Nation's Building News Online

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Week of August 9, 2004

Front Page

* Workers in the South Singing Housing Affordability Blues
* Achitectural Graphic Standards Available at BuilderBooks.com
* Pedestrian-Friendly Project Mixes Homes, Shops and Offices in North Carolina
* Housing Snapshot

President's Message

* Please Take the Time to Help Us Solve the GLI Crisis

Housing Politics

* Bill Would Allow Businesses to Fax Clients Without Written Consent
* Zero Downpayment Bill Introduced in the Senate
* House Bill Boosts Section 8 Appropriations, Cuts Other HUD Programs

Housing and Economics

* Commerce Department Urged to Stop Dragging Its Feet on Eliminating Lumber Duties

Construction Safety

* OSHA Considers Requiring Employers to Pay for Employee Personal Protective Equipment

Codes and Standards

* Wanted: Volunteers to Serve on ICC Code Development Committees
* HUD Releases Draft IBC Report for Public Comment

Multifamily

* Multifamily Stock Index Hits an All-Time High

Small Builders and Remodelers

* The Importance of Good Design: A Remodeler’s Perspective
* Home Owners Creating the Ultimate Spa Experience

Business Management

* Tech Talk: Process Integration Levels Your Playing Field

Environment

* Anti-Growth Arsons Reported in the West

Smart Growth

* Washington Post Examines Imbalance Between New Jobs and Housing

Seniors Housing

* Active Adult Housing Most Expensive in Aspen, Colorado
* Former Go-Kart Racing Facility Converted Into Successful Seniors Apartment Community
* Enter the 'Best of Seniors Housing' Awards Competition
* 20 Club Forming for Seniors Housing

Building Quality

* Conference to Focus on Using Industry Performance Standards to Improve Business

Labor

* Job Corps Funding Receives a Boost in the House, But Labor Initiatives Fall Short

Building Products

* Paper Attachment System Improves Finishing Sander

Builder's Engineer

* Over-Engineering — Wind and Earthquake Design

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Sign Up for 2005 Committees and Councils by Sept. 3
* Save on DELL™ Computer Products
* Awards Programs Deadlines
* Calendar of Events

NBN Back Issues

 

Workers in the South Singing Housing Affordability Blues

The Northeast and the West are not alone in experiencing affordable housing woes, according to recent … [ MORE ]


Building News From Coast to Coast

[ MORE ]

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Achitectural Graphic Standards Available at BuilderBooks.com

"Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction", available at BuilderBooks.com, is an all-new visual guide devoted exclusively to construction standards of residential structures.

Inside are thousands of standard architectural details and guidelines, all organized for easy reference for architects, developers, home builders and other professionals involved in designing or building residential projects.

"Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction" offers design details that incorporate best construction practices and guidelines for state-of-the-art wiring and heating and cooling systems.

In step with current practices, this publication includes the latest guidelines for energy efficiency, accessibility, HVAC and indoor air quality, and green construction

To view or order this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665 to order.

Achitectural Graphic Standards Available at BuilderBooks.com

"Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction", available at BuilderBooks.com, is an all-new visual guide devoted exclusively to construction standards of residential structures.

Inside are thousands of standard architectural details and guidelines, all organized for easy reference for architects, developers, home builders and other professionals involved in designing or building residential projects.

"Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction" offers design details that incorporate best construction practices and guidelines for state-of-the-art wiring and heating and cooling systems.

In step with current practices, this publication includes the latest guidelines for energy efficiency, accessibility, HVAC and indoor air quality, and green construction

To view or order this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665 to order.


Pedestrian-Friendly Project Mixes Homes, Shops and Offices in North Carolina

Exemplifying smart growth strategies that are creating new housing in established locations, a major …  …[ MORE ]


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Housing Snapshot

Mortgage interest rates declined a bit last week as the financial markets continued to digest unsettling economic news. A report on Friday that only 32,000 jobs were created in July helped drive the stock market average to its lowest level since December 10. In the meantime, according to most expectations, the Federal Reserve was preparing to notch up its federal funds rate by one-quarter of a percentage point to 1.5%. Its announcement on Tuesday will be closely read to see how the current "slow patch" in the economy might affect current monetary policy if it turns out not just to be a passing phase. Economic growth declined to a moderate annual rate of 3% in this year's second quarter. On the lumber price front, prices continued to move up aggressively. Random Lengths reported that the cost of framing lumber increased to $472 per 1,000 board feet, its highest level in more than five years. Panel prices were also on an upswing, following a brief respite earlier this summer. The price of 15/32-inch 3-ply CDX southern west-east plywood was $400 per 1,000 square feet, up from $370, and oriented strand board was $375, up from $340. [ MORE ]

Mortgage Interest Rates

30-Year Fixed-Rate: 5.99%
15-Year Fixed-Rate: 5.40%
1-Year ARM: 4.08%

Housing Starts - Jun. 2004*

Total: 1.8 million
Single-Family Starts: 1.489 million
Multifamily Starts: 313,000

New Home Sales Jun. 2004*

1.326 million

Existing Home Sales Jun. 2004*

6.95 million

* Seasonally adjusted annual rate


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