G D P O N T H E M OV E P RO D U C T G U I D E IBS 2024

A Zonda economic analysis 29 new building Our editors choose

shows a Southeast shift products to consider their can’t-miss sessions

SELLING SEASON

Demographics, interest rate

relief put a seasonal spring
in builders’ steps

Q1 2024
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 Contents
Q1 2024

featuring

29 products
you’ll find
at IBS

FEATURES
30 Seasonal Optimism
Read why builders are feeling
good about the 2024 spring
selling season. Plus, experts
share their latest sales and
marketing strategies.
By Vincent Salandro

47 Annual Product Guide

Find the latest offerings across
five building product categories.
By Leah Draffen, Vincent
Salandro, and Symone Strong

DEPARTMENTS
7 Pulse 22 Trends
14 Economics 26 Projects:
18 Technology Built to Live

20 Development 64 Parting Plan

ONLINE 24/7 Visit us at builderonline.com for the latest home building industry news. Cover illustration: Traci Daberko; Above: Paulina Sara Design/Creative Market

Volume 47, number 1. Builder (ISSN 0744-1193; USPS 370-600) is published quarterly by Zonda Media, 4000 MacArthur Blvd Ste 400 Newport Beach, CA 92660-2543, and printed in the USA.
Copyright 2024 by Zonda Media, a Delaware corporation. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited without written authorization. Single-copy price: $8.00. Periodicals postage paid at Newport Beach, CA,
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B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Q 1 2 0 24 BUILDER 3
 Christine Serlin, editor
Leah Draffen, associate editor
Vincent Salandro, associate editor
Symone Strong, associate editor

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 PULSE b y B U IL D ER S T A FF

IBS 2024: Staff Picks for

Must-Attend Sessions
the nahb international builders’ show returns to the
Las Vegas Convention Center, Feb. 27 to 29. In advance of the
show, BUILDER editors perused the agenda and selected several
must-attend sessions to add to your daily event schedule. For the full
agenda and list of speakers, visit buildersshow.com.

Now’s the Time for Small & Mid-Sized Builders to

Capitalize on Built-for-Rent
Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 8:30 – 9:30 AM
West 318

15 Secrets to Sales & Marketing Success In A

Challenging Market
Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 10:15 – 11:15 AM BUILDER’s parent The Rally: An Immersive Journey Into
the Future of New Home Sales
West 318 company Zonda
Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 1:30 – 3:30 PM
How to Avoid the Never-Ending Punch List &
will provide the IBS Spotlight Room • West 326
Get the Job Closed latest in
Punch List: 30 Innovations in the
Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 12:15 – 1:15 PM residential
Built Environment—Connecting
West 304 construction intel People, Product & Place
The Outlook: Housing Trends, Forecasts & Insights for 2024 during the show. Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 1:30 – 3:30 PM Stop by IBS Learning Lab • West 232
IBS Spotlight Room • West 326 Booth 3043 in 10 Common Floor Plan Design
Bigger is Not Better: Functional Floor Plans That Make the the West Hall to Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Most of Every Square Foot catch one of the Thursday, Feb. 29 | 8:30 – 9:30 AM
Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM presentations West 217
West 224
on housing data The Experience: Creating a VIP Total
Future-Proof: How Top Builders Are Adjusting to Take Ad- and trends. Customer Experience
vantage of New Energy Codes, Energy Programs & Incentives Thursday, Feb. 29 | 8:30 – 10:30 AM
Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM IBS Spotlight Room • West 326
West 229
12 Strategies for Mastering Negotiation
The Blueprint: The Battle Royale & 60 in 60 Inspire Your in an Unpredictable Market
Designs for 2024 Thursday, Feb. 29 | 10:15 – 11:15 AM
Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 8:30 – 10:30 AM West 315
IBS Spotlight Room • West 326
What Nuclear Submarines Taught Me
10 Practical Ways A.I. Can Help Home Builders About Home Building
Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 10:15 – 11:15 AM Thursday, Feb. 29 | 10:15 – 11:15 AM
West 318 West 207
Courtesy Zonda

Unlocking Gen Z: 5 Steps to Attract, Connect & Retain Real-World Strategies to Attract &
the Future Workforce Retain Top Construction Talent
Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 10:15 – 11:15 AM Thursday, Feb. 29 | 10:15 – 11:15 AM
West 220 West 204

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Q 1 2 0 24 ⚫ BUILDER 7
PULSE
IBS 2024: How to Navigate the
Largest Exhibit Floor in 15 Years
lace up your sneakers and get ready to explore the lar-
gest International Builders’ Show (IBS) floor in 15 years. Span-
ning nearly 675,000 net square feet of floor space, this year’s
show, Feb. 27 to 29 in Las Vegas, welcomes a host of over 1,700
exhibiting companies, 45% of which are new to IBS.
Approaching the many halls, maps, and arrows, the show
can be overwhelming to navigate. To get an insider look at this
year’s show, BUILDER tapped Geoff Cassidy, NAHB chief
revenue officer. Read his pointers on how to get the most out
of the show.
How have the floor plans for IBS changed over the years?
Beyond the onset of the co-location of IBS with the Kitchen &
Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in 2014 (collectively called Design &
Construction Week or DCW), for the first time in the 80-year
history of IBS, NAHB has segmented the exhibit floor into six
broad product/service categories (Product Segmentation). DCW
became so large that it was becoming increasingly difficult for
attendees to find what they needed and to compare suppliers of
similar products. Segmentation solves that.
How are exhibitors laid out across the halls?
The IBS exhibits that are inside the Las Vegas Convention Center
are divided into six segments:
Central Hall:
• Building Materials
West Hall:
• Interior Finishings & Home Living
• Business Management & Professional Services
• Global Products
South Hall (Upper Level):
• Construction Tools, Systems, Equipment & Safety
• Outdoor Living, Leisure & Modular Structures
IBS also has exhibits outside in Silver Parking Lot 1 that are not
segmented. A more detailed list of the product/service categories
contained within each segment is available at buildersshow.com.
The KBIS exhibits are in the North Hall, downstairs in South, Silver
Parking Lot 3, and part of West Hall. IBS registrants have compli-
mentary access to the KBIS exhibits.
“You have to be a great communicator in this business ... it’s about really
communicating with your team.” —liesel cooper , century communities
listen to zonda’s “inspirational leadership” podcast, hosted by principal mollie carmichael
8 BUILDER ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24
What’s your best advice for getting the
most out of the show?
Do not expect to do and see it all. Instead,
set priorities and a goal for each day of the
show. Create a daily plan based on exhibi-
tors, education sessions, networking, and
social events, etc., you want to see and at-
tend. Do this all before landing in Vegas,
and revisit and adjust the plan each night
before heading to the show each morning.
Stick to the plan to achieve your daily goals.
Schedule your time with your main priori-
ties in mind first but leave time for all the
other areas of the show. You may spend
most of your day in IBS education ses-
sions, but leave an hour to walk the show
floor, visit the IBS Store to stock your book-
shelf, connect with niche peers and ex-
perts in Centrals, and network during the
evening special events.
In addition to comfortable shoes,
what’s your top tip?
Be present and enjoy the experience. It’s
hard to leave work or your business for three-
Nick Hagen Photography
plus days, but the show is your opportunity
to better yourself and your business/compa-
ny. Take it all in while you have the chance.
Then, bring the information, knowledge,
contacts, and insights back to your business
when you get home.—leah draffen
B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
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PULSE
Sekisui House Buys M.D.C.
Holdings for $4.9 Billion
sekisui house and m.d.c. holdings—no. 11 on the 2023
Builder 100—announced a definitive agreement in which the
wholly owned subsidiary of Sekisui House will acquire MDC for
$4.9 billion.
Sekisui House will become the nation’s fifth largest home
builder, based on the number of houses closed in 2022, and ex-
pands its presence to 15,067 combined home closings across 16
states. The acquisition also helps Sekisui House to achieve its
target of supplying 10,000 homes outside of Japan by 2025,
sooner than anticipated.
“This exciting acquisition of MDC represents a significant ad-
vancement of the Sekisui House strategy to expand our U.S. pres-
ence and bring the value of our technology, innovation, and
philosophies to U.S. home building and ultimately to our custom-
ers,” states Yoshihiro Nakai, representative director of the board
president, executive officer, and CEO of Sekisui House.
Through the transaction, MDC will accelerate Sekisui House's
global vision to “make home the happiest place in the world” by
joining brands Woodside Homes, Holt Homes, Chesmar Homes,
and Hubble Homes. By leveraging Sekisui House technologies and
building practices cultivated in Japan, MDC expects to deliver
high-quality houses that enhance its position in the key states in
which it operates. Closing of the acquisition is expected in the first
half of 2024.—symone strong
M&A ACTIVITY HEATS UP AT START OF THE YEAR
In addition to Sekisui House’s blockbuster acquisition of M.D.C. Holdings, M&A activity ramped up in January.
Read more about these deals at builderonline.com.
CASTLEROCK COMMUNITIES, CENTURY COMMUNITIES has
a subsidiary of Daiwa House, acquired Landmark Homes of
has entered Tennessee with Tennessee, increasing its
the acquisition of The Jones offerings in the Nashville
Company of Tennessee. housing market.
10 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24
Meet the Nation’s Newest
Publicly Traded Builder
after beginning the initial public offering (IPO) process
in September, Smith Douglas Homes has made its debut
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
SDHC. The newly public builder announced pricing of its
IPO of 7,692,308 shares of stock at $21 per share.
With the Smith Douglas Homes joining the ranks as
the newest public builder, here are three things to know
about the Atlanta-based company.
TOP 40 BUILDER
Smith Douglas Homes closed 2,200 homes in 2022
and ranked 38th on the 2023 BUILDER 100 list. The
builder has experienced significant growth since 2014,
when it ranked No. 83 with 472 closings. The builder
operates in seven markets spread across five states:
Atlanta; Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama;
Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Nashville,
Tennessee; and Houston.
RECENT E XPANSION
In August just ahead of beginning the IPO process, Smith
Douglas Homes acquired Texas-based Devon Street
Homes. The acquisition marked Smith Douglas Homes’
initial entry into the Texas market.
W O R K P L A C E C U LT U R E
The home builder is Certified by Great Place to Work in
2023. The award is based on what current employees
say about their experience working at Smith Douglas
Homes. In 2023, 94% of employees said Smith Doug-
las Homes is a great place to work, 37 percentage
points higher than the average U.S. company at 57%,
according to Great Place to Work. As part of the survey,
97% of employees indicated they are proud to tell oth-
ers they work for the company.—builder staff
LANDSEA HOMES continued its UNITED HOMES GROUP expanded
Texas expansion by entering a in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,
definitive agreement to acquire by buying the home building
Adobe Stock
Dallas-Fort Worth-based business and assets of
Antares Homes. Creekside Custom Homes.
B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
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PULSE

Digs Raises $7 Million “We’re excited to

for ‘Digital Twins’
a startup that creates digital replicas of homes
and helps owners manage all their documentation in
one place raised $7 million in seed financing.
“Digs is an AI collaboration platform for builders
that automatically organizes documents, enhances col-
laboration, and enables intuitive visualizations for
builder teams, their subcontractors, and the homeown-
er,” CEO and co-founder Ryan Fink said. “At the end,
the builder can hand off a comprehensive and search-
able ‘digital twin’ of the home so all those details can be
accessible for the life of the home.”
Digs said it will use the money to build out its execu-
tive team, accelerate the company’s rollout plans, and
help finance the launch of a digital marketplace.
The $7 million seed round, led by Oregon Venture
Fund (OVF) and Legacy Capital Ventures, includes
follow-on participation from investors in the prior $7
million pre-seed round. Notable contributors include
Fuse, Flying Fish, Betaworks, PSF, and Cascade Seed
Fund, as well as additional investment from Deepwa-
ter Asset Management.
Digs’ platform serves users in all 50 states and Can-
ada, spanning builders, suppliers, contractors, and
homeowners. Transitioning from beta to full availability
in under a year, it hosts diverse projects, from boutique
builders to national developers, representing over $3
billion in home value on the platform.
“Digs is taking how we build and own a home to
the next level,” said Gene Munster, managing partner
partner [with a
at Deepwater. “We’re excited to partner again with
Fink and team who are using AI to solve real pain
company that is]
points that millions feel every day, whether you’re a
builder or a homeowner.”
using AI to solve Digs has added technology executive Jef Holove as
real pain points chief operating officer. Holove has held senior roles in
that millions feel several consumer companies, the most recent being
every day, CEO of Drop, an e-commerce marketplace.
“The platform’s focus on the homeowner’s experi-
whether you’re
ence, a largely unaddressed area in construction tech-
a builder or a nology, sets it apart in a market ripe for improvement.
homeowner.” We believe Digs is not just an investment in a product
but an investment in the future of how homes are built
and maintained,” commented Deepthi Madhava, a
partner at OVF.
After individually going through the home build
process, Digs’ founders both experienced a pain point
many home buyers frequently face—they knew little
information about their brand-new homes.
With one founder being a former home builder and
both possessing backgrounds in developing easy-to-use
customer-centered technology, the duo set out to create
a scalable solution for homeowners while solving a com-
mon data consolidation problem for builders.
The AI-enriched file management and modern col-
laboration enable builders to work more efficiently and
easily hand off each home’s information to homeowners
in a highly organized and interactive digital copy.
Users can drop files onto a space on a floor plan en-
abling spatially associated selections for each room.
Additionally, users can store files, and Digs will associ-
ate them with the correct room (e.g., bathroom #1) on
the floor plan.—steve ladurantaye

OSHA Announces Higher Penalties for 2024 Safety Violations

the department of labor announced
changes to the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration’s (OSHA) civil penalty
amounts, meaning safety violations on
jobsites will be more expensive in 2024.
OSHA’s maximum penalties for serious and
other-than-serious violations will increase to
$16,131 per violation from $15,625. The
maximum penalty for willful or repeated viola-
tions will increase to $161,323 per violation
from $156,259 in 2023.
The increase of 3.2% from 2023 values is
flation that cooled significantly over the
course of 2023.
The penalty adjustments are part of OSHA’s
adherence to the 2015 Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act,
which requires federal agencies to publish
“catch-up” rules that adjust penalties for
inflation on an annual basis.
Many of OSHA’s most-cited jobsite safety
violations are common occurrences in the
residential construction sector. The top OSHA
violations for fiscal year 2023 included:
• Fall Protection–General Requirements:
3,213 violations
• Ladders: 2,978 violations
• Scaffolding: 2,859 violations
• Powered Industrial Trucks:
2,561 violations
• Lockout/Tagout: 2,554 violations
• Respiratory Protection:
2,481 violations
• Fall Protection–Training Requirements:
2,112 violations
• Personal Protective and Lifesaving
Equipment–Eye and Face Protection:
Adobe Stock

significantly lower than the 7.7% cost-of- 2,074 violations

living increase OSHA enacted from 2022 to 7,271 violations • Machine Guarding: 1,644 violations
2023. The smaller annual increase reflects in- • Hazard Communication (chemicals): —builder staff

12 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24
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 ECONOMICS

GDP Dynamics
An analysis into growth by state and metro shows the effect
of the shift of economic activity to the Southeast.

b y A L I WOL F, Z O N DA C H I E F E C O N OM I S T

G
ross domestic product, or gdp, is the broadest measure Top 5 States by Share of Total U.S. GDP
of overall economic growth. Nationally, GDP growth of 2%
to 3% is generally considered healthy, and that’s what we are
seeing in the United States today. The GDPNow measure from 2018 Top 5 % of GDP 2022 Top 5 % of GDP

the Atlanta Federal Reserve estimates that the economy is grow- California 14.2% California 14.6%
ing at a 2% pace.
While GDP is typically discussed on a national level, we can Texas 8.7% Texas 8.9%
also drill this data down by state and metro. In doing so, we can
see which areas are the most impactful to the U.S. economy and New York 8.3% New York 8.1%
which ones are growing or contracting. The chart at right shows
the top five states by share of total GDP. Florida 5.2% Florida 5.6%

Illinois 4.2% Illinois 4.0%

Note from the data:
• The top five states represent more than 40% of the U.S. econ- Source: BEA; Zonda
omy. The latest data shows the top five states account for 41.2%
of the economy, up slightly from 40.6% in 2018.

• GDP share and population go hand in hand. The top four states When drilling into the metro-level
for GDP share align with the top four for population. Illinois economic growth data, we see some of
ranks sixth for population (behind Pennsylvania) but ranks fifth the shifts we’d expect. Prior to the pan-
for GDP share. demic, California had two metros in the
top 10 for annual growth. The latest data
• California is still an economic powerhouse. Despite some shows none. Seattle was also in the top
high-profile corporate relocations from the state and some out- 10 but has been bumped off the list.
bound migration, California actually gained share as a percent Note, although some of California’s
of total U.S. GDP since 2018. Texas and Florida have also gained metropolitan areas have hit a rocky
share over the same period. patch in terms of growth (i.e., San Fran-
cisco and San Jose), the rest of the state
• New York and Illinois lost share. The declines correspond with still performed relatively well, with San
migration out of colder, slower-growth regions (Midwest, North- Diego, Sacramento, Los Angeles/Orange
east) toward the warmer and faster-growing economies of County, and Riverside all posting eco-
the Southeast. nomic gains. Thus, although San Jose

14 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
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 ECONOMICS
Florida came in the strongest,
with four metropolitan areas
in the top 10 in the United States.
and San Francisco have lost steam, the state still gained share
since 2018.
In the most recent data, Texas and Florida’s relative strength
is apparent. For example, Austin took the top spot, and Dallas
came in fifth. Florida, though, came in the strongest, with four
metropolitan areas in the top 10. This shows the shift of eco-
nomic activity to the Southeast that has happened over the last
several years.
EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS
(AND IT KEEPS GROWING)
Texas is benefiting from numerous strong drivers of economic
growth. The main one is strong domestic migration to the state
from more costly areas such as California. The population reloca-
tion is also driving businesses to the state. Since 2020, 139 firms
have relocated their headquarters to Texas, with 40% of these
firms originating in California. This is attributable to Texas’
pro-business climate, featuring in the top 10 (No. 6) of CNBC’s
latest best states for business rankings. Texas also has no corpo-
rate income tax or state individual income tax, which gives further
incentives for companies and people to relocate to the state.
Texas has traditionally been viewed as an affordable market
with relative bang for the buck for housing. However, as with other
growing areas, affordability has become an issue, especially in
high-demand and in-migration metropolitan areas like Austin
16 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24
and Dallas. The affordability crunch has
slowed the housing market, but the eco-
nomic impact of Texas can’t be denied.
FLORIDA’S APPEAL EXPANDS WELL
BEYOND RETIREES
Similar to Texas, Florida is seeing a popula-
tion boom. Florida has often been seen as a
retirement destination—and it still is— but,
increasingly, other factors are bringing res-
idents into the state. As with Texas, Florida
has seen large growth in companies relocat-
ing to the state, including the investment
firm Citadel founded by billionaire Ken
Griffin. Florida was also ranked in the top
10 (No. 8) by CNBC in its best states for
business rankings. Similar to Texas, there is
no state individual income tax.
Florida has also been a victim of its
own success as housing has become in-
creasingly unaffordable. Many top desti-
nations in Florida (Cape Coral, Tampa,
and Orlando) are some of the most unaf-
fordable in the nation.
SHRINKING METROS AND STATES
While select markets in the Southeast are
growing, some metros are losing steam.
Some of the largest losers in terms of GDP
for 2022 on a metropolitan level were Ba-
kersfield, California (-3.3%); Stockton,
California (-2.2%); and Tulsa, Oklahoma
(-2.2%). As we mentioned, California is
still a state economic power, but it has
been experiencing more uneven growth.
At the state level, the three states that
lost the most GDP share between 2018 and
2022 were Illinois (-0.3 percentage points),
Pennsylvania (-0.2 percentage points), and
New York (-0.2 percentage points).
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Many of the shifts are in response to the
pandemic and the change in where and
how people work. People have been willing
to relocate to areas with more space and a
relatively low cost of living.
As areas like Florida and Texas contin-
ue to grow, however, they will have to work
to maintain affordability while still at-
tracting residents. So far, many growing
states have been able to navigate afford-
ability challenges effectively, but further
Adobe Stock
economic and population gains will con-
tinue to bring tension between affordabil-
ity and growth. B
B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
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 TECHNOLOGY
Elevated Experience
Tri Pointe Homes unveils an app that provides
buyers with streamlined communication
from contract signing to closing.
b y V I N C E N T S A L A N D RO
T
ri pointe homes launched a proprietary customer ex-
perience and communication app across its markets in Janu-
ary. Touted as the first such platform launched by a national
home builder, the Tri Pointe Homes Homebuyer App aims to keep
buyers engaged through automated updates on the build process
and digital organization of documents and appointments.
The app, available to all buyers after signing a purchase con-
tract, is part of the builder’s efforts to streamline communication
with the buyer. Linda Mamet, chief marketing officer at Tri Pointe
Homes, spoke with BUILDER to discuss the origin of the app, the
functionality, and the potential impact of the new platform.
What gap did the company see that they felt the Tri Pointe Homes
Homebuyer App could address?
18 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24
We are constantly looking for ways to evolve
the customer journey and to stay ahead of
trends in consumer preferences. Knowing
that building a new home is complex, with
multiple touch points along the way, we
wanted to streamline the process. For in-
stance, our customers communicate with
multiple members of the Tri Pointe team
throughout their home buying journey. The
Tri Pointe Homes Homebuyer App simpli-
fies this by serving as a centralized hub and
“singular clearinghouse” for communica-
tion, progress updates, and scheduling. The
application capabilities ease the flow of
emails, phone calls, and texts, and provide
a valuable library of photos, needed docu-
mentation, and relevant guides that inform
and educate home buyers.
What is the value of having a customer
experience platform, and how does this
help set the company apart?
Today’s consumers rely on mobile applica-
tions for everything from banking and
shopping to scheduling and communica-
tion. Providing our customers with a user-
friendly and easily accessible platform to
stay up to date with their new home pur-
chase, which is one of the largest transac-
tions in life, is a huge benefit. With the Tri
Pointe Homes Homebuyer App, home
buyers can check build status and time-
lines as well as keep track of upcoming
appointments within an easy-to-use plat-
form. By its very nature, home building
generates hundreds of questions. Whether
those questions relate to scheduling, time-
lines, aesthetics, home financing, inspec-
tions, or progress, every question is
important to both the home buyer and the
builder. The Homebuyer App instantly
answers those questions. The user-friendly
platform provides a series of easily accessi-
ble guides and streamlined, direct commu-
nication with our team. Moreover, we saw
enthusiastic adoption of the app during the
early testing cycle. B
TRI POINTE HOMES
LEARN MORE
Visit builderonline.com for the full Q&A.
B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
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 DEVELOPMENT
Lakewood
Ranch
Mastering
the Plan
Learn more about which features
and trends are important to consider
when developing a master plan.
b y S Y MON E S T RON G
I
n addition to sharing the 10 top-selling
master plans of 2023 in a recent webinar, Zonda
principal Mollie Carmichael also provided 12
trends she is seeing within those top-performing
communities from coast to coast.
Ranging from popular features, such as water ele-
ments and work hubs, to overarching themes, such as
affordability and wellness, the following trends were
essential to driving more sales within the communi-
ties and creating value for the people who reside
there. Learn more about each below.
#1. Design Matters: According to Carmichael,
20 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24
interior layout and style is very important for homes
in master plans. Builder packages will help stream-
line sales and factors, including light, entertainment,
and indoor/outdoor living, should all be considered
when designing and implementing floor plans.
#2. Affordability: It’s no surprise that affordabil-
ity is a factor in today’s market. Carmichael says no-
tax states are attracting buyers, but low HOA fees,
right-sized/priced product, and buydowns will help in
other states. “Based on our research all over the coun-
try, buyers want rates under 5%,” she explains.
#3. Health and Wellness: Likely fueled from the
lingering effects of the pandemic, homeowners are
prioritizing their health and overall wellness, and
they want to see that displayed within their commu-
nities. “The fitness club has really replaced what we
called the old stuffy club,” says Carmichael.
#4. Work Hubs: Building off the fitness club, Car-
michael says a work component to the club is also
important with so many people working remotely. “I
think fitness and that work club experience really
became a much, much bigger deal than the old grand
club with a fireplace and lots of chairs.”
#5. Just Add Water: Whether it’s pools, ponds, or
lagoons, water features add something to a master
plan. “I would say in all cases just to add water if you
can,” states Carmichael. “You’re always going to get a
premium to actually be on water. It’s going to really
double your value, and things like crystal lagoons, it’s
such a breathtaking experience.”
#6. Giving Back: Solar and energy-efficient features
may be more expensive upfront, but “people are looking
to your pocketbooks to make up for rising interest rates,
higher cost of living, and inflation,” says Carmichael.
“Any time you can give back to the customer with things
like solar, energy consumption, is great.”
#7. Modal Variety: Carmichael says modal vari-
ety is such a big deal to her. “It allows your consumer,
their families, the people that are living within this
community just a lot more choices to get around with-
out jumping into or starting up a car.”
#8. Immersive Experiences: Activities like tradi-
tional golf have morphed into golf via simulators.
“We’re going to see so much of this happening, wheth-
er it’s retail or hotel experiences,” she says. “I think
you should be thinking about it as you’re designing
your master plans.”
Courtesy Lakewood Ranch
#9. Social Programming: On that note, “social
programming is going to continue to be big.” Car-
michael refers to these social offerings as club con-
nections and can include games, clubs, events, or
anything that can bring people together.
#10. Digital Playgrounds: When it comes to ame-
B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
 This community has a 300-acre
lake system, featuring an eventual
8-mile blueway.
The 25 Top-Selling Master Plans of 2023

Rank Master Plan State Rank Master Plan State

1 The Villages FL The No. 1 14 Cane Bay Plantation SC

master plan
2 Lakewood Ranch FL of 2023 has Santa Rita
15 TX
music and Ranch
3 Sunterra TX dancing
every day 16 Silverado TX
at 3 p.m.
4 Summerlin NV
17 Mirada Fl
5 Bridgeland TX
18 Ave Maria FL
6 Ontario Ranch CA
19 Baytown Crossings TX
7 Cadence NV
Summerlin 20 Tradition FL
8 Babcock Ranch FL has been
developing Great Park
for more 21 CA
9 Silverleaf FL Neighborhoods
than three
decades.
10 Wellen Park FL 22 Viera FL

11 Mission Ridge TX 23 Sienna TX

12 Marvida TX 24 Nocatee FL

13 Folsom Ranch CA 25 Inspirada NV

As of January 2024
Source: Zonda

The land of Wellen Great Park has designed a wildlife corridor

Park once was used that helps animals get from place to
for ranching and place without interruption.
growing citrus.

nities, also be thinking about the digital options. “We
had PokemonGo back in the day. Think about pro-
gramming your parks to one where kids who like gam-
ing go outside,” she says. “It can really be something
fun that you can update regularly.”
#11. In-Person Events: But, don’t forget to bal-
ance the digital with the in-person events. “I always
want to underscore there’s nothing that replaces
in-person experiences,” says Carmichael. “Having
those events in person, coming up with reasons to
engage, creating ambassadors within your communi-
ty to lead the future of those master plans, that never
goes away despite all the digital stuff.”
#12. Marketing Strategies: Last, but not least,
Carmichael states marketing plays a role in the suc-
cess of a master-planned community. “We’re looking
at how we talk to our customer so much differently
than we did in the past,” she says. “We’ll actually
come back with another webinar specific to this in the
next month or two.” B

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Q 1 2 0 24 ⚫ B U I L D E R 21
 TRENDS

What’s in Store for 2024?

Get a glimpse of 9 expert-curated, residential trends
that are poised to redefine living spaces this year.

b y S Y MON E S T RON G

A
fter analyzing 2024 single-
family design predictions—from
sources including the National Kitch-
en & Bath Association (NKBA), the Amer-
ican Society of Interior Designers, Houzz,
Taylor Morrison, and Ashton Woods—
BUILDER compiled a list of trends expect-
ed to transform homes this year.
The overall takeaway reflects a grow-
ing interest to slow down in today’s fast-
People are looking
for spaces for
amusement and
‘eatertainment,’
says the American
Society of
Interior Designers.
#1. Wellness Wins: A key theme from
both of NKBA’s 2024 bath and kitchen
trends reports was an increased home-
owner focus on wellness. In bathrooms,
designers are creating spa atmospheres
that support relaxation, with 78% report-
ing a focus on health and wellness as a
driving design influence. In kitchens,
designs are focused on nutrition and
healthy eating, with appliances including
RZ Interiors/Ryan Fung Photography

paced environment. Wellness and comfort more refrigeration space and integrated
are top of mind still, four years after a cooking functions.
pandemic shook the globe. Plus, home- #2. Outdoor Illusion: Homeowners
owners are also prioritizing outdoor con- are looking for more ways to connect with
nections and colors, minimalistic and the outdoors, whether that’s through win-
clutter-free spaces, and personalization. dow openings or natural materials. Houzz
Learn more about each of the trends and reports searches for bedroom window
insights below. seats, living room bay windows, and

22 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
 WHERE OUR LIFE’S
WORK CHANGES LIVES
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 TRENDS

78% of designers report a

focus on health and wellness
as a driving design influence
for bathrooms, according to
the NKBA.

and personalized approach to luxury.”

#6. Turn to Tech: More and more buy-
ers have started to adopt smart-home tech-
nologies beyond the standard voice
assistants. In the NKBA bathroom report,
32% identified integrated technology as the
biggest change in bath trends over the next
three years, with people enjoying heated
flooring controls, smart mirrors, and smart
toilets. Kitchens are also seeing increased
technology use with connected appliances,
smart lighting, and cleaning assistants.
#7. Personalized Spaces: While to-
day’s buyers definitely enjoy new spaces
and finishes, they also want to personalize
them to their liking, whether it be custom
molding, upcycled accents, or personal-
four-season rooms have all recently increased. Lee Crowder, Tay- ized settings. “Consumers are leaning into
lor Morrison national director of design and model experience, self-expression when decorating their
also says “it’s about choosing colors and materials that evoke the homes,” states Taylor Morrison.
essence of nature in every room.” #8. Entertainment-Focused Gather-
#3. Earthy Colors: Blue and green hues are trending for ing: Four years post-pandemic and peo-
2024. Several paint manufacturers highlighted blue shades as ple are enjoying gathering with friends
their colors of the year, and Houzz’s winter trends report says and family. They are looking for spaces
green is in demand. “We love bold, knockout colors like dark olive for amusement and “eatertainment,” says
greens and moody browns,” says the Ashton Woods team. the American Society of Interior Design-
“Earthy tones help create a comfortable, relaxed environment ers, including open kitchens and covered
with a genuine ‘easy living’ vibe.” outdoor patios. Houzz data reveals search
#4. Secret Storage: While savvy storage has been a top trend increases for “family room with TV over
for the past few years, designers are seeing an increase in secret fireplace,” “living room with built-in en-
or hidden spaces. NKBA reports more than 50% of their kitchen tertainment,” and “small home theater.”
survey respondents are looking for walk-in, butler, and built-in #9. Lots of Lighting: Last, people
pantries for more space and function. Houzz says homeowners want to live in the light. During the day,
are also gravitating toward “home interiors that combine whimsy they want big windows and doors that pro-
with functionality,” including the inclusion of trap doors, hidden vide as much natural light as possible and,
pantries, and speakeasy spaces. at night, various layered artificial lighting
#5. Quiet Luxury: Homeowners are embracing an emerging for different tasks. According to the
Rachel Loewen © Houzz

minimalistic décor style called “quiet luxury.” Taylor Morrison de- NKBA, designers will use multiple layers
signers define it as “the art of subtlety, combining textures, limited of lighting to support different functions.
prints, classic lighting, and natural materials to craft a cohesive yet Ashton Woods adds “under-cabinet ambi-
understated aesthetic.” The American Society of Interior Designers ent lighting creates a soothing, spa-like
also believes consumers are seeking the trend with “a more low-key environment in your home.” B

24 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
 BUILT FOR
WHAT’S NEXT
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 COMMUNITY CENTERS
The pedestrian and
pet-friendly community
includes walkways to each
front door with private
yards on the side.

26 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
 PROJECTS

Built
to Live

H
The 191 build-to-rent homes in aving designed more than 140
build-to-rent (BTR) communities
BB Living Harvest were designed throughout the country, national ar-

with community in mind. chitecture firm KTGY worked closely with

BTR developer BB Living and master plan
developer Hillwood Communities on a re-
cent project called BB Living Harvest.
Situated in the larger Harvest master
plan, which encompasses roughly 1,200
story by
acres in Argyle, Texas, BB Living Har-
S Y MON E S T RON G
vest adds the emerging BTR product to
p h o t o g ra p h y b y the community’s residential offerings.
M I X E D M E D I A C R E AT ION S , C OU RT E S Y K T GY Working on a 27.5-acre parcel within

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Q 1 2 0 24 ⚫ B U I L D E R 27
 PROJECTS

the master plan, the KTGY team shaped a

distinctive community of 191 BTR homes
in clusters of six to eight.
“When we started planning this, we
wanted to be interactive with the sur-
roundings but give it its own identity,” says
Chris Texter, principal and board member
at KTGY. “We went into a product type
where the garages are loaded off the al-
leys. So when you go into the community, Plan 1 First Floor Plan 1 Second Floor
you’re experiencing all the front doors and
front porches.”
The result has a green paseo reaching
every front door and greenbelts criss-
crossing the site, creating pedestrian
corridors off the street that lead to open
spaces with outdoor amenities such as
barbecue areas, basketball courts, play-
grounds, and a flex lawn.
In addition to the amenities situated
in BB Living Harvest, residents also en-
joy the perks of living within Harvest,
with access to orchards, trails, pools,
ponds, fitness centers, schools, and life-
style activities.
With the garages off the back of the
homes, the firm had to find a way to in-
corporate some sort of private outdoor
space for each home, a feature that many
renters crave.
“We did all the private yards to the
side of the house, and they butt up
against to the next house,” explains Tex-
ter. “This had significant influence on
our f loor plans. We want to have the
home live to one side and intentionally
have a blank side of the house that my
neighbor lives up against.”
The KTGY team designed several
two-story floor plans differing in size,
from plan one at 1,861 square feet with
three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths
to plan four at 2,440 square feet with four Site Plan

28 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
 OPEN FLOOR PLANS
On the first floor of each home, residents have a
combined kitchen, living, and dining room.

bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths.

Each includes a two-car garage, the pri-
vate side yard, and open-concept living
on the ground level.
Design wise, the detached homes
complement the master plan and region
and boast one of three different styles,
including Hill Country, Texana Farm-
house, and American Classic. Each style
is further enriched by three different
color schemes.
“I really feel like BTR communities are
not inferior in design,” concludes Texter.
“You can see the results, and I think it’s
turned out wonderful.” B

PROJECT DETAILS

Location
Argyle, Texas

Architect
KTGY

Developers
BB Living and Hillwood Communities

Site Size
SIDE YARDS
27.5 acres
With alley-loaded garages, the homes include a
private side yard for outdoor space.
Unit Plan Sizes
1,784 to 2,438 square feet

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Q 1 2 0 24 ⚫ B U I L D E R 29
 Seasonal
Demographics, pent-up demand,
and cycle time normalization have
builders feeling good about the
2024 spring selling season.

by VINCENT SALANDRO

illustrations by TR ACI DABERKO

Each year in the post-COVID hous-

ing market has presented unique
challenges and market dynamics for
home builders, with the develop-
ments in 2023 no exception.

While resale inventory was limited with homeowners

unwilling to give up their below-market mortgage rates,
the new-home market captured market share as build-
ers found success offering rate buydowns to incentivize
buyers. The previous calendar year also saw mortgage
rates climb above 8% in the second half of the year, be-
fore steadily falling in November and December.
“2023 in general for our industry was an adjust-
ment year. When you look at 2023 and the way that
not just the consumer had to adjust, but builders and
[the] housing [market] in general had to adjust with
interest rates going from 3% to almost 8%. It was so
dramatic and drastic that there was a shock factor that
took place,” says Amy Rino, chief customer officer at
Taylor Morrison. “I feel like 2023 was a year that pre-
pared us in all positive ways for 2024. Whether it’s a
seller’s market or a buyer’s market, it’s how [builders]
respond to the customer.”

30 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24
Optimism
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SPRI NG SELL I NG
EDUCATION EMPHASIS
“Consumers are desperate for
competent experts to support
them—especially as their
uncertainty has increased due
to affordability challenges. They
don’t need help clarifying why
they may want to move or what
they are looking for. What they
need is an expert who can help
them justify what they want to
do and give them permission
to move forward. If your sales
team is continuing to outsource
100% of the financial part of the
process to others, they are voiding
their influence on the biggest
factor the consumer is struggling
with. Give your sales team the
knowledge to lead the process
through the tough challenges
instead of going around the
challenge by passing them off too
soon to your mortgage partners.”
—Kevin Oakley, managing
partner, Do You Convert
Give your
sales
team the
knowledge
to lead.
ST R ATEGI ES
FOLLOW-UP GOALS
“I spoke with a builder from Texas
whose average time frame from
first appointment to contract had
elongated to over 120 days over
the past year. That means more
follow-up emails, texts, and calls
to continue the conversation are
necessary. The unfortunate truth
is that traditional sales teams
still—by and large—do not follow
up after more than two weeks of
unresponsiveness from prospects.
‘If they were truly interested in
buying from me, they wouldn’t
be ghosting me!’ is a common
muttering by confused sales
professionals. Know what your
average lag time is from lead to
sale or appointment to sale in
order to give your sales team the
follow-up goal to aim for what
your customers need.” —Oakley
BACK TO THE BASICS
“Focus on the basics again. Over
the past several years, sales have
come easy, people have literally
thrown money at our sales teams
to get a home. Our muscles have
atrophied on the sales process,
specifically financing and closing
strategies. Sales are coming
down to who can show the buyer
how rate buydowns can greatly
impact their affordability picture,
then use that same tool to close
the deal.” —Matt Riley, owner
and partner, New Home Inc.
Several builders, including Tay-
lor Morrison, Drees Homes, Tri
Pointe Homes, Fischer Homes,
CBH Homes, Meritage Homes,
and Lennar, share positive out-
looks for the upcoming spring sell-
ing season, noting underlying
demographic trends, overall eco-
nomic conditions, and a normal-
ization of market factors at the end
of 2023. In addition to a normal-
ization of interest rates, produc-
tion schedules and supply chain
conditions continue to improve.
“We are cautiously optimistic
[for 2024],” says Tim McMahon,
CEO of Fischer Homes. “We saw
a ramp-up in activity in Decem-
ber that was beyond our expecta-
tions and well above the prior
year, and we believe that momen-
tum will carry forward into the
spring selling season.”
McMahon says 2024’s spring
selling season could mark the re-
turn of the “typical seasonality”
experienced in pre-COVID years.
He adds the probability of Feder-
al Reserve rate cuts occurring in
the back half of 2024 could pro-
vide a longer runway for a favor-
able selling environment into the
summer and fall.
Kevin Oakley, managing part-
ner at Do You Convert, an online
sales and marketing partner for
builders, says he anticipates a “vi-
olently good” spring selling season
in regard to clearing out inventory
that is complete or nearly complete
and a “better than expected” sea-
son for presale activity.
“We expect spring sales to be
strong; however, not as robust as
the boom we experienced during
the pandemic years,” says Dan
Jones, executive vice president of
home building operations at
Drees Homes. “Rather, we expect
new-home sales more in line with
last spring, which were surpris-
ingly good. Additionally, we envi-
sion the market stabilizing with
less volatility across mortgage
rates and home pricing.”
B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
 64%
Demographic trends are driving builder optimism indepen- INCREASE OF Preparing for the 2024
dent of potential movement in mortgage rates. Marla Telfair,
MILLENNIALS Spring Selling Season
corporate director of sales for Drees Homes, says the house- With expectations of a busy spring
hold formation from millennials and Gen Zers in family-
BUYING HOMES selling season—and one that could
building years will likely drive demand in 2024. With resale IN THE PAST see the rapid turnover of complet-
supply still limited due to the lock-in effect, new homes remain FIVE YEARS, ed inventory—builders share that
an attractive option for this cohort of prospective buyers. ACCORDING aligning starts and inventory was
“The majority of millennials have transitioned from renters to TO TRI of paramount importance in the
homeowners, [Tri Pointe data indicates] a 64% increase in millen- fourth quarter of 2023.
POINTE HOMES
nials buying homes in the past five years,” says Tri Pointe Homes “CBH has hit the gas pedal,
CEO Doug Bauer. “Millennials represent 62% of our home buyers. pushing for more starts and more
Right behind them is the Gen Z buyer. They are buying homes at spec inventory,” says Corey Bar-
a younger age; when you look at Tri Pointe, two-thirds of our pro- ton, president and owner of CBH
file is Gen Z and millennials. [Due to these trends], we’re pretty Homes. “Plus, [the company is]
optimistic going into 2024.” looking to hire 25 people in the
Rino says the increase in individuals entering the 55-plus age new year for positions across all
bracket is a positive trend for builders who offer active-adult areas of the company to help us
product. These buyers are typically less rate sensitive and are still hit those inventory goals. CBH is
encountering life events that influence moving decisions.
“Millennials and baby boomers are still collectively having life
events that create need-based housing demand,” says Phillippe
Lord, CEO of Meritage Homes. “We have seen interest and mort- An exterior shot of Drees
gage rates moderate over the last two months already, and the gen- Homes’ Brynlee II F model floor
Drees Homes

eral market expectation is for rates to either hold steady or move plan, available in the builder’s
down as the economy stabilizes, which will continue to give people communities in Conroe, Manvel,
confidence to buy a home in 2024.” Pinehurst, and Porter, Texas.

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Q 1 2 0 24 ⚫ B U I L D E R 35
excited to be able to release 10
new-home communities in the
first half [of 2024]. We’ ll be
pumping the inventory into these
new communities with new up-
dated products designed by our
professional designers.”
Jones says Drees Homes focus-
es on even-flow starts to the field,
and, with slower sales in the
fourth quarter, the builder has
been able to replenish its market
home inventory, “which has been
carefully curated by our design
consultants to deliver style and
the best value for our customers.”
McMahon says Fischer Homes
continues to prioritize contract-to-
build homes over spec homes, fo-
cusing on expanding its portfolio
to include more affordable prod-
uct offerings while also reinvest-
ing in new plans at the higher end

of the market.
“At the same time, we are put-
ting some additional quick move-in
inventory homes in place for 2024,”
McMahon says. “One of our most
critical success factors in 2023 that
carries forward into 2024 is open-
ing new communities with success
and ensuring that we are focused
on achieving this goal between de-
velopers, our home building opera-
tions, and municipalities.”
For Tri Pointe Homes, Bauer
says the company has remained
focused on having a 65–35 split
of spec homes to to-be-built
homes while also doubling down
on sales training.
“I think training and the funda-
mentals of training are important
to your success. We [also] make
sure that our teams have all the
tools to sell successfully, from digi-
tal tools that customers shop for on
our website to design tools to mort-
gage financing tools,” he adds.
2%
Reasons for Optimism, Concern
Builder optimism for the new-home market in 2024 is mirrored PROJECTED
by positive outlooks for the sector from industry economists. The INCREASE
new-home market is expected to continue to benefit from limited IN HOUSING
resale inventory due to mortgage rates throughout the year.
STARTS BY
NAHB chief economist Rob Dietz says the organization projects
housing starts to increase between 3% and 4% in 2024 and antici-
ZONDA CHIEF
pates new-home sales will also experience positive growth in 2024. ECONOMIST
At Zonda, chief economist Ali Wolf projects starts will in- ALI WOLF
crease by 2% compared with the previous year and believes that
the “tale of two housing markets” for new and existing homes
will continue throughout the calendar year. With affordability
still top of mind for a majority of buyers, she notes that rate
buydowns and other financial incentives will remain a compet-
itive advantage for builders.
“Home buyer demand is met with limited inventory in the mar-
ket due to the chronic shortage of existing-home listings, as current
homeowners are wary of leaving their below-market mortgages,”
Lord says. “Given the tight resale conditions, while the quality and
location of the home are always critical to a home buying decision,
today the quick move-in timelines and affordability of a home from
a monthly payment perspective are equally as important.”
Consumers are responding to lower rates with a more posi-
tive outlook for home buying conditions, but they still have
largely pessimistic views toward the housing market. According
to Fannie Mae’s most recent December Home Purchase Senti-
Tri Pointe Homes

ment Index, the share of consumers who say it is a good time to

Tri Pointe Homes has four townhome buy a home increased to 17%, while the percentage who say it
floor plan options available for sale at is a bad time to buy a home stood at 83%. However, a combined
the Vertex community in Las Vegas. 67% of respondents share expectations that mortgage rates

36 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24
 ST R AT EGI ES

SPRING SELL I NG
GET UNCOMFORTABLE
“Be comfortable asking uncom-
fortable questions. This revolves
around asking the buyer about
their finances. The salesperson
or team who can answer their
questions and show the buyer they
are the expert will win more sales
than those who cannot.” —Riley
would either decrease or remain the same over the next 12
months, a more optimistic outlook than shared with Fannie
Mae in recent months. FEAR NO MORE
“Home buying sentiment continues to hover at historic lows.
Buyers are receiving negative input from friends, from co-workers, “Reduce or eliminate fear … of
from Uncle Ernie who purchased in 2007 and sold in 2011 at a the salesperson. Buyers carry a
huge loss, even from Realtors,” says Jeff Shore, founder and presi- great many fears in the purchase
dent of Shore Consulting. process (fear of the market, of
Rates, high prices, and general affordability concerns contin- missing out, of making a bad
ue to drive consumer hesitation toward the housing market. Bauer decision, etc.). Fear of salespeo-
says that while mortgage rates don’t “establish demand,” they ple stems from past experienc-
impact pricing, payment, and psyche. es, stories, myths, and media
“Buying a house is such a psychological event. You’ve got to portrayals. Sales professionals
have the right psyche, and interest rates can play with that psy- will need to double down on their
che,” says Bauer. people skills in order to earn the
Shore says the onus is on sales professionals to re-instill con- trust of an increasingly skeptical
fidence in buyers, communicating why purchasing in the current buyer.” —Jeff Shore, founder and
market is a good idea. While mortgage rates may come down president, Shore Consulting
further in 2024, the lack of supply and expected increase in de-
mand could push prices higher, negatively contributing to afford-
ability, already a chief concern for a majority of buyers.

Be comfortable
Land and access to capital is also a concern for builders head-
ing into the spring selling season. Dietz says the NAHB still is
seeing lingering issues related to land developer loans and lot
availability, while Bauer says difficulties in the capital markets asking
benefit public builders at the expense of smaller private builders.
Barton notes land prices are a concern for CBH Homes, having uncomfortable
increased recently in the builder’s home markets in Idaho due to
the rise of national builders in the state.
questions.
Bauer and McMahon also note headlines from geopolitical

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R 37
 STR AT EGIES
SPRI NG SELL I NG
VALUE PROPOSITION
“Focusing marketing strategies
to highlight features that reso-
nate with home buyers’ needs
and budgets is essential. Empha-
size the value of a new home by
showcasing energy-efficiency
and long-term cost savings. You
must show buyers as much as
possible on your website with
online tours, 3D renderings, and
interactive tools.” —Carol Morgan,
president, Denim Marketing
OMNICHANNEL SYMPHONY
“Marketing shouldn’t be done in a
silo; use an omnichannel approach
that includes social media, target-
ed and retargeted ads, email mar-
keting, blogging, SEO, listing ser-
vices, and campaigns.” —Morgan
DIFFERENTIATION
“[Most video] is literal and not
very interesting. It is just an-
other builder talking about rate
buydowns. I think people need
to put more thought and money
into the creative so that they
do stand out. There is so much
focus on interest rates that
those messages all sound alike.”
—Dave Miles, president and
brand strategist, Milesbrand
38 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24
events as well as the 2024 national election could impact buyer
psyche throughout the year.
“Geopolitical events remain a major concern. Financial mar-
kets and—to some extent—customers like certainty, and there is
uncertainty in the upcoming election cycle,” says McMahon.
Incentives, Rate Buydowns, and the Resale Market
Builders have experienced a significant increase in market share
in part due to the significantly constrained supply in the resale
market. Estimates from NAHB and Zonda indicate that the new-
home market increased share to nearly 30% from historical levels
between 10% and 15%. However, with mortgage rates projected
to decrease, there is a possibility that the resale market could cap-
ture back share from home builders.
During Lennar’s most recent earnings call, executive chair-
man and co-CEO Stuart Miller said the tick down in rates could
benefit both the resale and new-home market in 2024.
“What has been missing from the market is the traditional
resale buyer looking for that move-up home, and, decidedly, the
first-time market has been very thirsty for new-home product
because the traditional resale product simply hasn’t been avail-
able," Miller said to investors. "So, I suspect if the existing-home
market is activated as interest rates do trend down, that it will
result in both additional supply for the first-time buyer and addi-
tional demand for the move-up buyer.”
Builder responses to changing preferences, including small-
er home sizes, increased design flexibility, and more quick
move-in homes, have positioned the new-home market to meet
buyer demand through the spring selling season.
“The one thing I would say is consistently the same [among buy-
er preferences] is flexibility. It doesn’t matter if it’s a first-time home
buyer or an active lifestyle buyer,” Rino says. “Having the ability to
work from home is important; I would say making every bit of space
in the home usable matters to the customer, and using it in a way
that is best for their lifestyle is definitely something that [is import-
ant] for customers.”
Bauer says home builders’ ability to offer financial tools not
available in the resale market remains a competitive advantage that
is driving optimism, even with the possibility of a reactivation of the
resale market.
“We’re going into the spring selling season having the financ-
ing tools that aren’t readily available in the resale market, which
provides an enormous opportunity for builders to gain market
share,” Bauer says. “I don’t think [incentives and rate buydowns]
are going to differ much [compared with 2023]. We use forward
commitments, a range of pricing incentives including closing cost
credits, and [rate buydowns]. I believe those tools will be the same
tools used in 2024.”
CBH Homes and Taylor Morrison say interest rates will dictate
the role buydown incentives play in 2024, though using financing
as a sales tool will remain a priority.
At Meritage, Lord says as mortgage rates have retreated, cus-
tomers are selecting the incentive—either rate buydowns, lot
premiums, closing costs, option upgrades, or price concessions—
that best fits their needs.
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 Create an
emotional
connection by
showing the
lifestyle.

disruption than we saw in previ-

ous years.”
Fischer Homes and Drees
Homes are working on initiatives
to enhance the digital home buy-
ing experience.
Drees Homes is launching a
new website with content created
with the digital sales experience in
mind and is working to integrate
3D touring into its customer por-
THE TICK tal in each of its markets.
DOWN IN “Due to affordability concerns, incentives and rate buydowns Fischer Homes is focused on
RATES COULD will still be warranted in 2024, much like 2023,” Telfair says of differentiating itself from both re-
BENEFIT BOTH Drees Homes’ strategy. “These options have motivated prospec- sale and new-home competitors
THE RESALE tive buyers to move forward in turbulent times and have allowed with creative marketing content,
us to drive traffic as well as maintain sales momentum. Further, including photos, videos, blogs, 3D
AND NEW-
we feel pricing correctly from the beginning is crucial and will tours, and interactive floor plans.
HOME MARKET negate having to do price cuts later down the road. The plan is to “We realize that a customer’s
IN 2024 price to market and sell homes without having to recreate the first interaction with us almost
wheel halfway through communities.” always begins digitally,” McMa-
hon says. “We continue expand-
Builders Expand Their Digital Efforts ing our digital presence to reach
Technology and digital tools are more important to prospective our buyers in all our markets and
buyers than ever in the post-COVID years. Taylor Morrison has the ones we see relocation buyers
leaned into online sales, and Rino stresses the importance of coming from.”
offering options for all types of buyers—those who want limited Above all else, though, Rino
face-to-face communication in the buying process and those who stresses that despite focus on in-
want limited digital communication. centives, design flexibility, and
“Many times, when our customers start with our online marketing tools, the home buying
tools, they end up speaking with an online sales manager, and process ultimately boils down to a
that online sales manager relays the customer to a model home transaction between people.
in a specific community,” Rino says. “I find that the process is “I am focused on our people
more seamless. We are able to deliver a better experience to the taking the time with every single
customer because they have been educated so much from all of customer, listening, providing
our tools prior to speaking with a live person that we are able to them with solutions to their
get them into a home of their choice quicker and with a lot less needs,” Rino says. “Making sure
they are trained and able to use
finance as a sales tool [and also]
Greg Grupenhof

technology tools. Being educated

The Bedford floor plan with Drees Homes, which includes a so they can help educate the con-
covered patio option, is available at the builder's communities sumer to make the best decision
in Union and Hebron, Kentucky, as well as Mason, Ohio. for them. It is about people.” B

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
Featuring Trex Signature decking in Ocracoke and Signature Aluminum Railing with Stainless Steel Mesh Infill.
The 2024 Virtual Concept Home
by Livabl, is an innovative collaboration
from leading industry minds.

The home was designed with flexibility at the core and

aptly dubbed “the home that grows with you.” Akin to a
choose-your-own-adventure-story, the Virtual Concept
Home allows home shoppers to personalize their nest
with a variety of choices in layout and design.

Through advanced virtual solutions from Livabl, shoppers

can fully immerse themselves in a 3D walkthrough of the
home to experience all the options available to them,
making this not a home of the future, but a home for
today’s buyer.

“Typically, a ‘concept’ home includes options that Thank you to our sponsors
are not realistic for the general homeowner. Not yet
available, or not affordable.” said John Marchionda,
Title Sponsor
Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience
for JELD-WEN® Windows & Doors, the title sponsor of
the Virtual Concept Home.

“Making this year’s concept home virtual allows

builders and manufacturers like us to develop a range Founding Sponsors
of solutions to meet the needs of a broad assortment of
homeowners.”

Stop by Zonda’s booth, W3043, at the International

Builders Show to hear from the minds behind the
Concept Home. A panel of experts will discuss the
creative process and walk you through the home on
Wednesday, February 28th at 10:30 a.m.

Learn more and take a virtual tour anytime at

2024concepthome.com
The 2024 Virtual Concept Home by Livabl is full of innovations for
helping home buyers live their best lives — in a home designed to
be flexible and attainable.

JELD-WEN® Windows & Doors, the title sponsor for the 2024 Virtual
Concept Home by Livabl, has seen first-hand how the building industry
has shifted to meet the needs of homeowners in the last few years.

We spoke to John Marchionda, JELD-WEN’s Vice President of Marketing

and Customer Experience, about JELD-WEN’s involvement in the project.

— By Erin Nicks

Why did JELD-WEN want to be involved with the Virtual
Concept Home by Livabl? Sustainability and energy efficiency are
priority areas for us as we evolve our windows and doors, and we know
homeowners and builders are paying attention to these areas when it comes
to choosing products.
Typically, a “concept” home includes options that are not realistic for the
general homeowner. Not yet available, or not affordable. Making this year’s
concept home virtual allows builders and manufacturers like us to develop a
range of solutions to meet the needs of a broad assortment of homeowners.
We get to ideate and, thanks to the technology, try different options while
still in development phase.
Can you tell us a bit about your early involvement with the
project? JELD-WEN was one of the first manufacturers to jump on board
with the Virtual Concept Home. We went out to California for the initial
kickoff meeting to understand consumer trends, consumer behaviors, what
“home” means to today’s buyers, and the fact that a lot of people are working
from home now. For me, a key theme that came out of this workshop was the
functionality and flexibility of the living space.
So, we were able to think through the needs of the homeowner, to place
our products where they would have the most impact and deliver the most
benefit within the virtual home.
What are some of the products that JELD-WEN will be
contributing to the Virtual Concept Home? We will be providing
the interior doors, entry doors, patio doors, and all the windows throughout
the home. The windows are our Auraline True Composite windows, which
we recently launched. The composite material is made from recycled
wood fiber. It’s more durable than vinyl. And the finished windows look like
contemporary wood windows. They’re also energy efficient. Auraline’s a
fantastic product for us.
We included three of our LaCantina multi slide patio door systems. They
literally bring indoor and outdoor living spaces together into one completely
open space. Then, on the interior, we have a few designs from our MODA®
Collection of interior doors.
At the entry of the home, we selected a unique design from our IWP®
Aurora® fiberglass door line finished with our black metallic Foundry™
finish to look like a steel door. So, it looks like metal, but it won’t absorb
temperature changes the way metal does.
Where is JELD-WEN headed in the future? We will continue to
be an active participant and an innovator in the building products industry,
providing windows and doors that are anchored in energy efficiency and
sustainability.

Learn more about JELD-WEN at jeld-wen.com

For more information on the 2024 Virtual Concept Home

by Livabl, visit 2024concepthome.com
The 2024 Virtual Concept Home by Livabl
is about creating the best life for a homebuyer
and making it attainable today.
As a founding sponsor of the Concept Home, the Propane Energy and
Research Council (PERC) has offered a multitude of options for propane
use around the project.
We spoke with Bryan Cordill, the director of residential business development,
about PERC’s involvement with this innovative project.
— By Erin Nicks
Please tell us a bit about PERC and why it’s important to
today’s homeowners. PERC is a government checkoff program that was
created by congress with the intent of handling research, development,
safety, education, and training. The Concept Home would be part of our
consumer education.
How has the use of propane changed over the years for
homeowners? Traditionally, it was hard. In the early days, it was rural and
only really tied to agriculture and larger family homes that were away from
the city center. Currently, we see a lot of opportunity to expand as the cost
of natural gas has increased, and as the availability of buildable lots in that
natural gas footprint have decreased. A lot of more traditional neighborhoods
with subdivision developments now go in with a full propane system.
Why did PERC want to get involved with a project like the
Livabl Concept Home? We really want to educate about the efficiency
of what we call a dual fuel home. That’s a home powered by electricity and
propane. You have electricity, or even on-site solar to provide the power
for the LED lighting and ventilation, and maybe even the heat pump on the
primary side. But then when you need additional energy-dense solutions,
like water heating, or backup to the heat pump when it’s colder and the
efficiencies fall off, then you can combine that with high-efficiency propane.
How will propane be used in the Virtual Concept Home?
So much of this concept home is geared around that outdoor living space,
the fireplaces, and the patio. Those are the places that regardless of where
To learn more about PERC, go to propane.com
For more information on the 2024 Virtual Concept Home
by Livabl, visit 2024concepthome.com
we build the home, if you were to build this house, you would see propane
used in the home. Secondarily, depending on states, codes and building
desires, we would see the likelihood of a tankless water heater in the home
because of the space savings, the cost of construction savings, and the
endless hot water for the consumer once they move into the house.
How do non-profits like PERC feel about projects such as the
Virtual Concept Home? This is the first one, and so it’s a new era for us.
This gives us the flexibility to show this home in different parts of the country
and different climate zones. When we’re building a site-built home, it’s only
done one time. We get to tell that story once, in one location. We think that
the concept home and the virtual aspect of this really gives us an opportunity
to tell our story more efficiently.
Where is propane headed in the future, particularly regarding
sustainability? We think we’ll continue to see an increase of users of
propane as we see more homebuyers that have left the urban environment,
even in this period of higher interest rates and a little bit of a slowdown in the
housing market.
The markets that people have been attracted to post-COVID are remaining
as the hot markets and so we continue to see propane being used in new
construction. We also see the evolution in the remodel space, as the people
that don‘t have to move are deciding to spend a little more on their existing
house, that transition to the highest efficiency tankless water heaters and
condensing furnaces. Those products really strengthen our position.
The 2024 Virtual Concept Home by Livabl
is an unprecedented collaboration created by Zonda and
includes many of the biggest names in architecture, design,
and material for new homes.

TREX is a founding sponsor for the 2024 Virtual Concept Home by Livabl.
We spoke to Leslie Adkins, the vice president of marketing for TREX, about the
company’s involvement with the project.

— By Erin Nicks

Please tell us a little about TREX and what makes it an
excellent choice for homeowners. TREX is the company that created
composite decking. TREX is made from 95% recycled or reclaimed products.
It’s not new for us; we’re not just getting on the green bandwagon. We are
one of the largest plastic film recyclers in North America. We do our part.
Today, TREX is far more than just decking. We have decking, railing, and
outdoor lighting — we have anything happening in your backyard for
outdoor living.
Then there’s also the railings. We’re offering signature railing on the top,
which is our aluminum railing, and that‘s much more on trend with design,
rather than big chunky posts and big chunky balusters and rail. This is like
thinner aluminum rails with more sightlines.
We‘re offering two different approaches on the infield, which is what goes
between two posts. First, we‘re offering our broad rail, our cable rail solution.
The cable rail has a cool look, but all of the maintenance can be challenging
over time because it starts sagging, and you have to tighten it up again.

Are there other ways TREX has changed over the years? It has
become more realistic, and many more colors are now available. We have
furniture and spiral staircases. So, we’re trying to think about anything a
homeowner needs or wants within their outdoor living space. Filling in that
lifestyle and making it eco-friendly and low maintenance.
Which products does TREX include in the Virtual Concept
Home and why? We are highlighting our Transcend Lineage decking, one
of our newest introductions. Transcend was always our benchmark line, but
the Lineage program has many more on-trend design colors and a much
more refined aesthetic. It looks much more realistic than we were making
five years ago.
We never think of aesthetics without considering performance. For example,
this board is a result of climate change. Summers are hotter than ever, and
more people are creating outdoor spaces. We hear a lot about how hot
decking can get; this board has heat mitigation technology. So, if you put it
next to our regular Transcend board, it will be cooler.
We came out with a product we call rod rail, and it‘s horizontal aluminum
that mimics the look of cable rail, but it’s much more durable.
We’re also offering some glass panels, so it’s aluminum posts with glass
panels in between to open up your sight line because nowadays people are
so focused on the outdoors and creating these outdoor spaces that live like
rooms. We feel it‘s important to be able to see. If you‘ve got a great view, you
want to be able to see through your railing.
What does the future hold for TREX and its continued interest
in sustainable products? We’ll soon be launching on a regional basis
to some select markets what we think is possibly the next iteration of wood
composite decking.
And it’s again thriving both for that aesthetic and performance. So, we’ll be
pushing that envelope of how realistic we can get the look and feel because
everyone craves the look and feel of wood.

To learn more about TREX, visit trex.com

For more information on the 2024 Virtual Concept Home

by Livabl, visit 2024concepthome.com
The 2024 Concept Home by Livabl
lets potential homeowners experience a flexible home filled
with a variety of touches to personalize.

Schneider Electric is a founding sponsor of the 2024 Virtual Concept

Home by Livabl. We spoke to Bradford Wills, Schneider Electric’s director
of strategic customers and programs, home and distribution, about its
participation in the project.

— By Erin Nicks

What does Schneider Electric provide to homeowners, and
what makes it unique? Schneider Electric is the worldwide leader
in electrical distribution and control. Historically, what we are and will
continue to be, is the base fundamental safe use of electricity, whether it’s
residentially, commercially, or industrially. Approximately 80% of all the
electrons in the United States flow through a piece of Schneider equipment.
So, that’s paramount. As we evolve, it’s about getting to the next level and
continuing to help you use it safely and more efficiently.
Which products is Schneider Electric including in the Virtual
Concept Home and why? Our smart panel that allows you to use
electricity safely and to see when and where you’re using that energy. You
can also see abnormal uses of that energy. We also have smart devices.
For example, certain things like your HVAC unit and water heater make
perfect sense to control and monitor the panel because the breaker is only
connected to that one thing. Other products with other circuits have multiple
items plugged into them.

As the energy platform becomes more complex, people are moving away
from having an electric utility to having solar, batteries, or a generator. Then
the complexity of that demand requires further safety and increased digital
capability to be easily managed. In short, what Schneider is doing in every
segment is helping the customer use that energy more efficiently to be more
sustainable and resilient. And now that’s coming to the residential space.
Why did Schneider Electric want to participate in the Concept
Home? Historically in the residential space, we’re that gray box in the
garage that everyone walks by and never really thinks about. So, the
challenge is to say, “This is now a connected ecosystem of the home and
needs to be viewed digitally.”
The Concept Home is the perfect format for us to help consumers make that
transition in their minds to say, “Hey, my electrical distribution system, fuse
box, circuit breaker box, and my outlets and switches are part of a digital
electrical distribution control solution for my home that I need to interact with
and automate.”
So now we can take the monitoring control down to the plug level so you
can see what‘s happening. But also, we have our complete Schneider Home
Solution, which now includes the inverter, the battery, and the EV charger, so
that the entire ecosystem will be one platform.
How does Schneider Electric benefit from projects like the
Concept Home? Projects like these bring forward the digital part of the
solution. We always get hung up on the physical aspects of a product. This
is going to force more of that digital element. It’s become a revelation for
folks to say, “This makes perfect sense. I‘ve had this in my car forever. Why
don‘t I have it in my house?” You get in a car, and your dashboard shows you
everything happening. The vehicle reaches to tell you what‘s happening in
the car. Why don‘t you have that for your house? This is going to bring that
forward. Finally, there’s the breadth of people that a project like this can
reach remotely. So, it really is a great opportunity for us.

To learn more about Schneider Electric, visit se.com

For more information on the 2024 Virtual Concept Home

by Livabl, visit 2024concepthome.com
 20

GUIDE
24
PRODUCT
Building product
manufacturers
continue to
raise the bar
to provide
flexibility,
efficiency, and
modern features
SYSTEMS
for everyday page 60
living. This guide
showcases 29 INTERIORS
compiled page 62
by products across
BUILDER
Illustrations by Paulina Sara Design/Creative Market

five categories
STAFF KITCHENS & BATHS
that you can page 48
find at the
International WINDOWS & DOORS
page 51
Builders’ Show
Feb. 27-29 in EXTERIORS & STRUCTURAL MORE ONLINE
Las Vegas. page 56 builderonline.com

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R 47
KITCHENS & BATHS
NOBILIA
nobiliakitchenfurniture.com
The new NOVALUX high-gloss lacquer kitchen furniture in Alpine
white from nobilia creates sleek and clean lines for minimalist
design. NOVALUX offers a distinctively thin edge radius of less
than 1 inch, adding a touch of finesse and sophistication to
kitchens. Also available in satin gray high gloss.
KOHLER
kohler.com
The Anthem+ Digital Control
and System creates a multi-
sensory experience for water,
light, sound, and steam.
Anthem+ is an integrated
system with one digital
control interface, which
can operate up to 12 water
outlets. Available in polished
chrome, vibrant polished
nickel, vibrant brushed nickel,
matte black, and vibrant
brushed moderne brass.
48 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24
EXPERT ADVICE
JENNAIR
jennair.com
The JennAir 30-Inch Column
Refrigerator’s quiet cool
is controlled by precise
calibration from three sensors.
The revolutionary built-in
SlimTech Insulation Technology
delivers benefits such as up to
25% more capacity inside, up
to 50% more energy-efficient,
and up to 30% faster cooling,
all while delivering even
quieter refrigeration to not
disrupt life at home.
The kitchen is a hub for functionality
but also creativity. To find out about
this year’s kitchen trends, BUILDER
asked Pamela McNally, senior vice
president of marketing and digital
at the National Kitchen & Bath
Association (NKBA), for her thoughts.
She says, “People are in their homes
more, using the space every day,
and are looking to make it fit for their
unique lifestyle. This is especially
true of the kitchen. According
to NKBA’s 2024 Kitchen Trends
report, the kitchen now has to be a
flex space, with not only the right
design but also the right materials,
products, and lighting.”
In addition to flexibility, McNally
says bringing the outside in is a
trend where larger windows are used
for more natural light, which can
be a compromise for fewer upper
cabinets. She says homeowners are
finding alternative storage space like
pantries, deeper lower drawers, and
floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. However,
the dominant lowers are beneficial
for “aging in place,” she notes.
The third trend in kitchens for 2024?
McNally shares, “The importance
of wellness in our everyday lives is
fueling a healthier way to eat, so
improved (and more) refrigeration
and storage to help keep food
fresher longer.”
 WHAT WEÕRE SEEING: Flexible, efficient, and minimalist

TOTO QUICKDRAIN
totousa.com lrbrands.com

The new WASHLET S7 and Built into the wall, the

S7A bidet seats from TOTO QuickDrain WallDrain linear
offer increased seating space, shower drain offers a totally
seamless construction for concealed and chic look.
easier cleaning, ergonomic The all-in-one WallDrain Kit
design to support ideal posture includes everything needed in
for elimination, individual curbed and curbless showers.
customizable settings for up to Its wall-to-wall coverage
four people, and an upgraded promotes effective drainage
remote control. The WASHLET and eliminates the need for
primes and cleans the toilet a centered drain outlet. A
bowl and cleansing wand with series of magnets allow for
electrolyzed EWATER+ before simple drain cover removal
and after use. and reattachment.

B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M 2024 PRODUCT GUIDE Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R 49

KITCHENS & BATHS

FORZA
forzacucina.com

The unique 48-Inch Pro-

fessional Induction Range
features a continuous piece
of ceramic glass with seven
different induction zones and
includes the ability to create
the “Infinito” zone that is made
up of a combination of two
induction zones to create one
ultra powerful heating element.
The single-cavity oven has a
40-inch opening; can heat from
0 to 400 degrees in just
eight minutes; and includes
the Massimo RED broiler
and MaxRotisserie.

SAMSUNG MOEN
samsung.com moen.com

The 2024 Bespoke 4-Door The new Tenon kitchen faucet

Flex Refrigerator with AI Family
Hub+ boasts AI Vision Inside,
a smart internal camera that
recognizes items being placed
in and out of the refrigerator.
Its Vision AI technology can
identify up to 33 different fresh
food items. With the food list
that is available and editable on
the Family Hub+ 32-inch LCD
screen, users can manually add
expiration dates for items, and
the refrigerator sends
out alerts for items before
reaching that date.
collection was influenced by
the Japandi style, combining
Scandinavian design with
Japanese textures and natural
elements to create a soft,
modern flair. The collection
includes a gentle teak wood
handle, clean lines, and calming
details. Available as a pull-
down faucet, a Smart Faucet
with Motion Control, and a pull-
down bar faucet, homeowners
can experience the Tenon style
and innovation no matter how
they use their kitchen.

50 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24 2024 PRODUCT GUIDE B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M

WINDOWS & DOORS WHAT WE’RE SEEING: Strong performance and clean aesthetics
John Ward, architectural systems with greater
TRENDS
sales representative heights and sash widths.
for Kolbe Windows & Demand for automation
Doors, says “all-glass” for glass and hardware is
aesthetics continue to beginning to gain traction.
dominate, highlighted by Ward says the “modern
contemporary or clean- farmhouse” trend, with
lined windows and door white facades and black
T
windows, is beginning to
wane in popularity, while
geometric scenarios,
including hexagons, are
making “a major comeback.”
2024 PRODUCT GUIDE
JOHNSON HARDWARE
johnsonhardware.com
Johnson Hardware’s 2000SC
Series Heavy-Duty Pocket
Door Frame Kit now includes
2066 Soft-Close Door
Hardware. Steel studs and
self-adjusting bracket hard-
ware work in both single door
and converging door applica-
tions and can be adapted for
non-standard wall thicknesses
or block masonry walls. The
hardware also promotes a
smooth glide and quiet close.
DOORBIRD
doorbird.com
DoorBird A1122 can be used
in a range of applications
from garages to back and side
doors. The access control
system can control access via
fingerprint or a multi-
frequency RFID reader and
can be integrated to a home’s
network via Wi-Fi or LAN ca-
ble. The product’s configurable
Wiegand output interface
allows the A1122 to be inte-
grated with existing access
control or alarm systems.
Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R 51
Trusted by top home builders
Close on time, every time with an improved customer experience

For 70 years, Westwood Insurance Agency

has worked with builders to seamlessly
integrate insurance into the closing process, See how easy it is
improving the homebuying experience for to get started
their customers.

We’ve helped more than a million people

protect what matters most with a
technology-based approach that simplifies
the insurance process.
 February 27 – February 29, 2024, Las Vegas
Visit us at booth #SU863 and in the Show Village!

Buy Mailboxes Factory Direct! 1-800-624-5269

Salsbury Industries – 18300 Central Avenue, Carson , CA 90746-4008
WINDOWS & DOORS
PLYGEM
plygem.com

PlyGem Windows & Doors

introduced a black color
option for its West Pro Series
windows and doors. Tailored to
meet the specific energy-
efficiency needs of the West,
PELLA the black windows and doors—
ideal for a high-contrast
pella.com
look—come with specifically
The new Pella Steady Set designed glass packages
Interior Installation System that adhere to strict building
for wood windows empowers regulations to deliver strong
installers to do the work from performance against chal-
the inside, eliminates the lenging weather conditions.
need to carry windows up
ladders, and improves overall
performance. Tested for water
performance and structural
performance, the Steady Set
is available on Pella Reserve
and Lifestyle Series windows.

SIMPSON DOOR
simpsondoor.com
The Pivot Door System from
PGT INNOVATIONS Simpson Door is available in
pgtinnovations.com extra-large sizes, which can
be custom-made to span up
The WINDOOR Envista to 10 feet tall and up to 5 feet
Seamless Glazed Window wide. The company’s latest
System is available in heights offering allows for the look and
up to 10 feet tall or 40 square functionality of an oversized
feet. The window wall product, door on a pivot hinge. Doors
available in transparent, white, come complete with weather-
or black color options, features stripping on all sides, including
transparent and flexible triple- an integrated drop seal at the
laminated impact protection bottom. No special subfloor or
for safety and performance jobsite prep is needed at instal-
as well as aesthetic benefits. lation, according to Simpson.

54 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24 2024 PRODUCT GUIDE B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M

 Customer Sales
Segmentation Training

Community Business
Marketing Planning

Maximize Control of Your

Sales on the Project Level

Schedule a
Demo Today
EXTERIORS & STRUCTURAL WHAT WEÕRE SEEING:
Weather resistance and easier installation

JAMES HARDIE
jameshardie.com

James Hardie’s relaunched

Hardie Artisan Lap Siding
delivers the look of luxury with
the durability performance of
Hardie’s fiber cement products.
The ⅝-inch thick lap siding’s
sleek profiles provide a unique
look to traditional lap siding,
have a joint-lock system to
promote faster installation,
and are backed by the manu-
facturer’s 30-year warranty.

MOISTURESHIELD
moistureshield.com

MoistureShield’s InstaDeck is
a flooring system comprised
of heavy-duty plastic tiles
that snap together to create a
foundation for a freestanding,
ground-level deck. An alter-
native to pavers or traditional
decks, InstaDeck is compatible
with MoistureShield’s Vision,
Meridian, Elevate, and Vantage
composite decking and can be
assembled on any flat surface
with minimal tools. The sys-
tem can create a deck of any
size or shape and requires no
screws to attach deck boards.

56 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24 2024 PRODUCT GUIDE B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M

 design | 3D | materials lists

floor plans
3D renderings
materials lists
walkthrough animations
elevations
cross sections
wall, roof, floor framing diagrams
site plans
round-trip AutoCAD® files
export, import, convert AutoCAD® files
links to QuickBooks®
export directly to SketchUp®
export directly to Lumion®
energy calculations via REScheck™
3D views on iPhone®, iPad®, Android™
SoftPlan web3d model viewer

SoftPlan 2024 available now

free trial: www.softplan.com or 1-800-248-0164

EXTERIORS & STRUCTURAL
BARRETTE OUTDOOR LIVING
barretteoutdoorliving,com

Barrette Outdoor Living’s EncloSure screen solution can be in-

GRIP-RITE
grip-rite.com
DeckForce premium exterior
screws feature PrimeGuard
Nano Coating, formulated to
provide a seamless seal and
finish for corrosion resistance.
The screws are available for
wood, ideal for wooden decks
or fences both treated and
non-treated, and composite,
suited for composite or PVC
decking, applications. The
screws are available in pack-
ages of up to 25 pounds.
stalled into an existing covered patio, deck, or upper balcony. The
product is made of durable aluminum framing featuring a premium
power coat and screening with a flat spline technology to ensure
the screen stays in place even in the windiest conditions. Enclo-
Sure is available in white, matte black, or charcoal bronze colors.
WESTLAKE ROYAL
BUILDING PRODUCTS
royalbuildingproducts.com
Westlake Royal Building
Products has added three
colors— Imperial Red, Deep
Pewter, and Timberland—to
its Celect Cellular Composite
Siding line. The V-Groove
profile allows both horizontal
and vertical applications. The
profile also offers strong wind
resistance, UV protection,
and no color fading.

Leslie Adkins, vice president of

TRENDS
marketing for Trex Co., says while
gray was the popular exterior color
for the past decade, consumers are
favoring browns, lighter tones, and
calmer neutral colors. Neutral colors
are also a canvas for homeowners
to create uniformity between indoor
and outdoor spaces. Adkins says
DECKORATORS durabilit
durability and ease of maintenance
deckorators.com
remain
r ttop performance
Deckorators Aluminum Rapid Rail, featuring a contemporary
preferen
p nces for consumers, while
design with square balusters and a simple installation system,
is available in textured white and weathered brown options. improve
i ed sightlines, glass infills,
This product has a powder-coated finish that resists scratch- and
a perrgolas remain popular.
es and corrosion, and works with 2½-inch and 4-inch alumi-
num post kits, according to the manufacturer.

58 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24 2024 PRO
RODUCT
UC GUIDE
GU B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
 Upon Closer Inspection Excellence Stands Out

Built-in Drip Edge

Sight To See
Lightweight Galvalume® Damper

Gravity Assist Angled Closure

Deep-Drawn Galvalume Steel

Integrated Magnets/Rubber Bumpers

Powder Coated

Secondary Backing Plate

While the DryerWallVent blends in at a distance,
you’ll discover unique details that make it stand out
Deep-Drawn when looking closely.
Galvalume® Steel
Powder Coated - Shown White ®
Model DWV4W Deep-Drawn Galvalume steel and powder coating
ensure this sharp vent closure will look good now
and long into the future.

Made in
the USA

888-443-7937 Visit DryerWallVent.com

SYSTEMS
BROAN-NUTONE
broan-nutone.com
The Broan Elite 21-inch
Custom Range Hood Power
Pack is ideal for custom range
hood applications, featuring
a smooth, easy-to-clean
stainless steel surface with
quick-release, dishwasher-
safe filters. Other features
include voice activation,
650 Max Blower CFM, and
SmartSense operation, which
will automatically sense when
it needs to turn on/off or adjust
the speed based on the heat
of the range.
LEVITON
leviton.com
The new line of Decora
Countdown Timer Switches
by Leviton provides reliable
timed control of lighting and
motor loads. The line consists
of 11 models in total, including
15A models featuring the
company’s new Green Flex
Sleeve for easy wiring to
ground or neutral wires and
20A models that can be used
in single-pole, multi-way, or
multi-timer applications.
60 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24
WHAT WEÕRE SEEING: Electric, quiet, and energy-efficient
LEGRAND
legrand.us
Legrand announced its first electric vehicle (EV) charger for resi-
dential applications. The Plug-In Home Level 2 EV Charger charges
from 0% to 100% in eight to 10 hours and provides up to a 38-
mile range per hour of charging. The unit simply plugs in—indoors
or out—for easy charging and comes preassembled with an 18-
foot charging cable, a flexible cord whip, and a NEMA 1450 plug.
RHEEM
rheem.com
Rheem introduced two new
products within its Maximus
lineup of high-efficiency gas
water heaters. New to the
offering are the 75-gallon
Maximus Heavy Duty with
LeakSense, which provides the
same features as the original
Maximus with LeakSense in a
version for homes with three
or more bedrooms, and the
Maximus plus models available
in 40- and 50-gallon sizes.
2024 PRODUCT GUIDE
GU E B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
Go Big For Beautiful Home Exteriors

Sleek Kitchen &

Bath Vent

Deep-Drawn Manufactured to the same exacting specifications as

Galvalume® Steel
Powder Coated - Shown White the DryerWallVent, this new 6-inch, powder coated,
Model 6WVW Galvalume® steel vent closure helps keep a consistent
look for the entire home. Now you can vent range
hoods and bath fans with the same clean lines you
Matches the have for the dryer.
DryerWallVent The 6WV series Premium Wall Vent is available in
white, tan, brown, black, and custom RAL colors for
larger projects just like the DryerWallVent.

Learn more at PremiumWallVent.com today.

Made in
the USA

888-443-7937 Visit PremiumWallVent.com

INTERIORS

EMTEK
emtek.com

New to Emtek’s SELECT

Collection of doorknobs and
levers is the stunning and
bold finish of green marble.
Customers can now choose the
finish option while mixing and
matching their stem design
and rosette options for optimal
customization. The handle’s
deep green hue and veining
can be used as a focal point or
to coordinate with other stone
details present in the home.

DALTILE
daltile.com

In addition to providing a
travertine stone visual that
aligns with a contemporary
design focus, Daltile’s
Calligo tile is also infused
with DEFEND powered by
Microban, which continuously
eliminates 99% of bacteria on
the tile surface. It’s available
in a glazed ceramic fluted wall
tile, a porcelain floor tile, a
glazed ceramic mosaic, and
a jolly and is appropriate for
floor, wall, countertop, and
shower floor applications.

62 B U I L D E R ⚫ Q 1 2 0 24 2024 PRODUCT GUIDE B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M

 WHAT WE’RE SEEING: Contemporary, earthy, and neutral

EXPERT ADVICE
Several home décor styles are going
viral on social media, reaching Gen Z
and millennial audiences. The Taylor
Morrison design team anticipates
the following five aesthetics resonat-
ing with next-gen buyers.

The Dopamine design aesthetic

celebrates self-expression and
individuality with a whimsical and
imaginative approach. It encourages
homeowners to boldly express their
personal tastes and creativity.
AHF PRODUCTS
ahfproducts.com

Dark Academia embraces the
essence of traditional academia with
a Gothic twist. It features a rich and
moody color palette, incorporating
AHF Products has introduced Bruce Comfortstone Engineered
Stone Tile, featuring the look of natural stone and ceramic. Created
with a durable composite material made primarily of crushed lime-
stone, it is an innovative alternative to natural stone. Waterproof, it
is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.

darker tones and plush textures.

Quiet Luxury emphasizes the art of

subtlety, combining textures, limited
prints, classic lighting, and natural
materials to craft a cohesive yet
understated aesthetic. It opts for a
minimal color palette.

Coastal Grandma captures the ATLAS HOMEWARES NEOLITH

feeling of serene coastal living. It
embraces natural materials, such as
wood, rattan, and linen, and earthy
colors with accents of seafoam
green, pale blue, and sandy beige.
Southwestern style embodies the
American West with its reliance on
natural materials, rich textures, and
a warm, earthy color palette.
atlashomewares.com
Atlas Homewares’ new
Kayden Collection features
sleek, clean lines with subtle
detailing. The modernistic
collection is available in five
standard pull sizes, two
styles of matching knobs—
one round knob and one
T-knob—and a palette of five
trending finishes, including
brushed nickel, matte black,
polished chrome, slate, and
warm brass.
neolith.com
Neolith is pioneering an
architectural surface made
of 100% all-natural raw ma-
terials that can provide indoor
and outdoor solutions. The in-
spiration for the new Calacatta
Royale comes from marble
with the gray, neutral, defined
veins on a white background.
It comes in Ultrasoft, Décor
Polished, and Silk finishes,
and 6-, 12-, and 20-millimeter
thickness options.

Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R 63
 PARTING PLAN

Fresh for
Spring
Here’s a farmhouse layout with
impressive storage and flexibility.

b y AU ROR A Z E L E D O N

S
pring means new beginnings and often a
renewed commitment to organization. What if
you could capture that feeling in a house plan?
This 1,965-square-foot design presents a relaxed,
open layout that makes it easy to stay tidy.
Start with the utility zone near the garage. A sep-
arate side entrance makes it a snap to head in or out
from a brisk walk without trekking dirt through the
rest of the home. Nearby, the walk-in pantry keeps
groceries organized within reach of the kitchen is-
land. More storage abounds throughout the home.
Adaptability matters too. Note how the study/
fourth bedroom features two entrances, one from the
foyer and the other from the hallway near the other
bedrooms, to allow for the different needs of working
from home versus hosting guests. The one-story lay-
out also makes this floor plan a smart choice for buy-
ers who may want to age in place later.
E x plore sing le -stor y home de sig ns at
houseplans.com/collection/one-story-house-plans. B

PLAN #120-280

View and browse plans at builderhouseplans.com.

Courtesy David E Wiggins Architect

square dimensions
footage 59’ 8” X 71’ 5”
1,965
bedrooms
various plan options
4
available, starting at
bathrooms $1,095 for pdf
2½

64 B U I L D E R  Q 1 2 0 24 B U I L D E R O N L I N E .C O M
 ADVERTISEMENT

BUILDER INTEL

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EFFICIENCY AND PROFITS
4 ways to improve your company’s fiscal health with a connected, all-in-one solution.

“How does cash flow look this month?” Answering that question
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Adding to that complexity is the tightest credit environment
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