Arizona regulates builders, and there's an easy way to find out if they're licensed and can be held accountable for damages or bad work. If a contractor knocks on your door, offering to fix your roof, fence or paint for a bargain price, check the Arizona Registrar of Contractors website at www.azroc.gov before signing any deal or handing over any money. If a builder is licensed, the status of it's permit to operate will be listed as well as contact information and a license number that should be included on all … [Read more...]
Construction to start on new Mountain Shadows Resort
June 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
After closing down more than 10 years ago, the Mountain Shadows Resort soon will see new life. Construction is set to start later this summer on the once-famed property on the southwest corner of 56th Street and Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley. Dallas-based Woodbine Development Corp. and Scottsdale’s Westroc Hospitality have partnered on the project. Both companies expect the 175-room resort and 18-hole golf course to open by early 2017. Westroc currently manages two boutique hotels, the Hotel Valley Ho … [Read more...]
Owners of Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed House Lobby Arcadia Neighbors
May 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The owners of a Phoenix home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his son David have sent out mailers to as many as 15,000 Arcadia-area households defending plans to host events, field trips and concerts at the property. Attorney Zach Rawling’s David Wright House LLC bought the property in 2012, saving the historic home from possible demolition. Rawling wants to rehabilitate the 2,200-square-foot concrete home and obtain historic designations. He also wants to build an underground archive, bookstore, cafe and … [Read more...]
Personal Spaces: 10 Cool Updated Ranch Houses
February 19, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Looking to bring your ranch-style home into the 21st century? Get inspired by what these homeowners have done Ranch-style homes enjoyed immense popularity from the 1950s to the 1970s. Today many of those same homes are still around — faux-wood paneling, avocado-green tile and all. If you are looking to update a ranch-style home, gather inspiration from these 10 homeowners who have brought their homes into the 21st century with style. Tara Bussema - Neat Organization and Design Tara … [Read more...]
Average Time to Build a House: 6 Months
January 14, 2015 by 1 Comment
The time it takes to build a house in the U.S. varies by year and region. Experts ponder what factors have the biggest impact on construction. Want to get your house built as quickly as possible? Buy land in the South and nail down a construction crew? According to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1973 it took, on average, six months to build a single-family home. In 1980, that number was up to 6.9 months, and in 2009 it was up to 7.9. In 2013, the latest data available, it was back down to six … [Read more...]
More Americans Are Going Solo
October 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Single adults will change the face of the housing industry The U.S. is becoming a nation of singles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, half of all American adults live in one-person households, and this demographic is heavily influencing the companies that want to reach out to them. Restaurants are including more communal seating to be inclusive for single diners. Multifamily communities are offering shared spaces such as home theaters, outdoor spaces, and work areas so that singles can socially … [Read more...]
Why Prospects of Condo Comeback Are High
October 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Condo sales have been on a roller coaster ride in recent years, as the recession hit the sector hard. But is the country ready for a condo revival? In 2005, condo sales surged to 12.7 percent of all home sales. But the financial crisis caused the condo market to recede — even more so than the single-family market — with sales falling to 10.7 percent of all home purchases in 2009. "Condo sales moved sideways several years after the recession before picking up steam again in 2013," CoreLogic Deputy Chief … [Read more...]
6 Design Trends You’ll See More Of
October 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment
What home-design trends will likely catch on in new construction? Builder Online recently spoke to Mollie Carmichael, principal at John Burns Real Estate Consulting, and Nick Lehnert, executive director at architecture firm KTGY, about the design trends that are gaining popularity in the new-home market this year: Private space Baby boomers, empty nesters, and Gen Yers are showing a preference for homes that have more private outdoor spaces, straying from the traditional "public" backyard, according to … [Read more...]
