Nation's Building News Online: January 31, 2005Print All Articles Text Version |
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Better Homes and Gardens Building a New Home Based on Its Readers' SuggestionsA custom-engineered house being built with innovative materials and technology outside of Atlanta in the town of Cumming, Ga., will incorporate the feedback from nearly 60,000 participants in a survey conducted by Better Homes and Gardens magazine on the top characteristics Americans want in their homes. “Affordability and flexibility top America’s wish list when it comes to their homes,” says Karol DeWulf Nickell, the magazine’s editor-in-chief. “People are hungry for ideas that fit their budget and they want their home to work through all the changes their families go through.” The less than 3,000-square-foot house is being built by Clever Homes for under $120 a square foot and will use the company’s Clever System™ to integrate building technologies, which include panelized system-built construction and computer management of the home. Responding to a desire for innovation in new homes, the magazine’s Better Home Better Living™ House will use structured insulated panel modules that can be erected in just a few days, Nickell told convention-goers at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando earlier this month, contributing cost-savings along with improved insulation and superior strength. The home will also be wired for the Internet and provide smart appliances, she said. Observing that people currently stay in a home for only three to five years because it doesn’t adequately accommodate the needs of a growing household, Nickell said that her magazine’s featured house will be designed so that it can be adapted to changing family dynamics. She said that the house will be able to expand from a smaller size for a single person or young couple, to a larger home when children arrive, and then enter a third phase for the empty nester. With an open floor plan, the house will also provide space that can be used by residents who work from home, an arrangement that eight out of 10 of those surveyed said they would consider over the next five to 10 years. Also catering to the wants of those who were surveyed, Nickell said that the house would be kitchen-centric, with some slimming down to a more manageable size. “The kitchen is the town square of the house, where people dine and gather,” she said, and it is the room that gets the most use. Survey respondents identified the kitchen as the room in their home needing the most updating. Another trend that will be reflected in the house is the growing role of “a seamless flow from inside to outside” spaces, Nickell said, with patios, barbeque centers, decks and other areas serving as multi-tasking areas. The trend includes using the front as well as the back yard, the inclusion of water features, the use of indoor/outdoor furnishings and the substitution of low-maintenance gravel or native plants for grass. The home will be awarded to the winner of the “Better Home Better Living: Win America’s Home” sweepstakes, which is now underway, and featured in the November 2005 issue of the magazine. Building News Coast To CoastEagles Notes: Ex-Bird Returns to the Flock at Fortuitous TimeWith tight end Chad Lewis sidelined by a foot injury from playing in the Feb. 6 Super Bowl game against the New England Patriots in Jacksonville, Fla., Jeff Thomason will be using some vacation leave from his construction project manager job for Toll Brothers at its Chesterfield development in Burlington County, Pa., to take his place. Thomason had pretty much given up on his football career, which ended in 2002 after 10 years, the final three with the Eagles, when he got a call from the team last week. “It’s incredible, actually,” he said, “I’m slowly kind of absorbing the whole thing minute by minute. I’m probably the luckiest man in the world.” Although financial details of the signing were not released, the 35-year-old father of three says he believes he is entitled to the Super Bowl bonus that players receive, and in the three hours it takes to play the game he will probably earn more than he makes in a week in the home building industry. Open Plans, Unpretentious Design Characterize New, Small HousesAn 1,800-square-foot house lodged on a 20-foot-wide lot in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood is an example of the new small-home designs featured in the January/February issue of Dwell magazine. The home’s upper level consists of an airy living room and kitchen-dining area unencumbered by interior walls. Street level consists of spacious bedroom and bath, with an additional bedroom and bath tucked under a rear deck on the down-sloping lot and accessed via the garden. A 1,500-square-foot home in Carmel evokes La Corbusier’s Citrohan (1920), “a veritable box which could be used as a house.” It has sleeping areas on the first floor and a second-floor living area with a lake view and kitchen and dining areas that have access through glass doors to a deck over an attached garage. The home is featured in “25 Houses Under 1500 Square Feet” by James Grayson Trulove. Another featured home in Dwell is a simple one-story, gable-roofed house with vertical siding that looks like it might have been a chicken coop or outbuilding before. The 640-square-foot design is just 10 feet wide with glass doors overlooking rolling vineyards and Mount St. Helena. Massachusetts Housing Sales Hit New Highs in 2004With mortgage rates near record lows, 2004 was the best year ever for home sales in Massachusetts, but by the end of the year single-family sales were down 1.5% on a year-over-year basis, while condominium sales were up by 23.4%. December was the 20th consecutive month that condo sales in the state were up year-over-year. The median price of a single-family home in the state was $342,500 in December, up 10.5% from a year earlier but down 1% from the prior month. December’s median price for a Massachusetts condo was $265,000, up 15.2% from a year earlier, down from a record $273,900 in August. Active-Adult Builders Target Urban LocalesDevelopers along the New Jersey Turnpike close to Manhattan say they are targeting their active-adult communities less toward retirees and more toward empty-nesters who may or may not continue working. The communities are being placed within metro areas, where there are plenty of amenities friendly to baby boomers. According to a Del Webb survey of baby boomers last year, 30% who were considering purchasing a home in an age-qualified active-adult community said they preferred a community in an urban location. Until 2001, Del Webb focused on Sunbelt areas like Arizona, Nevada and Florida. Since 2002, however, the developer has doubled the number of communities it opened in four-season regions and half of the company’s next 100 projects will be within metro areas like Chicago, New York and Detroit. Homes Get Smarter in SW FloridaThe $3.3 million Bellagio model being built by local Arthur Rutenberg franchise Lyons Housing Corp. at Miromar Lakes will feature some of the latest technologies that enable home owners to dim the lights, close the blinds and start a DVD movie from their couch and then fire up the tub. The home will also include control screens that allow residents to access security cameras, the heating and cooling system, the pool and closed-circuit television in almost every room. The backbone of the wiring system is “home run” wiring that prevents the signal denigration that can occur in the traditional wiring that loops through every room. All of the audio/visual wiring runs from a central control box to each room individually. All Hail the Eco-ThroneNew dual-flush toilets introduced by Caroma, an Australian company, in the late 1990s use even less water than the low-flush toilets mandated by federal law in 1992, and have been found by the Environmental Protection Agency to be more efficient than the old standard. The two-button toilets dispense, at the user’s discretion, either 0.8 gallon or 1.6 gallons and will save average flushers more than 3,000 gallons a year. Most of the new models replace the rubber flapper, which is prone to degrading, with a silicon gasket and calibrated plunger. Bowls and trapways have been redesigned to work better, but there’s still debate over whether the “wash-down” flush, which relies on gravity and a wide trapway, or the “siphonic,” which uses suction and a narrow passage, works best. The Sterling Rockton model combines both. Grant Will Help ASU With Solar House PlanA construction technology professor at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., is planning to use a $100,000 grant from the state’s energy office to incorporate solar-powered heating and cooling into the construction of low-income homes in Western North Carolina. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, low-income households spend 14% of their income on energy costs, compared with 3.5% for other households, and studies have found that an initial investment in solar and alternative-energy technology can lower those costs. A study published by the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program found that a state weatherization project in Florida that installed solar water heaters in 801 homes reduced water-heating consumption and costs by more than half. In 1994, Wisconsin started a program to install passive solar warm-air collectors in low-income homes. Harwood International’s New Division Unveils $100M Condo ProjectApril 15 is the ground-breaking day for Azure, a 31-story, $100-million high rise being built by Harwood International in Dallas. The 202 units, which are scheduled to be delivered in the spring of 2007, range from 881 to more than 5,000 square feet and are priced from $400,000 to $4 million. The Azure will be close to upscale entertainment and restaurant venues along with built-in, resort-style amenities — including an Olympic-size swimming pool with private cabanas — comparable to a five-star hotel. Cabinetry will come from Germany, stones will be imported from France and the skin will be floor-to-ceiling glass for unobstructed views from the tallest building in uptown Dallas; at 375 feet tall, it will be nearly 140 feet higher than its neighbors. “We are exploring other markets,” said Harwood CEO Gabriel Barbier-Mueller, “but at this time we’re focused on the Azure, which will become the showroom.” Sales Go to the SwiftBuying up rental complexes, refurbishing them and sprucing them up, filing condo documents and offering units first to tenants and then selling them to the general public is currently providing converters in South Florida’s runaway real estate market with gross profits of 60%-80%, according to Jack McCabe, president of McCabe Research and Consulting in Deerfield Beach. A typical condo conversion can be finished in six to nine months, compared to three or four years for a new development. There were 57 major multifamily condo conversions involving 13,726 units in the area last year, with price increases of 24%-32% that are not sustainable forever, according to McCabe. He expects to see an 8%-14% price rise in condos this year, with severe downward pricing pressure in the fourth quarter as supply exceeds demand for both new construction and conversion. “Speculators have done well over the last three years,” McCabe said. “Putting up relatively small deposits to control $300,000 to $500,000 units, then flipping them a year or two later for five or more times their deposits has yielded impressive gains. The big question everyone asks is: ‘When will the day of reckoning come?’” McCabe is not predicting a crash. Letters Claim Arson Devices as Eco-TerrorNewspapers in the Sacramento area in California received letters from the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) claiming responsibility for two attempted arsons at construction sites in recent weeks. “Though our fires failed, the actions (were) not completely unsuccessful,” the letters said, adding that more incidents will be forthcoming. “We are setting a new precedent, where there will be at least one or more actions every few weeks,” the letters said. The FBI says that it is looking at at least eight devices in the incidents that were capable of causing substantial property damage and injuring construction workers. Eco-terrorism is considered one of the most serious crimes the FBI investigates, and experts say the attacks have caused as much as $100 million in damages over the last eight years. The Ups and Downs of Home Laundry ChutesIn two focus groups assembled in San Antonio to determine what laundry-room features were important to home owners, NAHB researcher Gopal Ahluwalia says he was surprised by someone asking about building a laundry chute. While Ahluwalia says he is familiar with enthusiasm for laundry shoots from people who used them to eavesdrop on basement conversations or make mischief with them as children, he reports that there is no data on their numbers. There is also little, if any, research on their history, according to Martin Hackl, a building restoration contractor and consultant in Oak Park, Ill., who has seen them in homes built as long ago as 1914 and suspects they go back to the 19th century. Basements Take a Step UpCheaper than an addition or moving to a bigger house, home owners are realizing that finishing or updating a basement is a low-cost way to increase living space, according to remodelers. “A basement renovation is about half the cost of an addition,” said Mark Richardson, president of Case Design/Remodeling Inc. in Bethesda, Md. The amount of space involved can be considerable, because basements usually run the entire length and width of a house. Gopal Ahluwalia, NAHB’s director of research, said that fewer than 10% of new-home buyers purchase a finished basement directly from the builder. Instead, they hire another contractor to finish them, typically within two years of buying. People often feel financially stretched when they buy a new house, he said, and the basement is a purchase that can be delayed a bit. Among the issues for those finishing or renovating a basement is to ensure that it will stay dry and to create as much light as possible. You Have Less Privacy — And More of It TooAmericans are engaged in a massive drive to increase their physical privacy, and the trend now begins at the earliest stages, when young children are given their own bedrooms. In 1950, according to statistics compiled by NAHB, only 1% of homes were built with four or more bedrooms, compared to four houses in 10 today; and only 1% had at least 2-1/2 baths, compared to 60% now. In other words, a typical American 10-year-old has more personal privacy than Louis XIV, who had to have someone empty his chamber pot; today’s child has his own private bathroom with a lock on the door. Other examples of how Americans are actually increasing their private space at a time when it seems that there are more and more opportunities to monitor everyday activities include putting patients into private hospital rooms rather than open wards, phone companies promoting wireless packages enabling each family member to have a private line and single-occupant college dormitory rooms with private baths. Of course, even though students can sleep in a private room, their every waking action can be monitored by college-issued smart cards and security cameras across campus. Study Pinpoints Water Intrusion CausesAn investigation into the causes of water intrusion into homes in Florida during 2004’s unusually severe hurricane season found that the water management capacities of exterior wall assemblies were overwhelmed; the study also identified practices that can improve their performance. The study was conducted by Dr. Joseph Lstiburek, a principal of Building Science Corp. in Westford, Mass. Among his recommendations, he proposes that builders add a “seat” to the base of masonry wall assemblies, providing a small channel where penetrating water can be temporarily stored during wind-driven rain; improve the performance of water-resistant barriers (used in second-floor assemblies between stucco coatings and interior walls) by ensuring a “bond break” to provide adequate room for penetrating moisture to drain; and work with building code officials to change the approved method of joining first- and second-floor wall assemblies. The complete report can be found at the association’s Web site (www.fhba.com) under “Features.” Home Buyers Looking for High-Quality Features Even When It Means Less SpaceAt 2,330 square feet in 2003, the average size of the American home may be just about at its peak, NAHB research economist Gopal Ahluwalia told the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month, but ceilings continue to get higher and a range of amenities that used to be limited to the upscale market are moving far up the list of what prospective buyers are looking for in a typical home. “Quality is still increasing,” Ahluwalia said. “More and more quality features are still being added,” and they account for roughly 10% of the 40% increase in new home prices between 1996 and 2003. Ahluwalia’s survey data show that the average size of a home in 2003 was close to the median 2,426 square feet that home owners said they would like to have — about one-third larger than the 1,854 square feet that is the actual size of their present home. But volume has been increasing, with nine-foot ceilings now a standard height, up from eight feet previously. The households who were surveyed indicated enthusiasm for just about every upscale feature available, Ahluwalia said, but became more realistic in their views when they were asked to choose among alternatives. When asked to choose between a bigger house with fewer amenities or a smaller house with high quality products and amenities, 63% of the home owners surveyed by NAHB opted for the latter. To pay for those quality features, 57% said they preferred for them to be included in the base price of the home; while 43% wanted them to be offered as options at extra cost. Demographically, the changing sizes of American households tend to be shifting some of the emphasis away from more space, Ahluwalia said. The number of single-person households increased from 17.1% to 26.3% of the U.S. population between 1970 and 2002, according to the Census Bureau, he said. At the same time, the share of large households of five persons or more declined from 20.9% to 9.8%. The shares of households in between — comprised of two, three or four persons — “haven’t changed much,” he said. However, the ethnic minorities who increased their homeownership rates the most between 1994 and 2003, according to Census numbers — Hispanics whose homeownership rose by 62.8% and Asians who were up by 103% — live in significantly larger households than the general population: 3.6 persons per household and 3.1 persons respectively in 2003, compared to 2.6 for the U.S. Fifty-five percent of Asians, 51% of Hispanics and 54% of African Americans said they preferred four or more bedrooms, compared to 43% for whites, reflecting the typically larger sizes of these households. In parts of the country where it is impractical to build basements, three-car garages are preferred, Ahluwalia said, as a place for storage. “People are asking for a larger than standard 21- by 22-foot garage. Among several other observations on what people want in their new homes:
Looking at trends for the next five years, Ahluwalia predicted growing popularity for low-maintenance, natural materials; synthetic stucco; energy efficiency; and security on the outside of the home. Inside, open space, quality features, technology and special purpose rooms are on the upswing. Open space in the entry level of the home is “really key” and there should be a free flow of traffic, he advised. Housing SnapshotThe cost of fixed-rate mortgage financing was down just a tad last week. "Interest rates will likely remain calm," predicted Freddie Mac Chief Economist Frank Nothaft. The Commerce Department on Friday released figures on growth of the Gross Domestic Product, which was 4.4% for the year but only at an annual pace of 3.1% in the fourth quarter, below market expectations and down from 4% in the third quarter. The Fed will release its policy statement this week, "giving financial markets a better sense of what future actions the Fed may be contemplating," said Nothaft. "All of this will help determine where mortgage rates will be in the near future." Lumber prices demonstrated some weakness last week, clouded by severe weather conditions in the Northeast, Midwest and California. The cost of framing lumber rose slightly to $384 per 1,000 board feet, up from $382 during the previous week, according to Random Lengths, and higher than its year-earlier price of $354. Plywood and oriented strand board prices continued to move down, with the panel composite price declining from $396 per 1,000 square feet to $375. The price was $484 a year earlier. Random Lengths also reported that with OSB leading the way, the U.S. production of structural panels hit another record in 2004. Mortgage Interest Rates30 Year Fixed Rate: 5.66\% Housing Starts: Dec. 2004Total: 2.004 million\% New Home Sales: Dec. 2004 *1.098 million Existing Home Sales: Dec. 2004 *6.69 million * Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate NAHB Is Your Partner in BusinessIf you were one of the record 105,000 housing professionals who attended this year’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando, then you saw for yourself that nobody puts on a show like NAHB. From the largest assembly anywhere of cutting-edge building products and services to presentations by expert speakers on the issues that are shaping our industry, in four super-charged days NAHB’s annual exposition provides the resources and the ideas that can keep your business ahead of the competition. NAHB is the best business partner you could have, not just at the start of the year but all year long. I am committed to providing our members with the tools they need to score success in an industry that is always fraught with challenges. We are fired up about prospects for housing in 2005 and we are ready to deliver. In the coming year, we’re going to continue to focus on what NAHB does best, and we’re going to do it better than ever. One of our top priorities is improving the business environment in which we all operate. This means eliminating the regulatory barriers that frustrate our efforts to supply the housing that is sorely needed in our growing communities. And it means empowering our members with educational opportunities so that they will have the wide range of abilities needed to prosper in the home building business — to assess your marketplace, provide your prospective customers with what they want, run an effective operation, navigate the approval process, turn neighbors into supporters of your housing plans and much, much more. We’re going to be more proactive in moving forward our legislative agenda in the 109th Congress. We’re going to tackle issues head-on. One of the top issues emerging in the Senate will be reforms for the housing industry’s government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) — Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. Following the recommendations of a specially appointed NAHB task force on this issue, our board of directors has just approved major policy on oversight reform, and we’re ready to lead the debate. Another goal we will continue to pursue with full determination is increasing the supply of affordable workforce housing for teachers, police officers, fire fighters and other essential employees who have been priced out of living in the communities they serve. We brought this issue to national attention last year and identified resources and approaches that will begin to address the problem. We will pursue those initiatives this year, and we will also continue our support for proposals by the Bush Administration to create a homeownership tax credit and a zero-downpayment FHA mortgage to boost homeownership opportunities in this country. In our commitment to make NAHB your true business partner, we will also be increasing our efforts this year on retaining current members and acquiring new ones. Membership is the lifeblood of this association. Our grassroots membership is the source of our strength, and in 2005 we plan to make the members of our federation even stronger through the expansion of NAHB’s educational programs and networking opportunities, including the 20 Clubs. Finally, I want to let you know about the Home Builders Care/National Housing Endowment-Tsunami Shelter Fund. With an initial donation of $250,000 designated by the NAHB Board of Directors in Orlando, the fund will be directed to rebuilding efforts that provide temporary and permanent shelter for survivors. I have asked Bob Mitchell, a past president of NAHB, to lead this effort. We will be working with U.S. charitable organizations to demonstrate our concern, and I urge you to join in this effort through a tax-deductible donation. For more information in this issue of Nation's Building News on how you can do your part to address the shelter needs of nations devastated by the tsunami, click here. You can ask the President of the United States, leaders in the Congress, the chairman of the Federal Reserve or the top economists in the country, and they will all tell you that housing has been the driving force supporting our economy for the past several years. And you can ask the parents of your childrens’ friends at school, members of your church congregation, people standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, and they will tell you that there are few things more important for their families than housing. That is an awesome responsibility for a single industry, but one in which we can all take great professional pride. I promise you that NAHB will continue to be your voice — the voice of housing in America. I look forward to serving you and our entire membership. New Home Sales Set Fourth Consecutive Annual Record in 2004Easily topping one million in 2004, sales of new single-family homes set a new annual record for the fourth consecutive year, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures released on Jan. 31. “Sales were up nearly 9% for the year and exceeded one million for the second year in a row,” said NAHB President Dave Wilson. “The record-breaking pace can be attributed to strong demographic demand, low mortgage rates and rising employment and household incomes, and we expect this pattern to continue into early 2005.” Total new single-family home sales for the year reached 1.183 million, an 8.9% increase from the previous annual record of 1.086 million set in 2003. The pace of new-home sales for December reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.098 million units, up a slight 0.1% from November’s downwardly revised pace of 1.097 million units. “The sales pace for the fourth quarter was almost identical to the third quarter, and while we anticipate a slight decline in 2005, the performance of the housing market has reached a very high plateau,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. All four regions of the country recorded solid annual sales increases for 2004, with sales reaching more than 83,000 in the Northeast, 209,000 in the Midwest, 345,000 in the West and 546,000 in the South. Sales for December were a mixed bag, however, decreasing 16.3% in the South and 15.7% in the Northeast but rising 6.3% in the West and 55.5% in the Midwest. For the year, the median sales price of new single-family homes rose 12.2% to $218,000, up from $195,000 in 2003. There was an inventory of 432,000 new homes for sale at the end of last year, a 4.8 months’ supply at the December sales pace. “The inventory situation inched up during the final months of 2004 but, as in previous months, most of the recent increase has been for units permitted but not yet started,” Seiders said. “The inventory situation is not worrisome, particularly if builders keep the numbers of units that are under construction or completed under close control,” he added. Eye on the EconomyBy David F. Seiders, NAHB Chief Economist Job growth was quite respectable in 2004 and the labor market is solidly in gear … Payroll employment increased by 2.23 million during 2004, a monthly average of 186,000, and a modestly sub-par reading for December (157,000) apparently reflected a temporary shortfall in retail employment. The 2004 gains nearly reversed the cumulative net job losses during the 2001-2003 period even though job creation was held back by ongoing strong growth in labor productivity (output per hour). The unemployment rate held at 5.4% in December, and the average for 2004 came to 5.5% — down from 6.0% in 2003. The unemployment rate is down less than a percentage point from the cyclical peak of 6.3% in June of 2003, and the labor force participation rate has been stuck at 66% for more than a year — down from 67% just prior to the 2001 recession. These measures suggest that a good deal of slack remains in the labor market, and that bodes well for future growth in both U.S. economic output and employment. Core inflation firmed up in 2004 but inflation fundamentals remain reasonably good … The U.S. economy shook off the deflation threat of 2003 by early last year, and core inflation (excluding prices of food and energy) firmed up significantly as 2004 rolled along. The best measures of core inflation — the chain-core Consumer Price Index and the core market-based price index for Personal Consumption Expenditures — both approached 2% by late in the year (year-over-year basis), about double the pace of late 2003. The firming of core inflation in 2004 reflected somewhat higher unit labor costs, rising import prices (partly reflecting a falling dollar) and upward pressures on commodity prices. Core inflation is likely to firm up a bit more in 2005, even as overall inflation recedes along with energy prices, although a serious inflation breakout is not in the cards. This kind of performance, along with evidence of anti-inflation resolve at the Fed, should control inflation expectations in financial markets. The Fed has moved closer to monetary ‘neutrality’ but further rate hikes are in store … The Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate at 1% during the first half of 2004 in order to help solidify the economic expansion and insure against a deflation problem in the U.S. The Fed began to move off this extraordinarily stimulative monetary policy stance on June 30, and the fifth consecutive quarter-point hike in the funds rate target was implemented at the Dec. 14 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Although the real (inflation-adjusted) federal funds rate now is positive, the current monetary policy stance still is stimulating the U.S. economy. The Fed wants to get back to a more “neutral” stance as long as economic growth continues to sop up slack in resource markets (labor and capital) and continues to generate inflationary pressures. NAHB’s forecast shows a federal funds rate of 3.75% by the end of 2005. We’re expecting quarter-point rate hikes at the February, March, May and June FOMC meetings with a less aggressive process during the second half of the year. Long-term interest rates still are stubbornly low but some increase is virtually inevitable this year … Long-term rates held in a narrow range in 2004, closing out the year at about the same levels that prevailed when the year began. Indeed, long rates gravitated downward during the second half despite the series of hikes in short rates kicked off by the Fed on June 30, and the long-term home mortgage rate still is hanging around 5.7%. Current levels of long-term interest rates will be tough to sustain as 2005 rolls along. We’ve trimmed our rate outlook to some degree, but NAHB’s forecast still shows a systematic increase in long-term rates over the course of 2005, a process that takes the long-term home mortgage rate to 6.50% by late this year. The factors behind this move include the projected pattern of Fed policy, a falling dollar and further upward pressure on core inflation — partly from the labor market. It’s worth remembering that the Fed’s march toward monetary neutrality is not just a series of rate announcements but involves extraction of liquidity from the financial system and a broad-based tightening of credit conditions. Housing posted new records in 2004 and only a modest fade is in the cards for this year … The housing sector turned in a great performance in 2004, thanks largely to the stunning behavior of long-term interest rates as well as to deepening discounts of initial rates on adjustable-rate mortgages by lenders. New records were set for home sales and single-family housing starts as well as for sales of condo units in multifamily housing, and the rental housing market performed reasonably well in the face of record-high vacancy rates. It will be tough to post further growth in 2005 as the interest rate structure moves upward. NAHB’s forecast for 2005 shows modest slippage in home sales as well as in starts of both single-family and multifamily housing units. Some increase in manufactured home shipments (HUD-code units) may be in the cards following the free-fall of recent years, and the residential remodeling market should continue to post solid real (inflation-adjusted) growth throughout the forecast period. Even so, residential fixed investment probably will not be able to maintain its position as a strong GDP growth engine — a role enjoyed throughout the 2002-2004 period following unprecedented resilience during the 2001 economic recession. Homeownership rates are not topping out in the U.S … The U.S. homeownership rate hit an estimated 69% in 2004, easily a new annual record. Indeed, the homeownership rate climbed by five percentage points during the past 10 years, a truly impressive run after a decade of virtual stagnation. The dramatic performance of recent years moved the U.S. homeownership rate toward the top of the list of countries around the world, prompting speculation that the U.S. rate has approached some sort of natural limit. But there’s still plenty of potential for rising homeownership in this country, public policy is focusing upon some glaring differences across income classes as well as racial/ethnic groups, and structural changes in the mortgage market have extended the reach of homeownership to more marginal buyers. Thus, it appears that builders of single-family homes and condo units can look forward to a dominant share of the housing pie for some time to come, and manufactured homes may also regain some market share in the years ahead. 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 Jan. 26 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. Put Technology to Work in Your Business, Perot Tells BuildersEmbrace, apply and integrate cutting-edge technology in all aspects of your home building business and you will increase efficiencies, improve quality and customer satisfaction, increase your market share and improve your bottom line, Ross Perot Jr., president and CEO of Perot Systems Corp., told housing professionals in a keynote address at the tecHOMExpo™ during the recent International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. “Look at the challenges home builders have,” Perot said. “This industry is consolidating. The challenge will be what do you do next? As you continue to grow, how will you take advantage of technology?” Perot’s solution — integrate, integrate, integrate. Perot Systems provides technology-based business solutions to the government, the healthcare industry and commercial firms including the construction industry. Clients include KB Homes, Centex, Ryland Homes, Pulte and other builders and developers. Perot told builders, particularly high production builders, to integrate their back office with all their business processes to make sure every part of the business — from sales and marketing to billing, supplies and payroll ― are all part of the same system. Doing so will provide better insight into their business operations, enable building industry owners to make better-informed decisions and increase efficiency. “There’s lots of money to be made by integrating your back office.” Perot then told attendees to integrate their companies “with the rest of the world.” Use technology and the Internet to speed up information sharing with the vendors, cities, towns and county governments and other organizations — “all the different partners you work with,” Perot emphasized. The other area ripe for applying technology is customer service. Use technology to “get to know your clients better” and to keep in touch with them, Perot said. “Use the Internet for customers. Put systems in place that allow the feel and touch that customers want.” For example, Perot is wiring all the homes in the Heritage residential community he is developing with a fiber optic network. Heritage is part of AllianceTexas, a 15,000 acre mixed-use development near Dallas. A state-of-the-art intranet will connect homes, schools, local businesses and community facilities to the rest of AllianceTexas and each home will be wired for high-speed Internet access. In addition to Perot Systems, Perot is also the chairman of the Hillwood Development Corporation, a real estate and investment firm that is developing mixed-use, residential and commercial properties in Texas and California, including AllianceTexas; Victory, a 70-acre development in downtown Dallas; and AllianceCalifornia in San Bernardino. Perot also told the builders to use e-mail to keep communications open with their customers. “Everybody has e-mail,” Perot said, adding that his employees and clients all have his e-mail address and can contact him about anything. “How many home owners can reach the president of the company?” he admonished, adding that department, division and corporate heads should use e-mail and Internet-based surveys to contact home owners “to find out exactly what they like about your houses.” The first question he would ask, he said, was, “Why did they pick you.” Human Resources: The Benefits of Offering Flexible Benefits PlansTraditionally, employers have offered benefits to employees in a uniform manner. All eligible employees received the same set of benefits in the same way, regardless of their needs, interests and circumstances. While this method of providing benefits is easier for the employer to administer, it is unproductive. Employees may not want certain benefits their employer offers, and they may want other, more desired benefits that aren’t available through their employer. Recent developments in laws and practices have opened up an entirely new approach to offering benefits to employees called “flexible benefits.” Also known as cafeteria benefits plans, flexible spending accounts and Section 125 plans, the essential idea behind flexible benefits plans is to give employees some degree of control over the benefits they receive. Flexible Benefits Plans Help Attract and Retain Committed Employees Flexible benefits plans do require some additional time and administrative effort from the employer. However, other than start-up costs, the overall annual costs of providing benefits need not cost more than what you are currently paying. In fact, in some cases, you may be able to cut expenses. Also, because flexible benefit plans can be tailored to an individual employee’s needs, here are additional benefits of instituting these plans:
Legal or Regulatory Basis Laws and regulations dealing with how employee compensation can be handled also govern flexible benefits programs. These laws and regulations dictate the way the Internal Revenue Code is applied. For example, there are definite stipulations about how pre-tax dollars must be processed to avoid penalties. Likewise, there are other benefits laws and regulations, particularly the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which must be observed and honored. Get Professional Assistance The preceding section on legal issues is offered as both a caution and introduction to flexible benefit plans. Given the complexity and requirements of flexible benefits plans, it is almost impossible for someone not trained in this area to install a program easily and effectively. If you are considering a flexible benefits plan, you should seek professional assistance. Here are several options that may help:
Simple plans can often be installed using “boilerplate” documents and procedures that keep costs down. If you do use such documents, seek competent advice to ensure the boilerplate language and procedures are applicable in your state. In spite of the apparent difficulties and requirements for setting up a flexible benefits plan, the eventual value of such a plan to both you and your employees can easily justify the time and expense. Types of Flexible Benefits Plans There are three basic kinds of flexible benefits plan options:
Planning Issues There are several important issues to consider when planning and implementing a flexible benefits program:
The material in this article is excerpted from "Managing Your Employees: Human Resources Guide for Builders", available at BuilderBooks.com. The publication contains a model personnel policies and employee handbook you can customize for your company, a section on legal and regulatory authorities that affect personnel policies and suggested systems and processes for managing your workforce. It also contains a CD of forms and checklists for managing human resources policies and programs. View or purchase "Managing Your Employees" online, or call 800-223-2665.
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 associations, 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. 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. Take Advantage of National Desigation MonthFebruary is National Designation Month and to celebrate the month the NAHB University of Housing is offering more than 140 classes during February. The NAHB University of Housing offers more than a dozen professional designations covering industry basics such as business management and marketing techniques, along with specialized courses including aging-in-place programs, property management and more. Earning a designation allows NAHB members to hone their business skills and convey to their clients that they have superior training, practical experience and in-depth knowledge. Additionally, designation holders can take advantage of valuable networking opportunities throughout their enrollment by working closely with expert instructors and other professionals both within their field and outside their specific areas of expertise. To participate in National Designation Month, visit Designation Month Resources on the NAHB Web site. Make a Zero Punch List for Every Job a RealityWouldn’t it be great not to have to go back again and again to fix that never-ending punch list? To have your clients say that everything looks great? Well, stop dreaming and make it a reality. According to Jerome Quinn, of SawHorse, Inc. in Atlanta, you can achieve a zero punch list for every project. All it takes is teamwork among you, your crew and your client. Quinn defined a zero punch list as that point in the “substantial completion meeting” with the client when “all items in the contract are fulfilled, absolutely no punch list items exist, the client signs off on the project and the client pays in full — no holdback.” Quinn told attendees at the Remodeling Show in Chicago last fall that his company achieves zero punch lists on more than 50% of its jobs. It’s All About Teamwork The first step in achieving a zero punch list is to create a company culture that institutes top-down procedures that make the punch list the responsibility of everyone involved in the project — including trade contractors, vendors and clients. Company management plays the biggest role. Managers must set expectations, manage those expectations and reset those expectations when unforeseen events occur. Management must also keep the team — including the clients — on course and motivated to achieve the zero punch. To make the process successful, management must be committed to client relations. It's better to use e-mail to communicate with clients, rather than phone calls, because e-mail provides a paper trail (and proof) of all discussions and decisions made. You should never assume anything when it comes to a client. Instead, take copious notes during meetings and ask — and then re-ask — questions about details to make sure everyone is on the same page. Home owners have a key role in their project’s successful completion and are essential to achieving a zero punch list at the project's closing. For that to occur, home owners have to:
The field team, too, is important to achieving a zero punch list. If field team members don’t commit to working toward creating a zero punch list, it won’t happen. Once the team buys into the company culture and goal, everything will fall into place — that is if you have the right people working for you. And how do you define the right person? Putting skills aside, the right team player is one who motivates other field staff. They will try their best to stay on schedule, will not delay critical decisions and will know when to ask for help. The right employee also knows how to react when things go wrong and will not hesitate to act. Easy as ‘ABC’ Once you've put the right team together, the next step is to review your current punch list policies and determine how and why your punch lists are generated. You won't have to look too far to find a problem, just follow the money — or where it's tied up. For example, maybe most of your punch lists are the result of having too many change orders. Or maybe your trade contractors aren't doing as good a job as they should. Whatever the problem, take steps to fix or eliminate it. Quinn followed this course at SawHorse and established some very specific procedures to eliminate punch lists at his company:
Follow Your Plan and Set Expectations with Your Client Once you've established your procedures, plan your construction and then work your plan. Be sure to include the contract, all drawings, a detailed scope of work (including specific exclusions) and detailed client selections in your construction plan. Also, be sure to define and include in your detailed scope of work what you will not be doing, prefacing it with a statement like: “No provisions have been made to…” At the pre-construction meeting, set all expectations upfront so you and your client are on the same page. Review the scope of work, plans and schedule, set a time frame and method of communication with the client, and most importantly, let the client know that a zero punch list is the goal. Once construction begins be sure to stay in constant communication with the client and ask for feedback. Don’t wait until the end to find out how you are doing. Bringing the Job to a Close Two weeks prior to finishing the contract, review all work orders, credit memos and billings and arrange for a close date with the client. Bring in another supervisor to do a pre-punch and give the project supervisor and field staff those findings. Duuring the week prior to closing, double check your punch list and make sure all items have been satisfactorily completed. Also, review the final invoice with the client at this time so they have ample time to have payment ready for you at closing. This is also a good opportunity to check the client’s pulse. On closing day, walk through the project with the client, list any items on the substantial completion form, have all parties sign off on the substantial completion form, collect all payments and celebrate your success. You have now closed the project with a zero punch list. With a zero punch policy, your clients will tell their friends about the quality of your work and customer service. Your trade contractor will appreciate not being harassed by you after they thought the job was done. Your employees' morale will get a boost — thanks to the bonuses and rewards you give them for a job well done. And you'll be able to focus your resources where they belong.
The NAHB University of Housing Offers Designation Programs and Other Courses The NAHB University of Housing offers CAPS, CGR, CGB and a variety of other professional designation programs and business management courses that set builders and remodelers apart from the competition. To learn more about NAHB’s designation programs, visit www.nahb.org/designations. For a complete list of all current education offerings, click here. Who Will Be the Next Remodelor™ of the Month? The Remodelor™ of the Month (this link is accessible to Remodelors™ Council members only) award program is underway. Don't miss your opportunity to be named the Remodelor™ of the Month. Members Honored for Furthering RemodelingFive members of the Remodelors™ Council were honored for their service to the council and the remodeling industry during a dinner at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. Outstanding Service Award — Bill Lazor Bill Lazor, CGRA, of Simonton Windows in Parkersburg, W.Va., was given the Remodelors™ Council Outstanding Service award for his work as chairman of the newly formed Remodelors™ Council Business Associates Committee. One of Lazor’s key accomplishments as chairman was to help grow the committee by surveying all NAHB associate members to determine how they and the Remodelors™ Council builder members could better benefit from each other's expertise. “This committee grew in numbers as the year progressed and has a bright future in working forward to benefit the Remodelors™ Council and the industry,” said 2004 Remodelors™ Council Chairman Doug Sutton, Sr., CGR, CAPS. Bill Owens, CGR, CAPS, of Owens Construction in Powell, Ohio, was the winner of the Distinguished Service Award for his continued dedication to the council. Last year, Owens planned, funded and hosted an event that raised more than $3,000 for the Remodelors™ Council Bryan Patchan Scholarship. In addition, Owens served as chairman of the council’s leadership development committee and worked on behalf of his local and state associations. This year, the Remodelors™ Council also recognized for the first time council members who have promoted the council and the professionalism of the industry throughout the year by working with the press on a regular basis and for contributing to NAHB publications, including Nation’s Building News. More than 20 council members wrote articles for Nation’s Building News last year. The following were honored because of the number and popularity of the articles they contributed:
Who Will Be the Next Remodelor™ of the Month? The Remodelor™ of the Month (this link is accessible to Remodelors™ Council members only) award program is underway. Don't miss your opportunity to be named the Remodelor™ of the Month. The NAHB University of Housing Offers Designation Programs and Other Courses The NAHB University of Housing offers CAPS, CGR, CGB and a variety of other professional designation programs and business management courses that set builders and remodelers apart from the competition. To learn more about NAHB’s designation programs, visit www.nahb.org/designations. For a complete list of all current education offerings, click here. Home Builders Need to Take Steps To Prevent Excavation and Trenching AccidentsBy Donovan Jackson, CSP, CHMM Occupational fatalities and severe injuries such as disfigurement and temporary and permanent body impairment continue to be a main focus of concern in the construction industry. And while data suggest that fatalities from trench wall failure may have decreased in commercial/utility and heavy construction since the 1980s, there is also data indicating that more attention needs to be given to this source of injuries and deaths in single-family and multifamily housing projects in both the land development and construction phases.
On average, trench wall failures account for 74% of the nation’s excavation and trenching accidents each year; 11% involve workers in trenches being struck by backhoe buckets or crushed and asphyxiated between trench walls and excavation equipment. Other medical traumas involve being electrocuted by overhead and buried underground power lines; being struck by falling debris from the leading edge of the trench, spoils pile or excavation wall; drowning in flooded trenches; being exposed to adverse and toxic atmospheric conditions in the excavation; or workers falling into the excavation. Recent data suggest the following trends in worker fatalities in trenching operations during the home building process:
With statistics showing increased trenching injuries and fatalities — including statistics from workers compensation claims and death certificates — many states are holding executive managers, company owners and even frontline supervisors and foreman in the field liable for loss of life resulting from failed trench activities. Companies are also being scrutinized, indicted and severely fined for their failure to protect their workers in trenches. It is essential for contractors and laborers to understand the mandated safety practices and regulations that apply to trenching and excavation operations in the home building process. Following are OSHA’s top five serious citations for trenching and excavation violations in residential construction:
Following are some recommendations for reducing excavation and trenching accidents in residential construction:
It should be noted that several sates operate their own state OSHA programs (click here for a listing), and they may have adopted construction standards for trenching and excavation operations that are different from the information presented here. If you live in a state with its own State Occupational Safety and Health Plan, you should contact your local program administrator for further information on the construction standards applicable in your state. For more information, e-mail George Middleton, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8590. Donovan Jackson is a vice president with Integrated Management Services and Construction Practices DIvision within the Willis Risk and Insurance Corporation of Los Angeles. With close to 30 years experience, he specializes in the integration of safety management, quality assurance practices and risk management methodologies into the construction business process, including organizational assurance and development for both field and corporate environments.
OSHA Offers Tips to Protect Workers in Cold WeatherAt the time of year when cold weather can result in illnesses and injury, including hypothermia and frost bite, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is providing information on how to recognize dangerous conditions and respond to medical emergencies. The information is also available in Spanish. OSHA reminds workers and their employers that hypothermia can occur when the land temperature is above the freezing mark or the water temperature is below body temperature. Conditions can be made worse by wind or wet clothing. OSHA advises employers to train their workers about the hazards of working in the cold. Workers should layer their clothing according to the temperature, and wear a hat and gloves in addition to underwear made from polypropylene or other materials that will keep water away from the skin. Workers should take short breaks in a warm, dry shelter to allow their bodies to warm up; perform work during the warmest part of the day; be aware that it is easier to become exhausted or fatigued because more energy is needed to keep muscles warm; use the buddy system and work in pairs; drink warm, sweet beverages such as sugar water and sports-type drinks and avoid drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate and alcohol; and eat warm, high-calorie foods such as pasta. Workers are at an increased risk when they have predisposing health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension; they take certain medications that can be identified by a doctor, nurse or pharmacy; or if they are in poor physical condition, have a poor diet or are older. Frost Bite Frost bite is the freezing of deep layers of the skin and tissue, and can be recognized by a pale, waxy-white skin color. The skin becomes hard and numb, and fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears and nose are usually affected. In cases of frost bite:
Hypothermia In hypothermia, the body temperature drops to 95-degrees Fahrenheit or below. Signs can include fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool, bluish skin; slurred speech; clumsy movements; and irritable, irrational or confused behavior. In cases of hypothermia:
For more information, e-mail George Middleton at NAHB or call him at 800-368-5242 x8590. Associations Honored for Government Affairs AchievementNine state and local home builders associations received Government Affairs and Smart Growth Program Achievement Awards during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando for advancing housing-friendly initiatives in 2004. The awards presentation was the culmination of the 14th annual State & Local Government Affairs Recognition Awards Program. The 2004 honorees are:
Three associations received multiple awards:
In addition to honoring exceptional home builders associations, the State & Local Government Affairs Recognition Awards Program paid tribute to public officials who are strong advocates for the home building industry. Go to www.nahb.org/SLGAawards to learn about this year’s honorees and entering the 2005-2006 awards program. Booming Hispanic Home Buying Market Is Sold on SpanishBuilders who aren’t actively marketing their homes to Hispanic buyers are missing out on a major opportunity, according to panelists at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month, and translating sales materials into Spanish is a good place to start. There are already 40 million Hispanic households in the U.S. and Hispanics are growing at four times the rate of the general population, said Tim Coughlin, director of marketing in Boston for translations.com, which relies on Spanish translation for about 30% of its business. Coughlin said that Hispanics will have $778 billion in purchasing power this year, and that is expected to grow three times faster than the rate of inflation to more than $1 trillion by 2008. Hispanic households are younger and larger than the general population; 79% speak Spanish at home; they spend 9% more time online; and they are four times more likely to make a purchase when they are dealing in their preferred language, he said. “Hispanics are loyal to the American way of life they are pursuing, but they still want to persist in their ethnic traditions and feel connected to their culture,” said Marilyn Gardner, corporate vice president for sales and marketing in Atlanta for Beazer Homes USA. With Hispanics expected to account for 31% of household growth in this decade, Gardner reported that Beazer has moved aggressively to tap into this market, although its efforts are still in the early stages and have some way to go. “Forty-four percent of those who speak little Spanish at home still want Spanish TV,” Gardner said. “Marketing to them in their comfort zone is crucial.” Gardner offered several tips for selling to Hispanic home buyers:
To improve communications with Hispanics, Beazer started working on a Hispanic version of its Web site in 2002 and hopes to have translated its MyBeazerHome.com site by this spring. Gardner said that Beazer has found that 66% of the people who buy its homes have used its Web site at some point in the buying process. Melissa Morman, of Builder Homesite in Austin, Texas, noted that her Web site now has a Spanish version — “Casas Nuevas Aqui.” 2004 BALA Best in Housing Design Award Winners AnnouncedThe Best in American Living Award (BALA) awards, recognizing the nation’s best new housing designs, were presented on Jan. 12, during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. The Home of the Year was awarded to Bassenian Lagoni Architects of Newport Beach, Calif. The winning 5,776-square-foot-home in Laguna Hills, Calif., built by William Lyon Homes, was chosen by the judges for its broad appeal to both builders and consumers; for its nostalgic, small-town, neotraditional design; and for its enticing curb appeal. “You can certainly imagine this house (being built) in states such as Indiana, Ohio, Connecticut and all down the east coast,” said BALA judge Cheryl O’Brien, president of C. O’Brien Architects. The BALA awards included 104 winners in 41 categories chosen from more than 490 entries. Winners were selected by a panel of builders, marketing experts, architects, land planners, developers, design professionals, interior designers and the editor of Professional Builder magazine. BALA also awards regional winners to those homes that represent the best residential design in their area of the country. The 2004 regional winners are:
The winning homes and projects are featured in a supplement published in the January issue of Professional Builder magazine. The BALA awards are sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and NAHB. For more information about the 2004 BALA award winners, to view the supplement and to enter the 2005 competition, visit the BALA awards Web site at www.HousingZone.com/BALA. Log Home BasicsBy Mercedes Hayes There are two categories of log homes: handcrafted and milled. Initially, you may not realize what you are looking at, but there are some basic guidelines that will clarify the differences. A handcrafted log home is just that; the logs are peeled by hand, notched by hand and, in many cases, each log is scribed to fit exactly on top of another log. In many handcrafted homes, the logs are stacked alternately, so the large end of a log is stacked on top of the tapered end of the log beneath. A milled log home will feature logs that are uniform in shape, and the logs will be cut to fit together, such as with a tongue-and-groove or Swedish cope, so that they stack easily and evenly. There is a big price difference between a handcrafted and a milled log home.This is mostly because of the intense labor required to construct a handcrafted home, and because of the larger diameter logs that are normally used. The vast majority of homes built today are milled log homes. If you see a log home with round logs and chinking, that is a first indication that this could be a handcrafted home. Chinking was historically a mortar-like material that filled the gaps between the logs. Modern science has created an acrylic compound that expands and contracts with the wood; it is applied as a wide white stripe. If a handcrafted log is not scribed, then chinking is a must because the logs leave gaps along their length. Some people do use chinking as a design feature even when it's not necessary, though for the most part milled log homes are not chinked. The Corner Will Speak Volumes The characteristic corner of your log home will speak volumes to the person who knows how to read it. The profile and joinery system of the log will usually be reflected on the ends. For instance, on a handcrafted log home you'll see the different diameters of the stacked logs. To stack them, these corners will be notched so that each log sits directly on the log below it (like Lincoln Logs). A milled log that is saddle-notched will stack the same way (of course, every log will look exactly the same). Because saddle-notched logs are staggered, course to course, the log ends will be visible on the interior corners of the house as well as the exterior. This provides a very rustic look. A butt-and-pass corner gives you an end where there is a space between every other log. This is because one log butts up against the intersecting log, which runs past it. These logs are all laid on the same course, so that with the interior corners of your home, the logs will come to a squared edge. On milled logs, there are many joinery systems to choose from. In the “Swedish cope,” today’s most popular joinery, each log is scooped out to fit snugly on the curve of the log beneath, providing a smooth and natural look. In the tongue-and-groove, or double tongue-and-groove, depending on the manufacturer,the tongues are cut into the top of the log and corresponding grooves at the bottom, creating a tight fit and easy stacking The more traditional, early American dove-tail, is a mortise and tenon notch usually cut into squared timbers. There are many other corner systems available, but these are the most commonly used. Profiling Your Log The shape, or profile, of your log is another feature that will help you decide what kind of package to purchase. Many people prefer a "D" log, which is round on the outside and flat on the inside, providing a horizontal wood-paneling look that is easy to hang pictures on. Others prefer a round log, which is a little more rustic and presents many challenges — such as how to join the logs to the sheetrock. Squared timbers, which give a more Appalachian look to the home, tend to be tall and fairly narrow, and are often grooved for the application of chinking. The average milled log home will use pine logs in six-inch and eight-inch diameters. You can also find them in 10-inch and 12-inch diameters. Anything larger than 15 inches will probably roll you into a handcrafted home. Cedar logs are an upgrade, and can be found in six-inch, eight-inch and occasionally 10-inch diameters. Some manufacturers use oak, cypress, fir, hemlock, larch, poplar, spruce and walnut. These rarer woods will be available at a price upgrade. Because of the superior products on the market today that protect all logs effectively, wood species is largely a matter of personal taste. The best rule of thumb when choosing a log species is to stay with a wood that is native to your area. The logs will adapt to the environment more comfortably. Logs Are Insulating
Newcomers are continually amazed to discover that logs provide their own insulation. Stick-frame walls are not comparable to log walls in terms of "R-values." Logs have a lower "R-value" than insulated 2x4 walls. However, they work on the principal of thermal mass. Because of their cellular structure, logs tend to absorb the heat and hold it longer than traditional walls. Logs will actually absorb the heat from the interior of the house (or from the sun, if facing south), and when the temperature drops at night, the walls will generate that heat back into the house until the temperatures equalize. Logs take longer to warm up, but stay warm much longer. Conversely, they stay cooler in the summer. Half-Log Systems Some producers feature a half-log system, where the logs are attached outside and inside to 2x4 or 2x6 stick-frame walls. This adds the extra R-value of an insulated wall, along with the beauty of the log, and also makes it easier to install electrical wiring. Ultimately, these systems are a bit more expensive than full-log, because of the additional cost of the lumber. But they do give you flexibility on the interior of your house to make some walls sheetrock, stone or tongue-and-groove. In any case, many modern manufacturers use a half-log system on the second floor, to compensate for huge windows, which can displace so many logs that they compromise the integrity of the wall. Also, because large windows settle at a different rate than logs, the stick-framed second floor equalizes the overall settling. With the best manufacturers, you won't be able to tell on the outside where the full logs end and the half logs begin. Once you've chosen the kind of log you want, you will discover that manufacturers each specialize in their own unique fastening system. Almost all manufacturers use double-sided foam tape between log courses. Some companies use lag screws, threaded bolts or spikes to add integrity to the walls; others use fancy spring-loaded through bolts that compress the logs. Once again, the choice becomes a personal preference. When a Complete System Makes Sense It would save a lot of work for the buyer to get a "turnkey" price on the logs, the lumber, the windows and doors, and the roof — what is commonly known as a "weathered-in shell." However, this complete system only makes sense if the manufacturer is local; otherwise, you'll be spending thousands of dollars to ship ordinary lumber across the country. After all, there is no difference between a roof used on an ordinary house and a roof used on a log home. You choose the kind of roof you want, but it'll come from the same manufacturer. The same goes for the floors, the doors, the kitchen and the heating system. Windows can be a little tricky; you'll have to find a manufacturer who is willing to make an extended window-sill (or jamb) to accommodate the thickness of the logs. Most major window companies are able to do this. Remember that log homes are completely custom. No log home company will offer you a choice of kitchens or bathrooms like a development builder. You will have to shop for these yourself, and the possibilities are limitless. Your builder may make some decisions for you, but you will be better served by picking your own flooring, light fixtures, faucets and even door knobs. Most manufacturers don’t want to have anything to do with the foundation; that is not their business. You can use any kind of foundation you want, but you or your builder will need to contact a local contractor to do that job. Designing Your House Almost every log home manufacturer has an in-house architect who will configure your plan to fit their own particular system. Unless you have a lot of money to burn, don't hire an outside architect to design your house, because the manufacturer will have to rework the plans anyway. If you want a quick start, the manufacturer will have a set of stock plans for you to choose from and alter to fit your needs. Or you can design your home from scratch, and give them a rough set of drawings from which they will devise a set of building plans. This service is usually offered at no extra charge; there may be an up-front fee that is credited toward the final cost of the package. Maintaining Your Home Log homes are not maintenance-free — nor do they require an overwhelming amount of labor. Although products on today's market do a fantastic job of protecting logs from sun, rain and insects, they do need to be re-applied every three to five years, depending on the wall exposure. This "maintenance coat" is much easier to apply than the original coats of stain, and no, you don't have to strip off the old coat first. So it's not as bad as it sounds! However, you must inspect the logs at least once a year for excessive cracking (or checking) — especially when the check opens upward, creating a water trap. These need to be caulked on the exterior walls. Also, do everything in your power to direct rainwater away from the house; if you have an overflowing gutter, deal with it at once. A damp log attracts rot and insects. Expect your milled log home to take anywhere from four to eight months to construct, depending on the weather, the availability of the crew (which may be working on another job at the same time) and your planning. Protecting Your Logs From the Elements The most important thing you need to plan for is protecting the logs and the lumber from the elements. Set aside a large space (preferably covered with gravel) exclusively for the logs; you don't want them sitting in the mud. Cover your gravel with a tarp, and bring extra tarps for the logs. The logs are going to get scattered as the crew picks through them, and they're going to get stepped on and tossed around. They're going to get rained on, and you'll be amazed how quickly they weather. You'll have to immediately remove the plastic wrapping when the logs are delivered, or they'll get covered with mildew. The tarps will do the job. If your windows get delivered with the log package, you should consider renting an enclosed trailer for storing them. Fragile is the operative word. But I'm getting ahead of myself. As you may have gathered, people who build log homes tend to be more hands-on than with other kinds of construction. Log home customers are usually very well informed by the time they break ground — and they need to be! Cost overruns are often caused by unforeseen difficulties, and since your house is a one-of-a-kind, you're in for quite a challenge. Luckily, the industry has matured quite a bit, and you are no longer completely on your own. Mercedes Hayes is a Hiawatha Log Home dealer and also a Realtor® in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She designed her own log home, which was featured in the 2004 Floor Plan Guide of Log Home Living magazine. You can learn more about log homes from Jersey Log Homes. NAHB Student Chapters Make the Most of the Builders' ShowThe NAHB Student Chapters were well represented at this month’s International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando through activities and awards that put a spotlight on the skills, achievement and opportunities of students enrolled in housing-related fields. Schools Compete in Two-Day Home Building Events More than 1,300 members of NAHB Student Chapters were on hand on Jan. 13-14 for this year’s Residential Construction Competition, an annual highlight of the IBS. This year’s competition — sponsored by Centex Homes — included a number of new events for first-time and returning attendees. Hospitality suites for participants and audience members equipped with televisions and refreshments were provided by Toll Brothers and KB Home. Swapping the titles they received in last year’s competition, Juneau Douglas High School in Juneau, Alaska, took first place in the secondary school category, and Bloomington Area Vocational Center in Bloomington, Ill., came in second. Winners in the two-year school category remained unchanged from last year: Pennsylvania College of Technology of Williamsport, Pa., came in first; followed by Brigham Young University-Idaho of Rexburg, Idaho, in second place; and Utah Valley State College from Orem, Utah, placing third. The outcome of the competition in the four-year school category was a shake-up from past years. California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, won first-place after finishing in the top-three in the two previous years. Brigham Young University placed second and Colorado State University won third place, its best showing in the competitions to date. Middle Tennessee State University, Georgia Southern University and the University of Wisconsin-Stout came in fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. Newcomer Fitchburg State College was recognized as Rookie of the Year. A special awards ceremony was held at the conclusion of the contest. Awards Recognize Students and Faculty In a Student Chapters awards ceremony at the Orange County Convention Center on Jan. 13, David Pressly, NAHB’s 2005 first vice president, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Beazer Homes. Beazer President and CEO Ian McCarthy accepted the award on behalf of the company. The National Council of the Housing Industry (NCHI) Outstanding Student Chapter Awards were presented by Lyle Hunnicut, a corporate trustee of NCHI and a member of the Home Builders Institute Board of Trustees. NCHI awarded $2,000 to first-place winner Southeast Community College of Milford, Neb., and $1,250 for second-place winner, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Both schools were sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Lincoln. Tying for third place, Texas A&M University and Delgado Community College each received a check for $750. Jim Gronski, manager of the Division and Industry Partnership for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and last year’s Outstanding Educator in the Two Year/Secondary School category, presented the Outstanding Educator Award to Stephen Potts of Jordan High School in Columbus, Ga. Garth Jensen from Brigham Young University-Idaho was honored in the college category. Both educators received $1,200 awards, which were sponsored by Thomson/Delmar Learning. Twenty-one Outstanding Student Awards from Builderbooks.com were also presented during the awards ceremony, and Troy Patterson, a director for the National Housing Endowment, announced the 2004-2005 winners of the organization’s Lee Evans Scholarships. A reception following the ceremonies was sponsored by Pulte Homes. Top Companies Recruit at Job Fair Some 500 members of NAHB Student Chapters searching for their first job in the residential construction industry participated in the Building Careers Job Fair on Jan. 14. Recruiters from 23 of the country’s top home building companies rolled out booths and exhibits in the South Hall of the convention center. The venue also provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about the NAHB Student Chapters program and the many companies that support it. During the Job Fair, students, faculty and industry professionals participated in an informative roundtable discussion on “Women in Construction.” Along with a Student Presidents’ Advisory Council, this new initiative was developed to formally elicit input from the association’s youngest members. For more information on NAHB Student Chapters, e-mail Page Browning, or call her at 800-795-7955 x8918. Photographs by Oscar Einzig Photographers Photo of red car by Al Kamikawa Job Corps Carpentry Graduate Wins Shirley Wiseman Lach AwardCandace Ellisor, a graduate from the Home Builders Institute's (HBI) carpentry program at the Sacramento Job Corps Center, and Petty Officer 3rd Class in the U.S. Navy currently stationed in San Diego, was recognized as the winner of the Shirley Wiseman Lach Award for Exception Promise during the International Builders’ Show earlier this month in Orlando, Fla. The annual award, named after the former NAHB president, recognizes the success of a young graduate from HBI’s Job Corps program who has displayed remarkable promise and commitment to the housing industry. Ellisor distinguished herself while in Job Corps, serving in student government and counseling fellow students. She founded a video library and worked in a maintenance job on the center after classes. She devoted 10 years to the carpentry trade, securing a journey level certification, and has returned to the campus many times as a motivational speaker for other young women facing the challenges posed by the construction trades. In 2002, she joined the Navy and has completed three tours of duty in Iraq. Ellisor was unable to travel to receive her award on Jan. 14; she gave birth that day to baby daughter Alexandra. ”Candace, three years ago you joined the U.S. Navy and put your talents to work at the service of our great nation,” Lach wrote the winner. “I want to take this opportunity to thank you for serving our country. I admire your courage and the choice you made to apply and grow the skills you learned in Job Corps. You have shown exemplary promise and I am proud that you are the recipient of this award.” HBI, the workforce development arm of NAHB, is the largest vocational trainer in Job Corps, which provides federally funded residential job training and education for at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 24. NAHB members interested in hiring Job Corps graduates should e-mail C.J. Tirone at HBI, or call 800-959-0052 x8910. President’s Award Recognizes Achievement of HBI Job Corps GraduateFabian Liera, a graduate of the Home Builders Institute's (HBI) plumbing program at the Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center in Tucson, Ariz., and a new associate member of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, received the first NAHB President’s Award from 2004 NAHB President Bobby Rayburn during the association’s Jan. 14 board meeting held in conjunction with the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. The 28-year-old owner and general manager of Ironwood/Winnelson Plumbing Supply in Tucson began his career in 1993 working as a plumber’s assistant. Liera remembers bringing home his first paycheck and being greeted by stunned silence when his parents saw the amount. Soon after, his father left the restaurant where he was working and a year later was providing plumbing and other services for swimming pools. Opening his own company in October of 2003, Liera took over Tucson/Winnelson, a local franchise that had been losing money for years, and started shifting the focus of its operations to catering to the consumer, with a showroom and sales personnel. Last year, he opened a sister company, Tucson/Winnelson, and with managerial help from his brother-in-law, also an HBI Job Corps graduate, he was able to break even with an estimated $4.2 million in business. This year, he expects to be showing a profit by March. Of Liera’s nine other employees, two are graduates of the same HBI plumbing program that helped him pursue his career at the Acosta center. He has established an internship program for HBI plumbing students, “because I wanted to give back to a program that’s done so much for me,” he says. The NAHB President’s Award will be presented annually to an HBI Job Corps graduate who has overcome adversity and gone on to success in the home building industry. Home Builders Institute, the workforce development arm of NAHB, is the largest vocational trainer in Job Corps, which provides federally funded residential job training and education programs for at-risk youth who are between the ages of 16 and 24. NAHB members interested in hiring Job Corps graduates should e-mail C.J. Tirone at HBI, or call 800-959-0052 x8910. Photograph by Oscar Einzig Photographers Fiber Glass and Slag Wool Insulation Good for the EnvironmentAccording to a recent survey of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), its members in 2003 used more than 1.6 billion pounds of recycled post consumer glass and blast furnace slag to produce thermal and acoustical insulation. In the last decade, the association’s members have used close to 21 billion pounds of recycled materials. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., NAIMA is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — the Supplier 100 of NAHB. The amount of glass and slag that was diverted from the waste stream by NAIMA members in 2003 would fill a football field plus the end zones to a depth of more than 380 feet, the association says. As much as 40% of fiber glass insulation is manufactured with recycled glass, and the base material is sand, which is a rapidly renewable resource that is widely available, NAIMA says. Slag wool insulation is manufactured from blast furnace slag, which is a byproduct of steel manufacturing. The secondary material ends up in landfills if it is not recycled in manufacturing. NAIMA says that manufacturing fiber glass and slag wool insulation is an energy-intensive process, but the products will save more than 12 times the amount of energy used to produce them in their first year of use alone. This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.Does Halfwit Plus Halfwit Equal Fullwit?In the movie “Dumb and Dumber,” the product of two halfwits equaled a one-fourth wit, if they were lucky. This makes good engineering sense because ˝ times ˝ does equal Ľ. But what about the sum of ˝ + ˝? That equals one, right? I share office space with an attorney friend, Kevin. We frequently work together on land development projects. The other day I was roughing out a simple joint access agreement whereby road construction costs would be shared between our development and a neighboring property. I had it pretty well hammered out except for one nagging issue. “Kevin,” I said, breaking the white silence of our office and wrenching him, no doubt, from some highly important legal task. I felt a little guilty about bugging him, but not too much because he often pesters me with technical questions. “I’m having trouble deciding the timeframe of this road agreement. See, if we get access through this neighbor’s property, we’ll have to do a deal right away. But, it could be that we get a new access from the east, in which case this agreement would be wasted.” “Hmm,” he puzzled, coming over to take a seat by my desk.“And what is the downside of doing nothing at this time?” This elementary question made me pause. I hadn’t really thought through all the what-ifs. As our conversation expanded, it became clear that my seemingly simple access agreement had nuances, branches and if-thens I hadn’t considered. After an hour of dissecting, we had the crux nailed down, which to my surprise was not even part of my original thinking. As he strolled back to his desk we joked that luckily there are two of us halfwits in the office because together we make a fullwit — barely. Ha-ha! Truly, though, what if Kevin hadn’t been there? What if I was a Lone Ranger, never needing the assistance of anyone? There is no doubt my finished products would not be as good as with an extra set of eyes and ears. Heck, the Lone Ranger really wasn’t alone anyway; he had Tonto, not to mention his trusty steed, HiYo-Silver, or whatever. So, what about you? It doesn’t matter what line of work you’re in, there are many, many fine opportunities to get advice and assistance from someone else. Are you too proud to ask? It’s funny, the ones who most need advice are usually the least likely to ask. I recall a young engineer, we’ll call him “Tim,” who thought that because there was this title, “Engineer” attached to his name, he certainly must know everything about everything. And so he blundered through the first years of his career striving valiantly to hoodwink people into believing he really did know everything. Of course, he fooled no one and instead, after the “fool-ees” stopped chuckling behind his back, they were sure never to hire him again. The ironic part is now that I, uh, I mean “Tim” is one of the fool-ees; he understands and expects folks not to know everything — particularly young folks. And if they simply fess up about their shortcomings, “Tim” is very impressed with their honesty and much more likely to hire and rehire them than if they try to snow job him. Bottom line: Two sound minds are better than one. Don’t be shy about asking for a little advice or peer review when you need it. Wasn’t it John Wayne who so eloquently said: “Life is hard. But it’s a lot harder if you’re dumb.” Tim Garrison of ConstructionCalc.com, is a professional engineer, author and software producer for the building industry. Send e-mail to buildersengineer@constructioncalc.com. Tim reads every one. This column cannot be reprinted without permission from the author. The views expressed in this article represent the personal views, statements and opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views, statements, opinions or policies of the National Association of Home Builders. NAHB does not necessarily endorse any of the views expressed by the author and NAHB is not responsible for any direct or indirect consequences arising out of the views expressed in this article.
Oregon Builders Win Housing Endowment Community Service AwardThe Home Builders Association of Jackson County, Ore., was awarded the 2004 National Housing Endowment Home Builders Care Community Service Project of the Year Award at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 16 The Southern Oregon builders received the award, which recognizes a home builders association for outstanding community service, for their support of Mistletoe House, a new intake facility for victims of child abuse. “Winning this award for a program that is so important in our community is rewarding for our members, who have dedicated countless hours and resources to make Mistletoe House a reality,” said Randy Jones, president of the association and general manager of Mahar Homes, Inc. Jones was the general contractor on the Mistletoe House build. The HBA of Jackson County partnered with the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) to construct the 3,200-square-foot facility, which is designed to assist the healing process for abused children and the volunteers and employees who serve them. “We are pleased to award this year’s honor to a community service project that has such an immediate and important impact on the local community,” said Gary Garczynski, an NAHB past president and chairman of the National Housing Endowment Board of Trustees, the philanthropic arm of NAHB. “It was a difficult decision since so many of the projects we reviewed resulted in a significant improvement in the lives of others, and it proves once again that home builders across the nation are committed to making a difference in their communities.” The award was also presented by 2000 NAHB President Bob Mitchell. More than 1,300 hours were donated to the project by 85 volunteers who work for 30 different HBA member companies. In addition, $180,000 of in-kind services and monetary donations was raised by the association and members, including $30,000 that the association raised through a raffle, the proceeds of which were dedicated to hiring an additional, much-needed counselor for the center. The center — which has helped more than 7,500 child victims of physical or sexual abuse in Jackson County — provides a place for children to disclose their abuse to law enforcement and child protection workers and to receive the medical, therapy, advocacy and support services they need. All services are provided at no out-of-pocket costs for the families. For more information about the awards, e-mail Kym Kilbourne at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8447. Photo by Oscar Einzig Photographers Awards Recognize Achievement in Workforce HousingRecognizing ingenuity in the development, construction and marketing of affordable workforce housing, NAHB honored six communities with the first Innovation in Workforce Housing Awards on Jan. 14 during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. “It is my pleasure to bring attention to projects that are designed to meet the needs of America’s working families,” said Bobby Rayburn, 2004 president of NAHB. “These awards emphasize creativity in community design, financing and in partnering with other community groups. I can’t think of a better way to single out builders and developers who are ahead of the curve on addressing this critical need.” Six communities were recognized with the national Innovation in Workforce Housing Award:
The award recognizes outstanding communities across the nation that provide decent and affordable homes for nurses, police officers, schoolteachers and other essential service personnel, near areas in which they work. Entrants were reviewed by a panel of builders and multifamily and land development experts and evaluated based on exterior design, interior architecture, sales success, construction quality/cost efficiency, successful management of any impediments and level of stakeholder cooperation. Winning projects included communities where the majority of homes were sold at or below the average-priced home in that area or county. In addition to the national winners, NAHB honored six projects with Awards of Distinction, drawing attention to communities with unique challenges or innovative design:
For more information about workforce housing and these awards, including eligibility requirements, click here. McGraw-Hill Partners With NAHB to Deliver Product Information to MembersMcGraw-Hill Construction, the nation’s leading provider of construction information, is partnering with NAHB to give NAHB members better access to the latest home product information. For more than a century, McGraw-Hill Construction’s Sweets Product Marketplace has provided comprehensive listings and catalogs of building product information to builders, remodelers, residential developers, architects, contractors, designers and other building industry professionals. Through the agreement, McGraw-Hill Construction will co-brand its Sweets Directory and McGraw-Hill Construction Sweets Catalog File, available electronically and in print, with NAHB. McGraw-Hill Construction will also be involved in several co-operative marketing and marketing research efforts with NAHB. McGraw-Hill Construction will become a co-sponsor of Nation’s Building News Online. The company also will provide Internet links between the McGraw-Hill Construction Web site (www.construction.com) and NAHB Web site, programs at the International Builders’ Show and other NAHB conferences and symposia activities. “We have long sought to work more closely with the National Association of Home Builders to better serve the members of the housing industry, and this agreement allows us to do so,” said Norbert W. Young, Jr., FAIA, president, McGraw-Hill Construction.“First, the residential housing market is increasingly important to McGraw-Hill Construction. Second, NAHB is at the forefront of many construction issues of concern to construction professionals in general, such as using new environmentally-friendly building technologies. Indeed, as a strong proponent of the need for the industry to focus on sustainability and green construction, we will be a corporate sponsor of NAHB’s National Green Building Conference beginning next year.” “With this agreement, we will have new opportunities to get key information and intelligence to builders so they can make informed decisions and grow their businesses successfully," Young continued. “McGraw Hill Construction has been a long term supporter of NAHB and its objectives,” said NAHB President David F. Wilson. “With this agreement, our members will have easier access to the McGraw Hill Construction Sweets Product Marketplace. Moreover, by creating this alliance, NAHB will facilitate members’ access to other industry-critical information at conferences, tradeshows and symposia. We look forward to everyone reaping the rewards over the next few years.”
Make Your Connection With www.nahb.org Make your connection to the latest housing industry news and information with www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB.Log in today to register for educational seminars, meetings and networking events; find important economic and housing data; and learn the latest developments in NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. It’s all available to you 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Member Log In" button to get started. If you are a member and need information about NAHB products and services, use the NAHB Staff Contact Directory to look up the direct telephone extensions for NAHB staff experts. Subscribe Your Employees to NBN Online and Earn a Chance to Win a Digital CameraNAHB members, sign up three or more employees to receive Nation's Building News Online in the "Make Your Business Click" contest and you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a FREE Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera. See official contest rules for more details. All active NAHB members, HBA staff and executive officers are eligible. Watch for a New Look for Nation's Building News Coming this March, Nation's Building News will have a new look. The new NBN will have even more of the information you need — like the latest lumber prices, interest rates, industry news and information that will help your business — in an even easier-to-read format.
Make Your Connection With www.nahb.org Make your connection to the latest housing industry news and information with www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB. Log in today to register for educational seminars, meetings and networking events; find important economic and housing data; and learn the latest developments in NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. It’s all available to you 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Member Log In" button to get started. If you are a member and need information about NAHB products and services, use the NAHB Staff Contact Directory to look up the direct telephone extensions for NAHB staff experts. Calendar of Events
To view more meetings & events information on the NAHB Web site, click here.
Make Your Connection With www.nahb.org Make your connection to the latest housing industry news and information with www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB. Log in today to register for educational seminars, meetings and networking events; find important economic and housing data; and learn the latest developments in NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. It’s all available to you 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Member Log In" button to get started. If you are a member and need information about NAHB products and services, use the NAHB Staff Contact Directory to look up the direct telephone extensions for NAHB staff experts. |