Impact fees have become one of the most significant cost factors in residential construction, directly affecting housing affordability and builder profitability. These fees, levied by local governments on new development to fund infrastructure such as roads, parks, schools, and water systems, can add thousands of dollars to the cost of every new home. For builders […]
How Smaller Home Builders Can Defend Their Turf Against Larger Competitors Small and mid-size home builders face mounting pressure as large national production builders expand into new markets, driving up land costs and competing for skilled labor. The concern is valid: when a giant builder enters your market with deeper pockets, aggressive land acquisition strategies,
What the Pro Builder Top 200 Reveals About Market Leadership in Home Building The home building industry is defined by scale, strategy, and the ability to execute across diverse markets. Each year, the Pro Builder Top 200 ranking draws attention to the largest home builders in the United States, and the companies that break into
The battle for fair permitting is one of the most pressing challenges facing home builders across the United States. While national housing statistics may paint a picture of steady growth, local regulatory environments in politically constrained markets are creating significant barriers to detached single-family development. Builders who understand these dynamics and develop strategies to navigate
As urban land becomes increasingly scarce and expensive, builders across the country are looking for creative ways to maximize lot yields without sacrificing the detached single-family home experience that many buyers prefer. One strategy that has proven effective is the twin-home model building two detached homes on a single lot. This approach allows builders to
The Now House: A Blueprint for Affordable, Green, Prefabricated Construction In San Francisco, where median home prices regularly exceed seven figures, a construction-systems company called Clever Homes proved that affordability and quality can coexist. In partnership with Affordable Green Development and CNet Networks, they unveiled the “Now House,” a 2,400-square-foot prefabricated home built for just
By the mid-2000s, a powerful demographic shift was already reshaping American housing markets. Baby boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, were entering their peak years for downsizing, relocating, and rethinking where and how they wanted to live. Meanwhile, younger buyers were being priced out of traditional suburban single-family homes. Together, these forces drove
The International Code Council (ICC) decision to uphold mandatory fire sprinkler requirements in the International Residential Code (IRC) represents a defining moment for residential construction. In November 2009, the ICC voted to retain language requiring fire sprinkler systems in all new one- and two-family homes, with the mandate taking effect on January 1, 2011. This
Family-run home building businesses have been the backbone of the residential construction industry for generations. While large publicly traded builders dominate headlines, it is often the family-owned firms that deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction, the most consistent build quality, and the deepest community ties. The connection between family ownership and business excellence in
Family-run home building businesses face unique challenges and opportunities. Unlike publicly traded builders, family-operated firms bring continuity, personal accountability, and deep community roots to every project. Yet they also navigate the complexities of sibling partnerships, succession planning, and maintaining professionalism alongside family relationships. Few companies illustrate these dynamics better than Gold Medallion Homes, a brother-sister
