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Real Estate News
Brick Association of the Carolinas and Southern Brick Institute merge
The Brick Association of the Carolinas and Southern Brick Institute recently merged their organizations.
As of Jan. 1, the new organization became Brick SouthEast and now serves a nine-state region including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. All member companies of both BAC and SBI became members of Brick SouthEast.
The combined territories of BAC and SBI represent a major brick market area.
Manufacturers in these states produce more than 50% of the U.S. brick supply.
Brick SouthEast is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., with a second office in Atlanta, Ga. Peter Cieslak will serve as executive director of the new organization.
Rapid Repairs moves into old Orkin building
Rapid Repairs has moved its office and showroom to 1591 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.
Currently, Rapid Repairs has 10 service trucks and 15 employees. The company plans future expansions, including adding three more service trucks locally, and opening Rapid Repairs service centers in Columbia and Jacksonville, Fla.
Daniel Island presented with national ‘smart growth’ award
Daniel Island received the Platinum Best In American Living Award, or BALA, at a reception kicking off the 61st National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show. The island was named the nation’s Best Suburban Smart Growth Neighborhood/Community for 2004.
Recognized as the most prestigious new home design competition in the industry, the Best in American Living Award is sponsored by the NAHB and Professional Builder magazine, and is open nationwide to builders, architects, designers, developers, land planners and interior designers.
The award was accepted by Matt Sloan, Daniel Island’s chief executive officer, and Bill McKenzie, vice president of development, during the gala event held at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.
“Our entire team is honored to receive this recognition—this validation of the master plan and evolution of the community of Daniel Island,” says Sloan. “We are especially gratified to be part of the BALA Smart Growth category.”
According to the entry form for the 2004 BALA competition, “smart growth” communities are ones that:
– Protect and provide access to the natural environment.
– Incorporate a mix of land uses.
– Use land in an efficient and innovative manner.
– Are pedestrian-scaled and pedestrian-friendly.
– Provide housing choices.
– Respect local traditions.
– Take advantage of infill opportunities.
– Deliver a genuine experience of place.
– Create jobs and impact economic development.
Daniel Island’s acceptance within the marketplace may be measured by its record-breaking sales success; Daniel Island’s 2004 residential sales volume is projected to exceed $250 million, a 70% increase over 2003.
Clawson & Staubes LLC moves to new offices on Daniel Island
Clawson & Staubes LLC has announced the purchase of 24,600 square feet on the second floor of the newly constructed office building located at 126 Seven Farms Drive on Daniel Island. This month the firm made a full transition into its new space.
Established in 1975, Clawson & Staubes has offices in both Charleston and Charlotte. The firm has 80 employees with 26 attorneys offering legal services to clients in general civil practice, real estate, personal injury, construction litigation, corporate law, products liability, admiralty, bankruptcy, estate planning and municipal law.
“One advantage of opting for new construction was that it allowed us to custom-design the space to meet our requirements and to build in the components needed to take advantage of the newest technology and equipment,” says attorney David Cleveland.
The firm opted for state-of-the-art building components and design. For flexibility, a new movable wall building system was used for interior walls. The interior walls are manufactured off-site and then installed into the shell of the building, which is conventional steel and brick construction.
New migration study shows West, Southeast gain in appeal
Last year saw many people packing up and heading west and southeast, while northern states, experienced an increase in residents leaving, as measured by the business trends of United Van Lines, the nation’s largest household goods mover.
The statistics are among the findings of United’s 28th annual “migration” study that tracks where its customers, over the last 12 months, moved from and the most popular destinations.
United has tracked shipment patterns annually on a state-by-state basis since 1977. For 2004, the accounting is based on the 222,040 interstate household moves handled by United among the 48 contiguous states, as well as Washington, D.C. In its study, United classifies each state in one of three categories: “high inbound” (55% or more of moves going into a state); “high outbound” (55% or more of moves coming out of a state); or “balanced.” Although the majority of states were in the “balanced” category last year, several showed more substantial population shifts.
Southeastern states were a top destination in 2004. North Carolina (61.8%) and Alabama (61.0%) saw their highest-ever inbound percentages. South Carolina (60.2%) continued its decade-long inbound tradition, while Florida (59.9%) saw its highest inbound percentage since 1988.
Brian Paluch, United’s executive vice president, says the United Van Lines study, through the years, has been shown to accurately reflect the general migration patterns in various regions of the country.
New poll shows most Americans see homeownership as sound investment
A majority of Americans believe owning their own home leads to personal financial security, improved school performance for their children and greater community involvement, according to a recent poll of 1,000 adults commissioned by the Washington, D.C.-based Homeownership Alliance, a coalition of more than 15 organizations committed to ensuring support for the American housing system.
Specifically, the new Homeownership Alliance polling data found:
– 66% of those surveyed believe that children who grow up in homes that their families own are more likely to do better in school.
– 80% think that owning a home gives you a stronger sense of connection to the community in which you live.
– 87% agree that homeowners are more likely to be involved in community organizations and local government.
– 76% agree that people who own their own homes are more likely to take the time to vote in national elections.
– 69% agree that the federal government should provide incentives to make housing more affordable.
– 85% agree that a home is a more secure investment than the current stock market.
“These findings support those of academic studies released in 2002 and 2003 by the Homeownership Alliance, which showed that homeownership provides numerous benefits involving higher household stability, more social involvement, increased local political participation and activism, environmental awareness, better child outcomes, improved health, less crime and stronger community characteristics,” according to Rick Davis, president of the Homeownership Alliance.
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