Mississauga, ON (PRWEB) May 15, 2008 -- RAND Worldwide®, a global leader in providing technology solutions to organizations with engineering design and information technology requirements, announced that Daniel Hughes from its IMAGINiT Technologies division (link: www.rand.com/imaginit), is invited to present at the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Leadership Forum (link: www.cmaanet.org/Leadership_2008.php) in Baltimore, Maryland. CMAA planned the event to take place next week, May 18-20, 2008.

Daniel Hughes has over nine years of practical experience in architecture and was an Autodesk dealership owner for 15 years. He is an Autodesk Implementation Certified Expert for Revit Architecture and has in-depth knowledge of the processes and needs of architectural firms. He is a certified instructor within the WI Vocational Technical College System for five different AutoCAD courses on eight campuses.

About IMAGINiT Technologies
IMAGINiT Technologies, a RAND Worldwide Company, is a leading provider of design and engineering solutions to the building, manufacturing and infrastructure, media and entertainment industries. With over 40 offices in North America and Asia-Pacific, IMAGINiT is a leading provider of Autodesk software solutions and the largest North American Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC) partner. IMAGINiT delivers knowledge, expertise and design processes to clients through proven technical support, training and consulting services. Our locations are supported by a vast pool of engineering resources that are focused on developing real-life business solutions for their local clients. For more information please visit www.rand.com/imaginit.

About RAND Worldwide
RAND Worldwide is one of the world's leading providers of professional services and technology to the engineering community, targeting organizations in the building, infrastructure and manufacturing industries. RAND enables its customers to improve their competitiveness, productivity, and profitability by enhancing key aspects of their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) capabilities, including planning, development, and management. As one of the leading technology independent systems integrators in the world, RAND Worldwide operates in 50 sales and client service centers globally. For more information please visit www.rand.com.

Chandler, AZ (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- Classy Closets today announced a series of custom closet and home office preview events for interior designers, general contractors and home builders in Arizona. Designers and contractors will have the opportunity to tour a Classy Closets showroom and see examples of Classy Closets professionally designed closets, home offices, kitchens, garages, pantries, and more. In addition, every attendee will receive one free custom closet organizer installation from Classy Closets.

Classy Closets has been designing and installing residential and commercial custom closets and storage solutions since 1983. More than 100,000 satisfied customers have purchased custom closet solutions and Classy Closets is proud to be able to show examples of these superior quality installations at their showrooms and on their website at Classy Closets.

"We are excited to be able to show our innovative custom closet and storage solutions to interior designers, home builders and general contractors in Arizona. Each year at these storage and cabinet events we find that they appreciate the superior craftsmanship of our home and commercial organization products and they love the opportunity to see our newest product lines," said Jeff Curtis, Company Founder. "This year we will not only be showing our custom closets, home offices and wall beds, we will also show how versatile and affordable our kitchen cabinets and doors can be. There is a great deal to see in our showrooms. We offer the greatest selection of materials, colors and finishes in the industry."

About Classy Closets:
Classy Closets is Life. Organized.® Classy Closets has provided residential and commercial closet storage solutions since 1983. For 25 years, Classy Closets has been improving the lives of families and businesses through well-organized closet storage solutions designed for optimal living. Our closet storage solutions are truly customized, delivering a level of quality and value unmatched by any company in the industry. In fact, every one of our closet storage solutions is guaranteed for life. Classy Closets has trained designers who will work with you to design new custom closets and organization solutions that will maximize your space and match your individual style.

Classy Closets can be found on the web at ClassyClosets.com.

Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- Architectural Resource, noted Ann Arbor residential architectural design firm, has been recognized with five gold national design awards in the Best of the Best Design Awards hosted by Professional Remodeler. The Best of the Best awards competition recognizes outstanding design and functionality in remodeling projects across the nation. The honors were presented at a special awards ceremony at the Remodeling Show in Las Vegas.

The gold award Duprey/Uhen residence custom kitchen remodel, built by Washtenaw Woodwrights, was an Arts and Crafts interpretation of modern kitchen conveniences and amenities. As the culminating second phase of a whole house remodel, the project utilized a cleaver 18" cantilevered extension that provided just enough added floor space to improve the kitchen's function. Exquisitely detailed millwork and an adjacent breakfast booth all recalled an earlier time when quality and craftsmanship reigned supreme.

The gold award Duprey/Uhen residence custom bath remodel, also with Washtenaw Woodwrights, presented a striking contemporary Art Deco inspired master bath. Features included a translucent turquoise glass block partition and shower enclosure; a frosted glass vanity top with integral bowls; custom mirrored medicine cabinets with integral light fixtures, and a light transmitting, privacy glass block window that flooded the space with light. An adjacent sloped ceiling attic space provided the opportunity for a new master closet.

The gold award Taylor residence exterior remodel, in collaboration with Blue Sky Carpentry, was a simple exterior portico at an existing front brick stoop. The shingle style home was perfectly complemented and completed by this elegant, yet simple, front porch roof. Mirroring elements and proportions of the existing home the 5' x 7' barrel vaulted portico enhanced the formal entry and greatly improved the 'curb appeal' of the modest, but charming home.

The gold award Genthe residence interior remodel, executed with Christian Tennant Custom Homes, featured the magical transformation of an all too familiar impersonal and over-scaled "McMansion Big Box" plan book home. The design introduced architectural elements, fine materials and finishes, and a rich new palate that created an improved sense of scale, substance, visual interest and elegance to an otherwise cold and impersonal volume.

The gold award Griffith residence whole house remodel involved an interior remodel of a ranch home with a new entry area in conjunction with Custom Design Build. One of the most significant features of the project as noted by the judges was the rearrangement of the interior spaces with a 180-degree re-positioning of the existing kitchen and utility rooms. This simple plan rearrangement vastly improved the existing home's interior spaces and enhanced the connection to the lake view vistas outside.

"We are delighted our design efforts have been recognized in this highly-competitive nationwide competition," said Michael Klement, founder of Architectural Resource, LLC.

For high resolution versions of any of the above photographs or before and after photographs, please contact Michael Klement at 734-769-9784.

About Architectural Resource, LLC:
Architectural Resource, headed by Michael Klement A.I.A., N.C.A.R.B., is a Ann Arbor-based, architectural design firm with representatives in Portland, OR and Greenville, SC. Architectural Resource specializes exclusively in residential design of custom homes, cottages, additions, remodels and renovations with an emphasis on green and sustainable design. These projects will soon be posted at Architectural Resource's home website: architecturalresource.com and can be viewed at http://www.housingzone.com/proremodeler/info/CA6369762.html.

Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- Summer and Fall are the best times of the year to install a heated driveway. Many homeowners still remember the harsh winter and want to be better prepared next year. With rising energy costs, Warmzone focuses on energy saving radiant heating options that are appealing to homeowners.

Electric snow melting systems are installed in driveways and parking areas and are in high demand. "Snow blowers, shoveling, and plowing are cumbersome ways to clear driveways - homeowners are installing heating systems in their driveways instead. It's safer and often more energy efficient," says Tracy Stanger, CEO of Warmzone.

Warmzone, a radiant heat company, recommends Danfoss GX Heating Systems. The Danfoss GX cable is a durable heating cable built specifically for heating driveways, sidewalks and other areas that require snow removal. Installing systems are ideal because they eliminate a lot of safety risks of people falling or cars sliding.

Danfoss cable is designed to produce 30-50 watts per square foot and is programmable to automate the process of heating a driveway. This is a radiant heating system, similar to indoor floor heating systems.

Electric systems use a line-voltage cable, while hydronic systems generate hot water then pump it through plastic PEX tubing. The heating elements are embedded in the surface and use resistant heating to heat the surrounding area. Most systems incorporate an automatic sensor that detects inclement weather to activate the system. Electric systems tend to be more efficient, require less maintenance, and heat surfaces quicker.

While a heated driveway is an investment, it can improve the value of a home. If your driveway needs to be replaced anyway, pouring new concrete is ideal in warmer weather. It will make the concrete more durable.

The cost to maintain a heated driveway is less than hiring someone to shovel snow. Your concrete lasts longer because you're not using harsh chemicals or salt to melt ice and snow.

Electric snow melting is simple yet durable and requires no maintenance.

If you are building a home, consider an automated snow melting system before you begin construction. A heated driveway is easier to install now, and it will add safety and value to your property.

About Warmzone
Warmzone helps homeowners with radiant heating solutions for their homes and businesses. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, our electricians and support staff help you with energy efficient radiant heating solutions. Get a free estimate - you can even send us a plan or drawings and we'll give you options for your heated driveway project.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- Safety Glass Company, a regional automotive, residential and commercial glass installation, repair and replacement company, announces the opening of its newest store location in Dallas, Texas.

Safety Glass Company's new store in Dallas is managed by industry veteran, Randy Griffith. Mr. Griffith brings over twenty years of experience in the glass industry to Safety Glass Company's new Dallas store. "With his outstanding experience, technical ability, and management skills, Randy is certainly the right man for the job. We are very pleased to have him on board. He is a great addition to our team," said John Tero, Chief Operations Officer for Safety Glass Company.

With store locations in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, Safety Glass Company serves the Texas market, which includes three of the Top 10 largest cities in the country. Started in San Antonio in 1997 as an automotive windshield repair-only company, Safety Glass Company has grown over the past decade to be a trusted and recognized name in the glass industry. Among many other awards and accolades, Safety Auto Glass is one of only two companies in Texas to be recognized with the coveted Business Accreditation from the National Glass Association for its commitment to industry standards and ethical business practices.

For additional information about Safety Glass Company, please contact John Tero or visit www.safetyautoglass.net. Safety Auto Glass® is a Registered Service Mark. Safety Glass Company is Registered Service Mark pending.

Contact:

John Tero, Chief Operations Officer
Safety Glass Company
(210) 333-6799
http://www.safetyautoglass.net

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- The FieldLogix GPS fleet tracking system recently helped Sunshine Landscape reduce overtime costs dramatically. Prior to FieldLogix, the company relied on a paper time sheet system for their field employees to document work hours each day. They became suspicious of the accuracy of this "honor" based system and decided to install the FieldLogix GPS fleet tracking system in November of 2007. Within 18 days of installation, the company's labor savings paid for the entire first year of the system's costs.

Upon installing FieldLogix, Carlos' suspicions were immediately confirmed. By using the system's activity reports, he found that his "honor system" was being abused by his employees. By having an accurate way to measure daily work hours, his overtime costs dropped immediately. In fact, his overtime costs dropped by more than 2 hours per man per day with no change in the workload. Based on his calculations, he paid for the entire first year of the system within the first 18 days. Carlos stated: "It dropped my labor costs by 35-45 percent." Carlos mentioned that he wished that he bought a GPS system years ago, but put it off because it wasn't a high priority at the time. Carlos is not alone in his discovery. A study by the Aberdeen Group reports that companies that have implemented a GPS tracking system see a 13.4 percent average reduction in overtime costs.

FieldLogix provides real-time location updates for vehicles and construction equipment. It automatically monitors activities such as excessive engine idling, speeding, and personal use of company vehicles. It has been described as "GPS on auto-pilot", because users can create operating policies in the system and receive e-mail alerts when operators do not comply with these policies. This includes alerts for after hours use, excessive speeding, and deviations from a specified operating schedule. In addition, it provides real-time location updates for vehicles and equipment and sends maintenance reminder alerts when they are due for service.

About Field Technologies: Since 2002, Field Technologies has been providing GPS tracking systems to companies throughout the US. The company provides products that operate with technologies developed by industry leaders such as Microsoft, Motorola, T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless, and ESRI. Due to our industry leading methods of sales consultation and customer support, Field Technologies has continued to grow dramatically and has GPS devices installed in thousands of vehicles nationwide.

To learn more about FieldLogix and view an on-line video demonstration, visit us at http://www.fieldtechnologies.com

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- Miracle Truss® is doing its part to fight inflation and increasing building costs by offering steel buildings as a sound economical solution for residences or businesses. In anticipation of the steel price increases, Miracle Truss purchased additional steel before the prices went up and can now pass the savings on to their customers.

The main thing most people want to save on any purchase is money. Miracle Truss® steel buildings can cost 50% less than conventional buildings because they are pre-made and shipped ready to assemble - just unpack and start construction. And there are no worries about hiring skilled laborers to build it because a Miracle Truss® steel building is so easy anyone can do-it-themselves.

"Conventional buildings involve more time and more work costing you more money. Steel buildings offer all the benefits of conventional buildings plus additional features that make it a wiser choice for your residence or business," said Lind.

Steel buildings can also save the amount of time spent on construction. Miracle Truss® pre-fabricated steel buildings are manufactured in the USA by certified welders and come pre-cut, pre-drilled and pre-welded for easy assembly. This means less work, cutting down on the amount of time spent erecting a steel building. Each Miracle Truss® building comes with a clear, easy-to-read assembly manual containing detailed drawings as a guide.

But that's not all that can be saved with a steel building. With the popularity of "Going Green," Miracle Truss® steel buildings use environmentally-friendly construction methods such as an open-web truss design that provides a higher R- value than conventional methods when combined with standard insulation. The Miracle Truss® steel siding comes in many colors that can qualify for Energy Star efficient tax credits. Steel buildings also allow more flexibility for environmentally-safe components such as flooring and siding.

"Miracle Truss® steel buildings save you money on so many levels but the best is knowing that you can get a functional building that not only looks good but is good for the environment as well," said Lind.

From woodworking shops, yard & garden storage buildings and garages, to churches, airplane hangars and auto shops - and everything in-between - Miracle Truss® steel buildings take on a whole new meaning and design!

About Miracle Truss®
Miracle Truss® is an industry leader in steel and metal buildings that are a unique hybrid of steel and edge-mounted wood which gives you maximum versatility and durability. For more than 35 years Miracle Truss® steel buildings have survived blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, and earthquakes without a single report of structural damage. For more information on Miracle Truss® and the types of steel buildings that are designed to meet your business or personal needs, visit http://www.miracletruss.com.

Irvine, Calif. (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- R.D. Olson Development has sold two of its Southern California hotels -- one inspired by Hollywood, the other by Southland beach culture -- to Apple REIT 8 for $80 million. Irvine-based R.D. Olson last year completed development of both hotels, the Marriott Residence Inn, Burbank at 321 S. First St. and Marriott Residence Inn, Oceanside at 3603 Ocean Ranch Blvd.

"We capitalized on what we considered to be good long-term investment properties, placed on them the perfect flags for that market and creatively elaborated on Marriott's already-solid brand to fit within the culture of each community," said Robert Olson.

Case in hand, as a tribute to the television capital of the world, Olson commissioned renowned British artist, Peter Fink to create a spectacular lightshow that scales the five-story Burbank Marriott Residence Inn's exterior. The interior of the 166-suite hotel exudes Hollywood flavor, featuring artwork originally produced in Burbank from the 1950s to the 1990s.

"I envision the hotel as a future city landmark as the entertainment center continues to reinvent itself," said Olson.

In a different vein, the 125-suite four-story Residence Inn by Marriott in Oceanside speaks to the laid back community that is home to surfers, beachcombers and even longtime surfer-girl starlet, Gidget. Original paintings by local artists that echo Southern California's easy Southland lifestyle dress the walls and a community patio fire pit enveloped by couches give way to outdoor comfort.

R.D. Olson Construction, also owned by Robert Olson and recognized as a premiere hotel and restaurant contractor, built Marriott Residence Inn, Burbank and the Marriott Residence Inn, Oceanside.

Sale of the two hotels leaves R.D. Olson Development with seven other projects in the making including Palomar Hotel, Tustin, Calif. and Denver, CO; Residence by Marriott, Goleta, Calif.; and Hilton Garden Inn, Tustin.

The company will soon open another development in which it, once again, has culled from the local community to build upon an established brand. The Renaissance ClubSport in Aliso Viejo, a joint venture between R.D. Olson Development and Leisure Sports Inc., includes a boutique hotel, world-class fitness center and full-service day spa. Olson expects Renaissance ClubSport to open in mid-June.

Robert Olson founded R.D. Olson Development in 1998. It has since gained standing as a leading hotel developer. Projects developed and sold include an eight-story 174-suite Marriott Residence Inn, Irvine; a $62 million resort in the Anaheim Resort Zone, which consists of a seven-story Staybridge Suites and nine-story Holiday Inn; and an eight-story 526-bed University Village Towers, an upscale student housing project bordering the University of California, Riverside. R.D. Olson Development is located at 2955 Main St., Irvine, CA 92614.

For hi-resolution photos of the hotels or Robert Olson, please click on http://gallery.mac.com/porterpr1#100046&bgcolor=black&view=grid.

Discovery Bay, CA (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- ForeclosureRadar (www.foreclosureradar.com), the only website that tracks every California foreclosure with daily auction updates, today issued it's California Foreclosure Report. April foreclosure numbers were up in all categories, creating extraordinary indicators. Average daily auction sales exceeded 1,000 properties a day for the first time in California's history.

Notices of Default - the filings for the first step in California's foreclosure process increased only slightly to set a new record of 44,101 new filings.
Notices of Trustee Sale, which are issued approximately 3 months following a Notice of Default, increased 7.8 percent in April surpassing the previous record with a total of 29,892 new filings.
April foreclosure sales at auction jumped 44 percent over March to a record 22,838 sales, with a combined loan value of $9.45 Billion. The majority of these sales received no third party bid and reverted back to the lender despite the largest across the board discounts ever offered at trustee sale auctions.

"We expected a significant increase in auction sales based on previous default patterns" said Sean O'Toole, founder of ForeclosureRadar. "Unfortunately, the continued increases in defaults tell us that the worst is still ahead. It is time for lenders to accept this reality, and start approving short sales rather than forcing more than two-thirds of troubled homeowners through the entire foreclosure process."

Lenders added 22,324 properties to their real estate owned or "REO" inventory in April. Last month DataQuick reported that 38.4% of all home sales in California were from this REO inventory, equaling approximately 9,432 properties. Based on those levels, lenders are increasing REO inventories 1.36 times faster than they are able to resell them.

In April, it took lenders an average of 140 days from Notice of Default to the property being sold at auction. Average discounts at auction were 25%, but nearly half of all properties taken to auction offered discounts of 30% or more from the current loan balance. The majority of these loans were 80% LTV first mortgages, making discounts of 40 to 50% from the prior sales price common in many parts of the state.

The largest discounts offered in major Southern California counties were in Santa Barbara (29 percent) and Riverside (28 percent). The smallest were Los Angeles (19 percent) and Orange (21 percent). The spread was wider in Northern California, with Merced offering the states larges discounts (37 percent), and San Francisco the smallest (12 percent).

In a sign that foreclosures are affecting every part of the state, foreclosure sales nearly doubled in both Marin County (96 percent increase), and Orange County (up 82 percent).

See Graph of Statewide Trends

See Table of County Foreclosure Activity

California Foreclosure Report Methodology
Rankings are based on population per foreclosure sale. NOD indicates the number of Notices of Default that were filed at the county, and NTS indicates filed Notices of Trustee Sale. Sales indicates the number of properties sold at foreclosure auction. Percentage changes are based on monthly Sales. The data presented by ForeclosureRadar is based on county records and individual sales results from daily foreclosure auctions throughout the state - not estimates or projections.

About Foreclosureradar.Com
ForeclosureRadar is the only web site that tracks every foreclosure in California with daily updates on all foreclosure auctions. ForeclosureRadar features unprecedented tools to search, manage, track and analyze preforeclosure, foreclosure auction, short sale and bank owned real estate. The web site was launched in May 2007 by Sean O'Toole, who spent 15 years building and launching software companies before entering the foreclosure business in 2002 where he has successfully bought and sold more than 150 foreclosure properties. ForeclosureRadar is an indispensable resource for real estate agents, brokers, investors, lenders, mortgage brokers, attorneys and other real estate professionals specializing in the California real estate market.

Sign up to receive the California Foreclosure Report

“Our Keltech tankless water heater performs,” states Wayne Johnson of BCA. “We have hot water whenever we want it. I never have to worry like I did in the past.”

Installing an electric Keltech tankless water heater can provide schools like BCA with additional advantages of reduced energy and natural resource consumption. Water heating is the third largest consumer of energy in our schools. Rising energy prices, the cost of ongoing maintenance, and the impact of a school’s carbon footprint on the environment are leading school administrators across the country to re-think their water heating options.

Green school initiatives provide communities with new ideas and new resources to lessen environmental impact and lower operating costs while improving the learning environment for our children. This win-win-win approach is supported by the Green Buildings Council’s LEED for Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Smart Schools, and ASHRAE’s Energy Design Guide for K-12 Schools.

A Keltech tankless water heater is a simple and efficient way for a school to save energy and natural resources: It heats water only when activated; it doesn’t require new policies and procedures to reduce unnecessary resource use; and, it’s so simple and easy to use that no one has to remember to turn it on or turn it off.

Founded in 1987, Keltech Incorporated manufactures innovative, energy saving, tankless water heaters for schools and institutions. For more information, visit www.keltech.us or call 800-999-4320.

“The properties’ below-market rents, upscale neighborhoods and upside in value growth were the primary factors in these acquisitions,” said Michael Pearlstein, president of Empire Realty Investments. "Plus they’re situated in one of the strongest economic and rental markets in the country, and we’re excited to now be a part of it,” he said.

Empire Realty Investments, Inc., has acquired and managed approximately 5,000 units, 5 million square feet and 2,000 acres of retail, office, multi-family and residential properties throughout the metropolitan Philadelphia area and in 16 states across the country.

For more information about Empire Realty Investments, Inc., visit www.empirerealtyinvestment.com or call 215-232-5400.

Atlanta, GA and Ocala, FL (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- Jancik Arts International (JAI) creators of stunning stained glass ceiling domes, was recently recognized by Glass Magazine for their work aboard the Ocean Princess cruise ship. The celebrated dome, located in the ship's main atrium, measures 30 feet in diameter and lends visual drama to the lobby. The magnanimous dome depicts a whimsical pattern of ocean waves featuring an art nouveau theme in subtle ambers, pale greens and blues. http://jancikarts.com/press/ocean_princess_press.html

"The Ocean Princess dome is one of my all time favorites. It took us almost 6 months to complete. from the initial design to installation," notes JAI's President and Chief Designer, Angelique Jackson. "The massive size of the dome and light colors with neon backlighting gives a sense of a conservatory, inviting natural light into the space."

Jancik Arts has designed and produced amazing pieces of stained glass artwork for luxury properties in both commercial and high-end residential environments, particularly for the travel/hospitality and leisure/entertainment industries. Clients include: Epcot Center, Disney World (Orlando, Fla.); Princess Cruises (Italy, France and Japan); Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (Portugal); Mormon Temple, Latter-Day Saints (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Orlando, Fla.); U.S. Post Office (El Paso, Texas); Floridian Golf Course (Stuart, Fla.), among others.

About Glass Magazine:
Serving the architectural glass industry, architectural metal, building, remodeling and related architectural industries, Glass Magazine is published monthly and is the official magazine of the National Glass Association.

About Jancik Arts International (JAI), Inc.:
Since 1978, Jancik Arts International, Inc. (JAI) has emerged as a leader in custom design, production, and installation of interior vertical glass and stained glass dome structures for world-renowned travel, leisure and residential environments.

JAI custom designs range from contemporary to classic and include ceiling domes, vertical flat glass and magnificent chandeliers. Each design is one of a kind and registered with the Library of Congress.

To view some of JAI's world class creations: http://jancikarts.com/promo_cd/promo_slide.html

Jancik Arts earned the International Award for Women in Design and the Design Journal's Platinum Award for Design Excellence. The company has been featured in publications such as Architectural Digest, Southern Living, and Glass Craftsman. JAI is a member of NEWH (Network of Executive Women in the Hospitality Industry) and SGAA (Stained Glass Association of America).

For more information, please visit the website at www.jancikarts.com or call 1-800-254-1593.

Editorial Contact:
Elizabeth Fairleigh
thE Connection, Inc.
404.874.4562

(PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- MyHome LLC (http://myhomeus.com), the leader in complete remodeling solutions, recently announced its new initiative to educate the general public about the pitfalls of hiring a general contractor in the New York Metro area. MyHome's unique publication "15 Critical Questions To Ask Your Contractor," and their extensive customer-education based website (http://myhomeus.com) and movie are the first steps in this effort to raise awareness about the right way to go about this often-difficult process. By better enabling consumers to recognize the dangers that can significantly damage one's home and financial stability, MyHome hopes to set a new standard in an industry known for its wide company disparities.

Alarmed by the former experiences of their clients (some of whom have been gouged by unethical or incompetent contractors who refuse to complete work or cause irreversible damage), Metzler soon realized the value of providing a trustworthy rudder for navigating the market.

"Of course, hiring the most qualified and reputable contractor is the best way to avoid poor craftsmanship, delays, and expensive mistakes," says Metzler. "The real trouble is how to decide."

The first step, according to MyHome, in evaluating a contractor is to review their project portfolio. Review "before and after" pictures of similar work and be sure to call the contractor's references to speak about his or her performance and ability to meet deadlines. It's also prudent to ask the contractor about their current workload, because a contractor that's too available might be a red flag for inexperience. On the other hand, if a contractor is too busy, the less time he/she will have for new clients. Most important is to procure at least a two-year warranty on the contractor's labor and materials. If the company won't provide a warranty, it's possible that potential clients might find themselves paying twice for the same renovation.

Troubleshooting these and the many other industry problems is the focus of MyHome's commitment to providing personalized service backed by the unparalleled project management skills of a big NYC contracting corporation.

"Unlike small contractors, we're a corporate institution and our livelihoods aren't hinged on any one project. This means we can afford to be accountable and won't disappear if there's a mistake," Metzler says. "The reason we offer a five-year warranty on labor and materials is to deliver the piece of mind most homeowners are looking for. And establishing trust is what this business should really be about."

For more information log on at www.myhomeus.com or schedule an interview with Mr. Metzler for complete details on the contracting business.

About MyHome

MyHome is a full-service renovation and construction firm focused on client relations. A corporate leader in delivering world-class service for about ten years, MyHome designs, manages, builds, and coordinates every part of your construction or renovation project. With recent media coverage from Forbes.com to NBC's "The Today Show" MyHome's development projects are getting noticed nationwide. For more information visit www.myhomeus.com.

Denver (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- On the eve of its fifth anniversary, 4240 Architecture, Inc. (www.4240architecture.com), an award-winning architecture, interior and urban planning firm with studios in Chicago and Denver, has promoted six Senior Associates to Associate Principals.

Named to the new leadership roles are:

Christian Barlock, 44, a 12-year lead designer for the firm, who has worked on a broad range of multi-family residential and hospitality projects at the state and national level.
Robert Benson, 38, Design Director for the firm's Chicago office, who holds a master's degree in architecture from MIT and is an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture.
Louis Bieker, AIA, LEED AP, 39, a 15-year architect who has planned and designed museums, research laboratories, and mountain resorts throughout Colorado and California.
Thaddius Carvis, LEED AP, 38, who joined the firm while completing his master's degree in architecture, and has since collaborated on hotels and multi-family residential complexes.
Marcia Weese, 57, an interior designer with a fine art background and current emphasis on green practices, who joined the firm in 2007 as the Denver studio's Director of Design for interior architecture. She grew up in Chicago, the daughter of modernist architect Harry Weese and designer Kitty Baldwin Weese.
Terry Willis, 53, Denver Studio Manager who previously lived and worked in Europe and Asia as project designer, team leader and field office manager for major national and international projects.

All except Chicago-based Benson work out of the firm's Denver studio.

"We're approaching our fifth anniversary, and we've grown from 50 to nearly 90. We've got a billion dollars' worth of work under construction and nearly another billion dollars' worth on the boards," said Dominick. "We need a leadership team with the creative direction, mission, and vision to take the firm to the next level, while maintaining the values that have contributed to our success thus far.

"We feel confident that these individuals will accomplish that, and more."

This is the first time the firm has added Associate Principals, and it took nearly nine months to complete the selection process, according to Dominick, one of the firm's three Principals.

About 4240 Architecture, Inc.
With studios in Chicago (42° latitude) and Denver (40°latitude), 4240 Architecture is an award-winning team of architects, planners and interior designers who design buildings, community frameworks and spaces ranging from entire neighborhoods, resorts, and commercial architecture to interiors and private homes. Established in 2003, the 90-person firm is equally fluent in designing for urban settings and high-mountain properties - and for just about every context in between. Clients include Disney Development Company, East West Partners, Forest City Enterprises, Hamilton Partners, Hammes Company, Hines, JDL Corporation, Shea Homes, St. Joe Company, and Vail Resort Development Company. For more information, visit www.4240architecture.com.

Contact:
Cindy Martin
Treacy Marketing Group
(312) 482-8900 Ext. 3043
cmartin @ treacymarketing.com

Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) May 14, 2008 -- RealtyStore (www.realtystore.com), the nation's leading provider of foreclosure listings, released its quarterly Nevada Foreclosure Report.

"For almost two years running, Nevada has been plagued with the highest foreclosure rate in the nation. This is a result of the dramatic increase in speculative building starting in 2004 when home prices soared 47%," said Tim Chin, CEO of RealtyStore. "Now, as the housing market corrects, investors are running for the hills as inventory mounts and prices rapidly decline."

More than 90% of the foreclosures in Nevada are occurring in Clark County. Clark County, home of the gaming capital, better known as Las Vegas, started off the first quarter with 15,876 defaults. This was more than double the 6,651 default notices for Q1 of last year. The foreclosure problem in Las Vegas resulted from home buyers gambling on prices continuing to climb. Speculators used adjustable-rate-mortgages (ARMs) and sub-prime loans to get their foot in the door hoping to use the home's projected appreciation to later refinance under more affordable fixed-rate loans. Unfortunately, the tide turned and Nevada's housing market has crumbled.

With a huge wave of hybrid ARMs due to reset this spring, many Nevada homeowners will find their payments ballooning by as much as 50%. With property values dropping almost 20% since last year, distressed borrowers will have little opportunity to refinance into more affordable loans. Left to drown in their mortgage payments, an increasing percentage of homeowners will enter the foreclosure process. This will further suppress housing prices as bargain-priced foreclosures take a bigger share of the Nevada home sale market. In Las Vegas, nearly half of all homes currently on the market are foreclosures. With inventory increasing and home sales at their lowest levels in 13 years, the Nevada housing market will get worse before it gets better.

About RealtyStore.com: Founded in 2005, RealtyStore.com is the fastest growing, most trusted provider of foreclosure listings and information in the nation with over 1 million pre-foreclosure, foreclosure auction, bank-owned, and tax sale property listings. Collected from hundreds of public and private sources, RealtyStore's proprietary database includes extensive property characteristics (including pictures and maps), default and tax information, comparable home values, and neighborhood demographics information. For more information, visit http://www.realtystore.com.