A project to widen a four-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Chester County began this week. The work is estimated to take around five years and cost approximately $338 million.
Molly McVety
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Tag: construction
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Five-year, $338 million project begins to widen four-mile stretch of Pa. Turnpike in Chester County
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Report: Immigrants drive housing production in top US homebuilding metros – Houston Agent Magazine
Immigrant laborers play a key role in the housing pipeline, especially for the nation’s top homebuilding metros, according to a new study from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Research showed a disproportionately high share of foreign-born workers active in the construction trades nationally in 2024. While immigrants made up one in five workers nationally, they composed one in three workers in the construction trades sector.
The highest percentage of foreign-born trade workers occurred in the seven metros that issued at least 150,000 building permits between 2019–2023. In these locations, immigrants composed 54% of the trades workforce.
In Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, which led the nation in homebuilding permits at 350,000, 61% of the workers in the trades had immigrated to the country.
Metros with slower housing growth still had disproportionately high shares of immigrants active in the trades. On average, metros that issued 75,000–149,999 permits had a 40% share of foreign-born trade workers, while those with fewer than 75,000 permits had a 22% share.
When categorized by specialty, foreign-born tradespeople most commonly worked as construction laborers or carpenters in 2024. They composed three-fifths of all plasterers and drywall installers in 2024 and half of all roofers, painters and carpet, tile and floor installers.
With foreign-born workers playing such an outsized role in housing production and homebuilding, negative immigration trends could signal danger for the market, according to experts.
“There is a disproportionately high share of foreign-born workers in the construction trades nationally and that share is even higher in these communities,” said Harvard Senior Research Analyst Riordan Frost. “The recent slowdown in immigration will limit foreign-born labor for the trades, however, potentially worsening chronic labor shortages and constraining the ability to build and remodel housing.”
Elizabeth Kanzeg Rowland
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Federal officials join Denver crews on Leetsdale Drive fire investigation
The smell of smoke lingered in the streets of Denver’s Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, where the charred wreckage of a partially built apartment complex continued to smolder.
Denver Fire Department crews have not left the the property at 5337 Leetsdale Drive since it caught fire Friday night, quickly growing into the worst blaze Denver firefighters have faced in decades.
The cause of the five-alarm fire is still under investigation, and on Tuesday the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Denver field office requested a national response team assist with the case, Denver Fire Department Division Chief Robert Murphy said at a news conference.
Human remains search dogs on Monday searched the debris for several hours and did not find any bodies, Murphy said.
The 283-unit Harker Heights apartment complex, valued at $23.2 million and owned by Texas-based real estate investment company Embrey, was set to open in May, according to a design firm involved in the project.
A fire investigation continued along Leetsdale Drive between South Forest Street and South Hudson Street in Denver on Jan. 6, 2026. Denver Fire Department officials said during a press conference that the federal government will assist in the investigation of the large apartment construction fire. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) “This fire threatened the safety of our community and injured a firefighter,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Chris Ashbridge said in a statement. “The (national response team) is bringing federal resources and expertise to this complex investigation. It is a top priority for us because we understand the immense challenges this fire has created for residents and businesses.”
The response team — which investigates major fires, explosions and bombings across the country — consists of federal agents, fire investigators, explosives specialists, fire protection engineers, electrical engineers, forensic chemists, intelligence research specialists, digital forensic specialists, a medic and an explosive detection dog, according to ATF.
It’s not clear how long the investigation and clean-up will take, Murphy said, but the “enormity” of the building and the massive amounts of debris will likely make the process difficult and lengthy.
Several businesses in the area were still closed Tuesday, and homes along East Dakota Avenue, which borders the burned area to the north, were visibly damaged.
The fire melted and burned off siding, shattered stone privacy walls and broke windows as flames came within feet of neighboring homes.
Several lanes of Leetsdale Drive remained closed Tuesday, including the right northbound lane and two right southbound lanes between South Holly and South Forest streets, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Fully reopening Leetsdale Drive is contingent on demolishing parts of the charred apartment complex that are still standing, Murphy said. That will likely happen in the next few days, or within a week at most.
Fire investigators have not ruled out any potential causes and are investigating all tips, including reports of a homeless person being in the building and fireworks seen in the area when the fire began, he said.
“We are looking at everything right now,” Murphy said.
Firefighters and investigators still haven’t been able to enter the burned area because of how unstable the debris are and because the fire is still burning, Murphy said. While waiting for the fire to be fully extinguished, investigators have relied on witness accounts and surveillance video from neighboring businesses.
“Some of this fire we just can’t get to,” Murphy said. “It’s covered up, it’s hidden by collapse. I can’t send firefighters in there because of the danger of more collapse.”
A Denver firefighter heads down a ladder during a fire investigation along Leetsdale Drive between South Forest Street and South Hudson Street in Denver on Jan. 6, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) Fire crews put an estimated 18 million gallons of water on the flames between Friday night and Monday, Murphy said, and firefighters continued to monitor the scene from a bucket raised high above the wreckage on Tuesday afternoon.
In a statement, Embrey spokesperson Jeff Cowart thanked emergency responders who worked to contain the fire and are working to secure the site.
“Our priority remains working collaboratively with Denver Fire, investigators and the community as the investigation continues to determine the cause and next steps,” Cowart said.
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Leetsdale Drive remains closed in Denver around massive five-alarm fire
Leetsdale Drive in Denver remained closed Sunday after flames consumed an apartment complex under construction along the road — the worst fire to spark in Denver in decades.
As of 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Leetsdale Drive was closed in both directions between South Holly Street and South Forest Drive, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Calls started coming in about a structure fire along Leetsdale Drive, between South Forest and South Hudson Streets, at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Denver Fire Department Chief Desmond Fulton said.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation on Sunday.
Most of the building at 5337 Leetsdale Drive, which property records show was set to be a 283-unit luxury apartment complex called Harker Heights, had collapsed Saturday afternoon.
The fire is expected to continue burning inside the building through the weekend, blocking firefighters from entering to investigate the cause or search for victims, Division Chief Robert Murphy said during a Saturday news conference.
“I don’t know if any of us have seen a fire on this scale in our careers,” Murphy said. “I’m in the 30th year of my career, and this is the first five-alarm, almost six-alarm fire that we’ve ever had. We have had other large fires, like the Glendale fire and Emerson Street fire, but they never reached the capacity in terms of firefighters that this one did.”
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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Plan ahead: Construction at RDU begins Monday ahead of $2.5 billion expansion project
It’s a new year and the start of a new chapter at RDU, with construction at Terminal 2 kicking off Monday, Jan. 5.
Joe Milazzo, Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Alliance, said the $2.5 billion airport construction project is funded mainly by passenger facility charges, along with airline fees, customer spending at the airport, limited federal grants and local tax dollars.
While the project is set to wrap up in 2032, Milazzo says travelers will start seeing changes much sooner.
“You’re going to start having bridges that’ll make it easy to go from Terminal One into the airport or Terminal Two to no longer be competing in the same traffic flows,” Milazzo said. “That’s going to be great. The airport [runway] is going to be longer.”
The runway will be 639 feet longer and moved 537 feet further away from Terminal 2.
This expansion will allow the airport then to expand Terminal Two even more, Milazzo added. While the terminal expansion won’t happen in the next few years, the runway relocation and lengthening will happen in the meantime, which sets the groundwork for more capacity.
“We just continue to have such a need for air travel, and a demand for air travel here in this market, and we really have a critical need to upgrade and expand our infrastructure to keep up with that growth,” Milazzo said.
Travelers can expect construction across the campus in Terminal Two starting Monday.
Stephanie Hawco, Media Relations Director at RDU, says a construction wall will be installed at the north end of the terminal. While it will temporarily block the windows, the changes will allow for a larger ticketing area, an upgraded baggage claim system, expanded international arrivals space, additional checkpoint lanes and an overall improved passenger experience.
Parking and airport changes have already started to take effect in preparation for this expansion project, as RDU just closed one of their economy lots Friday to make it an employee-only parking lot.
ParkRDU Economy 4 lot near Interstate 540 and U.S. Highway 70 permanently closed on Friday to airport guests. Economy Lot 3 will expand from 3,800 parking spaces to around 11,000. A customer amenity building is also under construction at Economy 3 with restrooms, solar panels and electric vehicle chargers.
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Broward schools operations chief to resign following construction, office rental debacles
Wanda Paul
BECON screen grab
Wanda Paul, the Broward schools official overseeing construction and operations for the district, submitted her resignation late Sunday, hours after a school board member demanded leadership changes amidst two controversies.
Paul sent a resignation letter to Superintendent Howard Hepburn Sunday evening, saying she would step down as chief operations officer. Earlier in the day, School Board member Adam Cervera posted a statement on X that cited “operational failures” related to a canceled office lease agreement and a failed effort to secure a company to oversee more than $1 billion in school district construction, the latter of which is causing the district to take emergency actions to manage the construction work.
Cervera called for Paul’s “immediate resignation.”
Scott Travis
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Long-awaited streetscape project for Apex’s Salem Street awarded $4.7M construction contract
On Wednesday, Apex Town Council awarded the long-awaited Salem Streetscape Project a contract.
According to Apex Mayor Jaques Gilbert, the council voted 5-0 to award the construction project to Browe Construction company. In total, the project will cost more than $4.7 million, more than $2 million than the original estimate for the project.
The makeover will transform North Salem Street with new walkways, lighting, trees and a pedestrian-friendly design.
The project was already approved for $3 million. Gilbert said the $1.75 funding gap will need to come withing the town’s Capital Improvement Program, which means either moving the funds from another project or increasing overall debt capacity.
Gilbert added that inflation drove up costs due to previous delays and town leaders were worried additional delays would make the project even more expensive.
“We have committed to this project, and it’s about do we move forward, or do we back up and look at a redesign? We all agreed that’s not the way we want to go,” Gilbert said. “We have some momentum and have downtown business owners who are really depending on us to move forward in a certain period of time.”
Construction is expected to begin in January and finish in October.
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Old downtown Danvers fire station for sale
DANVERS — The old Danvers Fire Station on Maple Street is up for sale.
The building that was built about 1900 is listed for $2 million on loopnet.com.
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By Caroline Enos | Staff Writer
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Chef, builder create function room in historic Blackburn Building
The Blackburn Room at Tonno, which expands the space of the downtown restaurant, was designed with the idea of preserving the historic nature of the building in which it is housed.
Drew Hale, founder of Gloucester-based Hale Design Build, said this project marked another chapter in a long partnership between the two local businesses.
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Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.
By Times Staff
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In Saudi Arabia’s green highlands, a different kingdom emerges
ABHA, Saudi Arabia — From the air, Abha’s mountains emerge as a shock of emerald green rising from a sea of sand. Terra firma brings other surprises: a bracing wind that has me grabbing for a jacket — a piece of clothing all but ignored in other parts of Saudi Arabia.
Indeed, so much of Abha, the capital of the southwestern province of Asir, seems a world away — and two dozen degrees cooler — from the scorching desert that dominates Western notions of the kingdom.
I’m here as a tourist — and Saudi Arabia hopes for many more. The government is spending nearly $1 trillion to make attractive what, just over a decade ago, was one of the most tourist-averse countries on earth.
If you’ve read anything about tourism in Saudi Arabia, you’ve probably seen mention of Vision 2030, the all-out diversification plan to reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil; Neom, the sci-fi-esque desert metropolis with plans for an artificial moon and flying cars; or the Red Sea Project, which intends to turn a 92-island archipelago off the country’s pristine Red Sea coast into a network of 50 luxury hotels and about 1,000 residential units.
Those two flagship projects were heavily featured during President Trump’s visit to Riyadh in May, which saw Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — Vision 2030’s architect — guide him to a hall with elaborate mock-ups of the finished product.
A man sits in an old fort on Mt. Qais, one of the verdant areas in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
(Tasneem Alsultan)
Abha and Asir weren’t in the prince’s presentation, but they are nevertheless part of the tourism transformation, though for now they offer more grounded and arguably more authentic pleasures — the primary reasons why I chose to come here. (The other, less whimsical reason is that I wasn’t sure I could convince my editors to OK a $2,500-a-night private “dune villa” at the St. Regis Red Sea for “journalistic purposes.”)
Perched at almost 7,500 feet above sea level, Abha is occasionally nicknamed by Saudis as the “Lady of the Fog” or “the Bride of the Mountain.”
Both titles seemed apt on the day I arrived, and, as fog wafted over a nearby summit, I visited Art Street, a park with theaters, music festivals, restaurants and cafes. Lilac jacaranda trees were in full bloom. Later, I took a 20-minute drive to Al Sahab Park, a short distance outside Abha, crowded with people admiring the evening mist shrouding Jabal Soudah, the country’s highest peak at 9,892 feet.
“People come here to touch the clouds,” said Hussein al-Lamy, a 42-year-old pharmaceutical company employee who lives two hours away. He smiled, taking in the Harley bikers parked near the cliffs and the men and women strolling nearby sporting Asir’s traditional garlands made of orange marigold, dill and artemisia, a gray-green plant similar to sage.
“I left my kids and wife at home for a few days’ visit here,” he said. “It’s a good place to clear the mind.”
Men gather for a wedding in Abha, the capital of Saudi Arabia’s Asir province.
(Tasneem Alsultan)
Next morning, I took a walk through Souq Al Thulatha, a central shopping thoroughfare that despite its name (which in Arabic means Tuesday Market) is open every day of the week.
One stall sold slices of mangoes brought in from Jazan, the fertile southern province famous for its tropical fruits, wheat and coffee; others sold raisins, spices, nuts and gourmet honey from Yemen. Traffic was still light, but vendors told me that at the height of the summer season — when many Saudis flee the fry-an-egg-on-your-hood heat of Riyadh and Jeddah to Abha — you would barely have room to stand.
In its drive to become a must-see destination, the kingdom is ecumenical about its audience, hoping to attract not only Saudis who in the past would travel elsewhere — and who spent $27 billion on international travel in 2024, according to government figures — but also international visitors.
There are signs it’s working: An International Monetary Fund report noted that annual tourists exceeded the Vision 2030 target of 100 million seven years ahead of schedule.
Work is already underway on Abha’s touristic makeover. All over the city, you see signs advertising projects sponsored by the Public Investment Fund, the oil-backed sovereign wealth fund overseeing the gargantuan investments in the kingdom’s no-holds-barred metamorphosis. Construction will soon begin on upgrading the airport.
Locals pose at a mural in one of the many parks in Abha, which has been working to attract more international tourists.
(Tasneem Alsultan)
Beyond the city limits, the fund is planning six tourist districts in the region’s choicest spots; they’ll leverage the area’s majestic vistas to focus on wellness spas, yoga pavilions, meditation retreats, golf courses and glamping pods, according to promotional materials.
“We’re in a transitional phase for the moment, so there’s construction and it can be a bit inconvenient, but things are already getting better,” said Mohammad Hassan, 36, owner of a cafe in Abha called Bard wa Sahab (Cold and Clouds), near an Instagram-ready mountaintop vantage point.
Hassan acknowledged that the spate of development was likely to increase competition and had already spurred a rise in rents. But he appeared happy about what the changes will mean for his business.
“Before, Abha mostly got Saudi visitors or people from the [Persian] Gulf,” he said. “We’re already seeing more foreigners, but the government’s plans will make Abha known internationally.”
Other locals grumble that the construction has made Asir’s most beautiful areas off-limits, and that the focus on luxury will change the freewheeling character of the region.
“We would go to the mountains and camp for days. Authorities have stopped all that, and of course we won’t be able to do it when the resorts open,” said Nasser, a municipal worker who gave only his first name for privacy reasons.
“Maybe all that the government is doing will make it better, but it’s impossible for the old way of life we had here to return,” he said.
Another potential break with the past is possibility of allowing alcohol in the country. But crossing that Rubicon is no easy decision for authorities all too aware of the kingdom’s status as the birthplace of Islam, which bans alcohol and takes a dim view of those who drink and sell it.
Rijal Almaa, an ancient village about 15 miles from Abha, is a popular destination for tourists in Saudi Arabia’s Asir province.
(Tasneem Alsultan)
Nevertheless, many believe it’s coming. Staff working on the construction designs for the Red Sea Project say hotel rooms in various resorts will be equipped with elaborate minibars. And the Four Seasons in Riyadh has opened a tonic bar — but with no booze — that asks you to “delight in a symphony of handcrafted cocktails meticulously prepared to elevate your senses.”
Despite the hundreds of billions Saudi Arabia has spent, there are skeptics. They point to depressed oil prices that mean the government can’t balance its budget or keep up with Vision 2030’s ballooning costs. A few projects have already stalled; architects working on the resorts say that layoffs have spiked and that the scope of their work has been reduced. Other flagship projects, including the Line, have seen their once-fantastical goals grounded by the realities of physics and finance.
Whatever the fate of Vision 2030’s grander plans, Abha’s charms await.
The Rijal Almaa heritage village, located in Asir province, is more than 900 years old.(Tasneem Alsultan)
One afternoon, I decided to brave Jabal Soudah, figuring a short hike was in order. I started down a barely there path with a vague plan to soon turn back. Indeed, I was so ill-equipped (with inappropriate walking shoes, a tiny bottle of water and a massive cold) that I should have done so. But I kept going, curious to see what the next bend would bring.
Four hours later, sunburned and more winded than I like to admit, I reached a hamlet where I later hitched a ride back to the city.
But before I found the ride, I ignored the exhaustion and lingered for a moment in this corner of a country more known for desert than the dense forest I had crossed. Before me, the mountain range extended somewhere beyond the haze. The fog coalesced around the summits, with sunset’s final rays transforming them into a gracefully undulating landscape of golden gauze.
Nabih Bulos
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$10-billion One Beverly Hills project gets off the ground
Development of the massive One Beverly Hills residential and hotel complex reached a milestone over the weekend as construction started going vertical.
The work to erect the two tallest towers in Beverly Hills started Friday with an overnight continuous pour of 3,800 cubic yards of concrete, the equivalent of 41,000 wheelbarrows-full. It was the first of multiple foundation pours that will take place over the next 12 months, developer Cain said.
The project near the intersection of Santa Monica and Wilshire boulevards broke ground early last year and has so far included demolition, drilling geothermal wells, installing utility lines and digging a deep hole to house underground parking.
One Beverly Hills will be anchored by the Aman Beverly Hills, a 78-room, all-suite hotel that will be the brand’s first West Coast property.
One Beverly Hills Gardens
(Foster + Partners)
The tower residences will also be branded and serviced by Aman, a Swiss company owned by Russian-born real estate developer Vlad Doronin, which Forbes describes as “the world’s most preeminent resort brand,” and attracts affluent guests such as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and George and Amal Clooney.
The two towers — 28 and 31 stories — will have a total of fewer than 200 condos.
Interspersed among the property will be as many as 45 stores and restaurants, including a Dolce & Gabbana boutique, Los Mochis restaurant and Casa Tua Cucina restaurant and marketplace.
“Over the next few months, you will start to see the buildings emerge from the ground,” said Jonathan Goldstein, chief executive of London-based Cain. “Reaching vertical construction is a powerful moment for everyone involved.”
One Beverly Hills is one of the biggest real estate developments by cost under construction in North America, Goldstein said. He valued it at $10 billion upon completion.
One Beverly Hills aerial rendering.
(Kerry Hill Architects)
It was conceived by London-based architect Foster + Partners. The firm is led by Norman Foster, an English lord perhaps best known for designing a landmark lipstick-like skyscraper in London known as the Gherkin and the hoop-shaped Apple Inc. headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
Set for phased completion beginning in 2027, the development connects the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hotels in a unified, landscaped compound.
City officials agreed to let Cain build by far the two tallest towers in Beverly Hills with the understanding that stacking the condominiums high would leave open space for 8.5 acres of gardens on the 17.5-acre site.
The most public aspect of One Beverly Hills will be the gardens designed by Los Angeles architecture firm Rios, which also designed the 12-acre Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles and created a new master plan for Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge.
One Beverly Hills will feature botanical gardens that reflect the diverse landscape of Southern California, with drought-resistant native plants fed solely on recycled water, including rainfall and the runoff from residents’ sinks and showers. The gardens are designed to have more than 200 species of plants and trees, including palms, oaks, sycamores, succulents and olives.
Set within the historic grounds of the former Beverly Hills Nurseries, which later became the Robinsons-May department store, the gardens will feature two miles of walkways, trails, sitting areas and water features.
“We’re entering an exciting new chapter with the One Beverly Hills project, and I’m delighted to see it moving closer to becoming a reality,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian. “This is an important addition to Beverly Hills, and I’m proud of the progress we’re making.”
Roger Vincent
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How to Successfully Sell an Unfinished House: A Complete Guide for 2025
Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and sometimes that dream renovation project or new construction becomes more of a burden than a blessing. Whether you’ve run out of funds midway through a remodel, inherited a half-finished property, or faced unexpected life changes, you’re not alone. Thousands of homeowners find themselves needing to sell an unfinished house each year. With the right approach, knowledge, and strategy, you can successfully navigate the sale and move forward.
Understanding what “unfinished” really means
At its simplest, an unfinished house isn’t move-in ready. Essential components like functional plumbing, finished flooring, complete electrical systems, or even basic drywall may be missing. The spectrum of “unfinished” is surprisingly wide.
On the more unfinished end, you have shell homes with completed exteriors but bare interiors. These properties have walls, roofs, windows, and doors installed, but everything inside remains undone.
Framed houses represent another category, where the structural skeleton exists but lacks walls, insulation, and all finishing touches.
Dry-in homes are weatherproofed against the elements with roofing and windows secured, yet the interior work remains incomplete.
Partially renovated properties where homeowners started updates but couldn’t finish are the most common type of unfinished home. One room might be beautifully remodeled, while others remain gutted or outdated.
The key distinction here is between unfinished new construction and abandoned renovations. New construction projects that stalled typically have clearer documentation and permits, while renovation projects may have unpermitted work or hidden issues from the previous state of the home.
Why homeowners end up selling unfinished properties
Understanding why properties end up unfinished helps frame realistic expectations. The most common reason is financial constraints and related issues. According to renofi.com, 1 in 3 renovations go over budget. When unexpected issues arise — like discovering faulty wiring or structural problems — budgets can spiral out of control. Many homeowners simply run out of money before crossing the finish line.
Contractor problems create another common scenario. Disputes over payment, missed deadlines, poor workmanship, or contractors who abandon projects mid-stream leave homeowners in difficult positions. Finding replacement contractors who’ll take over someone else’s work proves challenging and expensive.
Unexpected life events can also derail projects. Divorce, job loss, sudden relocations, or health crises can transform a home improvement project from exciting to overwhelming overnight.
Inherited properties frequently fall into this category too. Heirs may lack the time, expertise, or financial resources to complete renovations their loved ones started.
Finally, design errors and permitting issues can halt progress. Discovering that planned work doesn’t meet code requirements or that previous work was done without proper permits creates legal and financial headaches that convince owners to sell rather than resolve the issue themselves.
The unique challenges of selling an unfinished house
Conventional lending may not be available for homes that are not finished
Selling an unfinished house isn’t like selling a traditional property. Unfortunately, many conventional mortgages can’t be used to purchase a property that isn’t move-in ready. This means your buyer pool shrinks. Banks require properties to meet minimum safety and livability standards, which unfinished homes typically don’t. This reality means you’ll primarily attract cash buyers or those with access to specialized construction loans.
Property values may be lower than expected
Property valuations present another hurdle. Appraisers struggle to determine fair market value when there are few comparable sales of similarly unfinished properties. Buyers naturally factor in completion costs when making offers, often discounting heavily to account for both the expense and the risk of unknown problems. What you thought might sell for $300,000 if finished might only fetch $200,000 in its current state.
Overcoming negative stigma around unfinished properties
Negative perceptions plague unfinished properties. Potential buyers wonder why the work stopped. Was there a major problem discovered? Are there hidden structural issues? Even when the reasons are perfectly innocent, that cloud of suspicion affects both buyer interest and offer amounts.
Prepare for a longer time on market
The time on market extends considerably when selling an unfinished house. While move-in-ready homes in good markets might sell within weeks, unfinished properties often linger for months. Each passing week reinforces buyer concerns and may force you to reduce your asking price further.
Legal and compliance considerations you can’t ignore
Before listing your unfinished property, address the legal and permitting situation.
Building codes exist for safety reasons, and buyers need assurance that completed work meets these standards. If renovations or construction occurred without proper permits, disclose this information upfront. Attempting to hide unpermitted work creates legal liability and can derail sales when discovered during inspections.
Gather all available documentation
This paper trail demonstrates that work followed proper procedures and helps buyers understand what’s been completed. If you’re missing permit records, contact your local municipal building department. Some areas allow you to request these documents through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. You should gather the following information:
- Original building plans
- Permit records
- Inspection reports
- Contractor invoices
- Receipts for materials
Disclosure requirements vary by state, but sellers typically must reveal all known defects, incomplete work, and any failed inspections.
Transparency isn’t just ethical — it’s legally required. Working with a real estate attorney familiar with local requirements can help you navigate these obligations properly.
Preparing your unfinished property for sale
Even though your house is unfinished, presentation still matters.
Clean up the property so it’s as tidy as possible
Start by cleaning up construction debris, removing hazardous materials, and securing any dangerous areas like exposed wiring or unstable structures. A tidy construction site looks more professional and suggests the project was managed carefully.
Organize all your documentation into a folder or binder
Include permits, invoices, contractor agreements, architectural plans, and any warranties on materials or completed work. This organized approach builds buyer confidence and answers questions before they’re asked.
Address basic safety and security concerns
Ensure all entry points lock properly, cover exposed nails or sharp edges, and post clear signage if areas are unsafe. These minimal investments protect both you from liability and potential buyers during showings.
Consider minor curb appeal improvements
Even unfinished homes benefit from mowed lawns, trimmed hedges, and clean exteriors. First impressions matter. An unkempt exterior may make buyers suspect owner neglect, even if that isn’t the case.
Strategic pricing and valuation for unfinished houses
Pricing an unfinished house requires a delicate balance. Set the price too high, and you’ll scare away the limited pool of potential buyers. If you set the price too low, you leave money on the table.
Start by hiring a professional appraiser experienced with unique properties.
They can assess the current state, estimate completion costs, and provide a realistic market value.
Calculate what buyers will need to invest to finish the property.
Get quotes from contractors for remaining work, including materials and labor. Buyers want to understand their total investment, and providing these estimates demonstrates transparency and helps them see the path to completion.
Research comparable properties in your area, but look beyond just finished homes.
Check for recent sales of fixer-uppers, foreclosures, or other properties sold as-is. These comparables provide better benchmarks for setting your price.
Build in room for negotiation, but don’t go overboard.
Buyers of unfinished properties expect some flexibility on price, but they’re also savvy about costs. An artificially inflated asking price will likely drive away serious prospects. Price the home fairly based on the current condition with modest room for negotiation.
Marketing to the right audience
Traditional homebuyers want turnkey properties, so shift your marketing focus to investors, developers, contractors, and buyers seeking customization opportunities. Understanding what motivates someone to buy unfinished property helps craft compelling marketing messages. These buyers see potential where others see problems. They appreciate the blank canvas aspect, the opportunity to build sweat equity, and the chance to create exactly what they want without paying retail prices for someone else’s design choices.
Visual aids are crucial when selling unfinished properties
Professional photography captures the property’s best angles and highlights completed work or desirable features like location or lot size.
Consider investing in 3D renderings or virtual staging that shows the finished potential. These visualizations help buyers imagine possibilities rather than focusing solely on current deficiencies.
Floor plans, architectural drawings, and design concepts give buyers concrete ideas about the space. If you have before photos showing the property’s original state, include these to demonstrate progress made.
Emphasize location benefits heavily in your marketing.
A desirable neighborhood, good school district, proximity to amenities, or attractive lot features can offset unfinished interiors. Highlight what is working: a new roof, updated foundation, quality framing, or premium materials already installed.
Most importantly, be transparent in your listings.
Clearly describe what’s complete, what’s incomplete, and what permits exist. This honesty attracts serious buyers who appreciate straightforward information rather than wasting everyone’s time with surprises during showings.
Understanding buyer financing options
Recognize that financing an unfinished property can be complex
Educating potential buyers about their financing options can facilitate sales. FHA 203(k) loans allow buyers to finance both the home purchase and renovation costs in a single mortgage. The Limited 203(k) program covers minor repairs up to $35,000, while the Standard 203(k) handles major renovations. Both require the property to be at least one year old, and renovations must begin within 30 days of closing and finish within six months.
Construction-to-permanent loans
Construction-to-permanent loans offer another path, converting from construction financing to a traditional mortgage once work is completed. However, these loans typically require larger down payments and carry higher interest rates than conventional mortgages.
Cash buyers dominate the unfinished property market
They eliminate financing contingencies, close faster, and don’t require the property to meet lender standards. This reality means marketing heavily to investors and cash buyers usually makes the most strategic sense.
Your selling options for an unfinished house
You have several paths forward when selling an unfinished house.
Fast and simple: Selling as-is to cash buyers
Cash buyers, typically investors or house-flipping companies, purchase properties in any condition. The tradeoff is accepting a lower sale price that accounts for the work they’ll need to complete before selling the house again. You avoid:
- The stress of completing work
- Eliminate repair negotiations
- Often close within days or weeks
Completion arrangements with buyers take longer but may increase your profit
Negotiating completion arrangements with buyers offers middle ground. Some buyers might purchase the property with agreements about you completing certain work before closing or providing credits for specific repairs. These arrangements require clear contracts and often extend closing timelines.
Finishing your house before selling will net the highest sale price but can be expensive and time-consuming
Finishing high-impact areas before listing can increase your sale price, though this requires additional capital investment. Even partial completion can expand your buyer pool to include those seeking financing. Focus on completing work that most affects livability and safety:
- Functional bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Essential systems like plumbing and electrical
Market the house as an investment opportunity if the market is strong
Marketing the property as an investment opportunity targets buyers specifically looking for projects. This approach works well in strong real estate markets where buyers see clear upside after completion. Emphasize:
- Profit potential
- Customization possibilities
- Below-market pricing
Moving forward with confidence
Selling an unfinished house certainly presents challenges, but it’s far from an impossible situation. Thousands of homeowners successfully sell incomplete properties every year by approaching the process strategically.
Focus on transparency, target the right buyers, price competitively, and consider working with cash buyers if speed matters most. With proper preparation, realistic expectations, and the right professional guidance, you can close this chapter and move confidently toward your next one.
Rebecca Green
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Opinion | The Brains Behind Ukraine’s Pink Flamingo Cruise Missile
Kyiv, Ukraine
If politics makes strange bedfellows, war sometimes makes strange career paths. In her 20s, Iryna Terekh was a “very artsy” architect who viewed the arms industry as “something destructive.” Now Ms. Terekh, 33, is chief technical officer and the public face of Fire Point, a Ukrainian defense company. She and her team developed the Flamingo, a long-range cruise missile that President Volodymyr Zelensky has called “our most successful missile.”
Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Jillian Kay Melchior
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Pangallo talks accomplishments of first term, what’s next for Salem
SALEM — While there are contested mayor’s races this Tuesday in Beverly and Peabody, in Salem, there is none.
Mayor Dominick Pangallo is running unopposed for a full four-year term — after first winning a special election in 2023 to fill the remainder of Kim Driscoll’s term — and is looking ahead to what he says is a crucial time for the city to advance its long-term goals.
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By Michael McHugh | Staff Writer
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White House to reopen for public tours with ‘updated route’ next month – WTOP News
Public tours of the White House will resume in early December amid ongoing construction for a new ballroom.
The White House says it will resume public tours starting on Dec. 2.
Tours of the People’s House paused “indefinitely” in August, in preparation for the construction of President Donald Trump’s new ballroom.
The East Wing, which was demolished last month as part of the construction process, has historically been the spot where visitors enter the building for public tours.
In light of the renovation works, the upcoming tours will now lead visitors through “an updated route,” according to a news release.
All December tours will spotlight first lady Melania Trump’s Christmas decorations on the State Floor, per the release.
Congressional offices may once again submit constituent tour requests on Monday.
Tour availabilities for December will open 30 days ahead of each potential tour date, while tour availabilities for January 2026 should be made available to congressional offices at some point next month.
For more information about public White House tours, check here or contact your congressional representative.
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Vehicle collisions with wildlife spike 16% in Colorado after fall time change
LITTLETON – For deer, the fall time change Sunday morning means trouble: a 16% spike in collisions with vehicles over the following week, despite years of safety campaigns and the construction of 75 special crossings along highways.
Drivers in Colorado collided with at least 54,189 wild animals over the past 15 years, according to newly compiled Colorado Department of Transportation records. That’s far fewer than in many other states, such as Michigan, where vehicle-life collisions often number more than 50,000 in one year.
The carnage — especially this time of year — increasingly occurs where animals face the most people along the heavily populated Front Range, beyond the mountainous western half of the state that holds much of the remaining prime habitat, state records show.
State leaders and wildlife advocates gathered on Thursday near one of the crossings along the high-speed C-470 beltway in southwest metro Denver to launch a safety campaign.
“We’ve made wildlife crossings a priority in our rural areas, and also increasingly in urban areas,” CDOT Director Shoshana Lew said. “We cannot put underpasses and overpasses everywhere. Particularly at this time of year, we urge everyone to be careful of wildlife.”
Lew credited the crossings with containing collision numbers that could be much higher in Colorado, given the traffic and the prevalence of deer and other wild animals. Most of the state’s highway construction projects, such as the work on Interstate 25 north of Colorado Springs that includes a large wildlife bridge, will factor in wildlife safety needs, Lew said.
The risk of collisions spikes this time of year due to deer and elk migrating to lower elevations, bringing more animals across highways. The end of daylight saving time also plays a role as more drivers navigate roads during the relatively low-visibility hours before and after sunset, when deer often move about.
In Colorado, the 54,189 vehicle-animal collisions that CDOT recorded from 2010 through 2024 caused the deaths of 48 vehicle occupants and more than 5,000 injuries. The animals breakdown: 82% deer, 11% elk, 2% bears.
Ten counties where vehicles hit the most animals during that period included five along the Front Range — Douglas, Jefferson, El Paso, Larimer, and Pueblo — with a combined total of 12,791 collisions, state records show. That compares with 11,068 in the other five counties in western Colorado — La Plata, Montezuma, Garfield, Moffat, and Chaffee.
Colorado lawmakers over the past two decades have directed funds for the installation of more and more wildlife crossings, typically overpasses and underpasses combined with fencing along highways. “These can be up to 90% effective in reducing collisions,” Environment America researcher Rachel Jaeger said.
Most recently, in 2022, lawmakers set up a wildlife safe passage fund with a $5.5 million investment for crossing construction. That money’s been spent. State transportation planners have identified locations where crossings are needed, such as the stretch of U.S. 40 between the intersection with I-70 and the town of Empire, where bighorn sheep live.
Wildlife-vehicle collisions have proved persistent enough that safety advocates have launched a social media campaign and are mulling new strategies, such as promoting ridership on CDOT’s intercity Bustang buses as an animal-friendly way to move.
“Leave your driving to a professional,” said Danny Katz, director of the Colorado Public Interest Research Group. “Just take public transportation.”
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