The passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act marks a major step toward addressing America's housing shortage while supporting the residential construction industry. By reducing regulatory barriers, encouraging innovative building methods, and promoting the development of new housing, the legislation is expected to help builders deliver more homes to meet growing demand.
For builders, this creates new opportunities—but also increased responsibility. As more homes are built and more families achieve homeownership, buyers will continue to expect quality construction backed by trusted protection. That's where Residential Warranty Company (RWC) plays an essential role.
Supporting Builders in a Changing Housing Market
The ROAD to Housing Act is designed to streamline housing development and expand access to affordable homes by cutting bureaucratic red tape, increasing private investment, and modernizing federal housing programs. As builders respond to these opportunities, maintaining customer confidence becomes increasingly important.
Key Components of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act
Streamlining Construction & Planning: The law cuts costly red tape by streamlining and expanding exemptions from lengthy federal environmental reviews. It also empowers local communities to speed up permitting by utilizing pre-approved “pattern book” designs (such as duplexes and townhouses) and establishes guidelines for point-access block (single-stair) multifamily buildings.
Expanding Financing & Investment: It encourages private construction lending by lifting the Public Welfare Investment cap for supervised banks, increasing community banking operations, and updating FHA multifamily and manufactured housing loan limits. It also makes community land trusts eligible for HOME Program funding and adds new construction as an eligible use under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
Protecting Individual Homebuyers: To expand access for everyday families, the law curbs unfair competition by restricting large institutional investors from buying additional single-family homes if they already own a massive portfolio.
An RWC structural warranty helps builders demonstrate their commitment to quality while providing valuable protection for homeowners. Backed by decades of experience, RWC warranty programs help reduce builder risk, offer a clear process for addressing structural warranty claims, and provide homeowners with added peace of mind.
Building Consumer Confidence
Today's homebuyers are making one of the largest investments of their lives. In a market where affordability and value are top priorities, a structural warranty offers reassurance that their new home is protected against qualified structural defects.
For builders, offering an RWC warranty can help:
- Differentiate your business in a competitive marketplace.
- Reinforce your reputation for quality craftsmanship.
- Increase buyer confidence during the purchasing process.
- Provide third-party warranty protection that supports long-term customer satisfaction.
Preparing for Growth
As the housing industry continues to evolve, builders who combine efficient construction practices with strong consumer protections will be best positioned for long-term success. Legislative efforts like the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act are expected to encourage additional residential development, making trusted partnerships more valuable than ever.
Residential Warranty Company remains committed to supporting builders with industry-leading structural warranty programs, risk management resources, and exceptional customer service. Together, we can help build stronger communities while giving homebuyers the confidence they deserve. Whether you’re building your first home of the year or your thousandth, RWC is proud to be your partner in protecting what matters most.
The Market Is Shifting — Confidence Still Sells. As material costs stabilize and interest rates fluctuate, homeowners are more cautious about new construction investments. What’s winning their trust? Builder accountability and structural protection. That’s where RWC Structural Warranties step in — offering builders a competitive edge, cost protection, and credibility in a cautious market.
Top 3 Reasons Builders Are Doubling Down on Warranties This Fall
- Buyer Confidence = Faster Sales
Homebuyers today expect reassurance beyond craftsmanship. A 10-Year Structural Warranty from RWC helps seal the deal by showing that your homes are backed by an industry leader with 40+ years of expertise and over 4 million homes covered nationwide. - Reduce Risk in Uncertain Markets
With shifting soil conditions, supply chain variations, and evolving codes, structural claims can be unpredictable. RWC’s coverage helps limit your liability — protecting your bottom line long after closing. - Stand Out with Builder-Centric Support
We’re not just a warranty company — we’re your partner. From remodeler and commercial coverage to state-specific structural options, our programs are designed to meet your project mix and protect your reputation.
Builder’s Fall Prep Checklist: Protect Your Projects Before Winter Hits
- Inspect & Document Foundations Early
Seasonal shifts can cause unseen soil movement. Early documentation supports both warranty claims and preventive action. - Educate Homeowners Before Move-In
Provide simple care guides on grading, drainage, and maintenance.
Reduces callbacks and unnecessary disputes. - Review Warranty Registrations
Make sure every new home, remodel, and commercial project is enrolled.
A missed registration means missed protection. - Evaluate Your Warranty Coverage Mix
Building both residential and light commercial? Ask about bundling our various warranty plans and coverage to streamline your risk protection. - Plan Now for Q4 Marketing
Add “10-Year Structural Warranty Included” to listings and sales sheets.
It’s a proven differentiator that resonates with buyers in today’s market.
- 10-year structural coverage means long-term liability protection.
- Remodeler Warranty equals added credibility for renovation projects.
- Commercial Warranty allows you flexible solutions for mixed-use & light commercial builds.
- Expert Claims & Engineering Team provides you with real support when you need it most.
- Nationwide Network deliver local understanding with national strength.
Keep Building with Confidence
Whether it's a single custom home, a commercial project, or a remodel - RWC ensures lasting protection, professional credibility, and buyer peace of mind.
By Tiaira Satchell, RWC
Contemporary, farmhouse, cape cod, craftsman — there’s a seemingly endless list of residential architecture styles to choose from when buying, designing, or building a home. But what styles transcend fads and the passing of time, and what are buyers looking for today?
Contemporary
Marked by large, tall windows and lack of ornamentation, Contemporary homes often have an unusual mix of materials such as stone, brick, wood, and glass. These homes increasingly make use of flat roof systems, although gabled roof types are also incredibly popular, with the latter often characterized by exposed beams. Both tend to be designed to incorporate the surrounding landscape.
Advantages:
- Natural light
- Spaciousness
- Often surrounded by nature
- Sustainable building materials
Disadvantages:
- Can be bland
- Prone to damage (broken glass, etc.)
- Expensive
- Trendy
Cottage
A Cottage is easiest understood as a small home for a single family. Cottage-style architecture is celebrated for its simple design, coziness, and ability to stand the test of time.
Advantages:
- Coziness
- Longevity
- Location
- Simple design
- Encourages togetherness
Disadvantages:
- Small floorplan
- Maintenance
- Location
- Can feel cramped
- Resale value
Farmhouse
Farmhouse homes embody a cozy feel with a modern-yet-rustic look. They emphasize function, natural materials, organic color palettes, and a variety of textures. Farmhouse modular homes are also on the rise. Here, elements of warm minimalism also come into play, embracing simplicity and comfort.
Advantages:
- Flexible design
- Inexpensive
- Low maintenance
- Often in nature
Disadvantages:
- Can be isolating
- Difficult to personalize
- Finding fixtures that match the style
- Could look dated
Ranch
This style harkens back to Spanish Colonial, Prairie, and craftsman homes and is known for its one-story, pitched-roof construction, built-in garage, wood or brick exterior walls, sliding and picture windows, and sliding doors leading to patios.
Advantages:
- Low maintenance
- Affordable
- Easy to design
- Easy to evacuate
Disadvantages:
- Requires more property
- Limited design flexibility
- Can feel cramped
- Smaller yard
Cape Cod
Cape Cods are some of the earliest houses built in the US, dating back to the 17th century in New England when the first colonial style Cape Cods were shingle-sided, one-story cottages with no dormers. The style evolved into a square or rectangular structure with one- or one-and-a-half stories, accompanied by steeply pitched, gabled roofs. It may have dormers and shutters. The siding on traditional Cape Cod-style homes is usually clapboard, cedar shake, or brick, though contemporary designs have begun prioritizing products that look like weathered wood which are much more resilient to coastal weather.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive to build
- Flexible design options
- Curb appeal
- Built to last
Disadvantages:
- Relatively small floorplan
- Frequently have low ceilings
- Difficult to expand
- Hot second floor
Craftsman
Craftsman-style homes are similar to the conventional bungalow but lack any sort of real ornamentation. The incredible simplicity of this style was meant to evoke a natural, almost organic character that allowed the home to blend in with any landscape. Some of the most common materials used in its construction include rough-hewn wood, natural stone, and stucco. Identifying exterior features typically include a low-slung gabled roof, overhanging eaves, and very wide front porches which are often framed by squat tapered columns on elevated pedestals. They are generally designed around an open floor plan and can include interior elements like exposed roof rafters or beamed ceilings, handcrafted furniture, and dark wooden molding and wainscoting.
Advantages:
- Typically have large porches
- Handcrafted aesthetic
- Lower build cost
- Sustainable building materials
Disadvantages:
- Some may find them plain
- Low square footage and smaller room size
- Susceptible to termite damage
- Upkeep can be expensive
Neo-Eclectic
The Neo-Eclectic house style can be best described as an amalgamation of different architectural elements found in a variety of revival-type home styles, combining design elements from multiple architectural styles in the same building. Architects in different regions often draw upon various styles when designing these homes, with the Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles being incredibly influential on the West Coast and the Georgian Revival, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Cape Cod styles greatly influencing the design of Neo-Eclectic homes along the East Coast. Regardless of region, the stylistic elements of Neo-Eclectic homes are almost always superficial, existing only for decorative purposes. Surface-level claddings like architectural stone veneer are often used in place of their structural counterparts and many Neo-Eclectic homes take advantage of external insulation and finish systems, which may be shaped, textured, and colored to mimic a variety of materials.
Advantages:
- Large and spacious
- Ideal for families
- Built-in garages
- Have a modern feel
Disadvantages:
- Considered unoriginal and pretentious
- Often make use of cheaper materials
- Require frequent maintenance and repairs
- Harder to heat and cool efficiently
Colonial
Colonial style includes any house that is rectangular and symmetrical with bedrooms on the second floor. The double-hung windows usually have many small, equally sized square panes. From the late 1800s throughout the 20th century builders made Colonial Revival homes with elegant central hallways and elaborate cornices. Unlike the original Colonials, Colonial Revival homes are often sided in white clapboard and trimmed with black or green shutters.
Advantages:
- Curb appeal
- Privacy (distinct rooms)
- Large floorplan
- Grand front entrance
Disadvantages:
- Mobility
- Isolated rooms
- Standard ceiling heights
- Limited light fixture options
Four of the above styles have repeatedly dominated the housing market over the last five years: Ranch, Neo-eclectic, Colonial, and Contemporary. These styles, especially the Ranch, have remained popular in large part thanks to their affordability and overall practicality, qualities that make them ideal for families.
No matter which style of home you choose—it’s more than just a design preference. A home is a long-term investment, and protecting that investment is just as important as choosing the right style. That’s why using a builder who includes an RWC structural warranty on their homes can make all the difference. If unexpected issues arise, a warranty provides the peace of mind that your home—and your finances—are protected, so you can focus on enjoying the space and building memories.