Nation's Building News Online: November 21, 2005Print All Articles Text Version |
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Opposition Against Tax Overhaul Mounting on Capitol Hill
As the Administration weighs a proposal by its advisory tax reform panel to abolish mortgage interest and state and local tax deductions and replace them with a much more limited 15% housing credit, members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle are starting to voice strong opposition to the plan, and concerned citizens are being encouraged to follow suit. Last week, eight Republican members of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee sent a letter to Treasury Secretary John Snow urging the White House to “preserve some important incentives for homeownership investment that clearly work.” (To read the letter, click here.) “While many investment opportunities exist today,” the correspondence states, “perhaps none provides more in return for individuals, families and communities than homeownership. That is why we urge you to preserve the deductions for mortgage and home equity interest, and state and local taxes, which underpin homeownership and the social and economic benefits it generates.” Ways and Means Committee members who signed the letter opposing removal of the housing tax incentives were: Reps. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.), Kevin Brady (R-Texas), Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Mark Foley (R-Fla.), Wally Herger (R-Calif.), Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.), Ron Lewis (R-Ky.) and Clay Shaw (R-Fla.). Late last month, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, wrote the President warning that buyers may decide to defer home purchases if they believe that the “benefit of the deduction may be dramatically reduced by being converted to a 15% tax credit.” In addition, Reps. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.) and Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) sent a joint letter to the Administration opposing the proposal to restrict tax deductions for mortgage interest, and 25 members of the New York State congressional delegation, in a written communique to Treasury Secretary John Snow, voiced their opposition to the elimination of the deduction for state and local taxes and the elimination of the mortgage interest deduction. The White House and Treasury Department have yet to comment on the proposal. While President Bush is under no obligation to follow the recommendations of his tax panel, which is also calling for doing away with deductions for home equity loans and second homes, he is widely expected to embrace the concept of tax reform during his State of the Union address in January. When the panel’s proposal was unveiled on Nov. 1, NAHB Executive Vice President and CEO Jerry Howard voiced strong opposition, warning that it amounted to the “biggest tax hike for home owners ever considered.” “Equally disturbing,” he said, the plan “would reduce home values, eliminate one of the few tools (the Low Income Housing Tax Credit) available to construct or renovate affordable rental housing and send a chill through the housing market, which has been leading the economic expansion for the past three years.” As previously reported, NAHB has conducted detailed scenarios analyzing how typical home-owning families in Chicago; San Jose, Calif; and Binghamton, N.Y. would face tax hikes under the proposal. In addition, results from a national survey commissioned by NAHB and conducted earlier this month by Public Opinion Strategies found overwhelming voter disapproval of replacing tax incentives that promote homeownership with incentives to invest in the stock market. (Click here for survey results and examples showing how home owners would fare under the tax plan.) Contact Your Members of Congress Voters troubled over how these recommendations would affect their bottom line and home values are encouraged to contact their members of Congress and the Administration before policy makers begin to craft their own legislative proposals. It is particularly important to urge members of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee to oppose the advisory group’s tax plan. To voice your opinion to Capitol Hill lawmakers, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and then ask for your member of Congress. Or send a letter to President Bush and your federal lawmakers asking them to reject the panel’s recommendations by logging on to www.capitolconnect.com/nahb. For more information, go to www.nahb.org/taxreform; or e-mail NAHB tax counsel Jim Tobin, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8258. Congress Clears Additional Flood Insurance ClaimsThe Congress on Nov. 18 approved H.R. 4133, legislation that would allow the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to borrow up to $8.5 billion a year from the Treasury. President Bush is expected to sign the measure into law shortly. The increased borrowing authority was urgently needed to replenish depleted federal coffers as the record number of flood insurance claims from Hurricane Katrina and other recent natural disasters is estimated to exceed $23 billion, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In the aftermath of Katrina, Congress approved legislation in September to raise FEMA’s borrowing authority from $1.5 billion to $3.5 billion. However, the agency reports it has halted insurance payments to Gulf Coast victims because it has already spent $3.5 billion on claims. FEMA owes an additional $20 billion to thousands of policy holders. While debating measures in the House last week to raise the borrowing authority and institute other changes to shore up the program, legislative language was inserted to change the current 100-year flood plain standard to a 500-year flood plain standard. This would have greatly expanded the program's reach by requiring millions of additional property owners to purchase flood insurance. NAHB successfully lobbied in support of an amendment offered by Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.), adopted on a 34-31 vote, that instead called on the Government Accountability Office to study whether flood insurance coverage should be mandatory for home and business owners situated in areas considered at moderate risk for flooding. NAHB also fought off similar efforts in the Senate to secure a 500-year flood plain standard. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C), supported by the North Carolina Home Builders Association, instituted a parliamentary maneuver to stop movement on the bill and secure a compromise supported by NAHB that would allow an additional $18.5 billion in borrowing authority absent the negative 500-year flood plain reforms. Under current law, only homes in certain high-risk areas must purchase flood insurance. Both the House and Senate are expected to hold hearings and mark up flood insurance legislation early next year. Many believe in the aftermath of Katrina that the program is broken and in need of reform. Established in 1968, the NFIP offers affordable flood insurance to home owners and businesses in flood plains and other low-lying areas that otherwise might not be able to obtain such coverage. More than 20,000 communities nationwide participate in the NFIP, and the program currently covers approximately 4.5 million policyholders. To read this legislation, click here and enter the bill number, 4133, in the box at the upper left. For more information, e-mail Greg Brown at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242, ext. 8421. Subscribe Your Employees — You Could Win a Digital CameraSign up three or more of your employees for free, online subscriptions to Nation's Building News and you automatically will be entered in a contest to win a Sony digital camera. There have been seven winners already — the most recent winner is Chris Stebnitz, of Stebnitz Builders in Delavan, Wis. — and you could be next.
To subscribe your employees to Nation’s Building News and be entered in the "Make Your Business Click" contest, visit our contest subscription page by clicking here. Put Your Employees in the Know Subscribe your employees to Nation's Building News and they will begin receiving timely, valuable industry and business news at their desktops beginning with the very next issue. Inside each issue, you'll find the latest lumber prices, industry news, builders' tips, problem-solving floor plans, sales and marketing tips and more. It's news that will put your employees in the know and help them in their day-to day jobs. It's news that can help increase your company's profitability and efficiency. And it only takes a few mintues of your time to subscribe them. For more information or to sign up your employees, click here.
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 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Log In" button to get started. Once you log in, personalize the site to reflect your interests. Simply go to the My NAHB>My Profile page and click the “Edit Content Preferences” link. To learn more about how you can customize My NAHB — including how to customize the links that appear on the Home page ― visit the How to Use www.nahb.org section. Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Nov. 28Nation's Building News will not be published on Nov. 28, the Monday following Thanksgiving. It will return to its regular weekly schedule on Dec. 5. Happy Thanksgiving! Profits Harder to Come by With Intense Competition
Deduction Eruption; Tax Proposal May Not Float, But It Sure Is Making Waves
Bluewood Shields Homes From Spores
Residents Can Relax at Home When Properties Offer Resort-Style Services On-Site
Chelsea Condos Think Green
Policy May Slow Pace of Condo Projects
Congress Works to Extend Federal Terrorism InsuranceEnacted in 2002 in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) is intended to provide a backstop for insurance companies in the event of another attack on American soil. Senate bill S. 467 and its House counterpart, H.R. 4314, would both raise the amount of damage sustained in an attack needed to trigger federal aid from the current $5 million to $50 million in 2006 and $100 million in 2007. The Senate bill would eliminate some lines of insurance covered under the current program, including commercial auto, professional liability, surety, burglary and theft and farm owners multi-peril. The House version would retain these lines and also make group life insurance eligible for the program. The federal government covers 90% of terrorism-related losses over a deductible, which this year equals 15% of an insurer's premiums. The Senate legislation would increase the deductibles for the insurers to 17.5% in 2006 and 20% in 2007. The House panel’s measure also raises the insurers’ share, but calls for different triggers for different types of coverage. For example, in 2006 the House bill stipulates that deductibles for workers’ compensation would be 17.5% but 25% for casualty insurance. The House bill would cover acts of domestic terrorism while the Senate bill does not. Once the full House approves H.R. 4314, differences between that bill and its Senate counterpart will be reconciled in conference. To read the legislatioin, click here and enter the bill number in the box at the upper left. For more information, e-mail Greg Brown at 800-368-5242 x8421. Housing Slowdown to Blunt Katrina Recovery Impact“In the coming months, we expect to see a jump in prices for building materials such as concrete and gypsum products,” said Kermit Baker, chief economist for AIA. “Due to the destruction of some regional timberlands by Hurricane Katrina, there will also likely be a rise in lumber and plywood prices.” From the labor perspective, he said, “the increased demand for skilled trades in the Gulf Region is coinciding with an expected national slowdown in residential construction. That translates to a strong potential for a relocation of labor to the hurricane-impacted regions.” Most of the rebuilding will be completed by 2008, according to the study, which was conducted by Economy.com. However, the magnitude of that undertaking will rely upon such factors as the amount of money ultimately earmarked by the federal government for rebuilding; payments by insurance companies for losses; the amount of charitable contributions; and how many households and businesses return to the region. New Orleans is likely to take the longest, the report says, and by 2008 the city will probably only have replaced about 100,000 of the estimated 250,000 housing units lost to its stock in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Employment in Louisiana declined by 10% immediately after Katrina and is projected to drop by 3%-4% during the second half of this year and not recover until 2007. Construction employment, on the other hand, will surge 16.9% between last year and next year, the study found. Nearby Baton Rouge has profited most noticeably from population losses in New Orleans, and history suggests that 40% of migrants from Louisiana will settle in Texas. The study found that Mississippi is in significantly better shape. An estimated 25,000 housing units were lost in Gulfport-Biloxi and Pascagoula, about 15% of their housing stock, and 22,000 of those units should be replaced over the next three years. Pre-Katrina employment levels in Mississippi are expected to be reached by the middle of next year. The 2% of the housing stock that was destroyed in Mobile, Ala. can be accommodated by existing housing vacancies, the report said. Demand for skilled labor over the next 18 months is expected to increase by about 20,000 in Louisiana and 2,000 in Mississippi. Among the key findings discussed in the report:
“HousingEconomics Online,” the online publication from the NAHB Economics Group, is your single source for market analysis, forecasts, housing statistics and more. In-depth analysis, detailed Excel tables and overviews are available for all the state forecasts. To learn more or subscribe to “HousingEconomics Online,” visit www.housingeconomics.com. Housing Starts Feel a Chill in OctoberTotal housing starts dropped 5.6% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.014 million units, down 2.3% from a year earlier. But starts for the first 10 months of the year were up 5.3%. Single-family home construction dipped 3.7% to 1.704 million units last month, 2.3% above the pace of a year earlier; and on a year-to-date basis they were up by 6.3%. “Builders continue to operate at a healthy pace, but we are well aware that some slowing of demand is inevitable following the record-breaking sales activity that has prevailed recently,” said NAHB President Dave Wilson. “NAHB’s November survey of single-family builders showed a significant slowdown of sales activity.” “It appears that housing starts and permit issuance hit their peaks during the third quarter and that housing market activity has begun to cool,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. “Rising house prices and interest rates have combined to erode housing affordability and consumers also appear to be concerned about the cost of heating their homes this winter.” “This cooling-down period should extend into 2006 but not lead to a major contraction in the housing markets,” Seiders continued. “NAHB’s forecast shows a 5.5% decline in housing starts for 2006, basically retracting the increase expected for this year.” Multifamily housing starts dropped 14.8% last month to a seasonally adjusted pace of 310,000 units, 21.7% below the pace of a year earlier. Regionally, construction of new homes and apartments in October was down 0.5% in the South, 7.5% in the Northeast, 10.5% in the Midwest and 10.8% in the West. Issuance of total building permits decreased 6.7% last month to a seasonably adjusted rate of 2.071 million units. Single-family permit issuance was down 4.9% to 1.681 million units, and the pace of multifamily permits dropped 13.7% to 390,000 units. The backlog of unused permits declined by 4.8% in October, following a substantial increase earlier this year. Where Are the Top 100 Metropolitan Areas for 2006?
Builders Adjust Sales Outlook Downward in NovemberThe index for November declined eight points to a level of 60. “It’s important to keep today’s report in perspective,” said NAHB President Dave Wilson. “Many builders still have substantial backlogs of unfilled orders and will remain quite busy in coming months. But we’re well aware that some slowing of demand is inevitable following the record-breaking sales activity that has prevailed for some time.” “No huge drop is in the cards — the sharp decline in the HMI probably overstates the actual degree of deterioration in the single-family market, and it’s most likely that we’re engaged in an orderly cooling process that will lead to somewhat lower home sales and production in the future,” added NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. “We’re looking for a 5% or 6% decline in home sales next year, compared to 2005.” Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for some 20 years, the HMI gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales, sales expectations for the next six months and traffic of prospective buyers. Any number over 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor. Builders’ assessment of sales expectations fell eight points to 66 in this month’s survey; sales expectations were off nine points, at 64; and prospective traffic fell five points to 46. Seiders cited deterioration in consumer attitudes in recent months, spurred by the season's hurricanes and resulting higher energy prices, as a significant factor in November’s builder confidence gauge. He also cited rising interest rates on both fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages. Fixed rates averaged 6.35% during the survey period compared to 6% in October and 5.7% the month before that. “In addition, affordability problems have arisen as house price gains have accumulated in many parts of the country,” he said. “So while builder attitudes are still positive on balance, most are less exuberant than at the HMI’s last peak in the middle of this year.” The index hit 72 in June; the last time it was as low as 60 was in May of 2003. Though builder confidence was down across all regions of the country, ongoing trends favored the West, where the index declined from 91 to 78, and were most detrimental to the Midwest, where the builders’ view of the market slipped from 45 to 38. The index was 68 in the South, down from 76 in October; and in the Northeast, the gauge registered 61, down six points. Want to Know Your State’s 2006 Forecasts? “HousingEconomics Online,” the online publication from the NAHB Economics Group, is your single source for market analysis, forecasts, housing statistics, and more. In-depth analysis, detailed Excel tables and overviews are available for all the state forecasts. To learn more or subscribe to “HousingEconomics Online,” visit www.housingeconomics.com. Builder's Tip: The Best Place to Put Smoke DetectorsEvery year, people who have battery-powered smoke detectors in their homes are put at risk because the batteries die and nobody bothers to replace them. I think this happens because the detectors have to be mounted high in the room and home owners typically need a ladder or a stepstool to reach them, so they don’t bother. Here’s a location that is both high and accessible ― the hatch cover to a pull-down attic stair. To change the battery or check its operation, simply pull on the stair’s rope. Now the detector is right at eye level. — Joseph Guarino, via e-mail Tips & Techniques provided by Fine Homebuilding.
To request a reprint of this feature, e-mail Mary Lou von der Lancken at Fine Homebuilding.
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Why Owners Sell Their Companies to Key EmployeesThe first in a series. As a business owner familiar with exit planning, you know that you can leave your business in one of eight ways. You can: 1. Transfer your company to a family member. 2. Sell the business to one or more key employees. 3. Sell to key employees using an ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan). 4. Sell the business to one or more co-owners. 5. Sell to an outside third party. 6. Engage in an IPO (initial public offering). 7. Retain ownership and become a passive owner. 8. Liquidate. If you don’t have a co-owner or family member willing or able to succeed you, or your company is worth less than $2 million, your best option may be to sell your company to key employees. This article is the first of a three-part series that explains why owners may want to sell to their employees; what conditions often prompt an owner to sell to key employees; and finally, what obstacles can prevent this type of transfer. Many advisors to business owners think a sale to key employees is a great option for companies that don’t reach the “sale to third party” threshold. Typically, they define this threshold as the point at which a business can be sold for (largely) cash. Depending on a variety of factors, this threshold is usually around $10 million. While this may cause some owners to consider a sale to key employees, it is not the reason that most of them want to sell to key employees. Over the years, we have found that owners choose to transfer their companies to key employees for seven different reasons.
No matter which of these is your reason to want to sell your business to key employees, it is prudent to investigate your motives thoroughly. For example, if you believe that your business (at a favorable valuation) is simply not attractive to outside buyers, talk to others to test your hypothesis. When owners want to transfer their businesses to key employees, do they actually do so? In the next article, you will learn five reasons owners actually do transfer their companies to key employees. Ken Stiefler is president of eXITS, LLC and Stiefler Financial Solutions in Denver and has worked with business owners for more than 21 years to help them achieve their financial and succession objectives. Stiefler is an affiliate member of the Business Enterprise Institute Network of Exit Planning Advisors and the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver. For more information, call Stiefler at 303-695-6994, or visit his web site at www.kasfinancialsolutions.com.
Go to NAHB's Business Management Tools Web pages (available to members only) for instant access to more than 170 timesaving, moneymaking and cost-cutting business resources to help you run your business more profitably. Get guidance on accounting and financial management, business strategy, computers and information technology, customer service, human resources and more. Resources are added weekly, so bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools to go directly to these vital business management resources. Local and state home builders associations can link directly to www.nahb.org/biztools from their Web site and give their members instant access to these resources. It will make your HBA's Web site the place to go for the information and guidance that members need to succeed.
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, visit www.nahb.org/BoB on the Members Only side of the NAHB Web site. Custom Builders Get Lessons in Brand-Building, Systems, MoreMore than 400 custom home builders traded ideas about increasing profitability and improving their business management and saw the latest trends in design, products and services during NAHB’s Custom Builder Symposium in Atlanta last week. Building your brand, managing client demands, providing excellent customer service, scheduling jobs, incorporating “green” features, working with architects and managing risk were among the issues discussed in seminars. Roundtable discussions focused on balancing work and family, technology, disaster preparation and other topics. A Chance to See the ‘Big Picture’ “I came to the Custom Builder Symposium to recharge my batteries, get away from the day-to-day concerns and look at the big picture,” said Richard Woodford, of Empire Development based in Bethel, Conn. Rodney Miller, director of corporate training for Florida Power and Light and keynote speaker, encouraged all participants to do just that. “What gets you through running a family business, a multimillion dollar business that can turn on the sale of a home, the vicissitudes of interest rates and empty nesters? Number one, it is your attitude,” said Miller, who has consulted with Fortune 500 companies, most recently with Walt Disney World. Some pointers offered at the symposium included: What to Consider When Building Your Brand David Haifleigh, president of HaifleighBrandWorks in Denver, provided a seminar on branding and told builders to consider four areas when developing their brand.
During a seminar on green building, Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA, of Barley & Pfeiffer Architects in Austin, Texas, told attendees how orienting a home properly on a site, using materials and exterior colors appropriate for the climate, wrapping the exterior and shading windows can yield tremendous energy savings. It’s Okay to Avoid Challenging Customers Carol Smith, a customer relations consultant from Monument, Colo., told attendees that it’s probably better to avoid impossible-to-please customers than to work with them. “These are the people that if you gave them a magic carpet, they would complain about the color,” Smith said. “You do not want to deal with them. You do not want them as customers.” Smith suggested that builders should thoroughly screen their customers to avoid these types of clients. “Never underestimate the benefit of referring an unreasonable customer to your competition,” she added. Effective Business Systems Are Essential Dennis DuRoff, president of Universal Business Design in Seattle, discussed how effective business systems are essential to business success. “You have risked everything to build your business and you are at risk every day you have your door open,” DuRoff said. “The only way to get away from being a control freak is to have systems in place and know they’re running like clockwork.” He said systems should include checklists that help organize people’s thinking and control the paperwork as well as tools to help builders adhere to high standards and reach the benchmarks that will help them achieve larger goals such as a smooth-running change order process, a clean and organized job site at the end of the day and reduced billing cycles. Construction Management May Mean Less Risk During a seminar about operating as a construction manager rather than a general contractor, Mike Holmes, of Holmes Construction Co., pointed out that the construction management approach can mean decreased insurance premiums, less financial risk, reduced paperwork and the ability to avoid becoming entangled for months or years in no-win situations with customers. Pacesetters Honored As part of the symposium, 18 builders from 13 companies were honored for their success in either marketing, management, customer service, design, production and innovation ― all categories critical to success in custom building. The winners were:
Materials, Labor Update Symposium participants also received an update on construction materials prices and availability from Michael Carliner, NAHB staff vice president for economics, in which he said that pre-Hurricane Katrina materials shortages were not going away and could get worse, but rebuilding is a long way off so the storm’s aftermath probably would not have a large short-term effect on materials availability, except for roofing materials and materials derived from oil and gas production. “Supply and demand shocks affecting wood products are quickly reflected in prices, rather than in actual shortages. You can always get it if you are willing to pay the price,” Carliner said, but with other materials “it often becomes a question of availability, rather than price increases.” The producer price index showed a 5% increase during the past year in all materials that go into new home construction, Carliner said, with declines in wood prices offsetting increases for other materials. While he suggested that builders consider locking in prices on some materials, possible materials shortages are a threat as well. U.S. production capacity for materials such as cement, OSB and gypsum is probably maxed out, Carliner said, while noting that cement producers were allocating or rationing cement's distribution in 23 states. Builders in some parts of the country recently have reported more problems with the availability of brick than cement, he added. Some were seeing shortages of roofing materials and insulation as well. Carliner also reported that construction unemployment was down compared with 2004 and that half the builders responding to NAHB’s monthly builder survey reported a shortage of framers. His presentation, Hurricanes, Materials and Home Building and the PDF file Building Materials After Katrina can be found on the NAHB Web site at www.nahb.org/biztools. The 2006 Custom Builder Symposium will be held on Oct. 27 – 29, 2006 in Lake Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/custom. NAHB Has More Than 170 Resources to Help You Run Your Business More Profitably Go to NAHB's Business Management Tools Web pages (available to members only) for instant access to more than 170 timesaving, moneymaking and cost-cutting business resources to help you run your business more profitably. Get guidance on accounting and financial management, business strategy, computers and information technology, customer service, human resources and more. Resources are added weekly, so bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools to go directly to these vital business management resources. Local and state home builders associations can link directly to www.nahb.org/biztools from their Web site and give their members instant access to these resources. It will make your HBA's Web site the place to go for the information and guidance that members need to succeed.
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, visit www.nahb.org/BoB on the Members Only side of the NAHB Web site. Participants Needed for Lead-Based Paint StudyAs both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) get ready to address lead-based paint regulations that could cost the housing industry billions of dollars, NAHB is embarking upon a research project that will need assistance from the members of the association. A primary objective of the NAHB study is to provide data that accurately reflects the lead-paint exposures and risks associated with renovation and remodeling activities, as well as identify cost-effective and feasible work practices that NAHB members can use to further reduce exposures to the paint while complying with federal regulations.{{MORE}} Long-overdue lead safe work practices for the remodeling and multifamily housing industries are expected from the EPA by the end of this year, and OSHA is reviewing whether or not to reopen its rule concerning safe practices for handling lead-based paint in the workplace. In an attempt to support a regulatory approach that would focus on units with the greatest likelihood of presenting lead-exposure hazards, the study will aim to demonstrate that the most stringent requirements should be reserved for housing constructed before 1960. Current lead-based paint rules apply to all single-family and multifamily residential structures built prior to 1978 that might be occupied by a child under the age of six. Approximately 68% of the nation’s existing housing stock predates 1978. In 2000, the EPA estimated that mandatory regulations would cost the industry $2-$4 billion annually. While the outcome of the research by NAHB is not known, and an unfavorable outcome is possible, without supporting research data, remodeling and renovation contractors will be hard pressed to present regulators with a defensible alternative to potentially onerous regulations. To conduct and complete the study in a timely manner, the following is needed from NAHB members:
For more information, e-mail Gary Suskauer at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8327; or contact George Middleton, x8590; or Therese Crahan, x8211. Learn More Before: Pre-Show Education at IBSThe NAHB University of Housing will offer a choice of 20 in-depth educational opportunities for builders, remodelors and sales and marketing staff Jan. 7-10 before The International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando. Pre-show courses about marketing, sales, design, safety, effectively managing your business, the 50-plus market and more will be offered. For builders and remodelers considering the Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) or Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR) designation programs, introductory BAR and PREP assessments that measure business strengths and weaknesses will be offered prior to the builders' show. A sample of the pre-show classes being offered follows. The pre-show courses require a separate registration fee. For the complete listing and to register, click here or visit www.buildersshow.com.
Whether you’re new to the industry, hope to make your next career move or want to improve your company’s bottom line, The NAHB University of Housing can assist you in your educational pursuits. Visit www.nahb.org/education for a comprehensive listing of courses throughout the country. Be sure to visit often in order to view the most up-to-date information in your area.
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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 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Log In" button to get started. Once you log in, personalize the site to reflect your interests. Simply go to the My NAHB>My Profile page and click the “Edit Content Preferences” link. To learn more about how you can customize My NAHB — including how to customize the links that appear on the Home page ― visit the How to Use www.nahb.org section. Education Calendar
Whether you’re new to the industry, hope to make your next career move or want to improve your company’s bottom line, The NAHB University of Housing can assist you in your educational pursuits. Visit www.nahb.org/education for a comprehensive listing of courses throughout the country. Be sure to visit often in order to view the most up-to-date information in your area.
Subscribe Your Employees to Nation’s Building News — and Earn a Chance to Win Digital Camera Subscribe your employees to Nation’s Building News Online. It’s free, easy and NAHB members who sign up three or more employees will be entered into the "Make Your Business Click" contest to win a digital camera. To learn more or sign up your employees, click here.
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 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Log In" button to get started. Once you log in, personalize the site to reflect your interests. Simply go to the My NAHB>My Profile page and click the “Edit Content Preferences” link. To learn more about how you can customize My NAHB — including how to customize the links that appear on the Home page ― visit the How to Use www.nahb.org section. Sales Training: Is There a Right Way?What is the best way to train your sales staff? While I am not certain that there is one single “best” way, certainly I would recommend that every sales team member enroll in NAHB’s Certified New Home Sales Professional CSP designation as an essential introduction to the concepts of properly selling new homes in an onsite environment. And the courses, “House Construction as a Selling Tool” and “Essential Closing Strategies,” provide wonderful additions to the basic knowledge and skills that every salesperson needs. There Are Many NAHB Resources Available Our industry is fortunate that it has several excellent professional sales trainers who will work with your staff in a number of ways — personally through off-site seminars, on-site presentations and one-on-one training. A number of books, audiotapes and videos are also available, and the NAHB convention and builder regional conferences usually offer several outstanding sales programs. All of these will help to further increase selling skills and motivation. Tailor Your Program for Your Company Each company must create a program that reflects the individual personality of that company. The primary responsibility for regular sales training on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis for any company must rest with the sales manager. Following are some of the programs that I would recommend:
The performance of your sales staff will only be as good as the sales management they are provided. Proper sales management requires the sales manager to be in the field, and at the communities on a regular basis, personally assisting the sales staff in making each of the sales ― not sitting in the home office doing paperwork. Daniel R. Levitan, MIRM, CMP, CSP, SHMS, RAM, CPB, is president of Levitan & Associates, a Florida-based marketing and strategic consulting firm serving builders, developers and lenders throughout the country. He is a past president and multi-term trustee of the institute of Residential Marketing, a past three-term trustee of 50+ Housing Council and winner of the Bill Molster, John P. Hall and IRM's Excellence in Education awards. For more information, e-mail Levitan, or call him at 954-473-4244. Originally published in NAHB’s Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine ©2004. Subscribe to Sales + Marketing Ideas Magazine for Cutting-Edges Information For additional cutting-edge sales and marketing information, subscribe to NAHB’s Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine (www.smimagazine.com). Click here to learn about membership benefits of the National Sales and Marketing Council and the Institute of Residential Marketing.
The Institute of Residential Marketing (IRM) offers four designation programs for sales and marketing professionals:
For more information on these designation programs, click here.
BuilderBooks.com offers a variety of sales and marketing publications online. To view or purchase these publications, click here. Commercial Builders Honored for Success, Design, SolutionsNAHB’s National Commercial Builders Council (NCBC) has honored 13 commercial building projects for excellence in design, market appeal, energy efficiency, solutions to challenges faced during building and success in meeting project goals. The winners include: Project of the Year
AES Corporation headquarters and the "social stair"
Simple lines and polished colors are paired with high-end finishes for sleek public spaces while maintaining the controlled access necessary for secure office space near Washington, D.C. The offices, with full-height, floor-to-ceiling windows, boast glass partition walls, extensive hardwoods throughout and a reception area featuring Italian marble and a white maple wood reception desk that seems to float above the floor. The focal point of the project is the “social stair” that encourages open communication and traffic flow between floors. A 40-foot, full-height wood feature wall rises against the stair and draws the eye upward. The social stairs were built after AES moved into its space and required a crane to bring the stringers in through an exterior window panel — and the flexibility to work around the boardroom meeting schedule.
Grand ― Division II, Commercial Bar Harbor Supper Club, Lake Shore, Minn. Bar Harbor was originally built in 1937. For years, it was a landmark of Minnesota’s Gull Lake area and popular for its summer nightlife and gambling. In 1963, a second facility, Little Bar Harbor, was purchased nearby to accommodate patrons year round. Following a fire that leveled Big Bar Harbor five years later, Little Bar Harbor was expanded to fill the void. As Little Bar Harbor’s 40th anniversary approached, its owners decided to build a new, larger, 7,500-square-foot facility that would capture the essence of both clubs and exceed state energy requirements. Because the infrastructure serving Little Bar Harbor was located within the footprint of the new building, temporary gas lines, power lines, telephone, cable and septic had to be installed and designed so that switching services between the two buildings could be made within a 36-hour time span. Also, given the harsh Minnesota winters, schedules had to be readjusted to factor in weather issues while keeping to the schedule for opening in time for the 2004 spring/summer tourism season. Concrete phases required the use of blankets, ground heating equipment, winter heat and tenting — all of which added to the cost of the project.
Grand — Division II, Entertainment Finz Waterfront Grille, Stuart, Fla. Finz Waterfront Grille is a two-story, upscale waterfront restaurant built on the site of a former boatyard in a transitional community that served as a hub of southeastern Florida’s commercial fishing industry for decades until a ban on net fishing put area fishermen out of business. Finz features a wall system of sliding glass panels that surrounds the entire downstairs bar and dining area. The project required Epicore as well as extensive decking, and both flat and pitched roofs. The project faced budgetary challenges, with the cost increasing from $800,000 to $1.2 million, largely because of numerous changes made in the field and a record-setting hurricane season. In fact, two hurricanes hit the community three weeks apart.
Grand ― Division III, Recreational Ridge at Back Brook, Ringoes, N.J. The Ridge at Back Brook is a 19,704-square-foot, Adirondack-theme clubhouse featuring staff offices, a full kitchen with grill facilities, a pro shop, men’s and women’s locker rooms with lounges and bars, and a screened porch with a fireplace. The walls are constructed with structural steel with steel stud infill. The interior is primarily finished with alder wood vertical and horizontal paneling or cultured stone veneer. The ceiling in the main hall and dining room is tongue-and-groove beaded alder. The rear wall of the dining area is a glass gable 30 feet tall and custom-fitted between vertical logs. The glass walls facing the south and west allow for passive solar heating and provide natural light. Energy efficient fluorescent recessed lights are utilized throughout the building.
Grand —Division IV, Commercial Bozzuto Group Corporate Headquarters, Greenbelt, Md. The Bozzuto Group, a prominent home builder in the Washington, D.C. area, consolidated operations and built a four-story, 89,000-square-foot headquarters. The building features flexible, multi-use space and a “town square,” which has been configured so that it can easily accommodate small group training sessions or large meetings. A fourth floor conference room features state-of-the-art technology, including a three-layered media wall that alternates easily between teleconference video screens, electronic white-board transactions and live display options. The second floor training center features computer data ports at each seat. The designer had five months to program, space plan, design, specify all furniture, fixtures, finishes and equipment, document, obtain approvals, bid and oversee construction. As an added requirement, Bozzuto planned to occupy and operate in 80% of the building during construction.
Grand ― Division VI, Institutional
University of Akron student union
University of Akron New Student Union, Akron, Ohio The new 200,000-square-foot student center is a model of efficient energy applications achieved through a blend of active and passive energy systems. High-efficiency gas-fired boilers provide a dependable heating source for the facility. Chilled water for cooling is provided at low cost via the university’s campus-wide chilled water system. Low-E tinted glazing used throughout helped reduce the size of the center’s HVAC systems. The center was built on the site of two existing buildings — the existing student center and the school’s old central campus heating plant. The challenge was to maintain the critical services of both facilities throughout construction. The solution was to construct the new facility in two phases. To facilitate the two-step occupancy, each phase was constructed with its own mechanical/electrical/telecommunications core.
Grand ― Division VI, Recreational
Bear Creek Resort and Lodge
The $20 million Bear Creek Resort and Lodge atop Bear Creek Mountain near Allentown, Pa. was built in less than 10 months and offers ski slopes, a ski school, children’s learning center and day care, a picnicking area, a restaurant, indoor and outdoor hot tubs and fireplaces, an exercise room and an indoor pool. The hotel and lodge were designed to use exclusively local finishes and materials to cut costs and construction time. In addition, light-colored materials were selected for low-emission roofing. The construction of Bear Creek had one singularly outstanding constraint — time. The developers mandated that construction be completed before the beginning of ski season. This requirement meant that plans continued to evolve throughout the construction, which had to begin before the drawings and budget were finalized.
Merit — Division II, Commercial North Shore Community Bank and Trust, Winnetka, Ill.
Merit ― Division II, Entertainment RJ Gator’s Hometown Grill and Bar, Stuart, Fla.
Merit — Division III, Commercial North Shore Community Bank and Trust, Sauganash, Ill.
Merit ― Division IV, Mixed-Use Temecula Creek Retail, Newport Beach, Calif.
Merit — Division IV, Retail Centennial Pavilion, Louisville, Colo.
Honorable Mention ―Division I, Commercial Daikin Living Showroom, San Antonio, Texas
The award winning projects will be on display at the NCBC headquarters during the 2006 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. Mexico Provides Expanding Horizon for U.S. Builders
U.S. builders interested in geographically expanding their markets met early this month at the third Annual “Access Mexico” Conference in Mexico City to explore the possibilities and logistics of building homes in Mexico. The conference was co-hosted by NAHB and CANADEVI, Mexico’s home builders association. “Builders who ignore our southern neighbor’s growing housing market are missing a vast potential for opportunity and growth,” Bobby Rayburn, immediate past president of NAHB, told attendees at the International Housing Conference of the Americas. High-ranking representatives of Mexico’s building industry — including Mexico’s commissioner of housing, Carlos Gutierrez Ruiz, and Dr. Manuel Lugo Goytia, president of CANADEVI — spoke to participants and led educational panels and seminars on topics such as: entering the Mexican housing market; new technologies and building materials; financing; land title and other legal issues affecting the Mexican housing market; and a U.S./Mexico partnership case study. U.S.-based Gene Towle, a recognized expert on Mexico's real estate market, provided the latest Mexican housing market data and projections. All of the programs were simultaneously translated into English; to see conference presentations, click here. Conference exhibitors included Autodesk, DOW, Environment One, Icynene, Owens Corning, Rinnai, Wall-Ties & Forms, Trex Decking & Railing and Western Forms. Following the conference, participants toured middle to high-end residential, high-rise developments in Mexico City. The tour was organized by leading residential development group, Grupo Frondoso, and featured three of the company’s award-winning properties. For more information on the conference, e-mail Rita Feinberg at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8415. Project TRADE Graduate Finds a Career Path in HousingSoon after enrolling in the program in Colorado Springs, Colo., Diederich proved himself to be a fast learner and one of the best students at the site, often helping his classmates with challenging projects and attracting the attention of Project TRADE/Colorado Coordinator Deane Robertson. “James was just a great student,” said Robertson. “He was very focused on learning the material, but I was particularly proud of the interest he took in assisting his peers. He was a great teammate at Project TRADE and I knew he would make a fine employee wherever he ended up.” Deiderich successfully completed the HBI program last February and was hired by Manitou Electric just weeks later. Now 30, he has entered into his second year as an electrical apprentice for the company and is taking Independent Electrical Contractors courses at night in pursuit of his journeyman’s license. “He will do whatever it takes to get the job done and stays focused on a positive outlook for his future, not his past,” said Michael White, owner of Manitou Electric. “James’ attitude and loyalty set him apart and I wish I had more employees like him.” Project TRADE trains adult offenders and helps place them in jobs in the home building industry. The program is funded by ComCor, a non-profit community corrections agency that provides correctional services and treatment programs for offenders who are working to make a positive change in their lives. At its three Project TRADE programs in Colorado, Florida and Illinois, HBI is training 250 offenders annually. For more than 30 years, HBI programs have trained people in the trades, promoted the industry as a career and helped the residential construction industry and NAHB members address their workforce needs. For more information on Project TRADE, e-mail Dennis Torbett, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8908. Idaho Students Tour Affordable Housing Building Sites
Members of the Building Contractors Association of the Wood River Valley and the Blaine-Ketchum County Housing Authority participated in the Nov. 9 Freddie Mac-sponsored “Day at the Job Site” tour. Sue Woodyard, president of Woodyard Enterprises and a member of the Board of Trustees of Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of NAHB, welcomed the students and spoke about the unique challenges of building homes in the area. Brian Bothwell of Bothwell Construction, described the progress of his career in the housing industry; and Michael David, of the housing authority, discussed the role of community organizations and institutions in providing safe, affordable housing. “This event is a great opportunity for our builder members to connect with the next generation of home builders and explore the countless jobs to be had in our industry” said Woodyard. “This is a valuable experience for all involved.” “Day at the Job Site” events have been held in Colonial Heights, Va.; Pittsburgh; and Juneau, Alaska. A fifth event is scheduled for December in Michigan. The two Idaho schools are the latest to join the growing list of NAHB Student Chapters at high schools across the nation. Chapters in the Blaine County schools were chartered in Reno this fall by the NAHB Board of Directors. They are also partners in one of HBI’s first five pilot sites funded by a grant under “The President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative,” which has been created by the Labor Department’s Employment and Training Administration to increase recruitment into the residential construction trades. According to Cyndie Woods, the schools’ Residential Construction Academy Program coordinator, the one-day event was “a perfect complement to our efforts to promote residential construction as a great career choice for young people.” The NAHB Student Chapters program is administered by HBI. Established in 1971, the program helps enrich the educational experiences of students enrolled in construction-related studies and training. The chapters enable more than 3,000 students at 150 high schools, technical schools, colleges, universities and Job Corps campuses to enjoy the benefits of membership in NAHB. For more information on “A Day at the Job Site” or NAHB Student Chapters, e-mail Joseph Krinock, or call him at 800-795-7944 x8928.
Home Buyers Prefer Retailers’ Kitchen Appliance OptionsKitchen Aid — a subsidiary of NCHI member, Whirlpool Corporation — ranked highest in consumer satisfaction with dishwashers and ranges/cooktops/ovens, according to the J.D. Power study. Findings in the inaugural study were based on responses from 7,574 new-home buyers who had recently purchased new kitchen appliances that were either included in the home or purchased from a retailer. The study was conducted to measure the satisfaction of new-home buyers with the performance, features, look and feel, warranty and price of major kitchen appliances. The study also explored brand loyalty, where appliances were acquired, problems, warranty and repair service and extended warranty purchases. Also performing well in both the range and dishwasher categories were Whirlpool Gold and GE Monogram, which are also produced by NCHI members. While non-NCHI member Samsung ranked highest among refrigerator manufacturers, Kenmore Elite — manufactured by Sears, an NCHI member — scored well with consumers along with KitchenAid and Whirlpool Gold. Builder vs. Retailer The study found that 90% of buyers of newly built homes acquired their dishwashers and ranges through the builder. However, 60% purchased their refrigerators through a retailer. Among consumers who purchased their appliances from a retailer, 27% said that they would definitely buy the same brand the next time they are in the market for a kitchen appliance. Only 14% of those who purchased from the builder said the same. “While builders often simplify the process of purchasing appliances, there are typically fewer options in terms of brands and features for consumers,” said Dale Haines, director of real estate industries at J.D. Power and Associates. “Consumers who purchase their appliances from a retailer are often more satisfied with the brand and model they ultimately purchased, because they had complete control over the purchase decision,” Haines said. “This contributes to higher rates of brand loyalty.” The study also found that consumers who purchased an extended warranty for their appliance reported greater satisfaction with warranty and repair services than those who did not. Twenty-three percent of consumers who did not experience any problems with their appliance said they would “definitely” buy the product again, compared to only 7% of the consumers who reported at least one appliance problem. The Builder's Engineer Goes GreenI’ve read so many articles about green construction lately I’m beginning to believe that our industry really does give a rip about it. For a long time I passed the whole notion off as someone’s political agenda no real person actually cared much about. Don’t get me wrong, I think green is great. But in America if it doesn’t pay, it ain’t gonna fly. Finally, green pays. Energy and materials simply cost too much for builders to be inefficient any longer. I have a very self-serving, very green idea to share. It has to do with lumber waste on the job site. I bet 90% of all new homes waste at least $1,000 worth of over-designed framing. That’s $1,000 worth of profit. Here’s what I’m talking about:
Certainly, it doesn’t make sense to calc every single stick on the job. But an hour or so spent with your plan set could easily save you over a grand. To me, that’s a no-brainer. The really smart contractor will even go so far as to bring his laptop to the job site for on-the-spot changes and quick calcs. Now here’s the self-serving part. I happen to own a software company that sells just such software. It’s called ConstructionCalc: www.constructioncalc.com. I started the company in 1999 out of frustration with brands that were just too difficult to learn and too cumbersome to use. I can remember both hands knuckle-deep in my crew cut, thinking “Gaaa — I just want to size a simple beam, for Pete’s sake! This should be a 15 second quickie, not a 15 minute frustration.” But what about span tables? The main problems with span tables are:
Well-designed software, on the other hand, will walk you though the process, step-by-step, ensuring that you don’t forget something, and that the numbers you input are correct. Most brands, however, don’t work that way. They make you jump and flop around from screen to screen so you’re never sure if you’ve done all you’re supposed to, or have even done the right thing to begin with. “Garbage in equals garbage out,” comes to mind. Well-designed software will have the help you need for every input, right there on the same screen so you never have to open a manual or press F1. Well-designed software will show you all possible alternatives at the same time: sawed lumber of any species or grade, glu-lam, LSL, LVL, PSL, I-joist, steel tubes and steel wide flanges. Well-designed software will allow you to input a cantilever, then, and most importantly, check unbalanced live loads automatically. For example, say you’re designing a deck joist that has a 3-1/2 foot overhang (cantilever). We all know how decks work. When there is a party, everyone congregates at the railing to gawk at whatever spectacle is unfolding below. That’s a lot of unbalanced live load at the end of the cantilever. Some brands don’t automatically check that. You have to make several runs, placing live load in different places each time. What a hassle — if you even remember to do it. Well-designed software will allow you to input the member’s pitch if not flat. Of course, no software is worth a hoot unless the user understands it. And the best way to learn something is to work through solved examples. Whether you use ConstructionCalc or some other brand, you can go to the ConstructionCalc Web site and download any of 40 solved, illustrated examples for free. So, to summarize, if you want to save serious money and build green, it’s time to crank up that computer and optimize your framing plans. The best part is, once you learn the software, you own it for life. 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.
Plan now to attend the 2006 Green Building Conference, March 12-14, in Albuquerque, N.M. The National Green Building Conference is the only national conference targeted to "green building" for the mainstream residential building industry. The high-caliber education programs will give you a chance to meet other green-minded builders from around the country and learn about new products to help you build a better home. For more information, click here.
NAHB Programs on HGTV & DIY This WeekNAHB-produced television shows for consumers on HGTV and DIY: "I Want That" on HGTV
"Dream Builders" on HGTV
"Rock Solid" on DIY
"Assembly Required" on DIY
The NAHB Production Group is a full-service, self-contained, media production unit creating programming for cable television, broadcast television, non-profit, museum and corporate clients. Productions range from magazine format shows for general audiences to museum-installation videos for specialized use. The production group includes award winning journalists, writers and photographers with experience in broadcast, documentary and corporate television.
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 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Log In" button to get started. Once you log in, personalize the site to reflect your interests. Simply go to the My NAHB>My Profile page and click the “Edit Content Preferences” link. To learn more about how you can customize My NAHB — including how to customize the links that appear on the Home page ― visit the How to Use www.nahb.org section. Community Service Award Entries Due by Dec. 2NAHB invites builders to submit entries for a new community service award that will recognize members for their generous philanthropic work in 2005. The National Housing Endowment Builder Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service will honor builders who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to bettering their communities and promoting the spirit of giving so prevalent in the home building industry. Entries are due by Friday, Dec. 2. The award, to be presented annually beginning with the 2006 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., will honor eight winners, including Gold, Silver, Bronze and five honorable mentions. Winners will receive a donation to the charity of their choice:
Award Qualifications To be considered for the award, the community service project should be completed before Nov. 18. In addition, the project:
A complete award description and entry form is available on the NAHB Web site by clicking here. For more information, e-mail Niki Clark, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8061. NAHB Members, Board to Meet in Orlando at Builders' Show
Notice of Annual Meeting of
The annual meeting of members of the National Association of Home Builders will take place on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 in the Valencia A-C Rooms, Level 4 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., for the purpose of electing directors and state representatives, and other matters as may come before the meeting.
Official Meeting Notice of
The exact times and places of the scheduled meetings below will be listed in the program for the IBS. Sunday, Jan. 8 Subcommittees, Task Forces, and Working Groups
Monday, Jan. 9 Committees and Councils Meetings
Tuesday, Jan. 10 Committees and Councils Meetings
Wednesday, Jan. 11 Opening Ceremonies
Thursday, Jan. 12 Joint 2005 Executive Board, Budget & Resolutions Committee
Friday, Jan. 13 2005 Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday, Jan. 14 Educational Programs Everett Dale, Developer, NAHB Life Director, Dies at 81Everett Eldridge Dale, a home builder and developer in the Oklahoma City, Okla. area, and a life director of NAHB, died in his home on Nov. 15. He was 81. Dale was born in Dallas in 1923 and enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II. He started building homes in Oklahoma City in 1948 and built hundreds of homes there and in Edmond, Okla. throughout his career. A graduate of the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Dale formed Carriage Homes in 1958. His business is now operated by his son, Mark. Dale was a member of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association for 55 years, serving as president in 1960 and receiving the Builder of the Year Award in 1989. He is survived by his wife, Jean; his son, Mark, and Mark's wife, Lark; a daughter, Laurie Keffer, and her husband, Jim; another son, Scott; and four grandsons. Your NAHB Membership Can Take You for a Great RideNAHB’s exclusive automotive partner, General Motors, offers eligible NAHB members preferred supplier pricing through Jan. 3. Most 2005 and 2006 model year vehicles from Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Saturn, HUMMER and Saab are included. See www.gmfleet.com/nahb for complete details. In addition, members can realize the benefits of other offers such as eligible customer cash and the GM Business Choice Program — stacking up to an even better value. The 2006 GM Business Choice program is available to qualified commercial customers requiring the use of work-type vehicles for daily business operations. Available on most Chevy and GMC commercial trucks and vans, Business Choice allows customers to the option that works best for them:
Other Member Advantage Discounts For the most up-to-date details on the Member Advantage discount program and all of the participating companies, go to www.nahb.org/ma.
Subscribe your employees to Nation’s Building News Online. It’s free, easy and NAHB members who sign up three or more employees will be entered into the "Make Your Business Click" contest to win a digital camera. To learn more or sign up your employees, click here.
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 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Log In" button to get started. Once you log in, personalize the site to reflect your interests. Simply go to the My NAHB>My Profile page and click the “Edit Content Preferences” link. To learn more about how you can customize My NAHB — including how to customize the links that appear on the Home page ― visit the How to Use www.nahb.org section. Save More With BuilderBooks.com RewardsBuilderBooks.com is offering it's first-ever Rewards program to provide privileges, savings and rewards to its loyal customers. Launched at the 2005 International Builders’ Show, the program is available for a $9.95 annual fee.
Join the Rewards program today and save on the very books and services that build your business. Click here to start saving.
Subscribe your employees to Nation’s Building News Online. It’s free, easy and NAHB members who sign up three or more employees will be entered into the "Make Your Business Click" contest to win a digital camera. To learn more or sign up your employees, click here.
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 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Log In" button to get started. Once you log in, personalize the site to reflect your interests. Simply go to the My NAHB>My Profile page and click the “Edit Content Preferences” link. To learn more about how you can customize My NAHB — including how to customize the links that appear on the Home page ― visit the How to Use www.nahb.org section. Calendar of Events
To view more meetings and events information on the NAHB Web site, click here.
Subscribe your employees to Nation’s Building News Online. It’s free, easy and NAHB members who sign up three or more employees will be entered into the "Make Your Business Click" contest to win a digital camera. To learn more or sign up your employees, click here.
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 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Log In" button to get started. Once you log in, personalize the site to reflect your interests. Simply go to the My NAHB>My Profile page and click the “Edit Content Preferences” link. To learn more about how you can customize My NAHB — including how to customize the links that appear on the Home page ― visit the How to Use www.nahb.org section. |