
In Ohio's Summit County, the Akron Area Board of Realtors® reports a 65% jump in home sales in the $500,000-plus segment from 45 between January and August 2003 to 75 during the same eight-month period this year. Despite substantial job losses, Stark County has seen its high-end sales rise 5% since the end of September. The market's stellar performance can be attributed to low interest rates, heightened consumer confidence, mortgage downpayment programs and the popularity of interest-only loans, among other things. Local real-estate agents say many sellers of luxury homes are empty nesters looking to downsize, while buyers include local small-business owners, out-of-state professionals and affluent baby boomers. (www.ohio.com/bj)
Akron Beacon Journal (09/19/04) P. D1; Irwin, Gloria
Inspiration: Powder Room Pizazz
Designers note that home owners can turn cramped, little-used powder rooms into fun spaces. Home owners often incorporate antique fixtures, custom mosaic floor tiles, hand-blown glass sinks and other upscale finishes in their powder rooms. Some design the space to complement the rest of the home, but others prefer to create a unique environment. Stone tile, nickel or bronze faucets; floors made of pebbles or river stones; and concrete counters in a myriad of colors are popular at the moment. To create a powder room that leaves an impression, home owners are urged to be creative; splurge on higher-end finishes, since the space is so small; install soft lighting; choose unusual mirrors; and include artwork that complements the color scheme or decorative theme of the room. (www.accessatlanta.com/ajc)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (09/17/04) P. 16HG; Saunders, Tinah
A Tasting Room of One's Own
The growing interest in wine drinking among Americans, particularly baby boomers, has led to increased demand for wine-tasting rooms in personal residences. Home owners who want to show off their wine collections and keep their guests comfortable and entertained at the same time are remodeling their traditional wine cellars and adding adjacent tasting rooms with furniture, music and a view of nearby wine racks through windows or glass walls. Builders and designers say that while few American home owners have eat-in wine cellars, the demand for such rooms is rising. Tasting rooms are usually about 200-600 square feet in size and can range in cost from about $25,000 for the most basic models to $250,000 for more elaborate designs. Temperature control is one of the biggest issues, since wine is usually stored at a chilly 50-55 degrees. (www.wsj.com)
Wall Street Journal (09/17/04) P. W10; Jeffrey, Nancy Ann; Efrati, Amir
Files Can Burden Builders
According to a new report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a lack of up-to-date data exchange and management technology may have cost the U.S. building and construction industry $15.8 billion in 2002. This calculation was based on analyzing the cost of design, engineering, facilities management, business software systems and redundant paper records management across the phases of a building's life, and comparing this to what the costs would be with more integrated electronic data exchange, management and access. A spokesman for North Carolina-based RTI International, which conducted the research along with the Virginia-based Logistics Management Institute, said that construction projects involve many companies working together but keeping records differently. Companies could save time by converting to a central data source, which would enable them to more easily seek records from one another during the phases of a project. (www.newsobserver.com)
Raleigh News & Observer (09/20/04) P. B8; Hagel, Jack
Avoiding Having Your E-Mail Being Flagged as Spam
The increasingly aggressive anti-spam measures employed by Internet providers are not only blocking annoying junk mail messages from the inboxes of individuals and businesses, but are also causing problems for some legitimate enterprises by blocking non-spam messages as well. Small businesses and individuals are particularly at risk for being "blacklisted" as spammers, either because their servers allow messages to be sent anonymously, a practice called "open relay," or because they do not have a reverse DNS entry. In addition to making sure their servers do not have these characteristics, businesses should also be aware of certain key words, phrases and punctuation patterns that often lead e-mails to be flagged as spam. Finally, users may not always know that their messages are being rejected as spam; therefore, it helps to check online spam blacklists or to send a test message to a trusted person who can check if it went through as regular mail. (www.technoprophet.org)
Techno Prophet (09/17/04)
'You've Got Mail' — and a Lot More Office Work Every Day"
Seventy-four percent of workers check their business e-mail outside of their working hours because they are inundated with too many messages. Not only does e-mail cost employers in productivity, but workers claim that their e-mail boxes are cutting into their personal time as well. According to author Christina Cavanagh, workers receive about 54 e-mails daily, and 41% of those e-mails are what workers consider "nonessential." Workers are under the false impression that checking their e-mail can take five minutes per day, but the reality is that workers can spend hours reading and replying to their messages on a daily basis. Moreover, since workers are spending time outside of work answering their e-mails, many clients are beginning to expect quick responses, even when workers are on vacation. Cavanagh suggests that firms install e-mail policies requiring workers only to respond and read e-mails during working hours, or if they check messages at home or on the go, not to respond to them until they are in the office. (www.miami.com)
Miami Herald (09/22/04) Goodman, Cindy Kirscher |
