From France to California. From journalism to real estate. From sales associate to founder, executive vice-president, general manager, CEO, or president of some of the top companies in the US. Such has been the professional itinerary of Alain Pinel, an American real estate icon in constant search for business excellence. In Real Estate Behind The Scenes - Games People Play, Alain shows real estate professionals the path to ultimate success. A must read for agents, managers and company owners. Includes foreword by Gino Blefari, CEO of HomeServices of America

This book surveys the contributions that economic theory has made to the often contentious debate over the government's use of its power of eminent domain, as prescribed by the Fifth Amendment. It addresses such questions as: When should the government be allowed to take private property without the owner's consent? Does it depend on how the land will be used? And what amount of compensation is the landowner entitled to receive (if any)? The recent case of Kelo v. New London (2005) revitalized the debate, but it was only the latest skirmish in the ongoing struggle between advocates of strong governmental powers to acquire private property in the public interest and private property rights advocates. Written for a general audience, the book advances a coherent theory that views eminent domain within the context of the government's proper role in an economic system whose primary objective is to achieve efficient land use.

Bigger Isn't Necessarily Better examines the performance and operation of the US homebuilding sector based on a detailed survey of large home builders conducted by the authors in the period of the great building boom of the 2000s. In contrast to the many books that have focused on the financial side of the housing sector prior to the Great Recession, the book examines the operational side of the industry and what did, and, more importantly, what did not, happen during the period of unprecedented growth. Despite the rise of very large, national homebuilders during the boom years from 1999 to 2005 and the consolidation of the industry that accompanied it, the authors find that major homebuilders often did not adopt innovations in areas ranging from information technology, supply chain practices, and work site management, nor improve their operational performance. Given this, the book discusses what homebuilders can learn from other industries as they face a challenging future.

The North Central Province of Ceylon was the focus of a major civilisation which flourished between the third century BC and the twelfth century AD. The area is an arid plain where habitation is possible only with the help of an elaborate irrigation system; and the existing villages use the same irrigation works as the villages of antiquity. This 1961 book is a detailed analysis of how land was owned used and transmitted to later generations in one of these irrigation-based communities, the village of Pul Eliya. The main emphasis is placed on the way the ties of kinship and marriage are related to property rights and the practices of land use. The approach to this question provides a critical test of certain features of the theory and method of contemporary social anthropology. The factual evidence is very detailed, and the author allows the facts to speak for themselves wherever possible.

This book provides an overview of the basic concepts of quality, indoor lighting, and explains concepts like visual comfort, visual interest, and integrated design as they relate to the practice of lighting design. Energy-efficient lighting technologies, including LED lighting and digital control systems, and design strategies that increase visual comfort and productivity are discussed in plain language, and examined in a straightforward way to give the reader, whether an architect, interior designer, engineer, building trades professional, or student a broad understanding of the art and science of energy-efficient quality lighting.

Economics and Property provides a clear and easy-to-read introduction to any property economics module in a degree leading to a profession in real estate, surveying, construction and related courses in the built environment. It focuses on the core principles to provide the economic background necessary to gain a thorough understanding of commercial and residential sectors and the related markets for development, construction and occupation of property. The fourth edition has been comprehensively updated to cover the concepts and methodological approach that property economists require to succeed in the twenty-first century. The text is characterised by an emphasis on understanding commercial and residential property markets, addressing current issues such as housing crises, modern methods of construction and the performance of green buildings. The text focuses on introducing: * core economic principles * the role and nature of government intervention * an understanding of the economic indicators used to assess property markets * ways to achieve the development of sustainable property. Key features include: * a clear, direct and user-friendly style * clear aims and objectives for each chapter * summaries at the end of each section * margin notes highlighting definitions, useful websites and background information * a glossary of terms commonly used in property economics * extensive use of full colour tables and figures * a set of case studies and tutorial readings focusing on the housing market * references to further reading.

This text explores the vexing problem of housing exclusion and the related financial fallout, which has come into sharp relief since the onset of the housing-led global credit crisis. The book looks at the dimensions of affordable housing finance, compares current policy approaches in the US, UK and Australia, and works towards solutions.