Builder- March 2009 - (Page 6) DE PA RTM E N T S Editor’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 B-Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Missing Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Inside Story One Texas builder fi nds success, against the odds, by marketing to renters; KB fi nds a way to compete with foreclosures; waiting out the slump with commercial building. . . . . 25 Success Stories Homes with an artist’s touch offer details that make customers bite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Top Shelf The latest and greatest products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Green House A gold standard prototype gives lessons in green; infi ll on the rise; green business tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Products Kitchen and bath trends to enliven a slow market . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Tech Tools Innovations for the modern builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . National Beat News from the NAHB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 35 45 W H AT ’ S NE W ON: 55 W W W.B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Online The Whole Story Despite the growing complexity of the home building industry and conditions in the economy at large, builders can rely on BUILDER Online for in-depth coverage of all the topics they deem most important. You’ll find articles on the 15 healthiest and weakest housing markets in the U.S. for 2009, the ups and downs experienced by companies during the downturn, and breaking news on everything from economic policy to design trends. Also, be sure to catch video news updates twice a week on the home page from BUILDER’s editorial director Boyce Thompson and editor in chief Denise Dersin. 53 55 Crowe's Economy A look at economic conditions from the NAHB’s chief economist . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presidential Seminar 2009 There’s no reason not to attend this year’s Presidential Seminar. Off ered online and for free, attendees will be able to learn from some of the most respected names in the industry: Martin Freedland, John Burns, Scott Sedam, Chuck Shinn, Al Trellis, and John Schleimer. The seminar will be held live online as a series of six webinars throughout March and April, 110 Last Word Q&A with a newsmaker on the story of the moment. . . . . . . . . 112 ON THE COVER: with their companies named america’s best builders in 2009, kevin estes, helen dr agas, and bob youngentob have every reason to smile. and attendees will have the opportunity to get their questions answered by the experts. The presentations will include topics such as surviving the downturn, navigating bank distress, developing niche products, acquiring new sales and marketing techniques, mastering the rules of lean building, and finding financing. For more information and to register, visit www. builderonline.com/presidentialseminar. COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, AND NEWS FOR BUILDER ONLINE? E-MAIL DENISE DERSIN AT: ddersin@hanley wood.com FOR MORE EXCLUSIVE ONLINE CONTENT AND ADDITIONAL STORIES REL ATED TO THIS cover photo: estes: andy reynolds; dragas and youngentob: tina williams ISSUE’S ARTICLES, VISIT W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM. 6 ■ B U I LD E R m a rc h 2 0 0 9 W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM http://www.builderonline.com/presidentialseminar http://www.builderonline.com/presidentialseminar http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM
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