NBN Online for the week of April 3, 2006

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
States Make More Headway on Construction Defect Suits
Reader Survey: Tell Us What News Is Important to You
NAHB Proposes Code Changes on Wind Effects, Foundation Walls
Layouts for Living
Floor Plans: Family Rooms — Born in the 19th Century
Coast to Coast
KB Leader Addresses Housing Challenges
Housing Forum
Take the Ax to the Costly Canadian Timber Tariff
Politics & Government
Help Bring Industry Concerns to Lawmakers on May 10
Economics & Finance
Court Reviews Discriminatory Lending Law in Maryland
Tips
Builder’s Tip: Sharing Compressed Air
Business Management
A Sick-Pay Plan Can Help You Build a Healthy Business
50Plus Housing
‘Meet the Experts’ at Building for Boomers & Beyond
Multifamily
Condo Hotels, Affordable Apts. Key Conference Topics
Remodelers
Remodelers Get More Time to Study EPA Lead Paint Rule
Annual Remodeling Volume Crosses $200 Billion Threshold
Construction Safety
Maryland Alliance Committed to Work Site Safety
Building Systems
Awards Honor Service to Log Home Industry
Education
Success Reported for Designation Push in February
Education Calendar
Environment
New Wetlands Rules Would Encourage Mitigation Banking
Green Building
National Interest Spurs Energy Efficiency Concerns
Building Quality
‘Just-in-Time’ Deliveries Thwart Job Site Thefts
Work Tickets Used to Focus on Job Site ‘Hot Spots’
Seventh KB Home Division NHQ Certified in California
Design
Enter the Best in American Living Awards Competition
Workforce housing
Attractive Atlanta Area Homes Offered at an Affordable Price
Labor
Project TRADE Helps Build Habitat Homes in Ocala
Building Products
Weyerhaeuser U.S. Mills Produce Certified Products
Builder's Engineer
My Love-Hate Affair With Money
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV & DIY This Week
Endowment
Deadline Nears for Matching Funds Grant Applications
Association News
NAHB Has Free 'New Homes Month' Resources for You
Get Double Discounts on Dell Computer Products in April
If It’s Spring, National Membership Day Cannot Be Far Behind
NAHB Spring Board Meeting May 9-13
Find Employees Through New NAHB Online Career Center
Spokesperson Training Still Available for 2006 Spring Board
GM $500 Exclusive Offer for NAHB Members
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Enter the Best in American Living Awards Competition

2005 BALA Best Attached Home: Eaton Court by Norfolk Homes of Ann Arbor, Mich.

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 also will  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 One-of-a-Kind Custom Home: Thompson Custom Homes of Houston


 

Sponsored by
Freddie Mac

 
 
> Freddie Mac, Louisiana HFA Help Hurricane Victims Repair, Rebuild Homes
> Montana State Representative Bob Lake Cautions Against Extensive GSE Reform
 
 

Sponsored by
McGraw Hill
Construction

 
 
> Find and manage projects right from your desktop.
> Get your company listed in the new McGraw-Hill Construction Directory.
 
 

Sponsored by
NAHB

 
 
> Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium 2006
> NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference and Gala
> Construction Forecast Conference - Spring 2006