Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

A hot real estate market may have triggered another type of housing boom.

Surveys and studies are showing that home remodeling is more preferable these days to home relocation.

Nearly three out of four homeowners surveyed by Angie's List are planning a remodeling project this year, while a Harvard Center for Housing study anticipates healthy growth in remodeling through 2025.

Re-doing the kitchen is the most popular and most expensive remodeling project.

CNBC's Kelli Grant recently broke down data from the remodeling website Houzz.com on what consumers spent on remodeling projects last year.

Kitchen renovations averaged $20,000, while bathroom makeovers cost on average $12,000.

Grant says you shouldn't expect a full return on your investment.

"You end up recouping somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 to 70% back in terms of added values," she says.

Read more on NBC News.

NBC News

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More people prefer to remodel rather than relocate, survey finds - KPRC Houston

First step taken toward Johnson County Courthouse construction Kansas City Star The reconfiguration of Olathe's courthouse square began June 1, as Johnson County deeded over one of its office buildings to the city a first step to get ready for courthouse construction. The ownership transfer of the county's vacated Centennial ... and more »

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First step taken toward Johnson County Courthouse construction - Kansas City Star

Details Published: 07 June 2017 Written by An-Li Herring - Town Crier Editorial Intern

Eliza Ridgeway/Town Crier A former parking lot abutting Castro Street and St. Josephs Church on Hope Street is being remade into a four-story complex containing office space, 12 condominium units and ground-floor retail.

Hoping to capitalize on the vibrancy of Mountain Views downtown core, developers have shown increasing interest in building out the areas restaurant and retail sites to include office space.

It almost feels like an avalanche of proposals for office space, said Robert Cox, who has served for five years on Mountain Views Environmental Planning Commission, which advises the city council on whether to approve development proposals.

Since January, Castro Street restaurant Fu Lam Mum has been converting its second-floor mezzanine into office space.

More recently, the owners of two popular restaurants on Villa Street, Chez TJ and Tied House, submitted a proposal to replace both of their structures with a four-story building. In a memo to Mountain Views Downtown Committee last month, the citys Planning Division reported that the building would include three floors of office space and a new ground-floor restaurant.

The memo also indicated that the city had received informal applications to construct four-story office buildings with ground-floor commercial space at 701 W. Evelyn Ave., where a Subway sandwich shop is now located, and 756 California Ave., currently Dental Fabulous. Informal application status means the projects remain in an exploratory phase intended merely to gauge the reaction of city officials.

With its proximity to public transit, many dining options and pleasant environment, Cox said, downtown Mountain View is a desirable location for employers.

But, he added, additional office construction threatens to bring more workers to the city at a time when the local labor force far outstrips the supply of housing.

Given the imbalance between jobs and housing, Cox said, we need to think about whats best in the long term.

The demand for more office space coincides with intensified focus among members of the Mountain View City Council on boosting housing construction. According to Planning Division data, the council has approved projects that would increase the local housing supply by 1,566 units. An additional 958 net new units were already under construction as of March.

City officials are also considering rezoning plans to permit the construction of up to 9,850 residential units in the North Bayshore business district and up to 5,000 additional units in the East Whisman area.

As a member of Mountain Views Environmental Planning Commission, Cox has observed an increase in the number of applications for new office projects since 2011, when the economy began to bounce back from the recession.

All development comes in fits and starts, Associate City Planner Eric Anderson said. Were very boom and bust, and were kind of in a boom now.

One project currently under construction will turn a former parking lot at St. Josephs Church into a four-story complex containing office space, 12 condominium units and ground-floor retail.

According to last months Downtown Committee memo, city officials are also negotiating with a developer on a proposal to construct offices and a hotel a block from the Mountain View Transit Center. Two parking lots currently occupy the site, known as the Hope Street Lots.

In March, the city issued permits for the construction of nine condominium units on an adjacent block. The four-story building will replace three apartment units.

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Mtn. View draws "avalanche" of downtown office proposals - Los Altos Town Crier

Gramor Development, Inc. announced on Wednesday that it has secured a $42.5 million construction loan with U.S. Bank for The Waterfront Vancouver development.

Specifically, the loan will support the construction of a seven-story office building and six-story residential structure on The Waterfronts Block 6. The street level of both buildings will feature a row of retail spaces known as the Shops at Waterfront Way.

This is a really exciting time for The Waterfront project, said Barry Cain, Gramor president, in a press release. The transformation is well underway and its unlike anything that currently exists in our area. Were turning what was once an industrial area into a vibrant destination for tourists, businesses and the surrounding community.

On behalf of U.S. Bank, Ann Young, senior vice president, Oregon market manager, said, Gramor is a driving force in revitalizing Vancouvers waterfront and the local community. U.S. Bank is excited to be part of the project and to help bring this vibrant and unique development to life.

Block 6 is expected to be complete in April 2018. Previously announced tenants include M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Cascade Sothebys International Realty and MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company.

Beyond Block 6, other tenants signed on to the 32-acre, $1.5 billion project are WildFin American Grill, Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar (both at Block 9 of the development) and Ghost Runners Brewery (Block 12).

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Waterfront developer secures $42.5 million loan for construction of mixed-use block - Vancouver Business Journal

Sellers Lis and Rich Dicce

Address 5 Virgil Dr., Brentwood

Asking price $425,000

The basics A three-bedroom, 1-bath high-ranch on a 0.25-acre lot

The competition A three-bedroom Colonial on Riddle Street is listed for $395,000.

Nearest recent sale A high-ranch on nearby Winston Drive sold March 7 for $350,200.

Taxes $8,320 ($7,502 with STAR)

Time on the market Since March 28

Listing agent Kathleen Doerrie, Coach Realtors, Huntington, 631-987-4322.

Why its for sale Lis Dicce, 74, a retired teacher, and Rich Dicce, 75, a retired auto technician, say they want to move to a warmer climate.

The Dicces home has new siding, a new roof and central air-conditioning. Lis Dicce shares:

This property is like an oasis. Its been well maintained, and there are perennial plantings throughout. Theres a waterfall in the backyard that cascades into a pond thats surrounded by slate landscaping, shrubs and perennials. Thats in addition to our 20-foot-by-40-foot inground pool. The whole backyard is great for entertaining and is fenced in with vinyl fencing thats about 10 years old and looks as good as new. We have lower and upper decks made of composite material, which are great for entertaining and theres no maintenance to them.

The large sunroom, which we added in 2013, is off the kitchen, and we use it year-round. It has both heat and air conditioning. All the windows open and have blinds between the glass, and we get a beautiful sunrise in the morning. The kitchen was renovated in 2013 with stainless steel and energy efficient appliances and lots of cabinet space . . . The den and wood-burning stove are downstairs . . . Were going to miss this house. If we could move it to Florida, we would.

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Why buy our high-ranch in Brentwood - Newsday

Teslas strategy for developing and selling innovative solar roofs appears to be trending in the right direction, which is good news for Western New York.

The fortunes of Tesla, led by forward-thinking CEO Elon Musk, will have a direct effect on the fortunes of many in this region.

The companys RiverBend factory in South Buffalo, which is expected to open later this year, will be the largest solar panel factory in the Western Hemisphere. It is expected to bring with it hundreds of jobs. Built with $750 million in state subsidies, it represents the biggest piece of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos Buffalo Billion economic development initiative.

Many eyes those of supporters awaiting the promised economic boost and of opponents objecting to public assistance for a private company are laser-focused on this project. Any prediction about progress on Teslas solar roof is going to gain special attention. That progress, so far, looks decent. As News business reporter David Robinson recently wrote, less than a month after the company started taking orders for its solar roof tiles, Tesla executives informed analysts from RBC Capital Markets that the new product already is sold out well into 2018.

Customers have to be willing to put down a $1,000 deposit to get on the list. For people living in areas that tend to have high electricity costs, this may seem a small bet on a system that could save them a lot of money in the long run.

Tesla is remaining mum on the exact details about the demand for the solar roof but, as Robinson wrote, the disclosure to the RBC analysts indicates that demand is comfortably in line with the companys projections. The companys next step will be to make the solar roof tiles on a pilot basis by the end of this month at its Fremont, Calif., facility. Eventually the company is expected to shift production to its Buffalo gigafactory.

Tesla Motors merged with SolarCity late last year, and then in a smart move brought in experienced solar panel manufacturer Panasonic as a partner. Panasonic is investing $250 million in the process of making solar cells to be installed in the solar roofing tiles and in conventional solar panels built at the Buffalo plant.

Tesla has pledged to create 1,460 direct jobs in the Buffalo Niagara region, and support the creation of 1,440 more jobs at suppliers and service providers here. The workers will be hired over time, because full production wont be reached until 2019.

The company is subject to industry trends, and right now overall growth in residential solar is slowing across the country. Tesla officials are doing what they can to attract new customers by trying to find ways to lower high sign-up costs. Tesla does stand to benefit because it has a unique product: solar roof tiles that look better than traditional solar panels installed on a roof.

It doesnt help nor necessarily hurt that the Trump administration decided to pull out of the landmark 2015 Paris climate accord. The pledge by Cuomo to invest up to $1.6 billion in renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects over the next five years, along with similar statements by several other governors to stay the renewable course, should help tamp down any ill effects from the presidents decision.

Tesla has been taking orders for its solar roof, and the high interest shown by homeowners bodes well for this region.

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Editorial: Demand for solar roofing tiles is reassuring news - Buffalo News

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (NASDAQ: BECN), the largest publicly traded distributor of residential and commercial roofing materials and complementary building products, announced today that Paul Isabella, President & Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Nowicki, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, and Christopher Harrison, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer will participate in the William Blair 37th Annual Growth Stock Conference being held June 13-15 in at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.

A link to the most recent Beacon investor presentation from the second quarter of fiscal year 2017 is available on the Investor Relations page of the Company's website (www.becn.com) under "Events & Presentations."

About Beacon Roofing Supply

Founded in 1928, Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. is the largest publicly traded distributor of residential and commercial roofing materials and complementary building products, operating 385 branches throughout 48 states in the U.S. and 6 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Beacon and its family of regional brands, please visit http://www.becn.com.

BECN-F

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Beacon Roofing Supply to Participate in the William Blair 37 - Business Wire (press release)

With shopping behaviors in flux and the fate of the American mall uncertain, Westfield UTC is fast preparing to unveil its take on the offline shopping experience of the future.

Come October, the 33-year-old La Jolla-adjacent destination will debut its long-awaited second phase of development.

In November 2012, the mall showed off its first transformation, a $180-million makeover complete with ArcLight Cinemas and a revamped food court. This second round, however, is even bigger in scope, encompassing a $600-million bet on the brick-and-mortar property as an upscale, amenity-rich escape from the quotidian.

Tuesday, the center released new renderings of the space, and announced another batch of committed tenants, which include luxury furniture-maker Arhaus, comfy-clothes line Marine Layer and fine-dining establishment Larsens Steakhouse. Other just-revealed additions are crystal jewelry-maker Swarovski, footwear chain ECCO and MAC Cosmetics.

Still an active construction site, Westfield UTC should look and feel noticeably different to guests who enter from the west and north sides when the dust settles. By Oct.12, the grand opening date of a new Nordstrom store, most of the construction will have cleared to feature 250,000 square feet of additional retail and restaurant space. Most of the incoming restaurants will be of the sit-down-and-drink variety, and include outdoor space.

In addition, multiple gardens, an art-walk and outdoor plazas, including one with a Pop Jet water fountain for kids, are meant to be focal points for visitors. Plus, the new Westfield UTC will come with 18,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, as well as a palm-tree lined valet drop-off area.

Perhaps the most noticeable change, however, will be the addition of more than 2,000 parking spaces (5,500 total) and the centers mostly single-level retail strategy. Whereas a mall-goer previously had to navigate between two or three floors to visit retailers on the north end, now theyll find a flattened shopping vibe.

There are still different tiers, but the overhauled section will consist of underground parking on the first tier and a row of retail stores located just above the parking garage, now contiguous with the rest of the malls outdoor space.

Though retail will certainly remain a pivotal part of the equation, Westfield UTC appears to be flipping the brick-and-mortar model to favor dining, and even lounging or playing, over shopping. And, if successful, the costly renovation will make locals and tourists alike rethink where to head to dinner on a Friday night or where to take the kids on the weekend.

And Westfields timing couldnt be better.

A recent report from Credit Suisse projects that 20 percent to 25 percent of U.S. malls will close over the next five years.

But an alternative view is that the American mall can survive if it replaces the beleaguered concept of the every-persons anchor store e.g. Sears, Macys and J.C. Penney with a new type of draw.

Paula Rosenblum, co-founder and Managing Partner at RSR Research, is of the opinion that the overall experience meaning the totality of the malls ambiance and activities will be the new anchor attraction.

The goal is to create an experience that makes it worth your while to go to the mall, she said. There is no doubt that millennials are interested in experience. They prefer experience over things.

Still, anchor stores arent entirely extinct at the coming-soon Westfield UTC. While Sears is on its way out with no announced replacement, Nordstrom is set to debut a new Westfield UTC location, a two-story venue that spans 145,000 square feet, which is 15,000 square feet greater than the current spot.

The new store will trade carpet-lined sections for a single tile-lined floor and artificial light for much more of the natural variety. Nordstrom will also introduce a contemporary restaurant named Brazille with a full bar and patio overlooking the mall. Eventually, the location will even incorporate curbside pickup for ship-to-store Nordstrom shoppers.

The spruced-up venue should mesh nicely with the revitalized Westfield UTC, which still isnt quite complete.

The property expects to break ground on construction of a 22-story high-end residential tower, featuring 300 units, in 2018.

jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin

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Here's what you can expect to find at Westfield UTC this October - The San Diego Union-Tribune

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Everything You Need To Know About Today's Pokmon Announcements Forbes We don't know much about these games yet, but Nintendo says they "have been powered up with new additions to the story and features from Pokmon Sun and Pokmon Moon." Two new Pokmon were shown during the Direct that Nintendo says resemble the ... Pokmon Direct Reveals 'Pokkn Tournament Deluxe' For Switch, 'Ultra Sun & Moon' For 3DSInternational Business Times all 350 news articles »

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Everything You Need To Know About Today's Pokmon Announcements - Forbes

The Golden State Warriors made a huge splash last offseason, signing Kevin Durant to a two year deal that offers an option to opt out after the first year. They had split the last two NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and coming off a brutal Finals loss in 2016, the Warriors wanted to emphatically set themselves up for the 2017 NBA Finals.

There has been plenty of criticism by people outside of the Warriors sphere. Weve heard people say the Warriors are too good, and weve heard people criticize Durant for going to his rival to try and win a championship.

Fans of the San Francisco 49ers know a thing or two about whats going on. Former 49ers executive Carmen Policy took some time to chat with Matt Maiocco about the 49ers of the mid-90s, and offered up some fantastic insight. Well have a time stamp post Wednesday morning, but the Policy interview starts about 20 minutes in.

Policy has some great anecdotes from the 90s. He talked about how after the second straight NFC title game loss to the Dallas Cowboys led the team to go all-in leading up to the 1994 season. The team loaded up their defense, acquiring Deion Sanders, Ken Norton, Gary Plummer, and Rickey Jackson. Policy has a fantastic story about the recruiting process with Deion Sanders, and his meeting with George Seifert. It involves Eddie DeBartolo and then defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes having some cocktails to get through the stress of waiting on Deions decision.

Policy and Maiocco talked about the addition of Durant as similar in fashion to the 49ers addition of Deion. A year ago, when Durant made his decision, I wrote something about it and discussed the potential comparison with Sanders.

This is not exactly like when Deion Sanders signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, but it is certainly something at least worth considering. The top free agent on the market is joining a team that was already built well, and is adding a little more to take them back over the top. One notable difference is this Warriors team won a title in 2015, and went to the Finals this year. The 49ers of the mid-90s could not get over the hump against the Dallas Cowboys. Deion was not the only notable addition that year, but he was a big one.

I did not mention the 49ers extensive additions that offseason. Well never know whether or not the 49ers would have won the Super Bowl that year without Sanders, but they made a lot of big acquisitions. The Warriors made some other additions, but last offseason was all about adding Durant.

There is a certain putting them over the top element, so it is still an interesting comparison to be made. The Warriors still have two more games to win in this series. And while they have dominated the second half of the first two games, lets not forget that they dominated the first two games last year as well. This year, the Warriors won the first two games by a combined 41 points. Last year, they won the first two games by a combined 48 points. The big difference of course is that they have Kevin Durant. I dont think theyll sweep the Cavaliers, but theyre in prime position to put this series away sooner rather than later.

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Carmen Policy likes Warriors-Kevin Durant comparison to 49ers-Deion Sanders in 1994 - Niners Nation