Tips from the Field
After the Gold Shovel
I was at a job site not too long ago and spotted this shovel. When it was brand new, it had been painted gold and used for a groundbreaking ceremony….
Commodities Pricing
So, Why Is All of This Happening?
In the real estate world, commodity pricing is a hot conversation. There was a point this year that dimension lumber was up about 300%, with a bright spot that it’s…
Read MoreThe Weekend
Brewton
Someone recently asked me which city I have enjoyed of all the cities where we have built over the years. The simple answer is, “They are all good, if you have…
Management
The Carrot and the Stick
A couple of weeks ago, I happened to be watching a horse race at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park. The commentator mentioned there would be no whips used on the horses during the race,…
Construction Trends
Nothing Stays the Same
At the beginning of 2021, it was predicted that retail vacancies would continue to rise. We’ve heard a lot about the need to rethink functionality and interior space, etc., but…
Construction Trends
Unpaving Paradise
I’ve written a couple of times about changing parking needs. I read this most interesting article recently on the different ways cities are rethinking the means and methods of parking,…
Commodities Pricing
Lumber Spikes Again, But We’re Still in the Game
While the CPI has risen about 5% over the last 12 months–the highest increase in decades–the 30-year T bills are hovering just north of 2%. One has to wonder why…
Customer Relationships
Call Me…
At a Phoenix CenterBuild Conference many years ago, I heard something that has resonated with me ever since. “Success is about finding the right customers and keeping them.” One of…
Leadership
Open Doors
People come first. It’s one thing to know that truth and another to put it into practice daily. Over the years, I’ve struggled with putting my head down too far…
Commodities Pricing
Futures for Steel and Lumber
This week was my first trip on a commercial flight in 15 months, and it sure did feel good. I traveled to Denver to meet up with my FMI peer…