I recently completed the 3 required courses for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB ) Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing ( CAASH ) Designation prior to the 2009 IBS Show in Las Vegas . The first course was Designing for the Active Adult , the second course was Selling to Active Adults & finally the last course was Trends & Research Methods to Define the Active Adult Lifestyle. I received notice yesterday , June 18th , that my application was approved by NAHB as one of only 6 select and qualified industry professionals in the State of Pennsylvania & 81 in the entire Country to earn this new NAHB designation !

The active adult market is the fastest-growing segment of the housing industry today and into the foreseeable future . The Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing ( CAASH ) designation gives housing professionals serving this rapidly burgeoning market the essential knowledge , tools , and skills that will help them succeed - from conducting initial research to design considerations and features to servicing the customer . I look forward to putting the CAASH & the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist ( CAPS ) designations to good use in servicing the needs of the 55+ market here in Pike County PA .

Edward D. Nikles CAASH , CAPS , CGP , GMB , CGB , CGR

On May 5th, I was notified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that I officially received my Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) Designation ! I wasted no time founding the group Aging-in-Place Specialists in ActiveRain . This designation is especially important to me as my 7 year old son , Colin , has Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy & is Wheelchair bound . A couple years ago , I added an Accessible Ramp from my garage into my mudroom to allow Zero Threshold access to the main floor living areas . I purchased an Accessible Van with ramp to allow us to keep Colin in his wheelchair as we transport him . I know I will have to make Further Modifications to my own home as my son gets bigger & heavier ! My 4 year old 2 story office building is already fully accessible with Elevator & Ramps , as well as 3 Accessible Baths .

My 100 year old Maternal Grandmother , who lives with my parents ( Elder Care) , has severe osteoporosis & cataracts and uses a Walker to get around . She has a Hospital Bed in her 1st floor Converted Den/Bedroom & needs special Grab Bars in the bathroom . My 87 year old Paternal Grandmother . who Lives Independently in an Active Adult apartment complex nearby , also uses a walker to get around .

As a Father , Grandson , Custom Builder , Remodeler , & Realtor I look forward to your design & marketing ideas , product information , input & support as I continue on my journey to learn as much as I can about Aging-in-Place , Accessibility & Universal Design . I will be incorporating these Smart Design ideas in my own home & clients homes in the near future . Thanks in advance ! Edward D. Nikles CAPS , CGP , GMB , CGB , CGR

Today , I toured this Desert Contemporary Architectural Style Home featuring 8,816 Sq. Ft. of Living Space , a subterranean courtyard at the basement level , sky deck (closed due to the rainy weather ) , & wine cellar. It was well worth the 1 hour wait to see TNAH ! Equal parts laboratory , education tool , & product showcase , TNAH incorporates , elements such as builders' best practices , energy efficiency , indoor air quality , safety , convenience & aesthetics . It demonstrates that excellence in housing performance can be built into any home -- large or small , simple or complex . The design , construction , & amenities which showcased the latest in innovative products for the future of home building were driven by consumer preferences & expectations . I would recommend seeing it on line at www.TNAH.com if you can't visit it in person ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.

Hello everyone , I just arrived in Las Vegas well ahead of next Tuesday's IBS Opening ! I'm taking the 3 required courses for my Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH)  Designation prior to the IBS Show . The first course starting on Saturday is called Designing for the Active Adult , the second course starting on Sunday is called Selling to Active Adult & finally the last course on Monday is called Trends & Research Methods to Define the Active Adult Lifestyle . I'll also be attending the Opening Ceremonies with Coach Lou Holtz (Notre Dame) as the Keynote Speaker & as well as some of the other 250 Educational Seminars at the IBS Show . I'm really looking forward to seeing the many new and exciting products & services in the Exhibitor Display Areas , especially all the New Green Products . I'll be adding more shortly ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.

We are starting a new blog in order to keep in touch with our Customers , Trade Contractors , Suppliers & Friends ! We will be adding more shortly ! Happy New Year  ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.