Nation's Building News Online: December 20, 2004Print All Articles Text Version |
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Next Generation Home Demonstrates Wind- and Fire-Resistant Structural SpecificationsIn addition to the New American Home, attendees at the upcoming International Builders’ Show in Orlando will want to visit the 2005 NextGen Demonstration Home. Manufactured by Indiana-based All American Homes, the 2,000-square-foot home will feature the latest in building technologies and materials, smart home automation, safety and energy efficiency. In the wake of an unusually destructive hurricane season, the home will also contain many features designed to help safeguard home owners against hurricanes and wildfires. With “Safe and Sound” as its theme, the home is being built to the specifications of Tampa’s Institute of Business and Home Safety's “Fortified for safer living” program, which is a set of structural specifications that exceed the building code in most regions. Disaster-resistant features include:
The home also features a unique “Storm Room” that functions as a shelter in severe weather. The room has Kevlar-reinforced wall panels, impact-resistant windows and fiber-cement siding. Other safety features in the home include:
The home's amenities include environmentally friendly Icynene foam insulation, a Tonight’s Menu Intelligent Oven combination refrigerator and oven that cooks or cools food and a UNICO high-velocity air heating and cooling system that distributes air through 1.5-inch tubes. “Systems-built construction allows us the flexibility to build custom homes with an assortment of special features, such as those that will go into the NextGen Home,” said Steve Kerr, president of All American Homes. “Because we build a high quality home that’s also strong and safe, we provide home owners with tremendous security on their investment.” The home is located in the parking lot of the Orange County Convention Center next to the west entrance. Building News Coast To CoastReport Gives Communities a Tool to Match Development to GrowthA Brookings Institution report estimates that close to 60 million additional housing units will be needed to accommodate the 94 million new residents that will join the U.S. population between 2000 and 2030. According to Urban Land Institute Senior Housing Fellow John McIlwain, states and municipalities have the opportunity to maintain quality of life by controlling the pace, type and location of future development. With household size shrinking due to age and delayed marriage and parenting, Arthur Nelson of the Brookings Institution says that spacious single-family homes in the suburbs may lose their popularity. He adds that building mixed-use communities in close proximity to public transportation on brownfields or other vacant parcels is one solution. Officials in Austin, TX, and metropolitan Washington, D.C., are among those revamping zoning codes and collaborating with developers and environmentalists to direct development toward urban centers. Realty, Marketing Note Changing Face of U.S. HouseholdsThe U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average household size slipped to 2.57 people last year, down from 3.14 in 1970. According to "America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2003," a third of households have only two members. Experts attribute the drop in household size to changes in divorce and mortality rates, the aging population, a decline in fertility and delayed marriage plans. The survey also found that 4.6% of households in 2003 were comprised of unmarried heterosexual couples, rising from 2.9% in 1996. Urban Land Institute Senior Housing Fellow John McIlwain says these trends have spurred the development of small homes, condominiums and townhouses — which typically are marketed to empty-nesters and young professionals. He adds that the growing number of friends choosing to live together also has made homes with two master bedrooms more popular. The Future Is Now for 'Smart' HomesHigh-tech products that perform a variety of household tasks and allow users to access information about their homes when they are away are becoming more affordable and readily available in the United States. Appliance manufacturers like Electrolux already have begun developing enhanced technological features on refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and other products. In addition to it and the over 5,000 companies listed online that offer "smart-home" products and services, home builders and developers are also getting in the game, constructing housing that is equipped to handle home-theater rooms and advanced wiring systems. As they become more commonplace, these high-tech options also are becoming more affordable. Home builders additionally are using new materials, such as polyvinyl products and cement fiber planks, to render surfaces virtually maintenance-free. In the coming years, home owners can expect to see new product built with more efficient window coatings; tankless water heating systems; remote-control access to heat, lighting, security and audio-video systems; sturdier building materials, such as aerated concrete slabs; and "smart" appliances with links to the Internet that can record everyday information, such as how much milk is left in the refrigerator. Stressing the Tax Revenue Generated by New HomesBuilders in Maryland are having a tough time getting the land they need for residential projects — mainly because local governments believe new residents put a strain on public services. Many jurisdictions are limiting how many homes can be built on each acre of land, which builders say has dramatically boosted property prices because the supply of available homes has failed to keep pace with demand. In the Baltimore area, the Meyers Group reports that the average price of new single-family dwellings and townhomes shot up 36.2% and 23.5%, respectively, from the second quarter of 2003 to the same period this year. In an effort to show that development generates a substantial amount of tax revenue and creates dozens of jobs, the Home Builders Association of Maryland studied the economic impact of 1,735 new homes in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil and Howard Counties. The study reveals that tax revenue tied to new-home construction exceeded the cost of public services for new residents. Powder Room PlusPowder rooms are following basement laundry facilities and stand-alone kitchens into obscurity. Powder rooms once were designed as extra bathrooms for guests, but today's home owners are using them to make their lives more convenient. They can be positioned near the mudroom, garage or back door so children can clean up before entering the home. Some home owners are locating them near their home gyms or close to the main bathroom in the master suite. Others are putting powder rooms in their home offices to serve clients and completely separate the office from the rest of the house. Powder rooms that are used frequently should have durable wall coverings, plenty of shelf space, a floor drain to facilitate cleaning and a permanent rod to hang wet clothes. Hurricane-ProofHome Front's hurricane-resistant homes have gained popularity in Florida and other vulnerable areas since this year's devastating hurricane season. The homes are comprised of aluminum roofs, structural insulated panels made of foam and fiber cement, and a steel frame. The three that were put up in Port Charlotte, FL, prior to Hurricane Charley were able to withstand 145 mph winds. The dwellings also are highly energy-efficient and will not rot or suffer from termite infestations. Though they are priced similarly to traditional stick-built homes, they can be assembled in just three days. Slow But Steady Growth in 2005Experts who spoke recently at the North American Forecast in Washington, D.C., stated that the North American construction industry should see measured but steady growth in 2005. Speakers ranged from Greenway Group Inc. President and CEO Jim Cramer to Legg Mason Inc. real estate investment strategist Glenn Mueller to NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. Forbes magazine Publisher Rich Karlgaard focused on the residential real estate market, stating that the gap of property costs between urban areas and the heartland is the widest he has ever seen it. Mueller, meanwhile, said he expects the commercial side of construction to noticeably pick up. He stated: "We bottomed out in 1990, then peaked in 2000. But it only took three years to go back to the bottom. We'll now start climbing back up." Among the challenges ahead for the overall construction industry are finding skilled workers and dealing with price increases that have put a significant strain on inventories in some areas. Front and CenterA home's entryway should create an inviting atmosphere and complement the architecture of the entire house. Owners of older dwellings might want to add a porch, portico, gable or columns to jazz up the exterior. Experts say the landing should be no less than six feet wide and four feet deep to allow guests to stand side-by-side and protect them from outswinging storm doors. As for lighting, home owners need to consider aesthetics as well as safety and security. Most homes feature wall sconces on either side of the door and a recessed fixture in the overhang. Dimmer switches, meanwhile, can guard against overlighting. Finally, home owners should choose a detailed front door that incorporates the home's architectural features. They would be wise to select cedar, redwood or mahogany doors because they are the most weather-resistant. New Rule Enables Land Owners to Preserve Habitat for Endangered SpeciesA final rule published on Dec. 10 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) encourages home builders, developers and other property owners to identify and preserve habitat for threatened or endangered species by providing needed regulatory certainty to builders and developers who establish Habitat Conservation Plans. “NAHB applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for striking a fair balance between two important priorities: protecting endangered species and building adequate, affordable housing,” said NAHB President Bobby Rayburn. “The rule provides vital assurances that permits issued in conjunction with Habitat Conservation Plans can only be revoked under limited circumstances, and that policy will encourage more builders to plan and develop long-term projects that preserve habitats for threatened or endangered species.” Established under the Endangered Species Act, the program allows property owners — builders, developers, municipal governments and others — to develop Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) in conjunction with FWS biologists and environmental organizations. Once the HCP is approved — a process that takes an average of nearly two years — the property owner can secure permits to build on the land. An HCP may provide for preservation of existing habitat, restoration of degraded or former habitat, creation of new habitat, the establishment of buffers around existing habitat or restrictions on land use or access. An NAHB analysis of the Service’s HCP database shows that these plans cover more than 33 million acres of land across the United States, more than 90% of it in fast-growing states in the West, Southwest and Southeast . A critical incentive for property owners to set up HCPs is the “No Surprises” policy, which ensures that once the plan is approved, the federal government cannot impose additional conservation and mitigation measures except under limited circumstances that the parties could have foreseen when they struck their agreement. This policy, which is protected and clarified in the new rule, preserves property owners’ substantial investments of time, money and effort in implementing HCPs. “The ‘No Surprises’ policy is essential to the success of the Habitat Conservation Plan program, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service should be commended for recognizing that private property owners play an important role in protecting endangered species, just like environmental groups,” said Rayburn. “We can only hope that Fish & Wildlife can move forward with HCPs and other productive conservation efforts without the delays and financial drain of additional litigation.” For more information, e-mail Duane Desiderio at NAHB or call him at 800-368-5242 x8146, or contact Christopher Galik, x8663. Housing SnapshotMortgage interest rates declined slightly again last week and remained comfortably under the 6% threshold, raising expectations that housing starts will show an increase this month, according to Frank Nothaft, chief economist for Freddie Mac. "There is no doubt now that 2004 will be a record year for single-family construction," he said. "That said, because of low mortgage rates, we feel confident that 2005 will not be very far behind this year." The Bush Administration is forecasting 3.9% growth in the Gross Domestic Product this year, with modest declines to 3.5% in 2005 and 3.4% in 2006, and 1.4 million new jobs in 2004 and 2.1 million more in 2005. General economic news was largely favorable last week. The Labor Department reported a 0.2% increase in the Consumer Price Index in November, a marked improvement over the 0.6% increase during the prior month. Fueled largely by energy prices, inflation was at a rate of 3.7% for the first 11 months of this year, compared with a rate of 1.9% for all of 2003. On Monday, the Conference Board reported that its Index of Leading Economic Indicators was up in November, following five months of decline. Not much was happening on the lumber price front. Framing lumber dropped slightly to $374 per 1,000 board feet from $379 in the prior week, according to Random Lengths; it was $319 one year earlier. Random Lengths' structural panel composite price, which includes oriented strand board, rose one dollar to $386, compared to $322 a year earlier. Mortgage Interest Rates30 Year Fixed Rate: 5.68\% Housing Starts: Nov. 2004Total: 1.77 million\% New Home Sales: Oct. 2004 *1.226 million Existing Home Sales: Oct. 2004 *6.75 million * Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate Building a Foundation for Workforce HousingWhen I took over the reins of the 215,000-member National Association of Home Builders almost one year ago, I promised that I would dedicate my efforts and the resources of our organization to finding a solution for the growing shortage of affordably priced housing for the heroes in our workforce who make a vital contribution to our communities. Generation after generation, we have come a long way in America, steadily expanding housing opportunity for our families. There have always been challenges standing in the way of that progress, and we have always worked hard and succeeded in overcoming them, building a stronger, more efficient housing delivery system in the process. There is no reason that we cannot overcome the obstacles that are increasingly preventing the workers we value the most from living in the same neighborhoods they serve, and I am confident that we are well on our way to implementing strategies that will make this happen. Housing affordability has always been a challenge for our industry. In fact, affordability has always been a primary goal of our housing finance system. The creation of the low-downpayment, 30-year mortgage opened the door for housing opportunity for typical working households across this country. When our soldiers returned from World War II, we saw production builders move into high gear. By building an affordable, entry-level product that could be financed with an affordable mortgage, our industry provided millions of Americans with access to the American dream. In the years that followed, as those families moved forward in their careers, we saw them trading up to bigger, more expensive houses. We called it the housing ladder, and most of the time — when mortgage rates were at affordable levels — it worked well as a conduit for the accumulation of family wealth. I started in the building business in the 1970s, so I was around for the devastatingly high interest rates of the early 1980s. It was obvious even before then that passbook savings accounts were not enough to provide our industry with the capital it needed. So we hitched our wagon to the secondary mortgage market, and we solved the problem. In more recent times, we have seen incredible innovation in housing finance that has further expanded housing opportunity in this country. On top of that, for the past few years American home buyers have enjoyed the lowest mortgage interest rates since the 1960s. You’ve seen the results in the headlines. Our national homeownership rate has risen to an all-time high. People have been buying homes at a record pace. And home builders have been building as fast as they can to keep up with the demand. From reading those headlines, you might not know that America today has a serious housing problem. It is a sobering fact that working families — the teachers, firefighters, nurses and other workers who are the heart and soul of any community — cannot find affordably priced housing in the communities they serve. Many of those communities have failed in their commitment to provide affordable housing. Many of those communities are actually responsible for sky-high land prices and housing prices because they have embraced zoning and other regulations that are designed to stop residential growth. There are many causes of today’s workforce housing problem, but the bottom line is that in recent years, the disparity between housing prices and the incomes of these workers has only grown worse. I am a home builder, and that means that I share in the optimism that is almost a prerequisite for success in an industry where we face challenges at every turn and must always keep a steady focus on our mission to build the housing that our growing population needs. NAHB’s Workforce Housing Symposium has increased my confidence that we will turn the tide in communities across this country. We have delineated the problem and its root causes and we have identified initiatives that are beginning to answer the need for workforce housing. We have heard from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development his assurance that a top priority for the President is pursuing policies that will address this problem, and rightfully so because it also a top concern of the American people. We have heard from the CEO of Freddie Mac about new programs in the secondary market to further its mission to expand housing for our workers. And we have heard from home builders, employers and representatives from the public sector, who have shared their experiences and expertise about how we are going to get the job done. We have built a solid foundation from which we can address our workforce housing needs. It’s time for housing to give a hero’s welcome to the dedicated men and women who work on our behalf, and there is no better way of showing our appreciation for their vast contribution than to bring them the housing that will ensure they remain an essential and enduring force in our communities. U.S. Lowers Canadian Lumber Duties as Appeal of NAFTA Ruling Moves ForwardIn an administrative review, the Commerce Department announced on Dec. 14 that it will lower duties on imports of Canadian softwood lumber from an average of 27.2% to 21.2%. The countervailing duty will be lowered marginally from 18.8% to 17.2%, while the anti-dumping duty rate will fall from 8.4% to 4.0%. The new rates are expected to go into effect by the end of this year. A preliminary U.S. decision in June would have slashed the rates by more than half — by 13.2% — for the softwood lumber products used for home building. In response to the ruling, the Canadian government said that it would appeal the Commerce Department decision through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and World Trade Organization, where it has already won several legal victories in its bid to abolish the tariffs. The most significant of those victories occurred in September, when a NAFTA panel unanimously ruled that there is no evidence that Canadian lumber shipments threaten the domestic industry, which is the legal justification for imposing the duties under both U.S. and international trade laws. In a last-ditch attempt to keep the case alive and the duties in place, the Commerce Department, at the behest of the U.S. lumber lobby, filed an “extraordinary challenge” late last month to overturn the NAFTA ruling. No nation filing an extraordinary challenge of a NAFTA ruling has ever won. The levies will remain in place while the appeals process moves forward. A decision is expected in March. If the U.S. loses the case, the duties will be rescinded. For further information, e-mail Michael Strauss at NAHB or call him at 800-368-5242 x8252. Bush Economic Agenda Takes Shape at Two-Day ConferenceIn a two-day conference last week, President Bush included in his broad agenda for the economy several recommendations that are supported by the nation’s home builders. The meeting touched on several major themes:
Death to the Death Tax Specifically, the President said that his tax cuts — several of which are due to expire in the coming years — have pulled the nation out of recession and moved the economy forward. To continue promoting “pro-growth policies,” he called on the Congress to make the tax relief permanent and called for the abolition of the “death tax,” which is due to expire for one year in 2010 but resurface in 2011. “It’s going to make estate planning awfully interesting in the year 2010,” Bush said. “I want you to know that the death tax takes up more than 300 pages of laws and regulations in the current tax code. By getting rid of the death tax forever, we have simplified the code by 300 pages. And not only that, it’s good public policy.” To spur economic growth, the White House also called for enacting regulatory reform to streamline regulations and reduce paperwork to alleviate the burdens that handicap small businesses and entrepreneurs. Association Health Plans To make health care more accessible and affordable for small businesses and their employees, Bush called for the adoption of association health plans. “Health care premiums have risen by 83% per employee over the last decade. Fast-rising medical costs are a drag on this economy, and so there’s some things we need to do together. One is expand health savings accounts; two, promote association health plans. I believe small businesses should be allowed to join together to pool risk so they can negotiate for health care contracts just like big companies are able to do,” he said. Tort Reform NAHB has been a long-time proponent of class-action tort reform and the President said that this would be one of his priorities in the coming year. “Congress must know that excess litigation is not only a drag on our economy, but creates fear and uncertainty for people in the business community. To keep the economy growing strong in the future, we have got to lift the burden and reform our legal systems. This nation needs class-action lawsuit reform. The nation needs to have asbestos legal reform. And this nation needs medical liability reform. I’m looking forward to working with Congress to get legal reform done quickly in the upcoming legislative session.” Remarking on how the economy continues to grow and remain on the right track, Bush cited the important role of the housing sector, stating that “housing ownership and housing starts are still very robust and strong.” Housing Starts Off in November, But Permit Inventories Suggest December Rebound PossibleIn the face of unusually wet weather across much of the country and further monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve, housing starts dropped 13.1% in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.771 million units, the Commerce Department reported last week. The issuance of new permits for the month was down a slight 1.5% to a seasonably adjusted rate of 1.988 million units, increasing the backlog of unused permits to 204,000 units, a sign that housing starts will probably bounce back in December. “Builders are trying to stay in sync with housing demand,” said NAHB President Bobby Rayburn. “There still is plenty of traffic in the sales offices, but they are also keeping an eye on what Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is doing with short-term interest rates.” In addition to inclement weather, “it also appears that builders are looking ahead with a little bit of caution,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. “They are having a record sales year, but the number of unsold units in inventory has been on the rise. With the Fed on the move, it makes sense for builders to control inventory at this stage of the cycle.” “There is little doubt we will have another record year for single-family home building in 2004 — up about 6% to 1.6 million units,” Seiders said. “Home building overall, which includes construction of new homes and apartments, will increase about 5% to 1.95 million units for the year as a whole.” Single-family starts declined 11.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.448 million units in November and multifamily production was off 19%, dipping to an annual rate of 323,000 units. Construction of new homes and apartments in December slumped 10.4% in the South, 13.2% in the West, 14.2% in the Northeast and 19.4% in the Midwest. Index Finds Builders in Good Holiday Spirits in December, Especially Out WestThe nation’s home builders are in good holiday spirits this December, maintaining the same high level of confidence they voiced during the preceding two months, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo National Housing Market Index (HMI). A new regional breakout of the HMI data also reveals that builders in the West tend to be the most optimistic of all. The December HMI edged up slightly to a reading of 71 this month, indicating that builders’ positive assessment of the housing market has held firm for the last three months. “Builders have every reason for good cheer this holiday season,” said NAHB President Bobby Rayburn. “The bottom line is that buyer demand continues to keep builders busy and, like most business owners, builders are happiest when we’re busy.” “On a nationwide basis, the final quarter of 2004 has been a good one for home builders,” agreed NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. “Indeed, the average HMI was up several points for the quarter, reflecting excellent financing conditions, rising home prices and an improving economy.” Derived from a monthly survey of builders that NAHB has been conducting for nearly 20 years, the index reports ratings on current sales of single-family homes, prospects for sales in the next six months and traffic of prospective buyers. A new addition to the HMI this month is a seasonally adjusted regional component measuring builder confidence in each of the four Census regions. In December, the HMI component gauging current single-family sales remained unchanged at 77; expectations for sales in the next six months were up one point to 81; and buyer traffic rose three points to 52. Regional scores were 80.1 in the West, 76.1 in the South, 71.9 in the Northeast and 56.7 in the Midwest. Any number over 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor. “The Midwest’s relatively weak showing presumably reflects builder perceptions of the area’s relatively weak job market, which has lost one million jobs since mid-2000 and only started picking up again in the last two quarters,” said NAHB’s Seiders. “However, the impact of job losses on the housing market has been softened by historically low mortgage rates.” Eye on the EconomyBy David F. Seiders, NAHB Chief Economist Growth of U.S. economic output (real Gross Domestic Product) averaged 3.9% for the first three quarters of 2004, strong enough to generate systematic improvements in the labor market. NAHB’s forecast shows further above-trend growth (3.7%) in the final quarter of the year. Good GDP growth has been maintained despite waning stimulus from the 2003 tax-cut legislation and despite the turnaround in monetary policy since mid-2004. The economy also has endured tepid readings on consumer confidence/sentiment, a situation provoked partly by world-class spikes in global oil prices as well as in home heating oil costs and gasoline prices at the pump. The resilience of the U.S. economy in the face of formidable problems in energy markets relates partly to reduced dependence of our economy on petroleum, compared with earlier times. The resilience also suggests that many businesses and consumers expect elevated oil and gasoline prices to be temporary and have not adjusted their behavior to the higher prices. Fortunately, energy costs recently have come off their record highs, and NAHB’s forecast assumes further declines in 2005. Mixed signals on November employment mask positive trends in the job market … The employment report for November, released by the Labor Department on Dec. 3, revised payroll job growth downward for September and October and contained a weaker-than-expected gain for November (112,000). Furthermore, the length of the average workweek slipped a bit (unexpectedly) and the index of aggregate hours worked in the nonfarm business sector declined by 0.2 % — a significant amount. The weaker-than-expected signals were rounded out by a meager 0.1 % increase in aggregate hourly earnings, the smallest monthly gain this year. Despite these downbeat signals, the payroll survey for November really wasn’t all that bad — at least in terms of longer-term trends. More than 2 million jobs have been created so far this year, a monthly average gain of 170,000, and the average for the October-November period stands at 207,000. Furthermore, other labor market indicators point toward ongoing improvements in the labor market, and we expect payroll job growth to average 200,000 per month during the coming year. The portion of the November labor market report that’s based on a survey of households (rather than business establishments) actually was quite good. The unemployment rate declined by one-tenth to 5.4 %, reflecting a robust gain in civilian employment (483,000) that outpaced a healthy increase in the civilian labor force (439,000). Everything considered, the labor market still appears to be moving ahead at a decent pace. Inflation pressures continue to build, but recent ‘core’ readings are not alarming … Inflation pressures have been building since late last year, driven in recent months by large increases in prices of food and energy. Core inflation (excluding food and energy) also has gravitated upward, catching the attention of financial markets as well as our central bank (the Federal Reserve). Key measures of core inflation were running in the 1.5%-2.0% range in October, measured on a year-over-year basis, and the Fed’s favorite measure (the core price index for Personal Consumption Expenditures) was at the lower end of that range. November's movements in the core PPI reinforce the evolving story of upward pressures on wholesale prices that eventually will feed into the core consumer prices that the Fed cares about most. The12-month change in the core PPI for finished goods edged up to 1.9% in November, still low by historical standards but up from only 0.5% a year earlier. U.S. producers apparently are regaining some pricing power, presumably aided by the downward trend in the exchange value of the dollar and improving economic conditions abroad. The Fed hikes short-term rates again, and there’s more to come … As expected, the Fed enacted another quarter-point increase in its federal funds rate target at the Dec. 14 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). This was the fifth consecutive increase since June 30, taking the funds rate to 2.25 % and the bank prime rate to 5.25 %. The Dec. 14 FOMC statement contained assessments of risks to the short-term economic outlook that were identical to the assessments made at the Nov. 10 meeting, and the statement continued to talk about a “measured” pace of future rate hikes — as the Fed continues to remove monetary policy “accommodation” from the financial system. The Fed’s reading of current economic conditions continued to show positive assessments of economic growth and labor market conditions as well as limited concerns about inflation and longer-term inflation expectations. The real (inflation adjusted) federal funds rate now is positive, but monetary policy still is highly accommodative. Thus, there’s a significant probability of another quarter-point hike in the federal funds rate at the next FOMC meeting on Feb. 2, and NAHB’s forecast incorporates that adjustment. We’re still projecting a funds rate of 3.5% by the end of next year and a peak of 4% by mid 2006. Mortgage rates remain historically low despite the Fed rate hikes … Long-term interest rates, including rates on fixed-rate home mortgages (FRMs), remain quite low despite the systematic tightening of monetary policy since mid-year. Indeed, the FRM rate now is around 5.7%, more than half a percentage point below its mid-year level. Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) yields also have remained historically low despite the hikes in short-term rates by the Fed. The one-year Treasury indexed ARM now averages 4.1%, the same as at the middle of the year. The housing sector cruises toward new records in 2004 … Excellent financing conditions continue to buoy the housing markets. Home sales, housing starts and issuance of building permits were all quite positive in October. NAHB’s monthly surveys of single-family builders showed maintenance of high levels of market activity in both November and December. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly surveys of home mortgage lenders also show maintenance of historically high levels of lending for home purchase (through Dec. 10). The strong forward momentum in late 2004 ensures record levels for home sales and single-family starts for the year as a whole. Furthermore, both the condo component of the multifamily market and remodeling of owner-occupied homes are bound to post new records in 2004. Everything considered, residential fixed investment promises to make another sizeable contribution to GDP growth in the fourth quarter, rounding out robust growth of nearly 10% for the year as a whole. NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders analyzes the economy from the point of view of the housing market every other week in the free e-newsletter, “Eye on the Economy.” The preceding is a reissue of his Dec. 15 edition. To subcribe to “Eye on the Economy,” click here.
‘HousingEconomics Online’ Provides In-Depth Analysis of Housing Market "HousingEconomics Online" is a new online publication from the NAHB Economics Group that provides the latest housing economic data, trends and key events shaping the economy. NAHB’s leading economists analyze and synthesize the housing and economic information to provide in-depth analysis of the niches and nuances of the home building market. Available at BuilderBooks.com, "HousingEconomics Online" combines unique scientific research with practical applications providing insights that are original, useful and written in terms that builders, manufacturers and housing finance professionals can understand and apply to their own businesses. This interactive Web site at the executive level provides critical data and information quickly, easily and frequently and includes the following features:
For more details, go to www.housingeconomics.com. Educational Sessions Focus on Excavations, Scaffolding and Other 'Top 10' OSHA ViolationsMany of the most frequently violated standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are covered in educational sessions at the upcoming International Builders' Show in Orlando. The focus of a Jan. 14 session, excavations accounted for the most frequently cited willful violation this year, according to OSHA. Willful violations are defined as those that are "committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations," and penalties for them are severe. The following are on OSHA's Top 10 list for willful violations this year:
For more information, e-mail Rob Matuga at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8507. OSHA, Construction Safety Education Sessions at IBS (All seminars at the Orange County Convention Center, OCCC)
Make Your IBS Plans by Dec. 24 — and SaveThe new extended deadline for final advance registration for the 2005 International Builders’ Show is Friday, Dec. 24. Register by Dec. 24 and save $25. Follow these links to: Advance registration will also enable you to receive your show credentials in the mail before you leave for IBS. For more information visit, www.BuildersShow.com. Townhouses Showcase PATH TechnologiesMore than 20 innovative technologies from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) will be on display at twin two-story townhouses in Reed Construction's Show Village at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando on Jan. 13-16. One of the PATH Tutorial Townhouses is unfinished so that builders can see exposed building products that promote affordability, energy-efficiency, durability and quality; diminish the home’s impact on the environment; and protect it from natural disasters. Nationwide Homes is the builder of the modular demonstration homes, which were built in about 10 days to a 90% state of completion in an environmentally controlled production facility in Arabi, GA. Each townhouse is 1,628 square-feet and made up of 12 modular units. The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath homes showcase features that home buyers want most, such as nine-foot, six-inch ceilings; a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile and solid-surface countertops; an upstairs master bedroom suite; tray ceilings in the dining room; crown molding and upscale trim; interior columns; arched cased openings; and a front porch. Technological innovations in the home include:
The homes will be on exhibit from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the Show Village. Top Toyota Executive Keynote Speaker at EnergyValue Housing AwardsA group of 24 industry professionals who are leading efforts to reduce energy consumption at a time when costs are rising will be honored with EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) on Jan. 13 during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, FL. The award recognizes builders who voluntarily integrate energy efficiency into the design, construction and marketing of their homes and provides the home building industry and consumers with examples of successful approaches to energy-efficient construction. Sanford Smith, corporate manager of real estate and facilities at Toyota Motor Sales, USA, will be the keynote speaker at the EVHA dinner ceremony. Smith heads a department of 40 associates involved in the planning, development and operations of all facilities projects. His portfolio consists of a diverse range of facility types, including office space, ports and distribution centers. The leading-edge work on environmental issues that has been performed by Smith’s department has rereceived a CoreNet (Corporate Real Estate Network) 2003 Global Innovator’s Award, as well as honors from the American Institute of Architects, International Interior Design Association, International Facilities Management Association and the U.S. Green Building Council. Smith recently received the Environmental Leadership Award from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the prestigious Corporate Real Estate Leadership Award from the editors of Site Selection magazine, and he was selected as the Corporate Real Estate Executive of the Year by the Los Angeles chapter of CoreNet. NAHB Research Center President Michael Luzier said that the efforts of Smith’s company “to incorporate energy efficiency and environmental consciousness in its daily business activities and strategic planning serve as a model across many industries.” In a recent speech, Fujio Cho, Toyota’s president, named the environment as one of three key business priorities, along with globalization and development of human resources. "In the past, being an environmentally conscious company was a luxury, but not anymore," he said. Cho noted that the Toyota Prius has passed 200,000 units in global sales, setting the stage for further hybrid progress. "Energy use at our North American plants is down 17% since 2000," he said, "and four of our engine and parts plants are at zero landfill status." The NAHB Research Center is coordinating an educational session in which the 2005 EVHA winners will discuss their most effective energy efficiency upgrades in various climates. “Energy Efficiency Trade-offs by Climate” will be held on Jan. 15 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Orange County Convention Center. The EVHA program is managed by the NAHB Research Center, and operated in partnership with NAHB and the U.S. Department of Energy through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Award sponsors include Building Green, Icynene, FannieMae and the AAMA Vinyl Material Council. To purchase tickets for the EVHA dinner ceremony or for more information, e-mail Debi Dean or call her at 800-638-8556 x6323; or click here. National Launch of NHQ Certified Builder Program to Be Announced at Builders’ ShowThe NAHB Research Center will launch its National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certified Builder Program nationwide at January’s International Builders’ Show with a series of quality-related activities. The occasion will be celebrated with an invitation-only reception honoring the three NHQ pilot Certified Builders — Grayson Homes of Ellicott City, MD; KB Home Las Vegas; and Veridian Homes of Madison, WI. For convention-goers who want to learn more about quality in home building and the NHQ program, the Research Center is offering a free orientation session on Jan. 15, from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in Room W 224 H, Level II of the Orange County Convention Center. Don Carr, a quality programs specialist at the Research Center, will discuss what it takes to become an NHQ Certified builder, and what steps builders need to take to improve the quality of their businesses. The first 20 builders to sign up for NHQ Certification at the IBS will receive a discount on the cost of their certification training. NHQ Certification is presented by the Research Center to builders who have documented their management processes, implemented customer-focused quality assurance systems and participated in a rigorous audit by quality experts. Participation in the program is designed to foster consistency and quality in building practices, which are thoroughly reviewed to ensure that they are integrated to provide greater efficiency and customer satisfaction. For more information on the NHQ Program, click here. To subscribe to the NHQ Program’s free, monthly electronic newsletter, Quality Matters, click here. Educational Sessions on Quality Focus on Profits and Customer SatisfactionThe NAHB Research Center is offering three educational sessions on its NHQ (National Housing Quality) Program during the upcoming International Builders’ Show:
For more information on quality-related educational sessions at the 2005 International Builders’ Show or to access other quality-related materials, click here. Special Events at the Builders' ShowFrom the opening ceremonies featuring Super Bowl winning quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw to builder's night out and the Spike party featuring Kool & the Gang, there's something special going on every day at the International Builders' Show. For a full listing of special events, click here.
Make Your IBS Plans by Dec. 24 — and SaveThe new extended deadline for final advance registration for the 2005 International Builders’ Show is Friday, Dec. 24. Register by Dec. 24 and save $25. Follow these links to: Advance registration will also enable you to receive your show credentials in the mail before you leave for IBS. For more information visit, www.BuildersShow.com. Associate Member Programs and Events at the Builders’ ShowMany events and programs at the International Builders’ Show have been designed to educate NAHB's associate members about better business practices, to encourage them to participate in NAHB activities and to celebrate the successes of other associate members. Associate Awards Breakfast — Jan. 14 The 2005 Associates’ Award Breakfast will be held from 8:00-10:00 a.m., Friday, Jan. 14, at the J.W. Marriott, Palazzo F-H, Lobby Level. The Associate of the Year and the Bill Polley BUILD-PAC awards will be presented at the breakfast. The 2004 Society of Honored Associates will also be recognized. The breakfast also will include a 2004 year-in-review. For ticket information, e-mail Betty Thweatt, or call here at 800-368-5242 x8246. Associate Member Orientation — Jan. 12 New and returning associate members to IBS can attend the Associate Member Orientation on Wednesday, Jan. 12, beginning 8:30 a.m. in the the Orange County Convention Center, Room 224 D, Level II. First-time attendees will receive an overview of the IBS program and the Associate Advisory Council. Veteran attendees can help welcome new attendees and learn about new products and services from NAHB. For more information, e-mail membership@nahb.com or call Agustín Cruz at 800-68-5424 x8431. The regular meeting of the Advisory Council will begin immediately following the orientation. Committee Meetings NAHB relies on the talent and commitment of its members who serve on NAHB committees and subcommittees involved in a variety of issues. A full schedule of the committee meetings is available on the builders’ show Web site by clicking here. Associate members not already affiliated with committees or subcommittees are encouraged to attend meetings that are of interest to them. Education Sessions Three informative and helpful sessions are planned for associate members: (Education sessions at the Orange County Convention Center, OCCC)
For other education sessions, click here and select areas of interest under "track" or date. Make Your IBS Plans by Dec. 24 — and SaveThe new extended deadline for final advance registration for the 2005 International Builders’ Show is Friday, Dec. 24. Register by Dec. 24 and save $25. Follow these links to: Advance registration will also enable you to receive your show credentials in the mail before you leave for IBS. For more information visit, www.BuildersShow.com. Residential Design Program Offerings at the Builders’ ShowThe NAHB Design Committee is co-sponsoring a record 31 education sessions at the International Builders’ Show — with topics including everything from kitchen and bath design and affordable design applications to design trends from A to Z. The design sessions — led by nationally and internationally known architects, interior designers, builders, land planners and marketing specialists ― are some of the best attended and most well-received education programs at the builders’ show. Also included will be three AIA Plan Review workshops. Architects and designers will meet with participants for one-on-one, 25-minute design review sessions to provide individual advice on floor plans, home elevations and design challenges. Returning design sessions include:
New and revamped program offerings include:
For more information, visit www.buildersshow.com/cgi-bin/nahb_seminars and select the “Architecture & Interior Design” track.
Make Your IBS Plans by Dec. 24 — and SaveThe new extended deadline for final advance registration for the 2005 International Builders’ Show is Friday, Dec. 24. Register by Dec. 24 and save $25. Follow these links to: Advance registration will also enable you to receive your show credentials in the mail before you leave for IBS. For more information visit, www.BuildersShow.com. Best in American Living Awards Gala Set for Jan. 12“One Night, One Industry” — the annual Best in American Living Awards (BALA) gala — will be held from 7-11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at Hard Rock “Live” at Universal Studios Orlando. Co-sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and NAHB, BALA is the foremost residential design competition in the country and honors builders, architects, designers, developers, land planners and interior designers who produce homes that illustrate design quality and success in the marketplace and exemplify the best in American living. Now in its 21st year, BALA has grown to 41 categories, ranging from single-family attached and detached homes in a variety of sizes, to custom homes, rental developments, best community and one-of-a-kind spec homes. The competition includes the Best Affordable Home category, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary’s Award for Excellence and the Best Smart Growth Community award. Additional design categories include best kitchen, best bath, best specialty room and best detail. The HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence recognizes those who, through local partnerships, design, develop and build creative affordable housing. Winners of the award demonstrate design excellence, affordability, innovation in building technology, removal of regulatory barriers and community revitalization. Also at the ceremonies, Professional Builder will present its Builder of the Year, Remodeler of the Year and Web Site of the Year awards. To order tickets to “One Night, One Industry,” visit Professional Builder’s Web site at www.housingzone.com/onoi/index.asp. IRS Increases 2005 Standard Business-Use Mileage RateIf you are like many residential construction professionals, you use a personal car, truck or van for business purposes. Some people find it easier to record the miles they drive for business and then use the Internal Revenue Service’s standard mileage rates to figure the business vehicle-usage deduction for their tax returns. Others prefer to track and tally actual business vehicle expenses like fuel, tolls, maintenance and insurance to calculate the vehicle-usage deduction. Two Ways to Calculate Usage, But… Here’s something you may not know. The first year that a personal vehicle you own is available for business use, you must use the standard mileage rate to calculate your business vehicle-usage deduction. In later years, you can use the standard mileage rate or actual vehicle expenses. If you decide to use the standard mileage rate for a vehicle you lease, you must use that rate for the entire lease period. You can’t switch to actual vehicle expenses during any year of the lease. Last month, the IRS released the optional standard mileage rates to use for 2005 when computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving expense purposes. Beginning Jan. 1, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
The standard mileage rates for business, medical and moving purposes are based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The study is conducted by an independent contractor. (The charitable standard mileage rate is set by law.) The three-cent increase in the business mileage rate was the largest one-year rise ever and was based on higher vehicle and fuel costs recorded during the year ending September 2004. Vehicle Depreciation vs. Mileage Deduction A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method allowed under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle, for any vehicle used for hire or for more than four vehicles used simultaneously. For more information on standard mileage rates and other tax issues, visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov. For information about business use of a car, click here.
'PRO Builder: Business Planning' Available at BuilderBooks.com “PRO Builder: Business Planning,” available through BuilderBooks.com, spells out the benefits of preparing business plans and provides proven methods for establishing goals, developing strategies, setting priorities and evaluating results. The publication includes step-by-step exercises and an electronic spreadsheet to help you develop a customized plan for your business. To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665 to order. NAHB Has More Than 170 Resources to Help You Run Your Business More Profitably Go to NAHB's Business Management Tools Web pages for instant access to more than 170 timesaving, moneymaking and cost-cutting business resources to help you run your business more profitably. Get guidance on accounting and financial management, business strategy, computers and information technology, customer service, human resources and more. Resources are added weekly, so bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools to go directly to these vital business management resources. Local and state home builders associations can link directly to www.nahb.org/biztools from your Web site and give your members instant access to these resources. It will make your HBA's Web site the place to go for the information and guidance they need to succeed. The NAHB University of Housing Offers Courses on Business ManagementThe NAHB University of Housing offers a course on business management designed to help builders improve their business and profitability. For a list of current offerings, click here. Subscribe to NAHB’s Business of Building e/Source NAHB’s Business of Building e/Source is your monthly electronic guide to the hot issues and emerging trends in home building business management. You’ll find practical advice, tricks of the trade and sound business guidance — all delivered monthly, straight to your desktop, in a quick and easy-to-read format. Business of Building e/Source is available free to NAHB members and their employees. To subscribe, click here on the members only side of www.nahb.org. Fraud Safeguards Only as Effective as Employee Follow-ThroughThe latest in a continuing series about preventing fraud from affecting your business. A system of controls designed to safeguard your company’s financial assets is only as effective as the people who use it. It’s important to set aside time to explain the importance of controls to your employees and get their buy-in about using fraud-prevention measures. Employees who are used to a more casual work environment with few — or loosely enforced — controls sometimes resist new systems. They may think the new procedures are annoying, cumbersome or seem to slow down operations. To allay their concerns, explain to your team that:
Be sure to follow up on that last bullet point. You may get some outstanding ideas or suggestions to implement. Whether you use their input or not, thank everyone who contributed ideas. Monitoring Your Control System After you’ve designed, documented and implemented your new control system, you need to make sure it is operating as designed. It is not enough to merely ask and/or obtain verbal assurance that someone has correctly performed a control procedure. You need to implement specific, ongoing monitoring and testing processes. Also, if you don’t test your system, team members will realize that the new procedures and controls are not being monitored — and compliance will drop dramatically. Auditors use formal checklists, sampling procedures and mathematical models to measure the adequacy of various control systems. That level of testing is probably far beyond what you need, but steal a page from the auditor’s toolkit and be prepared to periodically monitor — and sporadically test — your control system. When designing your system, keep in mind the following questions to ensure that you are creating it with a testing procedure in mind:
Do —
Modifying Your Control System As you monitor your results, be prepared to modify your control system. Some controls may not be that effective, and you may discover some underlying problems or hurdles, such as:
Instead of simply discarding the control because it is encountering some turbulence, see if you can resolve the underlying problem. If your first attempt produces less than desirable results and you’re stumped about what to do next, use feedback from your team members and professional advisors to see if the control can be modified or even re-invented. Keep focusing on the asset you are trying to protect and on the risk you want to avoid or minimize. If the asset is worth protecting, you need a control. Logic, creativity and perseverance will provide you with a smoothly functioning set of controls. You will eventually wonder how you ever functioned without these specialized procedures. In addition, when you walk into someone else’s business, you will begin to notice the difference between your controlled operations and their out-of-control operations. You will then know that you have moved your business one giant step closer to safety and financial security. Diane C.O. Gilson, CPA, CIA, is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and MasterBuilder ProAdvisor, author, trainer and construction accounting coach, as well as a frequent speaker at The International Builders’ Show and The Remodeling Show. Her firm, Info Plus Accounting PC/CPA, offers bookkeeping and support services to help construction companies do more accurate and timely job costing and run better management reports. Contact Gilson via e-mail, or call her at 734-544-7620. Earlier Articles in this Series
Has Your Company Been Victimized by Fraud? Gilson is writing a book to help residential construction business owners protect their companies from fraud, and your experiences could help someone avoid a similar nightmare. She is seeking volunteers to share anonymous, candid stories of what they experienced and learned. If you would like to share your story, e-mail Gilson.
NAHB Has More Than 170 Resources to Help You Run Your Business More Profitably
Go to NAHB's Business Management Tools Web pages for instant access to more than 170 timesaving, moneymaking and cost-cutting business resources to help you run your business more profitably. Get guidance on accounting and financial management, business strategy, computers and information technology, customer service, human resources and more. Resources are added weekly, so bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools to go directly to these vital business management resources. Local and state home builders associations can link directly to www.nahb.org/biztools from their Web site and give their members instant access to these resources. It will make your HBA's Web site the place to go for the information and guidance that members need to succeed. The NAHB University of Housing Offers Courses on Business Management ”Subscribe to NAHB’s Business of Building e/Source NAHB’s Business of Building e/Source is your monthly electronic guide to the hot issues and emerging trends in home building business management. You’ll find practical advice, tricks of the trade and sound business guidance — all delivered monthly, straight to your desktop, in a quick and easy-to-read format. Business of Building e/Source is available free to NAHB members and their employees. To subscribe, click here on the members only side of www.nahb.org. Business Management Resources, Sales Management Summit at IBSNAHB Business Management Resources has the information to help you grow your business, and you can tap into those resources at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando on Jan. 13-16 or on the Web. On Friday, Jan. 14, NAHB’s National Sales and Marketing Council and the Business Management and Information Technology Committee are co-presenting the "Sales Management Summit" education session on improving sales performance and profitability. Business Management Resources Whether you need help with QuickBooks®, want to download the NAHB Chart of Accounts, want to get a copy of a “must-have” publication such as the “Residential Construction Performance Guidelines” or want to know more about IBS educational sessions covering critical management reports, diversification or customer service, you can find it through NAHB Business Management Resources. A free guide to NAHB business management resources is available on the Web by clicking here, or pick up a copy at the BulderBooks.com store at IBS. The store is in the C Hall Lobby — West Building of the Orange County Convention Center. For a list of business management educational sessions at IBS, including sessions about technology at tecHOMExpo™, click here and follow the "Organization & Business Management" and "TecHOMExpo" tracks. Sales Management Summit Attend the "Sales Management Summit" education session and take away 40 inside strategies from sales management experts. The session will be from 1:00-5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14, in the Orange County Convention Center, Linda W. Chapin Auditorium, Room 320. Make Your IBS Plans by Dec. 24 — and SaveThe new extended deadline for final advance registration for the 2005 International Builders’ Show is Friday, Dec. 24. Register by Dec. 24 and save $25. Follow these links to: Advance registration will also enable you to receive your show credentials in the mail before you leave for IBS. For more information visit, www.BuildersShow.com. Third-Quarter Index Points to an ‘Amazing’ Year for Remodeling ActivityNAHB’s Remodeling Market Index (RMI) moved up a point in the third quarter as mortgage rates continued to linger below the 6% threshold and housing demand remained brisk. “This has been an amazing year for remodeling,” said NAHB Remodelors™ Council Chairman Douglas Sutton, Sr., CGR, CAPS, a remodeler in Springfield, IL. “With home sales remaining at record-breaking levels, the major additions and alterations sector has kept many remodelers busy working through growing backlogs.” In the quarterly survey of 500 remodelers from around the country, current conditions in the July-August period rose to 51.8, up from 50.6 in the previous quarter, and future expectations remained unchanged at 52.4. Starting with the third quarter, the index is now being seasonally adjusted. “With the ongoing favorable interest rates, rising employment and household incomes, and high home price appreciation rates, we expect the remodeling market to remain on a strong growth path,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. “The RMI is still above 50, which signals that the market remains healthy. All indicators point to another booming year for remodeling in 2004 and the outlook for 2005 is quite good as well.” The index showed an increase in major additions and alterations from 47.4 in the second quarter to 49.2 in the third, and a rebound in maintenance and repairs from 51.8 to 54.6. As in other recent quarters, the strength of remodeling activity was heavily concentrated in owner-occupied housing. The third quarter survey asked remodeling companies special questions about where they buy materials and who influences their buying decisions during projects. Among the results:
Say Goodbye to the Lone RangerWe all know a “Lone Ranger.” He’s the one who takes on everything by himself and refuses to ask for help (or even admits he may need some). He has a hard time acknowledging what he doesn’t know. He believes he’s the only person who can do something — and do it right. And he is always tired, always running on empty. Well, for any Lone Rangers out there, there is an alternative, and it could make you happier and more successful. According to industry consultant Clay Nelson of Construction Services Network, LLC in Santa Barbara, CA, remodelers in this frame of mind need to take a step back from their business. They need to reintroduce themselves to their employees and teach their employees what each of them needs to know in order to help the company succeed. Plus, Nelson says the Lone Ranger needs to take a vacation. It’s Time to Loosen the Reins Many people operate in the “work-work-work” mode believing that at some point their hard work, blood, sweat and tears will pay off with success, money and fun to be shared with family and friends. There is one problem with this theory, according to Nelson. Most Lone Rangers work so hard, they either: a) miss the big payoff; b) don’t live long enough to get the big payoff; or c) have no one to enjoy the payoff with because their friends and families are now strangers. Remember, no one on their last day on Earth ever said, “I wish I just worked a little more, tried a little harder, spent more time at the office.” No, most people regret not spending enough time with family and friends or watching their children grow up. But it’s not too late for the Lone Ranger. There is still time to regain your life. The first step is to climb down off Silver and learn a new word — TEAM — and be comfortable with it. As a team, your company can go farther than where you can go by yourself. As the team leader, your responsibility — to yourself and to your employees — is to create a team atmosphere that presents team members the opportunity to learn and grow in their profession and as leaders. To begin moving from the Lone Ranger to becoming a team leader, you must acknowledge that the Lone Ranger way costs your family, employees, company and yourself. You have to give up knowing all the answers and being right about everything. Finally, you have to give up not wanting to ask for the help you need. The Six Step Self-Help Program By utilizing the following six step self-help program, you will be able to transform yourself from the Lone Ranger to the team leader you always wanted to be for your employees.
Do that, and soon, you’ll be on the path to having the kind of life and business that you want. But first, you have to take off that mask. Remodelors Council Courses, Events at Builders' ShowThe NAHB Remodelors™ Council is offering a variety of courses and events at the 2005 International Builders' Show (IBS). Here are a few:
Remodelors™ Schedule at IBS (Most events at the Orange County Convention Center, OCCC)
Make Your IBS Plans by Dec. 24 — and SaveThe new extended deadline for final advance registration for the 2005 International Builders’ Show is Friday, Dec. 24. Register by Dec. 24 and save $25. Follow these links to: Advance registration will also enable you to receive your show credentials in the mail before you leave for IBS. For more information visit, www.BuildersShow.com. Seniors Housing Courses, Events at Builders’ ShowThe NAHB Seniors Housing Council is offering a variety of education programs, special events and networking activities at the 2005 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando. Industry professionals who are currently involved in seniors housing or are interested in learning more about the active adult market will find countless opportunities to bolster their knowledge of the fastest-growing segment of the housing industry. Attendees can choose from 15 education programs covering everything from design and marketing to the latest research and trends. Topics range from “Forever Young: Customized Universal Design” and “Active Adult Condos and Rentals: The Future Is Here” to “David vs. Goliath: Active Adult Strategies for Entrepreneurial Builders” and “Tournament of Champions … Turning Prospects into Buyers.” Boomer expert Mark Goldstein will explain the demographic shift that is occurring and how builders can reposition their companies to capitalize on the boomer market in his presentation, “Reinvention of the Building/Housing Market: Boomers and Beyond,” from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, in the Orange County Convention Center, Room 308. “Designing for the Active Adult” will show builders how to design homes and communities to better meet the needs of the active adult buyer. The session will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, in Room 330B. The Seniors Housing Council is also sponsoring the following activities:
Click the complete list of Seniors Housing Council activities for other special events in Orlando. Visit the Seniors Housing Council’s Hospitality Suite in Room 107 of the Orange County Convention Center. Join the Seniors Housing Council during the show and save 20% on membership dues. For more information, e-mail Jeff Jenkins, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8292.
Make Your IBS Plans by Dec. 24 — and SaveThe new extended deadline for final advance registration for the 2005 International Builders’ Show is Friday, Dec. 24. Register by Dec. 24 and save $25. Follow these links to: Advance registration will also enable you to receive your show credentials in the mail before you leave for IBS. For more information visit, www.BuildersShow.com. Seniors Housing Awards Recognize Cutting-Edge Design and Mark |