NBN Online for the week of March 14, 2005

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In This Issue:

Front Page
• Guide Promotes Safe Practices for Working With Concrete
• Leaders in Congress, HUD Urged to Adopt Strong Housing Agenda
• Justice Launching Forum on Accessibility Compliance
President's Message
• NAHB Is Your Business Partner
Politics & Government
• Builders to Carry Storm Water, ESA Concerns to Capitol Hill
• Senate-Passed Bill Stops Tenant, Home Owner Bankruptcy Abuse
• OSHA Reform Package Would Enhance Worker Safety
Economics & Finance
• Population Along U.S. Coasts Continues to Grow
• Eye on the Economy
Seniors Housing
• Attend the 2005 Seniors Housing Symposium
Multifamily
• Multifamily Builders Back Homeownership Tax Credit
Remodelers
• Network — Because No Remodeler Is an Island
Education
• Concrete Tour Mixes Demos, Networking, Six Plant Visits
• Education Calendar
Building Systems
• Technical Report Looks at Sound Transmission and Log Walls
• Speakers, Presentations Sought on Systems-Built Housing
Workforce Housing
• Challenging Seattle Site Yields Affordable Condos
Design
• Get Floor Plans Reviewed at NAHB/BALA Design Conference
• NAHB's Land Development Magazine Wins PIVA Award
Sales and Marketing
• Be Thorough When Planning Your Grand Opening
Tips
• Builders' Tip: Fitting Stair Treads
Women's Council
• Coaching Is the Name of the Game
Labor
• HBI Trustees Visit Project CRAFT in Dallas
Building Products
• Michael Graves Kitchen Faucets Win Design Award
Coast to Coast
• Future Real Estate Markets Shed Some Mystery
Builder's Engineer
• Who Are You in Bed With?
Association news
• Rockingham, N.C., Builders Change Local Resident's Life
• NAHB Spring Board Meeting Set for April 11-17
• Robson Seeks Office of NAHB Vice President and Secretary
• Get GM Discount on More Than 80 Vehicles
• Help Tsunami Survivors Rebuild Their Homes
• Subscribe Your Employees to Nation's Building News
• Calendar of Events

Top Story

Guide Promotes Safe Practices for Working With Concrete

At a time when NAHB and others in the home building industry are stepping up efforts
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths
Framing Lumber Composite $ 420 down $ 8
OSB Composite $ 443 down $ 20
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 519 down $ 3
RandomLengths.Net
 

Leaders in Congress, HUD Urged to Adopt Strong Housing Agenda

Addressing a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues with serious repercussions for the nation’s supply of affordably priced housing, NAHB President David Wilson last week met with HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson and congressional leaders to urge Washington policymakers to pursue a strong national agenda for housing.

[MORE]

Justice Launching Forum on Accessibility Compliance

The U.S. Department of Justice is launching a new forum to bring together builders, architects, disability advocates, representatives from its Civil Rights Division and other housing professionals to develop cooperative approaches to promoting compliance with Fair Housing accessibility requirements.

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot
Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 5.85% 15-Yr. Fixed: 5.38% 5 Yr. ARM: 5.22%
  1 Yr. ARM: 4.24% Libor (3 months): 3.02% Prime: 5.5%
Housing Starts*  (January 2005)
  Total: 2.159 million Single: 1.76 million Multi: 399,000
Home Sales*  (January 2005)
  New: 1.106 million Existing: 6.81 million  
Median Home Prices  (January 2005)
  New: $199,400 Existing: $189,000  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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