Week of November 20, 2006
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News Stories Not the Driving Force Behind Home Buying

The nation’s prospective home buyers may derive some of their information on the housing market from the news media, but at the end of the day the things that matter far more when they are deciding whether to make a purchase include the price of the new home, mortgage interest rates and their housing needs, according to a new nationwide survey commissioned by NAHB.

“While the majority of the households we polled indicated that they found the media a reliable source of information on the housing market, what they read in the newspaper, saw on television or heard on the radio was no substitute for actually going out and shopping the market,” said Thomas Riehle, a partner in RT Strategies, which conducted the research for NAHB.

“When people are actually thinking about buying a home, they are driven by the details of how it will impact their family budget and lifestyle and contribute to their long-term wealth, and that gives them a much closer perspective on the market than what can be conveyed in news coverage,” Riehle continued. ...

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An illustration of one of two Showcase homes at the builders' show.

IBS to Feature Two Showcase Homes, Ted Koppel

The 2007 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Fla. will feature two showcase homes for the first time ― one “new” and one “remodeled” — that reflect the challenges and advantages of the “re-gentrification” movement with in-city housing. In addition, Ted Koppel, former anchor of ABC’s “Nightline” and a 42-year veteran of ABC News, will be the keynote speaker at the grand opening ceremonies.

Set for Feb. 7-10 at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center, the IBS also will feature a record 1,800 exhibitors, 450 of them for the first time, and more than 290 education sessions covering every facet of the home building industry. ...

Advice From Industry Experts: Ramp Up Sales and Marketing

Tom Stephani, S. Robert August and Bill Becker ― industry veterans who have been through market shifts more than once ― will discuss what changes you should make to your sales and marketing in order to thrive in today’s market during an upcoming audio conference.

The hour-long teleconference, “Ramp Up Your Sales & Marketing in a Changing Market,” will begin at 2:00 p.m. EST, Jan. 9 and is available free to NAHB members.  ...

Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Nov. 27

Nation's Building News will not be published on Nov. 27, the Monday after Thanksgiving. It will return to its regular weekly schedule on Dec. 4.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 6.24% 15-Yr. Fixed: 5.94% 5 Yr. ARM: 6.04%
  1 Yr. ARM: 5.53% Libor (3 months): 5.37% Prime: 8.25%
Housing Starts*  (October 2006)
  Total: 1.486 million Single: 1.177 million Multi: 309,000
Home Sales*  (September 2006)
  New: 1.075 million Existing: 6.18 million  
Median Home Prices  (September 2006)
  New: $217,000 Existing: $220,000  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

   
 
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