Congress Poised to Act on Home Buyer Tax Credit, NOLs

As the result of the hard work of NAHB’s grassroots members and its allies in the Senate, the association’s ongoing campaign to extend and expand the home buyer tax credit and expand the Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryback tax code provision moved a big step closer to fruition last week.

Proposals on the home buyer tax credit and NOLs were included in Senate legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits for jobless Americans. The two housing-related provisions were added through the bipartisan efforts of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), and Senate Leaders Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). ...

Higher Conforming Loan Limits Extended Through 2010

In a victory for NAHB, a provision that will extend the loan limits for mortgages issued by the Federal Housing Administration and purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac through the end of next year was included in a continuing resolution approved by the House and Senate on Oct. 29.

The loan limits will continue to be capped at $729,750 in high-cost markets. Those caps were due to expire on Dec. 31 if Congress had not taken action. ...

NAHB Begins Roll-Out of New Logo, Branding Strategy

NAHB has begun rolling out a sophisticated new branding strategy that was adopted by the board of directors earlier this year.

The most readily visible element of the branding strategy is the association’s new logo, which will gradually replace NAHB’s previous eagle logo.

“The implementation of our new branding strategy and logo marks the culmination of more than two years of work with our consultant FutureBrand,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson. “While our faithful eagle logo that we have used for the past four decades will remain an important part of NAHB’s culture and history, we are excited to usher in this new and brighter look that will represent our association and all of our members going forward.” ...