NBN Online for the week of September 26, 2005

(Plain Text Version) for full graphical version, click here.

In This Issue:

Front Page
Builders Voice Concern Over Eminent Domain Abuse
Real Estate Analysts Find Scant Housing Bubble Evidence
Layouts for Living
Floor Plans: Meeting Families' Needs With Charm and Purpose
Coast to Coast
Is It Better to Buy or Rent?
Housing Forum
Don't Let Bill O'Reilly Disparage Our Industry
Politics & Government
Builders Endorse House Endangered Species Reforms
Katrina Recovery Bill Provides $6.1 Billion in Tax Relief
Flood Insurance Financing Expanded for Katrina Victims
GSE Reform Bills Moving Slowly in Congress
Economics & Finance
Home Starts Dip Slightly as High Prices Turn Off Buyers
Though Upbeat, Builders Add Katrina to List of Worries
Eye on the Economy
Codes
Contact Code Officials to Roll Back Costly Code Changes
Tips
Builders' Tip: Hassle-Free Door Painting
Business Management
Custom Builder Symposium Relocated to Atlanta
Environment
Proposed 'Endangered' Owl Delisting Called Long Overdue
Construction Safety
Granite and Marble Slab Transport Poses Hazards
Disaster Relief
‘Dine for America’ to Help Katrina Victims
Seniors Housing
Consultants Can Enhance Your Marketing Prowess
Remodelers
NAHB Experts to Answer All at Remodeling Show
Building Systems
Systems-Built SHOWCASE Relocates to Louisville
Commerical
NCBC Offers Discounted Rates to New Members
Education
Remodelers Eligible for Free PREP After Completing Puzzle
Education Calendar
Sales
CRS Credits Accepted Toward IRM Designation
Late Entry Deadline for The Nationals Awards Is Sept. 28
Workforce housing
Mesquite Manor: Affordable Housing for Farm Workers
Labor
Patsy and Herman Smith Fund to Support Trades Training
Builders Show
Register for Sunbelt Builders Show by Sept. 30 and Save
Building Products
Patio Doors Built to Withstand Hurricanes
TV
NAHB-Produced Shows on HGTV & DIY — This Week
Association News
Deadline Nears to Apply to Serve on NAHB Committees
EOC Scholarship Program Helps EOs Attend NAHB Events
September Is Associate Appreciation Month
Subscribe Your Employees — You Could Win a Digital Camera
Save on Dell™ Computer Products
Save More With BuilderBooks.com Rewards
Calendar of Events

Top Story

Builders Voice Concern Over Eminent Domain Abuse

Responding to Supreme Court decisions this summer with an adverse impact on private property rights, the NAHB Board of Directors at its fall meeting earlier this month in Reno, Nev. approved policy in support of legislation to keep state and local governments from abusing their power of eminent domain and to provide landowners with access to the federal courts in takings cases.

The court’s ruling in Kelo v. City of New London confirmed that private property may be taken from one private property owner and transferred to another “if the government merely pronounces that doing so will benefit the community economically by increased tax revenue or more job opportunities,” the resolution notes.
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 405 up $ 2
OSB Composite $ 465 up $ 21
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 623 up $ 17
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com

Layouts for Living

Floor Plans: Meeting Families' Needs With Charm and Purpose
 
Builder/Developer:
Soutwest Housing (www.southwesthousing.com)
Architect:
Beeler Guest Owens Architects, L.P.

Rosemont at Oak Valley combines charm and luxury apartment-style living in a variety of home configurations —  single level, attached and detached — with extensive community amenities and helpful supportive services that work within the budgets of working families.

The result is a community that makes a difference by offering a wide range of services to help families manage their busy lives. Rosemont at Oak Valley was awarded a 2004 Best in American Living Award (BALA) in the Best Affordable Home category.
[MORE]

 

Real Estate Analysts Find Scant Housing Bubble Evidence

Scrutinizing the imputed cost of owning a single-family house compared to renting the same unit in 46 metropolitan areas over the past 25 years, a paper prepared for the current fall issue of the Journal of Economic Perspectives concludes that there was little evidence of a housing bubble at the end of last year.

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 5.80% 15-Yr. Fixed: 5.37% 5 Yr. ARM: 5.31%
  1 Yr. ARM: 4.48% Libor (3 months): 4.00% Prime: 6.75%
Housing Starts*  (August 2005)
  Total: 2.009 million Single: 1.709 million Multi: 300,000
Home Sales*  (July 2005)
  New: 1.410 million Existing: 7.16 million  
Median Home Prices  (July 2005)
  New: $203,800 Existing: $218,000  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

Sponsored by
McGraw Hill
Construction

 
 
> Hurricane Recovery Resources Directory - add your Products and Services
> Read up-to-date news, special reports and view related slideshows.
 
 

Sponsored by
Freddie Mac

 
 
> Miller Advises Against Setting a Dangerous Precedent by "Downsizing" the GSEs
> What Makes Freddie Mac a Good Idea?
 
 

Sponsored by
NAHB

 
 
> Registration is Now Open!
> View the 2006 exhibitors
> Sign up for our mailing list