Smart Money: THE FAT- FREE HOUSE
Builders are digging out of the housing mess with some courious shortcuts, from foam beams to picture windows that don't ever open.  Our look at the home of the future... the art of building a house on the cheap without making it look cheap... no gutter...warranty manager for builder...maybe future occupants won't care about their flowers being decapitated. "You mighg be wasting $1,000.00...“perceived value.” Translation: Keep the high-profile amenities, but skimp everywhere else. And apparently, the strategy works. KB Home says... But creative economizing can come back to haunt homeowners. Missing Water Valves - Builder Saves: $35 per valve. When builders forgo under-the sink shut-ff valves, the savings seldom lower the home price.  But when there's a leak, owners can face big plumbing and cleanup bills...
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