Builders in the Asheville, North Carolina area say they're back to building a volume of houses that could sustain their industry for the long haul, according to a story in the Black Mountain News (for the full item, see: "Asheville area home sales coming back strong," by John Boyle).

"It has been a very good year, and 2012 was a very good year — people are surprised when I tell them that," Tim Wright, owner of Wright Family Custom Homes, told reporter John Boyle. "And we're already looking really good for 2014." But Wright has also noticed a trend toward downsizing among the home-buying public. Said Wright: "My buzzword for it is 'responsible building.' It's smart space. You don't see people being wasteful. They're green and efficient homes, and the space is used wisely."