In these pages you will find inspiring, true stories of people who didn't have hope?until they had a home. Stories of children who gained identity and confidence for their future. Of families made stronger and healthier and prison inmates who are now giving back to their communities. Of entire communities bonding together around an ethic of hard work and mutual respect. Of denominational, political, and racial barriers falling with every swing of the hammer. Of a growing host of young people engaged in the quest to end poverty housing. And even some wonderful love stories. The end result is nothing less than the transformation of lives, communities, and families?one person, one home at a time. Which, of course, has always been the dream?to build more than houses. "Habitat for Humanity is building much more than houses. By building hope it is building relationships, strengthening communities, and nurturing families." ?Actor Paul Newman, Habitat supporter "Rosalynn and I believe in Habitat's integrity, effectiveness, and tremendous vision. With Habitat, we build more than houses. We build families, communities, and hope." ?Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter "I could have gone through my whole life bouncing back and forth on welfare. Habitat makes a difference, and allows people to be what God intended them to be instead of what their circumstances dictate." ?Missouri homeowner Terrie Robinson

Popular demand has led IMAGES' team of researchers to scour the world for yet another stunning

"Discussing case studies from the Pleistocene through Late Holocene periods, this volume offers a robust examination of houses as not only places of shelter but also of memory, history, and social cohesion within mobile cultures"--

There can be few everyday financial issues more important than the price of houses. Whether we own one and worry about its value or aspire to own one and are frustrated by their high prices, nobody can avoid the issue. In the UK, while prices have fluctuated during our lifetimes, overall they have risen steadily and sometimes spectacularly. The accepted wisdom is that houses are a safe and excellent investment for the long term. But are they really as good an investment as we believe? Might the future be different from the past? Are houses really so safe? This book looks at house prices over the long term in several countries -- including the UK, the US, France, Holland, Norway, Germany and Australia -- to find out what has happened to house prices and why. The author illustrates his findings with authoritative data on trends and provides intriguing details including a century-long index of UK house prices, an analysis of the value of the White House and a fascinating four-hundred-year story of houses in Amsterdam. - To what extent are we right to view our houses as an investment as well as a home? - If prices can rise for decades and then fall for more than a whole generation, then what does the future hold? - If prices rise further, will houses become unaffordable for many young people? How will that affect our society? - If they crash, will that endanger our banks once more? - Are politicians, policymakers and regulators prepared for the true range of possibilities? Anybody who owns a house, wants to own a house or follows the prices and economics of housing will find this book an accessible, fascinating and door-opening read. Neil Monnery studied at Oxford and Harvard Business School. He worked for many years at The Boston Consulting Group as a Director and Senior Vice President and is now active in business, investing and research.

100 of the World's Best Houses features exciting contemporary houses from some of the greatest architects, including Hugh Newell Jacobsen (Buckwalter House), Daryl Jackson Architects (Jackson House), Glenn Murcutt (Southern Highlights House), Kisho Kurok

This no-fluff book contains detailed, step-by-step training perfect for both the complete newbie or seasoned pro looking to build a killer house-flipping business. In this book you'll discover: --How to get financing for your deals, even with no cash and poor credit! --How to evaluate a potential market or "farm" area! --What types of properties you should buy, where and from whom! --How to find great deals from motivated sellers! --How to evaluate deals quickly and accurately! --How to make competitive offers and complete your due diligence efficiently and effectively! --How to create a Scope of Work, a Budget and a Schedule! --How to hire the best contractors and manage your rehab to completion! --How to get your properties under contract for top dollar! --How to get your property to the closing table as efficiently as possible so you can collect your check!

During the first four decades of the twentieth century, prefabricated and catalogue homes grew in popularity and number. Built and occupied by farmers, merchants, the new armies of factory workers and other lower- and middle-class families, these are the modest homes that today line American streets. Using mail-order house catalogues from the time, Robert Schweitzer and Michael W. R. Davis chart the development of catalogue houses and their variations and include floor plans for many models. Students of architecture, whether amateur of professional, preservationists and academics will find in America's Favorite Homes a handy reference to those homes that soon will be eligible for historic designation.