- Join the Conversation
- Front Page
- Coast to Coast
- Politics and Government
- Economics and Finance
- Job Gains Key as Housing Makes Progress on Road to Recovery
- Tax Credit Boosts Sales of New Single-Family Homes in April
- Housing Starts Rise in April as Builders Look Beyond Tax Credit
- Nation’s Housing Remains Highly Affordable for Fifth Consecutive Quarter
- Eye on the Economy: Good News Tempered With Caution for Single-Family Construction
- Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
- Tips and Techniques
- Business Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Professional Women in Building
- 50+ Housing
- Small Builders and Remodelers
- Multifamily Housing
- Building Systems
- Education
- Green Building
- Environment
- Design
- Home Builders Institute
- Building Products
- National Housing Endowment
- NAHB on TV
- Association News
- NAHB Career Center
The Official Online Newspaper of NAHB
While official statistics may be lacking, many builders attending the NAHB National Green Building Conference in Raleigh, N.C., on May 16-18 said that they have been able to sell sustainably built homes considerably faster than the traditionally built new homes that have been languishing in today’s tough market.
Green builders, however, have little immunity from the tight financial conditions that have been plaguing the housing market and imposing difficulties for both home buyers and sellers. And the widespread problem of low appraisals — driven largely by a glut of foreclosed properties and a slow market — has been doubly frustrating for green builders because the vast majority of appraisers are unable to recognize the value that green features add to the home. ... Read More
| Framing Lumber Composite | $ 305 |  |
$ 20 |
| OSB Composite | $ 294 | |
$ 69 |
| Southern Pine Plywood Composite | $ 505 | |
$ 37 |
| With permission from: www.randomlengths.com |
NAHB’s work with members of Congress to address the housing production credit crisis led to the introduction of legislation on May 26 by Rep. Brad Miller (N.C.) and original co-sponsors Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Joe Baca (D-Calif.) that would help alleviate the severe lack of financing for acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) financing.
H.R. 5409, the Residential Construction Lending Act, would create a new residential construction loan guarantee program within the Department of Treasury to encourage and support lending to builders with viable construction projects. Designed to unfreeze credit for small home building firms, the measure would expand the flow of credit to residential builders on competitive terms. ...... Read More
One way to stand out in these tough economic times is to embrace innovative smart growth principles that incorporate some of the most cutting-edge concepts of community site design, location and overall good planning.
The winners of the 2009 Best In American Living Awards (BALA) Smart Growth Neighborhood awards do just that — in urban and suburban neighborhoods throughout the country.
Each winner profiled — infill townhomes and apartments in Washington, D.C.; a residential preserve nestled along the banks of South Carolina’s Saluda River; art deco loft living in downtown San Antonio; high density with a touch of Spanish and Mexican flair within walking distance of Houston's largest employment center; a small community respecting the historic arts and crafts roots of its village neighbors outside of Philadelphia; and others — brings elements of the surrounding environment to the fore, while also being resident- and pedestrian-friendly.
The urban communities, for instance, all are positioned near employment centers and city services and take advantage of city transportation. The suburban communities were created to preserve their natural surroundings while also providing easy access to nearby city employment opportunities. ...... Read More
Federation members and local associations were undeterred by the tough housing market and recruited 4,379 new members and council members during NAHB’s National Membership day on May 25.
“Membership is the lifeblood of this organization and this day is like our annual transfusion,” said Ann Garvey, chair of the NAHB Membership Committee. “It’s a big boost, something the locals are drawn to and push in their own regions. It’s the cornerstone of our recruiting efforts.”
Membership Day, the capstone event of a month-long nationwide campaign by HBAs and members and supported at the state and national levels, is NAHB’s single most important annual activity to spur membership growth. ...... Read More
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||