For more than a year, Steven Horwitz looked at new homes and resales in southern Palm Beach County but couldn't find the right combination of value and location.

Then last summer, Horwitz hit the lottery. GL Homes pulled his name out of a Bingo tumbler, putting him at the front of the line to buy a four-bedroom home at the Tuscany development near Delray Beach. He agreed to pay $374,900; eight months later, the same house sells for $414,900, or 11 percent more.

"Even though it's gone up a little, it's still an unbelievable price," said Horwitz, a 31-year-old dentist. "At the time, I was still a little bit unsure about buying, but when my name was picked, I felt like it was meant to be."

Tuscany's double-digit price increases are higher than those at most other new projects in South Florida, analysts say. While new home values are still rising, builders across the region are adjusting their expectations as the housing market slows.

"I think we're seeing a plateauing of prices in certain areas, especially on the higher end," said David Cobb, regional director of the Metrostudy research firm.

Investor frenzy from 2011 to 2013 helped push prices of all homes higher. Median prices on resales climbed by more than 20 percent year a year in some areas before retreating. Last year, builders in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties raised prices by an average of 6 percent about half of the increase of 2013, Metrostudy said.

"In '07 and '08, prices were pushed way down, and then we saw a quick pop back up, but now we're back to what I would consider a more normal market," said Jim Carr, president of CC Devco, the builder of Monterra in Cooper City and other projects in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

"We're definitely hitting some resistance [from buyers]," said Ray Puzzitiello, a West Palm Beach custom builder and president-elect of the Florida Home Builders Association. "But our costs are going up, too, and it's not like those are flexible. Some buyers understand it, but some don't want to hear about it."

Buyers at Tuscany are paying 10 percent to 13 percent more than those who initially bought when sales launched in July. But the price increases don't appear to be quashing demand at the 455-home development just east of Florida's Turnpike on Atlantic Avenue.

Prices range from $344,900 to $429,900, and six models opened last weekend. Sunrise-based GL Homes says it has sold 180 homes so far.

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New-home prices leveling out as builders adjust expectations

The three days of the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association Home Show are weatherproof.

Despite a National Weather Service forecast calling for on-and-off rain and possible snow showers this weekend, the majority of the displays are under the roof of the spacious Lycoming College Recreation Center at 508 Mulberry St.

Hours of operation are 3 to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

More than 170 vendors registered for what will be the 55th annual Home Show, according to Marion Nyman, co-executive officer of the show and association that received its charter 56 years ago.

Nyman and her husband, Walt, said the show is an annual rite of spring for some.

Any type of home builder, remodeler, kitchen and bathroom or flooring installer and financial expert is available, she said.

"It's a must-see for any contemplating a home improvement," she said.

Dispelling any rumor it's a strictly contractor-only show, Nyman said it's open to the general public.

Walking into the show or visiting around the outer court booths, including a wood carver on display, may require bringing an umbrella or rain gear, however.

The forecast indicates daily high temperatures in the low 40s but with periodic rain starting after 3 p.m. today, and a higher percentage possibility of showers for Saturday and early Sunday.

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Home show back to serve builders

4672 Walnut Street, Medina, MN Presented by David Jaunich.
Click to see more: http://www.searchallproperties.com/listings/2036713/4672-Walnut-Street-Medina-MN/auto?reqpage=video 4672 Walnut Street Medina, MN 55359 Co...

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4672 Walnut Street, Medina, MN Presented by David Jaunich. - Video

Titusville, Florida (PRWEB) March 12, 2015

Custom home buyers are now utilizing the new luxury model home showroom to consult with NuVision Builders onsite design team. Each new custom home buyer now has the advantage of onsite selection for each custom home design feature.

While custom home buyers are making their choices, selecting interior and exterior design features for their new custom home, NuVision Builders onsite design team consults and guides the custom home buyer every step of the way.

To learn more about this new custom home model showroom visit Nuvision Builders website.

NuVision Builders' new model home showroom includes a wide variety of design features such as:

More About NuVision Builders

Mark Ledford is president of NuVision Builders. Mark is a State Certified General Contractor since 1994. Prior to acquiring a General Contractors license, Mark performed construction for 10 years in the concrete, steel, and carpentry trades.

Marks formal business education occurred at Florida State University, and by enrolling in a Construction Technology Degree Program at Daytona State College. Mark studied drafting, architecture, engineering, computer design, construction management, and estimating. Mark has focused his career building luxury residential homes.

Mark achieved the distinction of LEED Accredited Professional. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. LEED is a nationwide green building certification program which recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. Visit the custom home website and learn more about NuVision Builders.

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Custom Home Builder Now Offers Onsite Design Team

Titusville, Florida (PRWEB) March 11, 2015

NuVision Builders now offers green building design for custom home buyers seeking an energy-efficient lifestyle. To assist custom home buyers achieve their desired lifestyle, NuVision Builders now offers an onsite green building design team.

As retiring baby boomers relocate to Florida, many are seeking to acquire green building design. The green building design NuVision Builders offers for custom homes includes low-energy systems, smart home technology, and utilize high-efficiency HVAC systems to reduce utility costs.

Those types of green building custom homes offer storm and moisture resistance, low annual maintenance, and healthy indoor air quality.

In addition to offering a safe and secure living environment, a green building design by NuVision Builders can result in a reduction of annual insurance premiums and higher resale value as compared to conventional built homes. Learn more about green building by visiting NuVision Builders.

Another crucial green building feature occurs during construction of the custom homes exterior envelope. The exterior envelope consists of a steel-reinforced structural foundation connected to a solid monolithic, steel-in-place, concrete wall system.

The custom home buyer selects features such as energy-efficient windows and doors, and an advanced roof system, including solar panels upon request. Controlling the environment cost-effectively inside the custom home requires a tight and sustainable exterior envelope.

New home buyers now agree that NuVision Builders is offering a strong and sustainable green building design.

One of the huge advantages custom home buyers achieve in a green building design is the application of high-density, spray adhesive foam insulation. Attic space never becomes super-heated as most conventional built homes. The insulation is sprayed onto the trusses and sheathing creating immense gripping power and the resulting rigid roof system.

The exterior heat in Florida never passes into the cool dry attic space as it does in the conventional built homes which use batt and blown-in insulation. Custom home buyers are encouraged to learn more about green building at the custom home website NuVision Builders.

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Green Building Now Available For Custom Homes

By By Special to the Sentinel Monday, March 9, 2015

Last day to Expo!!! If you havent made the trip down to Two Rivers Convention Center for the 40th Annual Home Improvement & Remodeling Expo, today is our last day! Join us from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Over 90 different companies are represented, each showcasing a variety of products that can make your house a home! No need to drive all over the western slope getting your questions answered from all of the contractors you may need for your next home improvement projectwe have them all here, at the expo! Have too much stuff in your current home? Remodel or build a storage shed. Need a larger home for a growing family or is it time to downsize? We have builders and real estate agents on site to answer your questions and find you your next home or your first home. Need to find a lender to finance your new home or take out a line of credit to finance your improvement projects? Find out current mortgage rates and financing options from our lenders. Does your to-do list include making your home or a loved ones home safer and more accessible? We have on site Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS Certified) to help you find solutions. Seminars at todays expo include:

Basic Paver Installation & Retaining Wall Installation - how to do it! Foundation Failure? What do look for & what to do about it Pellet Grill vs Propane: Taste the difference Rebates for evaporative coolers: learn more Working with Concrete Patch & Crack Repair Products - you can do it! How to fix Settled concrete Space Age Solution

FREE Home Tour: See the latest in design and technology at our Bank of America Home Loans sponsored custom home tour! This year we have 9 beautiful homes, built by 8 local HBA builder members. Who knows, you may find your dream home on the tour! (Some of these homes were featured in our 2014 Parade of Homes!)

Have kids?

Mor Storage Sales and Home Depot have teamed up and are offering a free kids clinic by the Mor Storage Sales buildings on the courtyard of the convention center. Kids are able to build a fun project and take it home! Home Depot will be on site today from 10-2. Admission is $5/Adult $3/Seniors 55+ and Young Adults (13-18) Kids 12 & under are FREE We hope to see you at the show! Visit http://www.hbaevents.com for information about times and pricing or call us at 245-0253.

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Last day for HBA show

Custom Home Builders In Kansas City | BL Rieke Home Builders
http://blrieke.com | Another satisfied customer in another great Kansas City custom home. Let us show you why we are Kansas City #39;s favorite home builders. BL...

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Martinsburg, WV Custom Home Builders | Start to Finish
Custom home builder Miller #39;s Residential Creations of Martinsburg, WV shows off a custom-built home from the ground up. To learn more visit our website: http...

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Martinsburg, WV Custom Home Builders | Start to Finish - Video

Home sales of $1 million and higher account for only a small share of the overall market. Sales of new homes over $750,000 made up just 3.7 percent of all new-home sales in 2013, according to census data. But for Toll Brothers and several other builders, the million-dollar price point has become a new sweet spot for attracting buyers.

Last year, Toll Brothers sold 585 homes across the nation priced at $1 million or more, according to Metrostudy, a research company that focuses on residential real estate development and new-home construction. That was nearly three times the number it sold just two years previously, the company reported.

Toll Brothers has long included the high end in its spectrum of new homes, but even builders known primarily for affordable offerings, like D.R. Horton, are selling a lot more million-dollar homes. According to Metrostudy, D.R. Horton in 2012 sold just five homes for $1 million or more; last year it sold 145. PulteGroup/Del Webb/Centex, Taylor Morrison and Lennar followed similar patterns in recent years.

For wealthy buyers, the recession is long gone, said Mike Castleman Jr., senior vice president of Metrostudy. "If the builders want to stay in business and keep the flywheel running, they go after that market."

Read MoreWall Street on edge after Yellen, housing data in focus

Even apart from the million-dollar level, many builders are moving upscale as fast as they can. The price of newly constructed homes has risen significantly faster than the price of existing homes, according to an analysis from Zillow, the online real estate firm. In September 2005, the average price gap between existing and new homes was about $32,000; by December 2014 it had widened to $122,000.

At the Newtown Square development, called Liseter, even the harsh winter weather was doing little to slow the bulldozers breaking through the frosty ground this month for homes that will feature cathedral ceilings, hand-scraped hardwood floors, winding staircases, his-and-her walk-in closets and garages with what look like antique barn doors. The development sits on a former Monticello-inspired estate where Jean Liseter Austin du Pont once bred Welsh ponies and hunting beagles.

Buyers can tweak the floor plan, pick from a variety of shower designs and fireplace tiles, and adjust the number of data ports in the walls. Since construction began in January 2013, Toll Brothers has sold 136 homes at Liseter and hopes to sell about 300 more.

Not all the Liseter homes begin at $1 million, but buyers want extras sunrooms, built-in wine storage, even the ultimate man cave with a glass-encased room for brewing beer that push the price as much as $300,000 higher.

"We're trying to cater to the higher end just because that's what the market is demanding," Brian Thierrin, a Toll Brothers senior vice president who is overseeing the Liseter project, explained as he meandered through model homes after showing off a club house that looked like a fancy restaurant and spacious gym in a separate building. Final work on an infinity pool awaited warmer temperatures.

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Home builders catering to wealthy

A two-story addition completed in four months tops is what was promised to Jeffrey Goldstein in 2009. Before long, though, he suspected that promise would be broken.

A couple of months into construction, subcontractors claimed they werent paid. And the contractor, John Succi, routinely arrived at the Richboro home without building materials and supplies, then asked Goldsteins wife to buy them. Succi also kept asking for more than the $80,000 price in the contract they Goldsteins signed.

Still, Goldstein said he wasnt worried at the time. He knew that months earlier, the Legislature had adopted the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, which was designed to regulate the home improvement and repair industry. After he found strong evidence that Succi had violated virtually every aspect of the new law, Goldstein figured prosecuting him would be easy.

I felt completely protected, he said. I felt like it would be righted if I went to the authorities and told them what was going on.

He was wrong.

As it turns out, enforcement of the 6-year-old law is lackluster and relies on contractors to provide accurate information, according to consumer advocates and others.

Even the trade group for the states home improvement industry calls the laws enforcement lax, despite changes the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, which administers the law, implemented last year to address complaints. Those changes include a new regulatory compliance unit, random checks of applications and devoting more resources to investigating complaints.

There are really no teeth (in the law)," said Peter Gallagher, president of the Pennsylvania Builders Association, which represents 5,400 companies. There is a number at the Attorney Generals Office that you can call and complain, and if you complain, theyll put it on their list, but that doesnt mean it (investigation) will get done in a timely fashion.

In 2010, when Goldstein said he first complained to the Attorney Generals Office and the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection, he was told other complaints would be necessary before theyd investigate Succis business.

Last year four years after Goldstein first brought his fraud suspicions to authorities Succi went on trial for home improvement fraud. A jury found the Lower Makefield resident guilty of bilking 14 customers out of $2.5 million over at least eight years, in the largest home improvement contractor fraud case in recent memory.

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Does home improvement law have cracks in its foundation?