NBN Online for the week of September 4, 2006

NAHB, NAACP Hope to Shrink Minority Homeownership Gap

 
With the release last week of a joint housing policy report assessing the state of minority housing and barriers to housing choice and affordability, the NAACP and NAHB laid the groundwork for a cooperative effort to close the gap between homeownership rates for African Americans and the general U.S. population.

The report, “Building on a Dream,” includes Census statistics on housing affordability in the 25 largest metropolitan areas for minority wage earners in selected occupations and concludes with a series of joint policy recommendations designed to improve minority housing opportunity.

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Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

The Wrong Sub Can Seriously Disrupt Your Job

Terminating a subcontractor in the middle of a job is disruptive and something that home builders should take steps to prevent by thoroughly checking out subs before hiring them, maintaining good communications and even putting up with a little pain, John Wiseman, president of CORE Construction Services Southeast and first vice president of the Florida Home Builders Association, told the Southeast Building Conference in Orlando last month. But if poor performance by a tradesman is compromising the project, then they may just have to go and there are ways of proceeding to minimize the fallout.

“Probably the most agonizing aspect of the construction business is the removal of a subcontractor from the project,” said Wiseman. “Emotionally speaking, it is often highly charged.”

Free NAHB Video Shows Members How to Deal With the Media

A free, new video from NAHB provides members and HBAs pointers on how to talk to reporters when contacted for interviews for stories.

The video, “Communicating Effectively with the Media,” and an accompanying tip sheet, can be accessed on the “members only” side of the NAHB Web site by clicking here.

With home building a top issue among local, regional and national news organizations, the quick, seven-minute video summarizes what to do when contacted by a reporter; how to prepare for an interview; how to respond to reporters' questions; how to avoid common mistakes people make when conducting an interview; and more.

Play Free Builders' Pro Football for Prizes and Fun

Join and play in the Builders Football League (BFL) on HGTVPro.com — the free, online pro football "pick 'em" contest with a special league for NAHB members.

Playing is free, fun and easy ― and participants have a chance to win weekly prizes or the grand prize — a Panasonic 61-inch high definition TV — at the end of the season.

Share Nation's Building News With Your Staff. It's Free.

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Each issue is filled with valuable news and information on every aspect of the home building industry — business and builders tips; the latest materials prices and mortgage interest rates; new technologies; cutting-edge design; state and federal regulations and how they affect the industy; and more. Information your entire company needs to stay ahead of your competitors.

Forward this issue to your employees and trade partners and ask them to subscribe.

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