NBN Online for the week of March 6, 2006

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Portland Cement Excluded From New OSHA Standard
McGraw-Hill Launches 10,000-Web Site Construction Network
Layouts for Living
Floor Plans: A Swiss Cottage in New Jersey — for $4,000
Coast to Coast
‘Explosive’ Growth Period Has Created Affordable Housing Crisis in Florida County
Economics & Finance
Home Price Gains Robust in 2005, OFHEO Finds
Cement Accord Paves Way for Mexican Free Trade With U.S.
Regulation
Texan Able to Develop Land After 10 Years of Litigation
Suit Filed Against Tallahassee Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
Tips
Builder's Tip: Self-Centering Router Base
Business Management
Go With ‘User Friendly’ Over 'Monster' Scheduling Software
50Plus Housing
Pay Attention to the Different Generations of the 50+ Market
Women
Is Your Digital Home Future Proof? — Part 2
Commercial
Diversifying: What You Need to Do When Opportunity Knocks
Speedier Building Permitting Increases Local Tax Revenue
Non-Residential Sector on an Up Trend in 2005
Design
Enter the Best in American Living Awards Competition
Sales and Marketing
Homestore Changing Its Name to ‘Move’
Education
Companies Specifically Ask for My Designation
Education Calendar
Green Building
Green Certification Launched in Central New Mexico
Research
Tightening Up Homes Tightens Energy Bills
Workforce housing
Michigan Development Wins Workforce Housing Award
Labor
Superintendent Training Program Expands
Building Products
National Energy Saving Sweepstakes Launched
Builder's Engineer
'Demising Wall' — What's Up With That?
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV & DIY This Week
Endowment
Napolitano Named Founding Advocate, Endowment Trustee
Homes of Our Own Named 'Computers for Youth' Finalist
Association News
GM $500 Exclusive Offer for NAHB Members
Free '2006 New Homes Month' Resources Available Online
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Enter the Best in American Living Awards Competition

2005 BALA Home of the Year: Artisan Lofts on Central, Phoenix — built by Artisan Homes and designed by William Hezmalhalch Architects, Inc.

Entries are being accepted for the 2006 Best in American Living Awards (BALA), the foremost residential design competition in the country. Builders, interior designers, architects, developers and marketing and real estate professionals are invited to enter.

The competition includes 41 categories — from single-family attached and detached in a variety of sizes to rental developments and custom homes plus categories for interior design, communities and neighborhoods, affordable housing, smart growth and others.

Homes completed or for which the first model opened between May 1, 2005 and July 15, 2006 are eligible for this year’s competition.

Entry Dates:

  • Entry forms and fees due: July 1
  • Entry notebooks due: July 15


Several categories in the competition are limited to homes built for sale. Check the BALA/Housing Zone Web pages for details.

Co-sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and NAHB, winners will be announced at the 2007 International Builders’ Show Feb. 7-10 in Orlando, Fla.

Winning entries will also be posted on the Professional Builder Web site, HousingZone.com, for up to one year after the announcement.

For additional information and to download a BALA entry form, click here, or contact Judy Brociek, Professional Builder, at 630-288-8184 or Michelle Persinger Matuga, NAHB, at 800-368-5242 x8343.

Past Winners

A total of 92 award winners in 41 categories were chosen from more than 390 entries in last year's competition. Winners were featured in the January 2006 issue of Professional Builder. To view the winners as posted in an e-book on the Professional Builder Web site, click here. One 2005 winner is pictured below.

2005 BALA Best in Region and Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home: Thompson Custom Homes, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.


 

Sponsored by
Freddie Mac

 
 
> CEO Syron Puts Housing and Economic Trends in Perspective, Rejects Charge of Systemic Risk
> The GSEs and Housing Affordability: A Necessary But Not Sufficient Condition
 
 

Sponsored by
McGraw Hill
Construction

 
 
> Visit the all new McGraw-Hill Construction Network for Products...
 
 

Sponsored by
NAHB

 
 
> 2006 National Green Building Conference
> Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium 2006
> NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference and Gala