A 2002 study comparing homes with standard six-panel front doors to those with upgraded entry systems - including transoms, sidelights and decorative glass - found the enhanced entry increased the perceived value of the home.
Shared appreciation mortgages (SAMs), may provide builders with a valuable option on properties that are perceived to be risky investments or when interest rates are climbing, according to accounting giant Grant Thornton International.
The design talent in this industry delivers homes at every square footage and price point that delight buyers. What's lacking is a commitment to rocking the boat.
Analysts and investors are turning up the heat on the big public home builders to maintain their double-digit growth rates, even in the face of expected spikes in interest rates and drops in housing starts.