Regions

Orlando, Fla.–Homebuyers are prioritizing energy-efficient designs, outdoor areas and flexible floor plans in subdivisions, according to two consumer preference surveys released Wednesday at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.Consumers surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders last year indicated that they no longer are in the market for huge homes and said the top two things they looked for in a new home were multi-use living spaces and energy efficiency, MarketWatch reports.Other features–including solid insulation, Energy Star-rated windows and ceiling fans–made the list of top 10 desired home amenities.NAHB staff vice president of research Gopal Ahluwalia said that…

Orlando, Fla.–Multifamily developers got some good news Wednesday at the International Builders’ Show, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports.Many non high-rise condo developers have switched to building apartments because of the changing market–but buyer traffic has increased in condo sales offices that are still open, according to Bill Donges, CEO of the Atlanta-based Lane Company.Because the condo market is fairly new in large southern cities such as Atlanta and Dallas, dealing with inventory and declined sales is something the developers aren’t used to, Donges said.”This is the time to buy,” said panelist and Orlando-based condo developer Steve Patterson.Patterson also said luxury properties…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorDenver–Perseus Realty Capital LLC (PRC), a Washington, D.C-based real estate investment and development company, has secured $11 million in mezzanine financing for the construction of The Spire, a 503-unit high-rise residential condominium under development in downtown Denver.The Nichols Partnership Inc, a Denver,Colo.-based real estate development company, is building the 41-story tower, which when complete will be one of Denver’s tallest and most energy-efficient buildings. The total cost of the project is $172.5 million. Located at 891, 14 St. (at the corner of 14th and Champa Streets), The Spire features 33 floors of residential condos atop…

Orlando, Fla.–The National Association of Home Builders will officially launch its green building program on Thursday at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.Builder trade associations across the nation are expected to fine-tune the new guidelines to create even more stringent local requirements based on climates and conditions, Newsday reports.The NAHB National Green Building Program will include education and ongoing training and a certification program for industry professionals. New homes will receive points in seven categories, which will cumulatively earn the homes a bronze, silver or gold rating.The group’s creation of a national model indicates it feels the NAHB membership should…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorOrlando, Fla.—On occasion of Green Day, declared by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the organization launched its National Green Building Program, an education, verification and certification program, during a press conference at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando today.The program allows builders anywhere to build green homes. It features an online scoring tool at www.nahbgreen.org, which shows the builder how to accrue points in seven categories namely water, energy and resource efficiency, lot and site development, indoor environmental quality, and global impact and homeowner education. The program sets point requirements in each category…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorSalt Lake City–AxisPointe Inc. provider of post-construction services for residential multifamily, single-family, luxury condo, mixed-use and commercial developers, has completed its acquisition of Asset Evolution, a Utah-based facility and asset management technology provider servicing the education, government and commercial real estate sectors. “This is a strategically significant move for AxisPointe as we continue to scale and diversify our business through financially sound acquisitions, new product development and consistent organic growth,” says Andrew K. Smith, CEO of AxisPointe. For more than 20 years Asset Evolution has been a provider of products and services that address the…

The Building Blox tile collection from Crossville, SmartKey, the new locking technology manufactured by Kwikset, and the Triple Guard Sealer from Protecto Wrap Company are three practical products for multifamily properties, showcasing for the first time at this year’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.CrossvilleThe Building Blox Collection from Crossville features three styles of Porcelain Stone tile created in collaboration with internationally renowned Robert A. M. Stern Design. City Garden starts with a traditional floral motif reminiscent of 19th-century wall covering, overlays it with a grid, and then jumbles and rotates the squares, to create a pattern that is organic…

By Teresa O’Dea Hein, Managing EditorOrlando, Fla.–While red is traditionally associated with Valentine’s Day, green is the color of the day here at the 64th annual convention and exposition of the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Even though seminars on green building technologies and marketing strategies are part of the entire four-day conference, today has been designated as Green Day. It featured the launch of NAHB’s National Green Building Program as well as the introduction of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Builders Challenge program, a keynote speech by noted green…

By Keat Foong, Executive Editor Orlando, Fla.—The 2008 International Builders’ Show (IBS), the housing industry’s largest annual trade show and exhibition, opens today in the Orange County Convention Center. Sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the event is being held in one of the largest convention centers in the country. NAHB says the event will feature more than 1,900 exhibitors and more than one million net square feet of exhibit space. More than 300 product categories will be offered “ranging across every aspect of the residential and light commercial construction fields,” says the association.

Orlando, Fla.–This year’s International Builders’ Show–Orlando, Fla.’s biggest convention–may be a cash cow for Orlando, according to the Orlando Sentinel.As builders flood in for the show, which has brought 100,000 people to Orlando each year since 2005, organizers, tourism officials and Orlando-area businesses are hoping one of their most lucrative annual events helps the economy. In 2007, the convention added $147 million to the local economy, according to the Sentinel.Attendees visit the city’s International Drive and local retail and dining areas, theme parks and restaurants; they also fill 20,000 rooms in area hotels. Some businesses are hopeful that won’t change…