Reputation was everything. It was America in the early 1950’s and the new home construction industry was driven by small local builders, producing quality product, and surviving on one’s reputation. Fast forward forty years later and the reputation of the same industry had diminished so much that home building ranked in the bottom five careers preferred by college graduates. What changed when there was a time when reputation was everything?

Two Story Homes Give Homeowners Plenty of Options

Two story house plans are enjoyed by families of any size. However, you won’t only find two story houses in the suburbs. Many people are deciding to build new homes within city limits that are ranging in size from small affordable houses to luxury home plans. Pricing can also be a surprise to some. Two story home plans can be cheaper to construct than one story home plans when compared by square foot. Custom two story home designs are found in various prices since homeowners are able to have more of an input on what characteristics they want their home to display. 

More Spacious Common Living Areas are found in Two Story Houses

You can easily create a two story home plan on a smaller plot of land without losing the interior space you want. Since you’re building on more than one level, you don’t have to find a piece of land that is large enough to handle each room to be spread out on one layer. Instead of having the rooms stretch out on a single level, two story houses give you the chance to place some rooms upstairs.  

The most common trait two story floor plans have in common is to have bedrooms located on the upper floor. This creates a larger area on the first floor for entertaining guests and to accommodate regular living activities. Many floor plans will bring the master suite to the lower floor for various reasons. One benefit of doing this is that older adults are able to access their room easier than if it were located upstairs. Plus, older children and adults may enjoy the division of bedrooms so everyone has a better sense of privacy. 

If you are interested in a certain residential style, you can usually incorporate it into a two story house plan. Custom home builders are experienced to listen to your wants and needs so they can design your two story dream home. Designing a new two story floor plan can easily integrate various features from different home styles. Custom home designers will help you decide which qualities work best with others and will blend nicely together. 

Two Story Homes can be Built Cheaper than Single Level Floor Plans 

One great advantage to building a two story house is that it can be cheaper to construct than one story homes. This is because the materials for the upper floor are less expensive than those that are used for ground floors. Two story houses don’t need as much cement for the foundation, materials for the roof, or land to be excavated. When comparing prices to one story homes, the cost per square foot is less with two story buildings.

Two story houses have several reasons for why people all across the country are choosing them over single story houses. Since they don’t have to take up as much land, two story homes can be enjoyed within inner city limits. For those that want to stretch their dollar, spending less money per square foot may be the deciding factor. Building a custom two story home allows you to place each room strategically so that it fits your lifestyle; whether it’s for entertaining guests or to have an intimate setting for family.

Green Building is growing far faster than any other segment of construction. Soon we will publish a unique Contractor's Green Toolkit -- a marketing resource for contractors who want a bigger piece of the growing
Green Electrical market for energy-efficient products and systems. The Toolkit is full of sales tips and Green Building insights from dozens of industry experts, including leading manufacturers, contractors, and distributors.
Many resources are also listed.

Would you be interested in receiving a Special Pre-publication Offer to review the Contractor's Green Toolkit
and consider purchase at a great discount price -- 30% off? 

Topics covered include: 
The trends driving Green Building, the Green Building Market, the Green Electrical Market,
Lighting Controls, Energy-efficient Lighting, Sustainable Buildings, LEED Certification, Green Power Distribution.

Markets covered include:
Residential Market, Commercial Market, Institutional Market, Industrial Market, Retrofit Market, and Renewable Energy Market.

Regards,

Dan Carazo
Carazo Communications
dcaraz@optonline.net 

Aerofoam Metals Inc. (OTCPK:AFML); product, known as Aerometal (tm) which has myriad of final application uses in any industry, being a possible substitute for any other metals, wood or plastic. Aerofoam's process allows it to produce simple applications as well as complex 3D forms which are required in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Ashland Inc (NYSE:ASH) is a diversified business company that operates in five industry segments. The APAC segment performs asphalt and concrete contract construction work and produces asphaltic and ready-mix concrete, crushed stone and other aggregates.

Abbey plc (London:ABBY) Through its subsidiaries, builds residential housing and develops commercial and industrial property in Southeast England and Ireland. The Company also invests in property, provides instant building rental and sales and offers contracting for plant hire.

American Biltrite Inc. (AMEX:ABL) Manufactures adhesive-coated, pressure-sensitive papers and films. The Company's products are used to protect material during handling or storage or to serve as a carrier for transferring decals or die-cut lettering. American Biltrite also distributes fashion jewelry and related accessories.

American Insulock Inc. (OTCPK:AILKF) The Company's core business is the manufacture and distribution of its brand of insulating concrete forms (known as INSULOCK(r) Blocks), together with the equipment that is used to manufacture these blocks. INSULOCK(r) Blocks are made of polyurethane rather than polystyrene (i.e., Styrofoam(r)), which is the material that is used by virtually every other manufacturer of insulating concrete forms. INSULOCK(r) Blocks are much stronger than polystyrene blocks and can be used to construct soundwalls and buildings that are highly effective at absorbing sound and that have an R-30 or R-38 heat insulating value.

American Mold Guard, Inc. (AMGI.PK) provides mold prevention and restoration services primarily to builders of single and multifamily homes in the United States. It detects, prevents, and treats mold and microbial contamination.

Ameron International (NYSE:AMN) has four core businesses: performance coatings and finishes, fibreglass-composite pipes, water transmission and infrastructure products. The Performance Coatings and Finishes Group develops, manufactures and markets coatings and surfacer systems on a worldwide basis.

Armstrong (NYS:AWI) Designs, manufactures and sells interior finishings, most notably floor coverings and ceiling systems, around the world. Their products are sold primarily for use in the finishing, refurbishing and repair of residential, commercial and institutional buildings. They also design, manufacture and sell other products, including kitchen and bathroom cabinets and pipe insulation.

Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE: BZH) Designs, builds and sells single family homes. The company designs homes to appeal primarily to entry-level and first move-up home buyers.

Boise Cascade Corporation (2071633.BE) Distributor of office supplies and paper and an integrated manufacturer and distributor of paper, packaging, and building materials. Their operations extend throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil.

Brookfield Homes (NYSE:BHS) Residential homebuilder and land developer, building homes and developing land in master-planned communities and infill locations. The Company designs, constructs and markets single-family and multi-family homes primarily to move-up and luxury buyers. It also develops land on which it builds homes or which its sells to other homebuilders. Its operations are focused primarily in four markets: the San Francisco Bay area, the Southland/Los Angeles area, San Diego/Riverside area and Northern Virginia.

Building Materials Holding Corporation (OTCBB:BLGM) BMHC, a Fortune 1000 company, is one of the largest providers of residential construction services and building materials in the United States. We serve the homebuilding industry through two subsidiaries: SelectBuild provides construction services to high-volume production homebuilders in key growth markets across the country; BMC West distributes building materials and manufactures building components for professional builders and contractors in the western and southern states.

CRH PCL (NYSE:CRH) Manufactures cement, concrete products, aggregates, roofing, insulation and other building materials. Through its subsidiaries, the Company operates in Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.

Calton, Inc. (CTON.PK) Homes by Calton, LLC, was started in August of 2003, and is actually a return to residential homebuilding for the Company. The company is currently constructing single-family homes in one community located minutes from its corporate headquarters in Vero Beach. Calton plans to pursue other opportunities in the homebuilding industry in Florida and is actively reviewing areas within the county.

Cavalier Homes, Inc. (NYSE:CAV) Production, sale, financing and insuring of manufactured homes. The Company designs and manufactures a range of homes with a focus on serving the low- to medium-priced manufactured housing market in the South Central and South Atlantic regions of the United States.

Centex Corporation (NYSE:CTX) Premier company in building and related services:Home Building, Home Services, Financial Services, Construction Services, Construction Products and Investment Real Estate.

Coachmen Industries, Inc (NYSE:COA)is one of the largest full-line producers of recreational vehicles in the United States and is a major manufacturer of modular housing/buildings. The Company's All American Homes subsidiary is the largest manufacturer of Modular homes in the United States. The Company's recreational vehicles are marketed under various brand names including Coachmen, Georgie Boy, Shasta, and Viking. Modular buildings are marketed by All American Homes, Miller Building Systems, Mod-U-Kraf Homes, and the newly acquired KanBuild.

Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHCI) Comstock is a production home builder that develops, builds, and markets single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums. The Company currently operates in the Washington, D.C. and Raleigh, North Carolina markets where it targets a diverse range of buyers, including first-time, early move-up, secondary move-up, empty nester move-down and active adult home buyers. Since its founding in 1985, Comstock has built and delivered over 2,500 homes valued at over $500 million.

Conns Inc. (NASDAQ:CONN) The Company is a specialty retailer currently operating 60 retail locations in Texas and Louisiana: twenty stores in the Houston area, thirteen in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, nine in San Antonio, five in Austin, four in Southeast Texas, one in Corpus Christi, two in South Texas and six stores in Louisiana. It sells major home appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers and ranges, and a variety of consumer electronics, including projection, plasma, DLP and LCD televisions, camcorders, computers and computer peripherals, DVD players, portable audio and home theater products. The Company also sells lawn and garden products, furniture and mattresses, and continues to introduce additional product categories for the home to help respond to its customers' product needs and to increase same store sales.

Craftmade International Inc. (NASDAQ:CRFT) Craftmade International, Inc., founded in 1985 and based in Coppell, Texas, is engaged in the design, distribution and marketing of a broad range of proprietary ceiling fans, lighting products, decorative light bulbs, door chimes, ventilation systems and related accessories. The company distributes its premium products through a network of 1,800 showrooms and electrical wholesalers through a national sales organization of more than 65 independent sales representatives. Through its Trade Source International subsidiary, acquired in 1998, Craftmade distributes outdoor lighting, ceiling fan accessories and an indoor lighting line to the mass merchandiser market.

Cyberlux Corporation (OTCBB:CYBL) has created breakthrough lighting technology that provides the most energy efficient and cost effective lighting solutions available today. Several products are designed to address emergencies such as power outages or critical security lighting needs and others which bring newly developed heatless light into the home for use in closets, cabinet interiors and under cabinet lighting for kitchen counters. Cyberlux uses solid-state semiconductors, trademarked as its diodal(tm) lighting elements, which consume 92 percent less energy than incandescent elements and perform for over 20 years in contrast to 750 hours for traditional bulbs.

DR Horton (NYSE:DHI) One of the largest homebuilders in the United States, builds high quality, single-family homes designed principally for the entry-level and move-up markets. Founded in 1978, the company builds and sells homes with a geographic presence in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southwest, and Western regions of the United States. The company also provides mortgage financing and title services.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) Producers of agricultural equipment as well as a leading manufacturer of construction, forestry, and commercial and consumer equipment. The company, in addition, provides credit, special technology, and managed health-care products and services.

Eagle Materials Inc. (NYSE:EXP) is a leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of building materials, including gypsum wallboard, portland cement, recycled paperboard, and concrete and aggregates.

Elbit Medical Imaging Ltd. (NASDAQ:EMITF), through its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, construction, operation, and management of hotels, and commercial and entertainment malls in central and eastern Europe. The company also owns and operates an entertainment and commercial center in Israel, as well as involves in the research and development, production, and marketing of image guided focused ultrasound treatment equipment.

Encore Wire Corp. (NASDAQ:WIRE) Encore Wire Corporation manufactures a broad range of copper electrical wire for interior wiring in homes, apartments, manufactured housing and commercial and industrial buildings.

Fleetwood Enterprises (NYSE:FLE) One of the largest producers of manufactured housing and manufacturers of recreational vehicles such as motor homes, travel trailers, folding trailers and slide-in truck campers. The company's principal manufacturing activities are conducted in the U.S., and to a much lesser extent in Canada. In addition, the company operates supply companies which produce components for its primary manufacturing operations, while also generating outside sales.

Genesis Worldwide Inc. (GWI.TO) develops and licenses structural building technology aimed at the residential, commercial and institutional building markets. Genesis offers licensees a turn-key solution enabling them to custom design, manufacture and install complete light steel building structures. The Genesis Solution encompasses engineered processes and materials that are environmentally sustainable or "green". Genesis is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and currently has seven licensees worldwide.

Gold Horse, (OTCBB:GHII) through its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Rise International Ltd., controls and operates Inner Mongolia Jin Ma Construction Co., Ltd. (``Jin Ma Construction''), Inner Mongolia Jin Ma Hotel Co., Ltd. ("Jin Ma Hotel") and Inner Mongolia Jin Ma Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. (``Jin Ma Real Estate'', and collectively the ``Jin Ma Companies''), all based in Hohhot City, the regional capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China. Jin Ma Construction has been providing construction and general contractor services in Hohhot City to both private developers and the local and regional governments since 1980. Jin Ma Hotel owns, operates and manages the Jin Ma Hotel, a full-service two-star hotel located in Hohhot City. Jin Ma Real Estate develops residential and commercial properties in Hohhot City.

Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE:GVA) Diversified heavy civil contractor and construction materials producer. The Company concentrates on infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, dams, tunnels, canals and rapid transit facilities. The Company also manufactures asphalt, concrete base rock and other construction materials. The Company has offices in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Georgia and California.

Hanson Building Materials America (HBQ1.BE) International building materials company with operations in North America, the UK, continental Europe and Asia. Their businesses are concentrated on heavy building materials such as aggregates, concrete products (Hanson Building Materials America, the 3rd largest aggregates producer and the largest manufacturer of concrete pipes and precast products in the US and Hanson Quarry Products Europe, the 2nd largest aggregates producer in the UK) and bricks (Hanson Brick America, the 2nd largest brick manufacturer in North America and Hanson Bricks Europe).

Holcim Ltd (OTC:HCMLY-ADR) Produces and markets ready-mixed concrete, cement, clinker, and admixtures. The Company also provides consulting and engineering services in all areas of the cement manufacturing process. Holcim, through subsidiaries, operates cement manufacturing facilities around the world.

Home Depot (NYSE:HD) Operates Home Depot stores, which are full-service, warehouse-style stores offering approximately 40,000 to 50,000 different kinds of building materials, home improvement supplies and lawn and garden products to do-it-yourselfers (DIY), home improvement contractors, trades people and building maintenance professionals. In addition, the Company operates EXPO Design Center stores, which offer products and services primarily related to design and renovation projects; Home Depot Landscape Supply stores, which service landscape professionals and garden enthusiasts with lawn, landscape and garden products, and Home Depot Supply stores, serving primarily professional customers. It also operates one Home Depot Floor Store, a test store that offers only flooring products and installation services. At the end of the fiscal year ended February 2, 2003 (fiscal 2002), the Company was operating 1,532 stores in total.

HouseRaising, Inc. (OTCPK:HRAI) Functioning exclusively in the custom homebuilding arena, HouseRaising, Inc. is a Managed Service Provider that will revolutionize the way custom homes are designed and built.

Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV) Designs, builds, and sells a variety of home designs, from entry-level condominiums to luxury single family homes, in planned communities throughout the eastern U.S., Texas, and California.

James Hardie (NYSE:JHX) Manufactures fiber cement products and systems for internal and external building construction applications in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines . The Company offers a wide range of fiber cement products for both exterior and interior applications, some of which have not yet been introduced into the United States. In the United States and elsewhere, its products are typically sold as planks or flat sheets with a variety of patterned profiles and finishes.

JER Envirotech (JER:TSX.V) is focused on preferable alternatives to the pure wood and plastic products industry. The company is commercializing breakthrough patent-protected technology in various wood-plastic composites (WPC) markets. The company has developed a panel board (also known as wallboard) for the construction industry, a substrate product that can be used with countertops and flooring, a decking product and a raw material compound for injection molding and extrusion applications.

International Barrier Technology, Inc. (OTCBB:IBTGF; TSXV:IBH) develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary fire resistant building materials branded as Blazeguard®. Barrier's award-winning Blazeguard® wood panels use a patented, non-toxic, non-combustible coating with an extraordinary capability: it releases water in the heat of fire. The panels exceed "model" building code requirements in every targeted fire test and application, and are unique in combining properties that increase panel strength and minimize environmental and human impact. Blazeguard® provides Barrier's customers a premium material choice meeting an increasingly challenging combination of requirements in residential and commercial building construction.

KB Home (NYSE:KBH) Builder of single-family homes with domestic operations in several western states, and international operations in France. Domestically, they build innovatively designed homes which cater primarily to first-time homebuyers, generally in medium-sized developments close to major metropolitan areas. Internationally, the company also builds commercial projects and high density residential properties such as condominium complexes.

Kimball International Overview (NASDAQ:KBALB) provides a vast array of products from its two business segments: the Furniture and Cabinets Segment and the Electronic Contract Assemblies Segment. The Furniture and Cabinets Segment manufactures furniture for the office, residential, lodging and healthcare industries and store display fixtures, all sold under the Company's family of brand names. The Electronic Contract Assemblies Segment is a provider of design engineering, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of electronic assemblies, circuit boards, and multi-chip modules.

Lafarge North America, Inc. (LFRGY.PK) U.S. and Canada's largest diversified supplier of construction materials such as cement and cement-related products, ready-mixed concrete, gypsum wallboard, aggregates, asphalt and concrete products.

Landstar Properties, Inc. (TSX-V:LPI) Landstar is a fast growing, public real estate development company with active projects in residential land development and home building in the lower mainland region of Vancouver, Canada and Lakeland, Florida. Our management team is experienced and versatile, with a long record of achievement in real estate development and in the management and financing of high growth public companies. On November 29, 2004, the Company reported third quarter revenues of $3.32 million and income of $0.25 million. The Company's financial position continues to strengthen with assets of approximately $5 million and earnings of $.05 per share over the last two quarters. Expansion plans include entry into other high growth market areas.

Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) Builders of quality homes for all generations, building affordable, move-up and retirement homes. Under the Lennar Family of Builders banner, the Company includes the following brand names: Lennar Homes, U.S. Home, Greystone Homes, Village Builders, Renaissance Homes, Orrin Thompson Homes, Lundgren Bros., Winncrest Homes, Sunstar Communities, Don Galloway Homes, Patriot Homes, NuHome, Barry Andrews Homes, Concord Homes, Summit Homes, Cambridge Homes, Seppala Homes, Genesee and Rutenberg Homes.

Liberty Homes Inc (LIBHA.PK) Liberty Homes, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells at wholesale a line of manufactured homes and modular homes under various trade names throughout the United States. It has manufacturing facilities in Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The Company also sells at retail through two subsidiaries in Indiana and North Carolina. The Company closed and liquidated Ocala Housing Center, Inc. during the year ended December 31, 2003.

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse (NYSE:LOW) Retailer of home improvement products, with a specific emphasis on retail do-it-yourself (DIY) and commercial business customers. The Company specializes in offering products and services for home improvement, home decor, home maintenance, home repair and remodeling and maintenance of commercial buildings. As of January 31, 2003, Lowe's operated 854 stores in 44 states, with approximately 94.7 million square feet of retail selling space.

MDC HOLDINGS INC. (NYSE:MDC) Engaged in the construction, sale and related financing of residential housing and the acquisition and development of land for use in its homebuilding activities and sale to others, in the Denver, Phoenix, Maryland, Virginia, mid Atlantic region, Las Vegas, Dallas, California metropolitan areas. They are also is involved in real estate brokerage, property management, condominium conversions and fee construction of apartment and commercial buildings.

M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc. (NYSE:MHO) Homebuilding Company sells and constructs single-family homes to the first-time, move-up, empty-nester and luxury buyer under the M/I Homes and Showcase Homes trade names.

Manufactured Home Communities (MNHMA.PK) Integrated company that owns and operates manufactured home communities and recreational vehicle resorts. As of December 31, 2002, the Company owned, or had an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 142 communities and resorts (the Properties) located throughout the United States containing 51,582 residential sites.

Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM) Producer of aggregates for the construction industry, including highways, infrastructure, commercial and residential. The company also manufactures and markets magnesia-based products, including heat-resistant refractory products for the steel industry, chemicals products for industrial, agricultural and environmental uses, and dolomitic lime.

Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) manufactures, sells and installs home improvement and building products through five business segments. The cabinets and related products segment manufactures and sells assembled and ready-to-assemble kitchen and bath cabinets, home-office workstations, entertainment centers, storage products, bookcases and kitchen utility products. The plumbing products segment manufactures and sells faucets, plumbing fittings and valves, bathtubs, shower enclosures and spas. The installation and other services segment is engaged in the sale, installation and distribution of insulation and other building products. The decorative architectural products segment manufactures and sells paints and stains, mechanical and electronic locksets and door, window and other hardware. The other specialty products segment manufactures and sells windows, frame components and patio doors; staples and staple gun tackers, hydronic radiators and heat convectors, pumps and ventilation systems.

Meritage Corporation (NYSE:MTH) builds primarily single-family homes across the southern and western United States under the Meritage, Monterey and Legacy brands. Meritage has active communities in Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Tucson, Las Vegas, the East Bay/Central Valley and Inland Empire of California, Denver and Orlando.

NCI Building Systems (NYSE:NCS) one of North America's largest integrated manufacturers of metal products for the nonresidential building industry. NCI operates 43 manufacturing plants in 18 states and Mexico, as well as sales and distribution facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

National Storm Management, Inc (NSMG.PK) a national construction company that specializes in commercial and residential storm restoration and repair services for hurricane, hail, and wind damage. The company and its subsidiaries provide repair and restoration services for roofing, siding, gutters, windows, and sundry exterior systems.

Noble Innovations (OTCBB:NOBV) was founded to research, develop, manufacture, market and sell products using various technologies generally classified as "green" in nature. Noble Innovations intends to supply products that deliver increased functionality and energy efficiency to consumers. Noble has several working prototypes, and is in the early stages of sales and production of products.

NVR Inc. (NYSE:NVR) is a holding company that operates in two business segments; the construction and marketing of homes and in financial services. NVR's homebuilding operations construct and sell single-family detached homes, townhomes and condominium buildings in two distinct product lines through the two divisions known as Ryan Homes and NVHomes. NVR's also provides financial services including a mortgage banking operation. NVR's mortgage banking business generates revenues primarily from origination fees, servicing fees, gains on marketing of loans, title fees, and sales of servicing rights.

Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. (Amex:OHB) develops residential communities in southeastern Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey and the metropolitan areas of Richmond, Virginia and Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina. The Company operates in Pennsylvania, New Jersey , North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. OHB operates as a land developer, primarily for its own use, and as a builder. The Company builds and sells condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes to first-time homebuyers, first- and second-time, move-up homebuyers and luxury homebuyers, as well as empty nesters and active adult homebuyers.

Palm Harbor Homes, Inc. (Nasdaq:PHHM) Manufacturer and marketer of factory-built homes in the United States. The Company markets nationwide through vertically integrated operations, encompassing manufactured housing, modular housing, chattel and mortgage bank financing, as well as insurance. As of March 28, 2003 , Palm Harbor operated 19 manufacturing facilities that sold homes in 32 states through 153 Company-owned retail superstores and approximately 300 independent retail dealers and builders.

Pulte Homes (NYSE:PHM) Subsidiaries engage in homebuilding and financial services businesses. The company's major subsidiaries include Pulte Financial Companies, Inc., Pulte Diversified Companies, Inc., and other subsidiaries which are engaged in the homebuilding business.

Rinker Group (RINYY.PK) Focused heavy building materials group comprised of the Readymix and Humes businesses in Australia and Asia, and Rinker Materials Corporation in the United States. Readymix produces aggregate, concrete, concrete pipe and other concrete products. It also holds substantial joint venture interests in cement and asphalt operations, and has a 70% interest in a concrete and aggregate business in China. Humes is an Australian provider of precast concrete products for infrastructure development. Its main products are steel-reinforced concrete pipes, pipe culverts, box culverts, precast flooring products, prestressed concrete rail sleepers and other products. Rinker Materials Corporation is focused on the construction and building materials sectors.

RTICA Corporation (RTNZF.PK) Thermal and acoustical insulation made from recycled plastic created for home and light commercial applications.

Ryland Homes (NYSE:RYL) National homebuilder and mortgage-related financial services firm operating in the United States. The Company's homebuilding segment specializes in the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached housing. It builds homes primarily for first-time buyers, as well as for move-up buyers. As of December 31, 2002 , Ryland homes were available in 306 communities in 25 markets across the United States . The Company's financial services segment provides loan origination, title, escrow and insurance brokerage services for its homebuilding customers and maintains a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and notes receivable.

Standard Pacific Homes (NYSE:SPF) Geographically diversified builder of single-family homes. The Company constructs homes within a wide range of prices and sizes targeting a broad range of homebuyers. Standard Pacific has operations in major metropolitan areas in California, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida and the Carolinas and has built homes for more than 53,000 families during its history. In addition to its core homebuilding operations, the Company provides mortgage financing and title services to its homebuyers through its subsidiaries and joint venture.

Toll Brothers - America's Luxury Home Builder (NYSE:TOL) Designs, builds, markets and arranges financing for single-family detached and attached homes in middle and high income residential communities in thirteen states and five regions around the country. The communities are generally located on land Co. has developed, although, due to the poor economic conditions during the early 1990's, Co. has been able to acquire a number of fully approved parcels and often improved subdivisions.

TOUSA, Inc., (TOUSQ.PK) through its subsidiaries, designs, builds, and markets detached single-family residences, town homes, and condominiums in the United States.

WCI Communities (WCIMQ.PK) Integrated homebuilding and real estate services company engaged in the design, construction and operation of leisure-oriented, amenity-rich, master-planned communities. Prior to August 31, 2001, the Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of Watermark Communities Inc. (Watermark). WCI Communities designs, sells and builds single- and multi-family homes serving move-up, pre-retirement and retirement home buyers. It also designs, sells and builds luxury residential towers targeting leisure-oriented home purchasers. It has developed master-planned communities where there are over 150,000 residents who enjoy lifestyle amenities such as golf courses, country clubs, deep-water marinas, tennis and recreational facilities, luxury hotels, upscale shopping and a variety of restaurants.

William Lyon Homes (WLSM.PK) The Company and subsidiaries designs, constructs and sells a wide range of homes designed to meet the specific needs of each of its markets, although it primarily emphasizes sales to the entry-level and move-up home buyer markets. The Company currently markets its homes through sales locations in both its wholly-owned projects and projects being developed in unconsolidated joint ventures.

WoodBridge Holdings Inc (WDGH.PK) is a publicly traded diversified holding company based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We and our subsidiaries invest in two primary asset classes: real estate and real estate-related enterprises; and diverse operating businesses.