News

HousingZone Headline News Product for the Weekend: 48 Zero-VOC Colors Inspired by Audubon

Olympic’s Audubon Collection draws upon work of renowned photographer Tim Fitzharris and the paintings of John James Audubon

St. Louis Home Builder Breaks Local HBA Record For Sales Awards

For the 7th consecutive month the Payne Family Homes team has been honored with the top new-home sales achievement awards by the Sales & Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri Beats all historic records.

KB Home Again Achieves National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certification Nationwide

The NAHB Research Center announced that KB Home has reaffirmed its position as the first and only builder to earn the prestigious National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certified Builder designation for all of its operations nationwide.

Renovators Lacking Lead-Safety Certification Threaten Massive Energy Retrofit Program

According to NAHB, many of its members will have to avoid working in older homes to avoid breaking the law, which is in direct conflict to an today's business environment where improving energy efficiency and creating jobs are national priorities.

Nation's First Set of Green Building Model Codes and Standards Released

The launch of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) represents the merger of two national efforts to develop adoptable and enforceable green building codes.

Construcution Employment Declines in Every State

California loses the most construction jobs, Nevada has highest percentage decline and North Dakota loses the least jobs, has smallest percentage decline in construction employment.

Green Job Spider to Aggregate Green Jobs

The job search engine will be one of the first of its kind to focus exclusively on a specific niche. To

Hispanic Construction Magazine Adds 7-Elevens to Distribution

The new distribution at 7-Eleven, coupled with an existing collaboration with The Home Depot, will put Constru-Guía al Día directly into the hands of more than 400,000 Hispanic males across the country.

Lumber Prices Moving Upward

Softwood lumber prices were up in both North America and Europe in the 4Q, but it was more the result of lower inventory levels and reduced production rather than an increase in demand, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly.

AIA: Integrated Project Delivery Method Looks Promising

IPD is a construction project model in which owner, design professional and builder jointly share a project’s risk and reward. These studies demonstrate the successful application of IPD in a variety of building types.

2009 Property Report for U.S. Released by Xactware

This year’s report reveals the current recession played a large role in the rate of change for many building materials, equipment, and labor during 2009.

Social Media Expert Authors Social Media How-to Book for Home Builders

As the newest form of permission-based marketing, social media marketing programs can build brand, engage consumers and increase leads for home builders.

Economist: Housing Fights Headwinds

In her special housing market edition, Mesirow Financial Chief Economist Diane Swonk takes a closer look at the outlook for housing, and the fallout for overall economic growth.

Super Stud Building Products' ‘The Edge’ Drywall Framing System

The new system uses a closed triangular lip to the stud to create a stronger flange and what the company believes is the safest drywall framing you can do

Home Builders Institute Gets Grant for Residential Construction Mentoring Program

HBI received a three year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to operate an industry-sponsored mentoring program for underserved, at-risk and court involved youth.

 

statesman.com - Business Shift in prepaid debit industry

Austin entrepreneurs Roy and Bertrand Sosa, best known as founders of NetSpend Corp. and MPower Ventures, are returning to the U.S.

Texas, other states to offer rebates for green appliances

About three dozen states, including Texas, will soon offer buyers a rebate of as much as $250 to trade in outdated clothes washers, refrigerators or water heaters for more efficient models.

Facebook moving in, seeking friends with operations skills

Facebook Inc. is moving fast in Austin. The leader in online social networking formally confirmed its arrival in Austin on Friday and said it hopes to lease office space, hire a staff and start work on its online sales and operations center by early May.

Trade association appointments for Austinites

Bill Wolters was elected 2010 chairman of the Automotive Trade Association Executives. Wolters has been the president and chief executive officer of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association since 2004. Christina Helmerichs was elected to the American

Award winner: like father, like son

Courtesy photo: Rick Guerra (center) with his parents Jose Guerra (left) and Bertha Guerra (right), standing with the award the younger Guerra just received as Engineer of the Year. Rick Guerra, president of Jose I. Guerra Inc., was

HomeAway raises another $8.3 million

HomeAway Inc. has raised another $8.3 million from investors, according to a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Friday. The five-year-old Austin company is a leading online provider of online vacation rental listings. It has

Promotions and new board appointments at area nonprofits

The United Way Capital Area board of directors added six new members including: Marie Baker, director in the managed services sector at CSC; Heather Brunner, chief operating officer at Bazaarvoice; Juan Gonzalez, vice president of student affairs at

Clink acquires Olive & Oz Branded Events, gets new VP

Clink, an event planning and production agency, named Kelley Burrus vice president of corporate events and the Destination Management Co. programs. Prior to joining Clink, Burrus was founder and owner of Olive & Oz Branded Events, which Clink

New senior VP at Austin real estate firm

Jack Tynes Commercial Real Estate Solutions, a commercial tenant representation firm, named Jack Tynes senior vice president. Previously, Tynes held a similar position at the Stone

Facebook says it's ready to hire in Austin

Facebook Inc. officially announced Friday that it is starting an online service operation in Austin that could be in operation by early May. Company officials said Facebook would begin posting Austin jobs on its Web site today at facebook.com/careers.

NetSpend cofounders re-renter U.S. prepaid debit card market

Austin entrepreneurs Roy and Bertrand Sosa, best known as founders of NetSpend Inc. and MPower Ventures, are returning to the U.S. prepaid card market with their company Rev Worldwide. Rev Worldwide, which has been offering prepaid debit cards and

Cypress acquires undeveloped land at University Park

Cypress Real Estate Advisors Inc. has acquired nearly all of the undeveloped land at the University Park project taking shape on the former Concordia University campus.

Tech incubator looking for new startups; Whole Foods opens Dallas store

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Capital Factory seeks tech startups Capital Factory, the tech incubator launched last year by a group of Austin entrepreneurs, has put out a call for startups for its 2010 program.

Dillard's, Westin, open their doors at the Domain

A new Dillard's Inc. department store and the Westin Austin Hotel had their grand openings at the Domain on Thursday, and more openings are coming at the North Austin development.

U.S. trade deficit shrinks; Obama plans initiative to boost exports

U.S. ECONOMY Trade deficit ebbs in January; Obama plans export initiative WASHINGTON - The U.S.