Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) The pace of home construction climbed last month on a jump in apartment building, according to government data released Friday.

Construction started on new U.S. homes rose 6.3% in September, with the annual rate hitting 1.02 million, following a sizable August drop. Septembers starts rate matched the consensus forecast from economists polled by MarketWatch.

Signaling a continuation of the markets rebound, the pace of total home-building starts was up 17.8% from the year-earlier period. However, the starts rate is far below an average of 1.5 million over the 20 years leading up to a bubble peak.

Analysts warn against reading too much into a single months report. A confidence interval of plus or minus 9.3% for Septembers overall starts growth shows the government isnt sure whether the pace of construction rose or fell last month.

One factor that could help support the housing market a bit is the recent drop in mortgage rates, which makes loans cheaper for prospective borrowers. However, low mortgage rates alone wont be enough to spur more housing activity, experts say.

Rather, strong and consistent jobs growth is needed for a sustained pick up in home building and buying. Otherwise, the pace of the household formation will remain slow, with families and friends doubling up in homes to save money.

Apartments led construction growth in September, but economists prefer to see more building of single-family homes. Putting up a single-family homes costs more and creates more jobs than building one apartment. The construction pace for single-family homes rose 1.1% in September, while apartment starts in buildings with at least five units zoomed up 18.5%, the government reported.

The details of the construction data...dont make us feel any more positive about the single family segment of the housing market, which continues to plod along at a frustratingly slow pace, Richard Moody, chief economist at Regions Financial Corp., wrote in a research note.

For each apartment start during September in a building with at least five units, there were about 1.8 single-family-home starts. That ratio is far lower than a long-term average of about 3.4, and down from about 2.1 a year earlier. As home builders increasingly turn toward apartments, that will narrow the housing sectors contribution to the economy.

A gauge of the outlook for construction also showed more growth for apartments. The annual pace of permits for new construction, a sign of future demand, inched up 1.5% to 1.02 million in September from 1 million in August. Permits for single-family homes declined 0.5% in September, while permits in buildings with at least five units rose 7%.

Go here to read the rest:
Economic Report: Apartments lead Septembers housing-starts growth

Housing construction picked up in September, buoyed by a surge in apartment-building.

Housing starts increased 6.3% from August, according to new figures from the Census Bureau, a pace a bit faster than analysts expected. That figure was driven by a 18.5% jump in starts for buildings with five or more units. Building permits an indicator of future construction were up 1.5% on the month.

Home builders say they're seeing increased demand as interest rates remain low and the economy gradually improves. Meanwhile, multifamily developers have been pushing to keep up with high demand for apartments as more households rent and more young adults are moving out on their own.

Year to date, apartment construction is up 22.7%, and completions of buildings with five or more units is up 43%. However, the new supply is having relatively little impact on rents, market-watchers say, as demand is growing nearly as fast.

September's growth was fastest in the West and the South.

Keep an eye on housing and real estate in Southern California. Follow me on Twitter at @bytimlogan

Read more:
Housing starts speed up in September, led by new apartments

Construction firms broke ground on more apartment complexes in September, pushing up the pace of U.S. homebuilding.

Housing starts rose 6.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.017 million homes, the Commerce Department said Friday. Almost all of the gains came from apartment construction a volatile category which increased 18.5 percent after plunging in August.

The sluggish recovery and meager wage growth has left more Americans renting instead of owning homes. Apartment construction has surged 30.3 percent over the past 12 months.

Starts for single-family houses rose just 1.1 percent in September, contributing to an 11 percent gain during the past 12 months.

Applications for building permits, a good sign of future activity, increased 1.5 percent to an annual rate of 1.018 million. That also reflected the strength in apartment building. Permits for multi-family buildings rose 7 percent in September, compared to a 0.5 percent drop in permits for single-family houses.

Other indicators reflect the continued to shift to rentals. The residential component of the American Institute of Architects billing index stood at 58.1 in August. That index is more heavily-weighted to multi-family housing and any reading above 50 signals growth.

Meanwhile, real estate sales have failed to get much traction in recent months. Price growth is slowing, yet the surge in home values through the middle of last year has made affordability a challenge for many would-be buyers. Homebuilders are also feeling slightly less optimistic.

The recent turmoil in the financial markets caused the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate to drop to a 52-week low of 3.97 percent. That should help spur some additional buying, but it's unlikely to be enough to suddenly boost construction.

"While the drop in mortgage rates likely will prompt stronger home sales by the turn of the year, we don't expect a significant upward trend in construction to re-emerge until next spring," said Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

Home prices rose 6.4 percent in August compared with a year ago, according to real estate data provider CoreLogic. This marks a substantial slowdown. Home values had chalked up annual gains of as much as 12 percent toward the end of last year.

Read the rest here:
Apartments Pushed up US Homebuilding in September

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Construction started on new U.S. homes rose 6.3% in September, bouncing up after a sizable August drop, led by growth for volatile apartment building, according to government data released Friday. The annual rate of total housing starts rose to 1.02 million last month, just about matching economists' consensus forecast, from 957,000 in August, the U.S. Commerce Department reported. The construction pace for single-family homes rose 1.1% in September, while apartment starts in buildings with at least five units zoomed up 18.5%. The pace of overall construction starts was up 17.8% from the year-earlier period, signaling a continuation of the market's rebound. The annual pace of permits for new construction, a sign of future demand, inched up 1.5% to 1.02 million in September from 1 million in August. Permits for single-family homes declined 0.5% in September, while permits in buildings with at least five units rose 7%. Economists caution over reading too much into a single monthly report. A confidence interval of plus or minus 9.3% for September's overall starts growth of 6.3% shows that the government isn't sure whether the pace of construction rose or fell last month.

Go here to read the rest:
U.S. housing starts rise 6.3% in September

WASHINGTON - Construction firms broke ground on more apartment complexes in September, pushing up the pace of U.S. homebuilding.

Housing starts rose 6.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.017 million homes, the Commerce Department said Friday. Almost all of the gains came from apartment construction - a volatile category - which increased 18.5 percent after plunging in August.

The sluggish recovery and meager wage growth has left more Americans renting instead of owning homes. Apartment construction has surged 30.3 percent over the past 12 months.

Starts for single-family houses rose just 1.1 percent in September, contributing to an 11 percent gain during the past 12 months.

Applications for building permits, a good sign of future activity, increased 1.5 percent to an annual rate of 1.018 million. That also reflected the strength in apartment building. Permits for multi-family buildings rose 7 percent in September, compared to a 0.5 percent drop in permits for single-family houses.

Other indicators reflect the continued to shift to rentals. The residential component of the American Institute of Architects billing index stood at 58.1 in August. That index is more heavily-weighted to multi-family housing and any reading above 50 signals growth.

Meanwhile, real estate sales have failed to get much traction in recent months. Price growth is slowing, yet the surge in home values through the middle of last year has made affordability a challenge for many would-be buyers. Homebuilders are also feeling slightly less optimistic.

The recent turmoil in the financial markets caused the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate to drop to a 52-week low of 3.97 percent. That should help spur some additional buying, but it's unlikely to be enough to suddenly boost construction.

"While the drop in mortgage rates likely will prompt stronger home sales by the turn of the year, we don't expect a significant upward trend in construction to re-emerge until next spring," said Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

Home prices rose 6.4 percent in August compared with a year ago, according to real estate data provider CoreLogic. This marks a substantial slowdown. Home values had chalked up annual gains of as much as 12 percent toward the end of last year.

Go here to see the original:
Homebuilding gets a boost from apartment construction

Inspect-All Services founder Marty Lunsford, center, stands with his two sons, from left, Brian and Brandon Lunsford, who took over the family business eight years ago. (Special Photo)

In their 20s, single and with no children, Brian and Brandon Lunsford took a break from the daily grind and traveled down to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands to live and work. Brian, who left his job as a television producer for Fox 5 Atlanta, and Brandon, whod been employed at his fathers business, waited on tables four days a week at a little diner called Chilly Billys to help pay the rent.

They lived in a house overlooking the Caribbean Sea and did their fair share of rubbing shoulders with the stars at happy hour (spying celebrities like country music singer Kenny Chesney).

But over those several months the ambitious brothers also took time to reflect on the course of their lives. Each held a degree from the University of Georgia, and they knew they wanted to be entrepreneurs. They also knew that although their fathers home inspection and pest control business had not grown over the years, it had potential.

After several calls home to dad, the pair hatched a plan to take over the family business.

We knew the company had some value left, but we also knew it needed to be overhauled and started from scratch, said Brian Lunsford. Dad was on board and the rest is history.

Inspect-All Services recently celebrated 30 years of operation in Conyers and the east metro area, due in no small part to the efforts of the Lunsford brothers who bought the business from their father several years ago.

It took off and they did a great job, said father Marty Lunsford, who now works for his sons as an inspector.

Inspect-All Services, located at 575 Sigman Road in Conyers, provides pest control services including termite, pest, rodent and mosquito control; home inspections; radon testing; mold sampling; and infrared thermal imaging.

View post:
Conyers' Inspect-All celebrates 30 years of operation

Molino de viento en lagopark retaurant en los patios norte de santander
a travs de YouTube Capture.

By: Agrotools Surgente

See the original post here:
Molino de viento en lagopark retaurant en los patios norte de santander - Video

Premium Poly Patios Picnic Table
Our Poly Lumber Picnic Tables, Gardens Square Mission Picnic Table, Octagon Picnic Table, Round Picnic Set and so much more. If all that information still le...

By: Mauricio Sloan

Continued here:
Premium Poly Patios Picnic Table - Video

The patio at Lon's at the Hermosa.(Photo: Lon's)

Eating al fresco just seems to make everything taste better. Whatever the reason cozy charm, spectacular views, the balmy air we instinctively realize that a good meal under the desert sky delivers life-is-good pleasure.

10. Orange Sky

From this skyscraping rooftop patio, you'll gape at the magnificent Valley view, with the McDowells rising in the east and Camelback Mountain framed against an orange sky to the west. Then turn your eyes to the handsome surf-and-turf fare, like lobster risotto, New York strip and king crab in lemon-butter sauce.

Details: Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Indian Bend Road, Salt River Reservation. 480-850-8606, talkingstickresort.com.

9. Distrito

Overlooking the grassy expanse at the Civic Center Mall, this patio makes for great people-watching. However, dishes like grilled octopus with caper bearnaise, coconut habanero chicken enchiladas and lamb chops accessorized with potatoes and chorizo keep you focused on your plate.

Details: The Saguaro, 4000 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-970-4444, scottsdale.distritorestaurant.com.

8. Gertrude's

It doesn't get much nicer than being in the middle of the Desert Botanical Garden. But the foie gras poutine, cornmeal-crusted oysters, bangers and mash, and pasta with peas and truffled egg yolk take your mind off the eye-catching scenery.

Original post:
Top 10 restaurants with great patios

HOUSTON (KTRK) --

The Spot You can't go wrong at The Spot on Galveston Island. Whether you want to catch the game or enjoy the views of Gulf of Mexico, every seat's the best seat in the house on their double decker patio. Never been? Check out the view from their Spot Cam online, a web cam that shows a look at the outdoor seating.

Cyclone Anaya's There are five Cyclone Anaya's location in Houston, and they each offer outdoor dining! The Mexican kitchen is serving up some great October drink specials, including an Apple Cider Margarita and the Pumpkin Vanilla Nog Martini. Don't forget to sign up for their VIP Rewards program. You will earn $5 for every $50 you spend on food, beverage and gift cards, which can then be redeemed at future visits.

Baba Yega The cozy cafe has been a favorite in the Montrose area since 1975. Baba Yega is a converted bungalow with several indoor and outdoor seating options. Their patio has a century old oak tree, a lush garden complete with a fishpond, waterfall, and fountains. In addition to their great outdoor seating, Baba Yega is known for its vegetarian options.

Cedar Creek Cafe Cedar Creek in The Heights is part of the Creek restaurants. They serve up breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. They've also got an event going on each day - from Texas Hold 'Em Tuesdays to Fried Chicken Fridays. Come check out their huge patio for a very casual, relaxed meal.

Moon Tower Inn If you haven't been to Moon Tower Inn, don't try to look up their website. There isn't one. Viewers say take their word for it and order one of Houston's Top 10 Hot Dogs. There are dozens of beers on tap too!

Niko Niko's Niko Niko's is the proud recipient of 14 Marvin Zindler Blue Ribbon Awards - that's how you know it's good food! If you've never been, there are three Houston-area locations - Montrose, Market Square, and Pearland. If you miss the Greek Festival already, just head to Niko Niko's for authentic Greek cuisine.

Tiny Boxwoods Tiny Boxwoods is a hidden gem with very charming outdoor seating - think ivy covered brick exteriors. It's a very popular spot for weekend brunch, and can get quite busy. Even if you've eaten there for brunch, you may not know that each Saturday night they show a movie on their lawn. Wine and cookies are optional, but recommended.

Brenner's On The Bayou Brenner's is situated in a wooded setting right along the Bayou. Blue, their outdoor patio door, has a great happy hour menu from 5 to 7 p.m. with $6 small plates. The outdoor dcor is plush white cushions and bright blue canopies with several surrounding fire pits. Even it's ever not nice enough to eat outside, Brenner's would still be a great choice. Their two-story dining room has expansive windows that still offer great views of the outdoors.

Yard House The Yard House is an upscale sports bar with a huge menu that will make you forget you're at a sports bar. Beer aficionados will appreciate the 100+ taps and ever-changing chalkboard of the latest and greatest brews from around the corner and around the world. The restaurant is located at CITYCENTRE, so there's plenty to see while dining outdoors.

See the rest here:
Your Friday Faves: Houston's Top 10 Patios