NAHB Tax Credit Resources Updated to Drive Home Sales

With the extension and expansion of the home buyer tax credit signed into law by President Obama on Nov. 6, NAHB updated its comprehensive online resources to help the federation promote the two tax credits — an extended $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and a new $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit — immediately to consumers.

The resources are posted at www.nahb.org/taxcreditmaterials and include materials to help members promote the credit to potential home buyers.

Members can download ready-to-use promotional materials such as a consumer flyer, radio spot scripts, Web banner ads, and print ads for consumer audiences from the NAHB Web site and most materials can be customized with the member’s or association’s contact information. ...

NAHB Led Call to Media on Need for Home Buyer Tax Credit, NOLs

In the weeks leading up to congressional passage of legislation that extended and expanded the home buyer tax credit and net operating loss (NOL) carryback rules, NAHB stood in the forefront in getting the message out to the media on how these actions were critical in helping to create and save jobs, reduce foreclosures, stabilize home values and move housing and the economy to more solid ground.

Since the legislation was signed into law by President Obama on Nov. 6, NAHB remains the leading voice in explaining how consumers can benefit from the enhanced home buyer tax credit program, the positive impact it will have on the overall economy and how the new NOL rules will help struggling businesses to continue making payrolls, paying business loans and otherwise keep their doors open until the economic recovery takes hold.

NAHB CEO Jerry Howard conducted interviews last week with the Reuters news service and CongressDaily on the newly enacted home buyer tax credit law and how it is expected to help spur home sales, shore up home prices and boost the fledgling housing recovery.

The financial information Web site MarketWatch on Nov. 11 published a story on how NAHB pushed hard to extend and enhance the home buyer tax credit. "The tax credit has proven to be a powerful economic incentive," said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson in a Nov. 5 statement reported in the story. The action taken by Congress "will further stabilize housing and the economy by creating new jobs, stimulating home sales, reducing foreclosures, cutting excess inventories and stabilizing home prices," he said. ...

A Message From NAHB CEO About the Tax Credit Victory

NAHB has posted a video message from NAHB CEO Jerry Howard to its membership about the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 that was signed into law by President Obama on Nov. 6, and NAHB’s role in getting this important legislation enacted. The video is available to NAHB members only.

NAHB members and staff members of affiliated HBAs can view the video by logging on to the NAHB Web site and clicking here.

Members who have forgotten or misplaced their user ID or PIN to log on should contact NAHB Member Services at 800-368-5242 x0. For help with a member or HBA staff account, visit www.nahb.org/account_creation.aspx.

NAHB to Shut Down Operations Thanksgiving Week, Nov. 23-27

As a cost savings effort, NAHB will be closed for business for eight days in 2009. Under the plan, NAHB shut down its operations for the final week of August and will shut down the three days prior to the Thanksgiving holiday (Nov. 23, 24 and 25).

In addition, all staff compensation has been cut by a commensurate amount. NAHB CEO Jerry Howard reported to the NAHB Board of Directors in May that, “this shutdown plan, along with other cost-cutting measures that have already been adopted, is being implemented to help the association save millions of dollars.”

Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published on Nov. 23 and Nov. 30

Nation's Building News will not be published on Nov. 23 and Nov. 30. Regular weekly publication will resume Dec. 7.