Industry Insights – Ken Semler

12 Mar

Low Home Inventories Turn Many to Home Construction

By Ken Semler
In Industry Insights

Existing home inventories are at an all-time low. There are very few good houses on the market for sale. If a good home finds its way to the market, then there is a bidding war for it driving the price upward for the eventual winner. ... Read More The post...

26 Feb

Building to the Labels

By Ken Semler
In Industry Insights

Labels are just another way to say a standard. There is information overload for homebuyers in today’s marketplace, smart homes, construction standards, appliances, color selections, building materials, etc. When you build a home, there is a lot coming at you and many decisions to be ... Read More The post...

11 Dec

The Night and Day Difference

By Ken Semler
In imf, Industry Insights

In life, we use the term night and day difference to refer to opposites, things that are completely different. We also use terms such as left or right, in or out, up or down, etc. All of these can also characterize the choices you make. ... Read More The post...

02 Oct

The Gift that Keeps on Giving: A Tight Thermal Envelope

By Ken Semler
In imf, Industry Insights

We hear terms such as energy-efficient, green, resilient, zero-energy ready (ZER), along with many others every day. When you are a builder, or if you are into building science, you know (or should know) what they all mean. However, as a home buyer that just wants a home that...

25 Sep

Modular Brain: Rewiring the Brain for a Better Way to Build

By Ken Semler
In imf, Industry Insights

When a home buyer first discovers modular construction as an option to build their new home, they get excited. They begin to Google more about the construction method and learn more about it and its advantages. However, as an industry, many contractors don’t know anything about it. It’s different....

11 Sep

Modular Gives Homebuyers Exactly What They are Looking for in a Home

By Ken Semler
In imf, Industry Insights

Home sales today are off the charts. Interest rates are now at historic lows! Realtors and home builders are all busy. Homebuyers are doing their research and looking at homes on the internet. Four items seem to be at the top of the search list for those investigating building...

04 Sep

Now is a Great Time to Build a Home – Despite Lumber Price Increases

By Ken Semler
In imf, Industry Insights

In the last six months, lumber prices have drastically increased. By drastically, we are talking by more the double the price they were at in March. This has driven the price of a house up sharply as we approach the end of the year. But we have also seen,...

10 Jul

Are We About to See a New Normal in Home Construction?

By Ken Semler
In imf, Industry Insights

Perhaps the most famous quote attributed to Henry Ford is this: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” While most people agree that Ford never actually said this, it does illustrate a great point. People don’t know exactly what they want until...

03 Jul

Should COVID-19 Make You Think Twice About Buying a Used Home?

By Ken Semler
In imf, Industry Insights

COVID has also changed the way many people think about the livability of floor plans. Over the past 20 years, the move has been towards open floor plans. The kitchen, dining room, and family room have blended into one large great room. Formal dining rooms and living rooms have...

01 Jun

Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough – Except When Building a Home in Most of the U.S.

By Ken Semler
In imf, Industry Insights

How do you know that the new home you are living in meets current building code? Does your state observe a written building code? Does your state, county, or city require a building permit to build a new home? What does getting a building permit ... Read More The post...