Nation's Building News Online: September 4, 2006Print All Articles Text Version |
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NAHB, NAACP Hope to Shrink Minority Homeownership Gap
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. “Owning a home is the foundation of prosperity and conveys to families many social and economic benefits,” said NAACP President & CEO Bruce S. Gordon. “Yet for minority families, African American families in particular, great variances remain in homeownership rates and affordable housing opportunities. It is time to bridge that gap. The NAACP and NAHB have chosen to make a difference, one family at a time, one community at a time.” “For far too long, the dream of homeownership has eluded too many of America’s minority families. It is time to take action,” said NAHB President David Pressly. “Working together, the NAACP and NAHB have identified opportunities for change and steps we can take to open doors for all Americans.” "At NAHB, we recognize that as America becomes more diverse, we must reach out to other organizations to help us make progress," added Jerry Howard, NAHB executive vice president and CEO. "That's the spirit behind this report, and that's the spirit behind our partnership with the NAACP." The report notes that despite recent gains for African American households, their homeownership rate falls 20% below the national average. Half of all African Americans live in unaffordable, inadequate or crowded housing. A shortage of workforce housing in many metro areas creates especially severe problems for minorities, even those employed in key community support occupations, such as police officers, teachers, firefighters and healthcare workers. In the 25 metro areas included in the study, “there are a little over 20 million owner-occupied housing units in roughly 21,000 Census tracts,” the report says. “The number of tracts that are affordable for the minority workforce ranges from a high of 6,400 for minority teachers down to 250 for minority workers in retail sales. The number of owner-occupied homes in the affordable tracts ranges from 5.9 million for minority teachers to about 140,000 for minority sales workers.” In Minneapolis-St. Paul, for example, there are few Census tracts with affordable housing for minority teachers. The few places that are affordable for them tend to lie in the least expensive parts of the inner city, and in the exurban fringe, which is far from most jobs. This is a typical pattern for the nation’s big cities. Since the affordable tracts are older, the report says, it also seems reasonable to infer that these neighborhoods have a disproportionate share of deteriorated and unusable homes, although this can’t be demonstrated conclusively by government data. The tradeoff for essential minority workers is commuting longer distances, an increasingly prohibitive option when gas prices are as high as they are today, or finding less desirable homes closer in, the report says. And despite federal laws to eliminate discrimination in the housing search, “minorities in general, and African Americans in particular, have higher mortgage rejection rates, are more likely to get sub-prime loans and are more susceptible to geographic steering by housing agents.” The report assesses some of the barriers to housing choice and affordability for minority families. The barriers include:
In the effort to address the barriers and to improve minority housing opportunity, the NAACP and NAHB have developed a set of nine policy recommendations and related action steps. The two organizations will be working to encourage public and private institutions to establish policies that increase the supply of affordable housing and address the particular issues that make it harder for minorities to find a decent and affordable home. The NAACP and NAHB are jointly recommending policies that will:
For more information, e-mail Blake Smith at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8583. Photos by Herman Farrer The Wrong Sub Can Seriously Disrupt Your JobTerminating 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.” “In all probability,” he said, “removal is at the end of several heated confrontations that have become personal in nature and always have financial consequences for all parties. Poor performance by an individual trade will affect other trades, the budget, quality and schedule of a project and your relationship with your client.” Before even beginning to select a subcontractor, the builder should become totally familiar with the contract documents, Wiseman advised, including change orders, contract terms, conditions and clarifications, specifications, details on the plans and the overall plans. This will enable the builder to spot conflicts in the documents that can eventually lead to confusion and disputes and disrupt the flow of the job. Wiseman said to look for such problem areas as “sewer and plumbing not in sync. Will the mechanical engineering and plumbing systems route through a structure without a conflict?” Structural dimensions may not always agree with architectural dimensions, he said. “The architect will send out plans that are 60% complete to the plumber and 85% complete to the structures guy.” Plan drawings — CAD drawings from an outside person — can be used to ferret out conflicts, he said. Also, it’s a good idea to get the owner involved in the plans and specs because “the subs sometimes don’t know your deal with the owner” and qualifications to the contract that may run contrary to how the job is priced and planned. Scheduling is critical, Wiseman said, and “should be an important tool for the project from the beginning. Sit down with the subcontractor before going to contract with them” and discuss how they will be managing their resources and scheduling their equipment and manpower. “Get agreement up front,” he said, on what materials, equipment and people they will need for each phase of the job. Before hiring the subcontractor, the builder should talk to suppliers to see how the sub pays his bills; ensure that the sub can command the financial and material resources that he will need to perform the work; and find out what other projects they are working on. “If you’re working on bad projects elsewhere, that can drag you down,” Wiseman said. “Be as well informed as possible going in.” “Does he have banking and insurance references? What is his commitment to safety and quality? Is the bid reasonable? If you have four bids within 5% of each other and your low bidder is 20% below the pack,” Wiseman added, “there is a problem. Remember the old adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The builder should have several expectations for the subcontractor, he said:
If termination does occur, several other problems are sure to ensue:
Changing subs will require a thorough review of the job, he said “Know where you’re at at the time of the dispute and the deficiencies — what’s not done and what needs to be redone.” “If you hire an attorney, tell him the good and the bad stuff,” Wiseman said. “For example, ‘this is where we could be in trouble.’ Give him your case, warts and all.” The termination should follow an orderly process:
Free NAHB Video Shows Members How to Deal With the MediaA 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. The video also provides a superb refresher to NAHB’s spokesperson training program. The following are some helpful pointers from the video and tip sheet: General Media Tips to Remember
To access the new NAHB media relations video and tip sheet, visit www.nahb.org/mediaguide on the “members only” side of the NAHB Web site. In addition to the media relations video, NAHB offers a host of other public relations resources tools, including a PR Toolkit, spokesperson training and talking points on relevant issues. All of these resources can be found on the NAHB Web site by clicking here. Or, contact NAHB Public Relations for help. For information, e-mail Paul Lopez at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8409. Play Free Builders' Pro Football for Prizes and FunJoin 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. How to Join and Play
To join the Builders Football League and begin picking winners, click here. For more information, go to www.nahb.org/bfl. Share Nation's Building News With Your Staff. It's Free.Make your business click. Subscribe your employees and trade partners to Nation's Building News — the free, online e-newspaper of NAHB. 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. Nation's Building News, it's free to them — invaluable to you. Don't delay, have your employees subscribe today. To subscribe, go to www.nahb.org/nbn. Slower Housing Market Spells Project DelaysA slowing residential market, fast-rising construction costs, higher impact fees, soaring insurance costs and more stringent local and state regulations are among the reasons why some projects in Central Florida are getting delayed, others are being reduced in size and still others are not going forward at all, according to builders, developers, bankers and commercial real estate experts. One of the biggest challenges is the cost of construction materials. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, a sampling of price increases for major building materials in the last year includes: copper and brass mill shapes, up 88%; wallboard and other gypsum products, up 23%; plastic construction products, 20%; steel mill products, 18%; aluminum mill shapes, 15%; and concrete products, 11%. Ken Simonson, chief economist for the contractors group, also notes that steel prices are seeing an inflationary revival and asphalt prices are rising along with fuel costs. At the same time, developers and building owners in the region say they face rising insurance premiums that have added up to 60 cents a square foot to their costs. (www.atlanta.bizjournals.com)
Spike in Housing Is No Bubble, Fed SaysA study by two economists at the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank finds that gains in wealth and the introduction of innovative mortgages are primarily responsible for the surge in the U.S. housing market since 2001, and that speculative fever has had relatively little to do with it. Americans became wealthier as the economy benefited from investments in computers and software, according to the study, and new mortgages giving risky borrowers access to credit or requiring no downpayment also boosted demand for housing. “The recent high rates of residential investment appear to have been driven mostly by fundamentals and not unusually loose monetary policy or speculative building,” according to the study, which appeared in the third-quarter edition of the bank’s journal Economic Perspectives. An aging population also means that record-high homeownership rates are here to stay, the researchers said. “The risk to the economy from some kind of rapid deterioration in the housing market is lower than some people may think,” Jonas Fisher, one of the economists, said in an interview. “No doubt housing will be having a slowing effect on the economy, but it shouldn’t be a dramatic falloff. It’s likely to stay at a very high level.” (www.philly.com)
Hurricane-Proof Homes Too Costly, U.S. Experts SayEven in the most vulnerable U.S. coastal areas, virtually no one builds homes or buildings to survive a Category 5 hurricane with winds higher than 155 miles per hour because the cost of solid concrete walls and roofs and laminated glass windows protected by storm shutters is prohibitively expensive. The code in Miami-Dade County, Fla., one of the nation’s most hurricane-prone locations, demands resistance to 146-mph winds, below the threshold for the worst storm, because “it’s economically unfeasible” to go higher, said Charles Danger, the area’s building director. “We are very comfortable that the structures that are built now…will resist a mid-Category 4 hurricane.” Danger estimates that only 4% to 6% of the buildings in the Miami metropolitan area of 2.3 million people were built recently enough to meet the current code, which resulted from the destructiveness of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Some builders say it could cost 10% to 20% more to build for the worst hurricanes, or $25,000 to $50,000 for a median-priced home in Florida. However, only three Category 5s have hit the U.S. in recorded history — Andrew was one of them, preceded by Camille in 1969 and an unnamed hurricane that struck the Florida Keys in 1935. A handful of home owners have built hurricane-proof houses in southern states, using such techniques as poured, steel-reinforced concrete walls in place of hollow concrete blocks; laminated windows bolstered by layers of plastic and reinforced garage doors to help keep the house “envelope” intact; and rounded shapes to reduce wind resistance. But even a handful of screws used to secure the corners and other fragile areas of roofs can reduce damage significantly, engineers say. (www.reuters.com)
The Housing Crisis Goes SuburbanThe scarcity of affordable housing is a deepening national crisis, and not just for inner-city families on welfare. The problem has climbed the income ladder and moved to the suburbs, where service workers cram their families into overcrowded apartments; college graduates have to crash with their parents; and firefighters, police officers and teachers can’t afford to live in the communities they serve. In the past five years, housing prices in Fairfax County, Va. have grown 12 times as fast as household incomes. Today, the county’s median family would have to spend 54% of its income to afford the county’s median home; in 2000, the figure was 26%. The situation is so dire that the county recently began offering housing subsidies to families earning $90,000 a year, and that figure may soon go as high as $110,000. The current crunch falls hardest on renters in Democratic-leaning cities and metro areas, but Democrats have ignored the issue as resolutely as Republicans, neither of whom proposed affordable housing plans in the 2004 presidential campaign. “Even 10 years ago, that would have been unimaginable,” says Ron Utt of the conservative Heritage Foundation. “But now the problems are so much worse, and nobody cares….I find myself on panels where I’m the token conservative, and I’m the one asking: Doesn’t anyone care about affordable housing.” (www.washingtonpost.com)
Home Depot Makes Hiring Hispanics a Top PriorityA partnership launched in 2004 between Home Depot and the Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility, a Washington, D.C.-based coalition of 14 national organizations working to improve the lives of Hispanics, led to an unprecedented national hiring and recruitment partnership with four of the association’s coalition members. For the past three years, Home Depot has hosted a Hispanic summit at its Atlanta headquarters, inviting association member organizations to join the retailer’s corporate leadership to discuss strategies to increase its diversity. Although Home Depot will not release specific figures on how many of its employees are Hispanic or from other minorities, 9.1% of its board members are Hispanic, according to a company report. Home Depot has a comprehensive supplier diversity program, targeting minority business owners; it has bilingual signage and, in some areas, “Do It Yourself” workshops in Spanish. “From our perspective as a global company competing in a very competitive global economy, we understand that in order to attract the marketplace, we must be the marketplace,” said Gloria Johnson-Goins, vice president of diversity for Home Depot. Hispanics represent 14% of the U.S. population, according to the Hispanic Association, and by 2008 will have an estimated annual purchasing power of $1 trillion, or 9.6% of the U.S. gross domestic product. (www.atlanta.bizjournals.com)
Changing Tides: The End of ConcessionsWith an increasing number of apartment renters in the market and a stable to declining supply of available units, it is prime time to begin increasing unit pricing and cutting back on concessions, according to Mark Fogelman, of the Fogelman Management Group, which operates more than 16,000 units across the Southeast and Midwest. “Over the past year, most market participants in these formerly struggling markets began experimenting with higher pricing on specific floor plans and then moved to across-the-board pricing improvements after their initial success,” he writes. “Now that the recovery is well underway, it is important that apartment operators are focused on achieving a meaningful positive net spread on new move-ins versus move-outs, which simply means that you need to ensure that all new residents moving into your property are paying a higher rate than previous residents who occupied a specific unit.” The price increases can range from 1% to 2% in markets just beginning to recover to 6% to 10% in markets that are in a full recovery mode, he says. “Unit pricing improvements also need to be extended to your current resident base during the lease renewal process, although it’s always prudent to continue to offer your longer-term customers some pricing break versus the levels being paid by new residents coming off the street.” (www.multi-housingnews.com)
Letter to the Editor: Investors Are Not GamblersDear Editor: Reading your Aug. 21 NBN article on “Investors Coming Back to Haunt Florida Builders,” I have a problem with referring to the numerous buyers who made deposits on properties with no intention of completing the purchase as “investors.” Let's be honest, these people are speculators, not investors. A real estate investor is someone who adds value. A speculator is a gambler who believes in magic and hopes the price of the property he purchased grows in proportion to the size of his ego. I work with investors to seek out properties we can acquire and improve, and, yes, eventually sell for significant profits in which I share. To avoid the kinds of situations described in the article, we don't take offers from speculators and we require buyers to be owner-occupants of the property. When the market shifts we share the pain, and smaller margins, of other builders, but our approach minimizes the shock. Kirk Knight
Builders Step Up Push for House Storm Water BillWith time running short before Congress adjourns for the year, builders are in the midst of a grassroots push to advance critical storm water legislation and are urging House members to support H.R. 5558, the “Stormwater Enforcement and Permitting Act.” NAHB President David Pressly said that the legislation is needed “to reduce the regulatory burden placed on home builders, simplify compliance and provide a more consistent and sensible regulatory approach that provides better protection for America’s rivers and streams.” Introduced on June 8 by Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) and 16 bipartisan cosponsors, the legislation would update and improve the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) duplicative and burdensome storm water permit and enforcement policies, which can add anywhere from $1,400 to $4,500 to the cost of a residential lot. The bill, which now has 52 cosponsors, takes into account the differences between residential and other construction activities. With lawmakers planning to recess in early October to campaign for the November elections, Pressly added that it is urgent to build momentum for H.R. 5558 now because it is unclear whether a new Congress will be as receptive to supporting the measure. Contact Your Members of Congress Voters troubled over how current storm water regulations unduly increase housing costs while doing little to improve water quality are encouraged to contact their members of Congress today and ask them to support H.R. 5558 by adding their name as a cosponsor to the bill. To voice your opinion to federal lawmakers, send a letter asking them to support H.R. 5558 by logging on to www.capitolconnect.com/nahb. To view a one-page summary of the bill, click here. To read the legislation, click here and enter H.R. 5558 in the box at the center fo the page. For more information, e-mail Jim Tobin at NAHB, or call him at 1-800-368-5242 x8258. 'Storm Water Permitting: A Guide for Builders and Developers' Available at BuilderBooks.com “Storm Water Permitting: A Guide for Builders and Developers,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides a starting point for builders and developers to use in locating and understanding storm water permitting requirements. The publication has been prepared to help builders comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's storm water requirements, and includes information on state permitting programs and more than 50 of the most commonly used Best Management Practices. Also included are tips on compliance, including how to handle visits from inspectors. To view or purchase this guide online, click here, or call 800-223-2665. House Price Appreciation Slows in Second QuarterU.S. home prices continued to rise in this year’s second quarter, but at a rate that is more in line with non-housing goods and services reported in the Consumer Price Index, a strong indication that the industry is in the midst of a significant cooldown, according to the OFHEO House Price Index (HPI). Released on Sept. 5, the report pegged housing appreciation for the second quarter at 1.17%, or an annualized rate of 4.68%, the lowest quarterly rate of appreciation since the fourth quarter of 1999. Home prices were 10.06% higher for the period than they were for the same quarter of 2005, but OFHEO noted the decline in the quarterly rate over the last year is the sharpest since the index was started in 1975. “These data are a strong indication that the housing market is cooling in a very significant way,” said James Lockhart, director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. Lockhart cited higher interest rates, a drop in speculative home buying activity and rising inventories of homes as factors behind the slowdown in home price appreciation. The new HPI data showed that appreciation rates for the period running from the second half of 2005 through the first half of this year fell sharply in four of the five states that had the fastest appreciation. Of the seven states (including the District of Columbia) that saw more than 80% appreciation over the 2001-2004 period, only Rhode Island’s appreciation rate increased over the last year. Among the previous boom markets, the rate of price appreciation was down in Washington, D.C., California, Nevada, Maryland, Florida and Hawaii. All 50 states and the District of Columbia registered housing price appreciation for the year running through the second quarter, but in the second quarter small price decreases, ranging from 0.20% to 0.72%, occurred in Maine, Massachusetts, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Despite a nine percentage point decline in its appreciation rate for the four quarters, Arizona’s housing market showed the highest rate of appreciation in the country. Prices were up roughly 24% compared to the second quarter of 2005, but grew only 2.94% in the second quarter. Other findings from the report:
Attend the NAHB Construction Forecast Conference Don't miss NAHB's fall Construction Forecast Conference for the latest economic news about the housing industry. Join NAHB on Oct. 25 for the Construction Forecast Conference — Fall 2006 in Washington, D.C. If you can't attend in person, sign-up for the Webcast. To register for either, visit www.nahb.org/cfc. Want to Know the Housing Starts Through 2014? Find out in HousingEconomics.com’s Long-Term Forecast. HousingEconomics.com includes downloadable Excel tables featuring the housing starts forecast, GDP, demographics and more. To learn more, visit www.housingeconomics.com. Mortgage Rates Drift to Lowest Point Since April 6From a peak in July, mortgage interest rates continued to drift lower last week, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending on Aug. 31. The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined to 6.44%, down from 6.48% for the previous week, reaching its lowest level since the week ending April 6, when it averaged 6.43%. Last year at the same time, the average 30-year rate was 5.71%. “Mortgage rates continued to drift lower this week in large part because of the cooling in the housing market and in consumer confidence, thus giving financial markets reason to believe that economic growth will moderate and inflation will remain in check,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “As a matter of fact, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is nearly 40 basis points lower than its peak of 6.8% in July of this year.” One-year Treasury-indexed adjustable rate mortgages at the end of the last week in August were down a mere .01 of a percentage point from the previous week, averaging 5.59%, up from 4.48% a year earlier. ARMs were also at their lowest level since April 6, when they averaged 5.57%. “By some indicators, personal incomes are growing faster than the cost of housing,” said Nothaft. “Combined with the still historically low mortgage rates, this will help to support the housing industry as it levels off from the record highs of the last few years.” Prospective Buyers Psyched Out Following a stronger-than-expected decline in existing home sales in July, David Lereah, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors®, said that the NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index for July, which is derived from contracts that have been signed and are awaiting closing, indicated that sales are likely to flatten out in the months ahead. “We’ve never seen a general decline in the housing market against a healthy economic backdrop where jobs are being created, the economy is growing and interest rates are favorable,” said Lereah. “Psychological factors are causing some buyers to remain on the sidelines, waiting for prices to stabilize or for more favorable news about the market and the economy. Contributing to this hesitancy are a lot of negative news stories, but in the end we believe that underlying market fundamentals will prevail.” Housing Slowdown Well Noted at the Fed In the meantime, minutes from the Aug. 8 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee released last week indicated that sentiments are fairly evenly divided at the Federal Reserve over whether more interest rate hikes are needed to curb inflationary pressures. However, the decline in the nation’s housing industry was frequently cited during the meeting as evidence of the likelihood of an ongoing slowdown in economic growth. Single-family starts in June were “well below” the average of the previous 12 months, and sales of new and existing homes were significantly below their peaks of the summer of 2005. Also, there were indications of moderation in home prices over the past four quarters. “In their discussion of the major sectors of the economy, participants noted that residential construction activity had continued to recede over the past few months and cited the housing sector as a downside risk to the outlook for growth,” the minutes said. It was noted that home sale cancellations had spiked higher, single-family housing starts and permits continued to fall and unsold inventories were on the rise, signs of continued slowing in this sector. “Some participants observed that the slowing seemed to be orderly thus far,” the minutes said, “but it was also noted that in some areas of the country housing construction had experienced a relatively sharp fall. In general, participants expressed considerable uncertainty regarding prospects for the housing sector.” Attend the NAHB Construction Forecast Conference Don't miss NAHB's fall Construction Forecast Conference for the latest economic news about the housing industry. Join NAHB on Oct. 25 for the Construction Forecast Conference — Fall 2006 in Washington, D.C. If you can't attend in person, sign-up for the Webcast. To register for either, visit www.nahb.org/cfc. Want to Know the Housing Starts Through 2014? Find out in HousingEconomics.com’s Long-Term Forecast. HousingEconomics.com includes downloadable Excel tables featuring the housing starts forecast, GDP, demographics and more. To learn more, visit www.housingeconomics.com. Builder’s Tip: A Methodical Approach to Blocking
As shown in the accompanying drawing:
— Jon Sherman, Steamboat Springs, Colo. Tips & Techniques provided by Fine Homebuilding.
To request a reprint of this feature, e-mail Christina Glennon at Fine Homebuilding. BuilderBooks.com Offers More Than 250 Books That Help You Build Your Business BuilderBooks.com is your source for training and education products for the building industry. The official bookstore for NAHB, BuilderBooks.com offers award-winning publications, software, brochures and more available in both English and Spanish. To view these publications online, click here, or call 800-223-2665. Log In and Explore www.nahb.org Explore the latest housing industry news and information on www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB. Explore the latest housing industry news and information on — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB. With an expansive "For Consumers" section, www.nahb.org provides a credible source of information on home building and remodeling for your customers. The Web site also provides a wealth of member discount programs and business resources developed for you. Plus, to make it easy to get what you need, the Web site has built in time-saving features like My NAHB to customize the site to your interests, My Favorites so you can select specific links to appear on your www.nahb.org Home page and online Staff Directories so you can find NAHB housing industry experts quickly and easily. Use www.nahb.org to stay on top of the latest housing industry news, access your council and committee materials, register for courses and events and stay abreast of NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. Log in today to start taking advantage of this free NAHB member benefit. Feds on Lookout for Invalid Social Security NumbersWork site enforcement of U.S. immigration law by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an investigative branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), appears to be increasing — and thousands of dollars in fines already have been levied on some builders. The stepped-up enforcement includes determining whether or not employees’ Social Security records are valid and experts say employers may need to update their recordkeeping as a result. When the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines that an employee’s Social Security number is not recognized as valid or appears to be inaccurate, it sends a “no-match” letter to the employer. The DHS announced in June a proposed interim rule that includes directives to employers for dealing with “no-match” letters from the Social Security Administration. Through the interim rule, DHS is clarifying the procedures an employer would have to take after receiving a “no-match” letter, as well as deadlines for responding to the letter. The interim rule also establishes non-compliance with the rules as possible evidence of employer disregard for immigration and employment law. The 60-day comment period for the proposed interim rule ended last month. For more information about the interim rule and steps employers can take to update their I-9 recordkeeping procedures, click here. (This information is available on the “members only” side of the NAHB Web site.) Also, for information on human resources issues for builders, also available on the “members only” side of the NAHB Web site, go online to www.nahb.org/biztools. NAHB Has More Than 250 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 250 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. Subscribe to NAHB’s Business of Building e/Source 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. NAHB Technology Solutions Directory Now Online NAHB’s Technology Solutions Directory — an easy-to-use directory that enables builders, remodelers, contractors and other industry professionals to find information on software and IT solutions and services for their businesses — is now online. The directory is sponsored by the Business Management & Information Technology Committee. Software and technology solutions providers interested in being listed can sign up for:
The Technology Solutions Directory is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing in the directory should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the listed software, IT service or the software/IT vendor. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained in this directory. What Do Boomer Women Want From Builders? Lifestyle.Boomer women embrace their roles as household decision makers and want builders and manufacturers to connect with their lifestyles, according to an article in the summer issue of 50+ Housing Magazine, published by NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council. “The 55- to 75-year old female has seen her role change from homemaker to purchaser of security, convenience and luxury items,” said Barbara Kleger, boomer author, president of 55+ Consulting and a member of the NAHB 50+ Housing Council. “She is more educated and more involved in decision making."
Marketing to today’s 55+ woman means defining her needs by life stage and health, rather than chronological age, Kleger said. Women’s needs and desires differ depending on whether they are widows, empty nesters or have just retired. Being newly single, a caregiver to an aging relative, a grandparent or in a second marriage or new career changes things, too. “Women expect to live a full and active life in retirement, and they want it to be the best it can be,” Kleger said. “In shopping for housing, women want to talk about quality and finishes and are very involved in customizing and choosing options.” Kleger goes on to say that Boomer women see themselves as non-traditional, as far as lifestyle and leisure activities are concerned. Popular fitness activities like golf or tennis may no longer appeal to them. “Today’s woman wants to spend her time doing things that exercise her mind, body and spirit.” Retirement, according to Kleger, signals a new beginning and a redefinition of the 50+ years, and this is especially true for women. “If you ask a woman what she wants in her next move she will tell you in terms of lifestyle. This generation seeks adventure, education, self-improvement, personal growth and self-definition,” she said. Kleger provided a quick list of what the 55+ woman is looking for:
Save the Date for 2007 50+ Housing Symposium
Mark May 30-June 1, 2007 on your calendars to attend the 50+ Housing Symposium. The seniors housing symposium is the premier educational and networking event for industry professionals who serve the burgeoning 50+ market. Visit www.nahb.org/build4boomers for more information. “Boomers on the Horizon: Housing Preferences of the 55+ Market,” available through BuilderBooks.com, can help you better build and market homes to this age group. Capitalize on the niches, needs and opportunities of this rapidly growing market by learning their preferences. To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665. Rentals on the Rise as Condo Market Settles DownAfter accounting for nearly half of all multifamily housing units produced in 2005, condominium starts are trending down to more sustainable levels, according to the housing experts who participated in an NAHB press teleconference on Aug. 23. Meanwhile, the rental apartment market has emerged from a five-year slump and is currently in the midst of a broad-based recovery. “Condos have gone from a ‘white-hot’ market to ‘red-hot’ to normal,” said Leonard Wood, director of Marietta, Ga.-based Wood Partners, LLC, and chairman of NAHB’s Multifamily Leadership Board. “Now that investors and speculators have pulled out, the market is beginning to stabilize at levels that are sustainable over the longer-term.” At their peak, condo starts last year accounted for a 48% share of the 350,000 multifamily units that were produced, up from 20% of the multifamily market in 2000. “My forecast has condo starts dropping through the end of 2007, before stabilizing at about 35%” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. He noted that total multifamily starts have been unusually stable and non-cyclical for almost a decade, but that the change in the composition of the starts — with condos grabbing the lion’s share while the percentage of market-rate rental starts slipped precipitously — has been extraordinary over the past five years. Seiders’ latest short-term forecast shows some erosion in total multifamily starts this year and a further decline to about 325,000 units in 2007, reflecting a contraction in the overall housing market. Although sales of both new and existing condos have slowed, most of the fall-off in demand has been among investors and speculators, said Bruce Menin, CEO of Crescent Heights, one of the largest condo development companies in the country. “Condos that are well-priced and well-located are still doing well with people who are interested in them as their primary home rather than strictly as an investment,” Menin said. Menin also said that he doesn’t necessarily see the slowdown in condo price appreciation as a negative. “Because the prices had gotten so high so fast, the price drop-off we are seeing now is relatively marginal,” Menin said, adding that the slower pace of both sales and price appreciation will help stabilize condo prices and restore equilibrium in the market. In the meantime, the rental market — which had been in the doldrums for most of the last five years — is in the midst of a solid comeback. According to Seiders, vacancy rates in rental apartment buildings with five or more units are down considerably from record highs several years ago and absorption rates for newly completed rental apartments are on the rise. “Rents are up and the tight supply of rental units across the country is creating good opportunities for apartment owners and developers in most markets,” said Wood, who also noted that the recent trend of converting rental apartment units to condos is over. “We’re more likely to see some planned condo projects being converted to rentals,” he said. For an audio file of the teleconference, as well as a copy of a Powerpoint presentation by David Seiders, click here. For more information, e-mail Ann Marie Moriarty at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8350. Mary Anderson Receives HCCP of the Year AwardMary Anderson has been named the 2006 Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) of the Year, as part of NAHB’s Pillars of the Industry Awards program. “I’m truly honored to be named HCCP of the Year,” said Anderson. “I hold many designations, but the HCCP is the one that indicates my highest level of competency and knowledge in the affordable housing industry.” Anderson took the HCCP exam in 1999 while working for the Midwest Housing Equity Group (MHEG) and she was among the first to earn the designation. The exam requires proficiency in all areas of the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) industry. The Midwest Housing Equity Group has been responsible for placing more than $250 million in equity and developing more than 2,500 affordable housing units. Anderson is considered one of the group’s founders, according to Marilyn Ross, executive director of Holy Name Housing Corporation. In the process of working for the organization and doing whatever she could to promote affordable housing opportunities, Anderson learned every aspect of the low-income tax credit program: compliance, property and financial management and marketing. At MHEG, Anderson oversaw the compliance management of more than 125 projects and 3,250 units and developed expertise in the nuances of tax credit guidelines in the four states included in the group’s portfolio. Anderson is a frequent speaker at conferences by the National Council of State Housing Agencies and other industry organizations and she currently helps put tax credit deals together as a development specialist and the director of compliance at Prime Development in Bellevue, Neb., a multipurpose agency that functions as a developer and a management company. Anderson says that working toward the HCCP designation provided her with comprehensive knowledge of the intricacies of the tax-credit business. The HCCP designation program continues to grow, commanding the respect of developers, property managers, asset managers and others in the LIHTC industry. For information on receiving the HCCP designation, call 800-368-5242 x8154. To submit a nomination for the 2007 HCCP of the Year award, e-mail Carmel McGuire at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8207. KB Home First Big Builder to Return to New OrleansKB Home announced last week that it is opening the first new residential community in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. The 73-home River Green is located within minutes of downtown New Orleans and will feature the city’s traditional architecture, according to KB, which says it is the only national builder currently building houses and seeking land permits in the area. The company has begun sales of the new homes, with one model complete and 11 others under construction. Fifty-eight of the homes will be market-priced from the $300,000s, and 15 will be designated “affordable” and priced by the Housing Authority of New Orleans. “I believe that our effort in New Orleans is a small step in the rebuild and recovery of this great American city,” said KB Home Chairman and CEO Bruce Karatz. “I hope that the people of New Orleans find our homes in River Garden to be beautiful. I know they will be of high quality.” Located across from a city park, River Garden will offer single-family and attached homes, with 12 floor plans ranging from 1,257 to 2,305 square feet. Home owners will have views of downtown New Orleans and will be within walking distance of the Magazine Street shopping district and Warehouse and Arts districts. “The community also serves as an example of the first concrete residential development coming back to New Orleans,” said Karatz. “One of the motivations for us eight months ago to announce that we were going to build in New Orleans was that we knew housing was one of the main problems facing the city. We had hoped, and continue to hope, that our efforts there will serve as a catalyst for other builders to come to New Orleans and help the rebuild.” KB Home also expects late next month to open sales of 112 town homes priced at $150,000 in Guste Island, which is about a 30-minute drive from downtown. Four other communities are underway in Baton Rouge, La. Want to Know More About Designations? Ask an ExpertThe NAHB University of Housing recently implemented “Ask an Expert,” a new service on the NAHB Web site for members seeking or earning designations. "Ask an Expert" allows members to e-mail designation program graduates with questions that will help then earn their CSP, Master CSP, CMP or MIRM designations. The graduates will field questions and concerns ranging from course content, to the designation process, to how the designation has benefited them. So, if you're thinking about enrolling in the CSP, Master CSP, CMP or MIRM designation programs or have already started the necessary course work and have questions or concerns, visit “Ask an Expert” on the NAHB Web site. A variety of designation holders will provide you with guidance and help you navigate the ins and outs of the program. Learn More About The NAHB University of Housing 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.
The NAHB Web site, www.nahb.org, gives you access to nearly 5,000 pages of housing industry information and exclusive members-only resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Access is fast, easy and free to NAHB members. To take full advantage of the exclusive NAHB members-only resources on www.nahb.org, however, you must log in. To create your login:
By logging onto the NAHB Web site, you will have access to twice as much information as non-members — information that will help you stay ahead of your competition. You will be able to view and read entire sections of content developed just for members, and you will be able to personalize the site to your specific interests. To learn more, log in and visit the "How to Use" www.nahb.org section in My NAHB. For questions or help logging in, call 800-368-5242 x0; or e-mail your name, company name, state and phone number to login@nahb.org. Education Calendar
Learn More About The NAHB University of Housing 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.
Log In and Discover www.nahb.org The NAHB Web site, www.nahb.org, gives you access to nearly 5,000 pages of housing industry information and exclusive members-only resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Access is fast, easy and free to NAHB members. To take full advantage of the exclusive NAHB members-only resources on www.nahb.org, however, you must log in. To create your login:
By logging onto the NAHB Web site, you will have access to twice as much information as non-members — information that will help you stay ahead of your competition. You will be able to view and read entire sections of content developed just for members, and you will be able to personalize the site to your specific interests. To learn more, log in and visit the "How to Use" www.nahb.org section in My NAHB. For questions or help logging in, call 800-368-5242 x0; or e-mail your name, company name, state and phone number to login@nahb.org. Enter The Nationals Sales and Marketing Awards by Sept. 29Enter your best in new home sales and marketing and design for the 2007 The Nationals – the National Sales and Marketing awards, the largest and most prestigious competition for new-home sales and marketing professionals and communities. Sponsored by NAHB’s National Sales and Marketing Council, The Nationals honor the best in architectural achievement, product and community design, advertising and promotion, interior merchandising, Web site design and more. The awards are open to individual sales and marketing professionals, home builders, associates and sales and marketing councils. Entries are due Friday, Sept. 29. The Nationals recognizes innovation and excellence in 53 categories. During a three-day judging process, a panel of industry professionals from across the country selects Silver and Gold award winners from a field that typically includes more than 1,200 entries. Category winners will be honored during a gala event at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 7 during the International Builders' Show. For a list of The Nationals awards categories, click here. For entry forms, click here. For more information, visit www.TheNationals.com, e-mail Lisa Parrish, or call her at 800-658-2751 or 909-987-2758. Entry Period Underway for Green Building AwardsEntries are now being sought for NAHB’s National Green Building Awards, which recognize individuals, companies and organizations for helping to move green into the mainstream of the housing industry through their designs and construction practices. New this year is a green land development award, which honors resource-efficient site design and development practices, including onsite recycling, preservation of trees and innovative storm water retentiion features. The annual awards will be presented during ceremonies at the association’s National Green Building Conference, which will be held in St. Louis on March 25 to 27. The awards honor achievements in seven categories:
For project awards, construction must have been started by June 2005 and substantially completed by December 2006. To enter by mail, send a hard copy and a disk of the completed application. For an application form and instructions on how to send logos, project photos and other artwork, click here. Winners will be notified by Feb. 15, 2007. For additional information, e-mail Emily English at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8366. Get Green Building Intelligence Today at BuilderBooks.com
“Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report,” available through BuilderBooks.com, addresses the growing trends and opportunities in green home building. The report provides the results of market research conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction and NAHB about green building in home construction. To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665. Save the Date for 2007 National Green Building Conference
Mark your calendar for March 25-27 for the National Green Building Conference. Visit www.nahb.org/greenbuilding for more information. New Regulatory ‘Listening Sessions’ ScheduledNew locations have been added to a series of "listening sessions" with federal government officials this month intended to provide the home building industry and other interest groups with an opportunity to suggest improvements to environmental regulatory and enforcement programs. The federal Cooperative Conservation program is encouraging the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce and Defense departments and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work more collaboratively with state and local agencies, nonprofit groups and those who are regulated, including home builders. The sessions have featured senior-level Administration officials, including Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. NAHB Executive Vice President Jerry Howard has asked state and local leaders to make a point of attending a nearby session. "NAHB wants to tell top officials what is working and what is not and how to fix it," Howard said. "We must be active participants in these hearings. Your leadership and the involvement of our state and local associations in this effort are crucial." Among the changes NAHB is advocating:
For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132. Ask the Lawyer: About When the Clock Starts for EmployeesQ. My employees have a special routine when we begin a new job. They are required to meet at the main office and then head out to the job site together to begin working. Sometimes new jobs are just minutes away. Other times, the job can be an hour or more from the office. My question is this: When should I start the clock for paying my employees — when we meet at the main office or when they arrive at the job site and start working? Also, if they don’t meet at the office and the job is on the other side of town, do I have to pay for their commuting time? A. The short answer is that the clock starts for your employees when they are required to be at the office. As for regularly commuting to the job site from home, that is generally considered to be on their time. Of course, nothing is ever cut-and-dry. First, under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees must be paid for all hours that they work. The exception to this rule is the Portal-to-Portal amendment, which identified certain employee activities that are not compensable. These exceptions include:
Two recent cases by the Sixth and Eleventh Circuits of the U.S. Court of Appeals attempt to clear up some of these occasionally puzzling issues. The Clock Starts When Employees Report for Work According to Burton v. Hillsborough County, Florida, which was decided on May 18, if you require employees to go to a certain location to pick up a company vehicle for travel to a job site, and after work to return the vehicle to that location, the "commute" in the company vehicle to and from the job site is on the employer’s dime. In this case, Hillsborough county workers were required to report each day to the county's secure parking lot, pick up a county vehicle and drive to a remote work site, returning the vehicle to the lot at the end of the day. For some of the workers, the commute took several hours each day. The county argued that the workers had agreed not to be compensated for travel between the parking lot and their remote work sites, and that the use of a company vehicle did not make commute time compensable. The court ruled in favor of the employees, holding that its non-compensation agreement was unenforceable. Because the employees had no choice but to report to the county's secure lot at the start and finish of each day, because the travel time between the lot and the job site was significant, and because the county derived significant benefit from storing the vehicles at the secure lot — protecting them from theft and vandalism ― the clock started when the employees reported to the parking lot to pick up the vehicles and ended when they dropped them off at the end of the day. ‘Shop Time’ Also Means Pay Time In Chao v. Akron Insulation and Supply, Inc., a case decided earlier this summer, employees were required to report to the main office and wait for an assignment to an off-site job location. The work day officially started at 8:00 a.m., but the employees were required to arrive an hour earlier to load equipment on trucks for travel to the job site, and to await job assignments. During that hour, they also had time to drink coffee and socialize. The court held that this hour was considered "shop time" and that the extra hour was indispensable to the workers’ principal activities and was therefore compensable. Even if there was no actual work to be done, the employer was required to pay the employees if they were required to report before the official start of the work day for the employer's benefit. For more information about this compensation requirement, e-mail David Crump at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8491. If you have questions for Ask the Lawyer, click here. There is no guarantee that your question will be answered in this format, so if you have a particular legal concern that requires immediate attention, contact the NAHB Legal Research Service at 800-368-5242 x8491. "Ask the Lawyer" is a service of the NAHB Legal Action Committee and NAHB Building Products Issues Committee. The information provided is intended to familiarize you with the law in this area. It is not intended to be an exhaustive presentation of legal information on this particular subject, and in no way constitutes an opinion of law. Your own attorney must review this information to determine how it may apply to your particular situation. Popular HBI Superintendent Courses Coming to IBSResponding to innumerable requests from attendees at last year’s International Builders’ Show (IBS), Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of NAHB, will be offering a number of its Residential Construction Superintendent (RCS) designation courses prior to the 2007 IBS in Orlando, Fla. in February. Aimed at promising site superintendents who want to further their careers in the home building industry, the eight RCS courses cover material identified by NAHB members as critical to a field supervisory job. As demand for the training has grown, HBI has continued to expand the curriculum for superintendents, with the recent addition of three courses on Concrete Specialization as well as the first three courses of the Advanced RCS (ARCS). One Concrete Specialization course, one ARCS course and three RCS courses have been scheduled for the IBS:
RCS Manual — Revamped and Ready to Go HBI also recently announced that it has redesigned the RCS student manual to include more hands-on activities to enhance the learning process. “The RCS training gives our construction supervisor a broader knowledge of the overall construction process and makes them better at what they do,” said Robert Clouse, senior area manager of Westfield Homes/A Standard Pacific Company in Tampa, Fla. “Encouraging our employees to further their education also builds loyalty to our company, which decreases turnover and increases productivity.” RCS courses are offered year-round at state and local home builders associations. An average of 20 students per week have enrolled in RCS courses since the program’s inception in 2003 For more information on the RCS designation, e-mail Kevin Thorn at HBI, or call him at 800 795-7955 x8928. Web Links Builders and Buyers During Production CycleTwo home builder members of NAHB recently were able to step up communications with their customers and improve efficiencies throughout the production schedule by using simple but powerful Web-based solutions from BuildLinks. Based in Morrisville, N.C., BuildLinks is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — The Supplier 100 of NAHB. BuildLinks integrates project scheduling, online selections and change-order tracking into a single platform that eliminates paperwork, reduces expensive errors resulting from miscommunication and increases profit margins by improving overall efficiency. Full-service Bradford Building Corporation, a member of the Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando, takes pride in its ability to customize homes to its affluent buyers’ specific desires and satisfaction, but found that this objective was not always easy to meet with 75% of its customers located away from the company’s central Florida operations and fully half of them coming from overseas. Bradford Homes used BuildLinks to keep everyone on the same page, even when they were not on the same continent. Customers log in from the Bradford Web site where they can see pictures, request change orders and review production updates, right along with the company’s field supervisors and subs. Buyers also can select products online, prompted by e-mail alerts synchronized with the production calendar. “When you boil it down, we spend most of our time telling people where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing,” says Cam Bradford, owner and director of operations at Bradford. “We needed a tool to improve communication and create efficiencies throughout the entire process.” Trouble Branching Out When it was experiencing some difficulty branching out into production building, custom builder Kent Homes and Associates of Wilmington, N.C., a member of the Wilmington-Cape Fear HBA, found that it needed new procedures to maintain profitability yet protect its hard-earned reputation for customization and craftsmanship. Working closely with BuildLinks’ professional services team, Dan Kent found the efficiencies he needed to realize his vision of an online design center offering more than 1,500 selections, including detailed descriptions, pricing and upgrade options. Kent Homes’ buyers can personalize their homes online in BuildLinks rather than having to visit a showroom. When home buyers approve their selections, trade contractors and suppliers have access to new and accurate information immediately, thereby reducing mistakes. “The entire home buyer’s selection process for the first section was completed in less than three weeks, and the folks at Kent Homes didn’t have to lift a finger,” says Kent. “Completing that process manually without BuildLinks would have been a completely different process — one that would have taken a tremendous amount of time and effort.” For more information on BuildLinks, click here. This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page. NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV & DIY This WeekThe NAHB Production Group produces four weekly television shows on HGTV and DIY for consumers. The following is this week's lineup: "I Want That" on HGTV
"Dream Builders" on HGTV
"Rock Solid" on DIY
"Assembly Required" on DIY
Episode: "Prefab Cabin"
HGTV Seeking ‘Dream Home’ Builder/Architect Teams HGTV is seeking developers, builders and architects to create the 2008 and 2009 dream homes for the network’s Dream Home Sweepstakes. To learn more, click here.
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. Log In and Explore www.nahb.org Explore the latest housing industry news and information on www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB. With an expansive "For Consumers" section, www.nahb.org provides a credible source of information on home building and remodeling for your customers. The Web site also provides a wealth of member discount programs and business resources developed for you. Plus, to make it easy to get what you need, the Web site has built in time-saving features like My NAHB to customize the site to your interests, My Favorites so you can select specific links to appear on your www.nahb.org Home page and online Staff Directories so you can find NAHB housing industry experts quickly and easily. Use www.nahb.org to stay on top of the latest housing industry news, access your council and committee materials, register for courses and events and stay abreast of NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. Log in today to start taking advantage of this free NAHB member benefit. September Is Associate Member Appreciation MonthSeptember is Associate Member Appreciation Month and an opportunity for local and state association staffs and builder members to recognize the myriad contributions that associate members make. September is the month to brag about our associate members and all that they do for our association and our businesses. Here are just some of the contributions they make:
Associates Honored Through the Years Each year, associate members who distinguish themselves through outstanding service to NAHB, the industry and their communities are recognized as the NAHB Associate of the Year, a member of the NAHB Society of Honored Associates or the recipient of the Bill Polley Build-Pac Award. Members have been honored for these awards since 1983 during the International Builders' Show.
Nominations for the NAHB Associate of the Year and the Bill Polley Build-Pac Award are now open. The deadline for applications is Nov. 6. For more information, or an application, click here, or e-mail Betty Thweatt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8246. Thank an Associate Member This Month This month, be sure to thank and celebrate our associate members in a way that will really mean something to them ― do business with them. Take the Solveras Savings Challenge and Save; or Make $50NAHB members will average $1,870.03 profit on 2006 credit card sales. How much will your business save on credit card processing costs? Find out with the NAHB Credit Card Processing Program’s free savings analysis. This powerful tool will show you exactly what you are paying now and how much additional profit the NAHB negotiated MasterCard and Visa processing rates through Solveras could put back in your pocket every month. Request your free Solveras savings analysis before Saturday, Sept. 30. If it doesn’t show any savings on your overall monthly credit card processing costs, Solveras will send you $50. Some restrictions apply. Call 800-613-0148 for complete details. GM $500 Exclusive Offer for NAHB Members
For complete details, visit www.gmfleet.com/nahb. The program runs through Jan. 3. 2007. GM NAHB Affinity Cards and details on this offer were mailed directly to NAHB members from GM, and members should use the affinity card when purchasing a qualifying vehicle. Members who have misplaced or otherwise do not have a GM NAHB Affinity Card may print out their own replacement cards in order to show member verification to a GM dealer. Note: Members must be logged in to www.nahb.org in order to print their replacement card. Members with a www.nahb.org login should go to www.nahb.org/MA and click on the “GM Exclusive Offer.” This will take members to a Web page with program details and instructions for printing a replacement card. There are also instructions for members who do not have a login (they will be sent to www.nahb.com/loginGM and returned to the page to get a replacement card). For more information, e-mail Tiffany Smith at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8273. 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. Log In and Explore www.nahb.org Explore the latest housing industry news and information on www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB. With an expansive "For Consumers" section, www.nahb.org provides a credible source of information on home building and remodeling for your customers. The Web site also provides a wealth of member discount programs and business resources developed for you. Plus, to make it easy to get what you need, the Web site has built in time-saving features like My NAHB to customize the site to your interests, My Favorites so you can select specific links to appear on your www.nahb.org Home page and online Staff Directories so you can find NAHB housing industry experts quickly and easily. Use www.nahb.org to stay on top of the latest housing industry news, access your council and committee materials, register for courses and events and stay abreast of NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. Log in today to start taking advantage of this free NAHB member benefit. UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on ShippingNAHB and UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company, have joined forces to offer NAHB members discounts of up to 30% on shipping. The NAHB shipping discounts include domestic air and ground, international export and international import. Association members can also take advantage of hassle-free on-line shipping, 24/7 access and advanced package tracking at your fingertips. NAHB members are eligible for discounts up to 30% to help manage costs with no catch — and no minimums. The shipping discounts — which increase the more packages or letters the user sends — will be applied once enrollment is complete. The enrollment process is fast and easy and is available to NAHB members through the Web site: www.savewithups.com/nahb. For more information on UPS savings and the complete Member Advantage program, visit www.nahb.org/MA. Log In and Explore www.nahb.org Explore the latest housing industry news and information on www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB. With an expansive "For Consumers" section, www.nahb.org provides a credible source of information on home building and remodeling for your customers. The Web site also provides a wealth of member discount programs and business resources developed for you. Plus, to make it easy to get what you need, the Web site has built in time-saving features like My NAHB to customize the site to your interests, My Favorites so you can select specific links to appear on your www.nahb.org Home page and online Staff Directories so you can find NAHB housing industry experts quickly and easily. Use www.nahb.org to stay on top of the latest housing industry news, access your council and committee materials, register for courses and events and stay abreast of NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. Log in today to start taking advantage of this free NAHB member benefit. Find Key Employees Through the NAHB Online Career Center
NAHB members using the NAHB Career Center will receive a 20% discount off of standard rates for job postings. For a complete listing of all rates, click here. The career center can be found on:
Career center features that give members a competitive edge include :
Fall Board Meets Sept. 13-17 in Salt Lake CityOFFICIAL MEETING NOTICE OF
The following schedule of events is a partial listing provided as a notice for the upcoming NAHB Fall Board of Directors Meeting, which will be held in Salt Lake City on Sept. 13-17, 2006. Meetings will be held at the Grand America and Little America hotels. The fall board program will identify the exact time and place of each scheduled meeting. Wednesday, Sept. 13
Friday, Sept. 15
Committees, Subcommittees and Councils Meetings 2006 Presidential Advisor Meeting Budget & Finance Committee Nominations Committee National Housing Endowment Resolutions Committee Saturday, Sept. 16 Area Caucuses 1-15 Joint Executive Board, Budget & Resolutions Committee Meeting Board of Directors Sunday, Sept. 17 Board of Directors Meeting For more information, e-mail Cynthia McKinley Brown at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8346. Calendar of Events
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