Building Home is an innovative biography that weaves together three engrossing stories. It is one part corporate and industrial history, using the evolution of mortgage finance as a way to understand larger dynamics in the nation‘s political economy. It is another part urban history, since the extraordinary success of the savings and loan business in Los Angeles reflects much of the cultural and economic history of Southern California. Finally, it is a personal story, a biography of one of the nation‘s most successful entrepreneurs of the managed economy —Howard Fieldstad Ahmanson. Eric John Abrahamson deftly connects these three strands as he chronicles Ahmanson’s rise against the background of the postwar housing boom and the growth of L.A. during the same period. As a sun-tanned yachtsman and a cigar-smoking financier, the Omaha-born Ahmanson was both unique and representative of many of the business leaders of his era. He did not control a vast infrastructure like a railroad or an electrical utility. Nor did he build his wealth by pulling the financial levers that made possible these great corporate endeavors. Instead, he made a fortune by enabling the middle-class American dream. With his great wealth, he contributed substantially to the expansion of the cultural institutions in L.A. As we struggle to understand the current mortgage-led financial crisis, Ahmanson’s life offers powerful insights into an era when the widespread hope of homeownership was just beginning to take shape.

From the celebrated poet, speaker, and educator comes a powerful blueprint for healing by building a home within yourself. In her debut book of inspiration, poet Najwa Zebian shares her revolutionary concept of home - the place of safety where you can embrace your vulnerability and discover your self-worth. It's the place where your soul feels like it belongs, where you are loved for who you are. Building your home inside yourself - and never experiencing inner homelessness again - begins here. In Welcome Home, Zebian shares her story for the first time, powerfully weaving memoir, poetry and deeply resonant teachings into her storytelling, from leaving Lebanon at sixteen, to coming of age as a young Muslim woman in Canada, to building a new identity for herself as she learned to speak her truth. After the profound alienations she experienced, she learned to build a stable foundation inside herself, an identity independent of cultural expectations and the influence of others. With practical tools and prompts for self-understanding, she shows you how to build each room in your house, which form a firm basis for your self-worth, sense of belonging and happiness. Welcome Home provides the life-changing tools for building that inner space of healing and solace.

A clear, concise, up-to-date guide on all aspects of deciding, designing, hiring, financing, building, and enjoying a home that's really your own. -- Covers all aspects of the home building process, from deciding what kind of house to build, to designing it, planning it, hiring the people to build it, and financing it. -- Less intimidating than many do-it-yourself books which are 600+ pages and either assume some knowledge of the home building process or are geared towards those who plan to do some of the actual constructing themselves. -- Written by an experienced consumer rather than a contractor, banker, realtor, or other biased author. The Complete Idiot's Guide "RM" to Building Your Own Home is a clear, concise, up-to-date guide on every aspect of the home building process. It answers every question readers have about building a custom residence-and a few questions they may not have considered. With clear instructions and illustrations, this book takes readers through every step of the home-building process from figuring a budget to finding labor and materials to all aspects of home construction. Whether they plan to build it all themselves, build some and hire some done, or hire it all done to their specifications, The Complete Idiot's Guide "RM" to Building Your Own Home will do the job.

"This book is not only a biography of Howard F. Ahmanson but also the story of the financing of the postwar housing boom and the tremendous growth of Los Angeles. Americans have long believed that homeownership is fundamental to the strength of our democracy and the character of our people. Victory in World War II, combined with new government policies designed to stimulate mortgage lending, sparked a tremendous surge in rates of homeownership in the 1950s. With savings and loans providing more than half of the mortgages for these homes, the industry enjoyed a golden era in its history--especially in southern California. Among its peers, Home Savings & Loan Association of Los Angeles was a giant. By 1954 it had more customers and assets than any other thrift in America. Through its real estate development entities, the company played a leading role in the postwar suburban explosion that made LA the quintessential postmodern city. As the crown jewel among a handful of mortgage-related businesses launched and controlled by Howard F. Ahmanson, the company generated philanthropic capital to build L.A.'s cultural centers and finance the campaigns of the region's leading politicians. As a sun-tanned yachtsman and a cigar-smoking financier, the Omaha-born Ahmanson was both unique and representative of many of the business leaders of his era. Like many elites, Ahmanson shared a fundamental confidence in his ability to lead the nation to prosperity. His death in 1968 came just as the era of deregulation was beginning. In this new era, the central role of the savings and loan in financing the American dream diminished and Home Savings was sold to help create one of the biggest branch banks in America--Washington Mutual"--

Love can’t be a game. Because the way my ex is playing, there aren’t any rules... They call me the darling of DC; an event manager extraordinaire, with everyone who's anyone on speed dial. But my world stopped when the first man I ever truly loved left me. Dad’s funeral is breaking me in two. But then a stranger reaches out, right as I need it most. With my conniving ex, Richard, ambushing me at every opportunity, and an ever-expanding business to run, Jake Holland is a pillar of stability in my suddenly crazy life. Just like he was for my dad. His best friend. Maybe it comes with being ex-military — once you’ve dodged death for a living, a socialite’s drama is a drop in the ocean, right? Whatever it is, all I know is Jake makes me feel protected. And...other things. When an old letter surfaces, true feelings fly. But when Jake’s past comes back to haunt him, I’m the one who will face the consequences... Building Home is an age gap, dad best friend billionaire romance. It is book four in the Boston Billionaire series. Coming Home - Book One Finding Home - Book Two Leaving Home - Book Three Building Home - Book Four "I couldn't put this book down. If you like reading love stories with a happy ending, and with some spicy scenes, this one is for you." - Marta "This was one of those stories that hit home for me. The characters felt so real, so relatable and not forced. Nothing gets me more invested in a book when there's something so captivating about two people with completely different backgrounds and despite all obstacles just somehow find their way to each other because their love was meant to be. I love the chemistry between Jake and Isabelle. They couldn't be more fitting for each other. This is how good of a writer Samantha Skye is because I get goosebumps just thinking about it." - Simone "Omg I couldn't put this book down and even though it was so emotional that I cried it was so addictive and a real page turner. Samantha Skye is an amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention on the edge of their seats while reading her books and I definitely recommend you read this book and others by her and you will definitely not be disappointed." - Jean Keywords: billionaire, age gap, dads best friend, bodyguard, alpha hero, protector, ceo, office, alpha strong heroine, soul mates, instalove, romance novel, sexy book, sexy romance book, steamy romance novel, mature heroine romance, alpha hero reads, instant love, romantic suspense, office romance, holiday romance, opposites attract, friends to lovers, alpha hero, alphahole, alpha hole, adventure romance, action romance series, spicy romance, forbidden lovers, billionaire romance, five star romance, hot reads, possessive heroes, dominant heroes, page-turner romance, author romance, writer, danger, romantic love story, passionate romance, sexy villains, mafia, bad boy romance, dark romance, romance, billionaire, bad boy, love books, love stories, new adult, romantic novels, sexually romantic books, guaranteed HEA, no cliffhangers, happily ever after, bestseller, bestselling author

Keep construction on track with helpful checklists Turn your dream of a custom home into reality! Thinking about building your own home? This easy-to-follow guide shows you how to plan and build a beautiful home on any budget. From acquiring land to finding the best architect to overseeing the construction, you get lots of savvy tips on managing your new investment wisely -- and staying sane during the process! Discover how to: * Find the best homesite * Navigate the plan approval process * Obtain financing * Hire the right contractor * Cut design and construction costs * Avoid common mistakes

Learn how to identify, locate, and effectively use alternative building materials, including cob, adobe, rammed earth, bamboo, cork, wool carpeting, and more. You will also learn about the structure, climate control, siting, foundations, and flooring options you gain when using these materials. Ultimately, you will come to understand that these materials are cheaper, easier to build with, stronger, more durable, and more fire resistant.

Guidelines tell how to avoid the pitfalls associated with buying or contracting to build a new home.

Build a truly green home for the same total net cost as the conventional alternative

More and more people aspire to build their dream home - this practical handbook provides valuable, stage-by-stage advice on turning those dreams into reality.