NBN Online for the week of January 29, 2007

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
New EPA-Certified Toilets Address Water Shortages
IBS NextGen Home to Demonstrate Storm-Resistant Technologies
Going to Orlando? Read the Special IBS Preview Issue of NBN
Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Feb. 5 or Feb. 12
Coast to Coast
Pulte Pulls Plug on Prefab Virginia Plant
Politics & Government
NAHB Visiting All 535 U.S. House and Senate Offices
Economics & Finance
December Rise in Home Sales Bodes Well for 2007 Upturn
Waterfront Sites Add Most Value in NAHB House Price Estimator
Eye on the Economy: Housing Production Should Bottom Out Soon
IBS
NAHB’s Council Headquarters Suites, Your Path to Success
BuilderBooks.com Has New Resources Available at IBS
Executive Officers Council Events at the Builders’ Show
Tips
Builders' Tip: A Simple Way to Close Off Windows
Business Management
Try Technology Before You Buy, at IBS Computer Labs
Sign Up to Present at the Custom Builders Symposium
50Plus Housing
50+ Housing Council Events at the Builders’ Show
Remodelers
Remodeling Growth Expected to Moderate in 2007
Building Systems
Log Homes Council Sells Cookbooks to Fight Cancer
Commercial
Community Centers: Growing Demand, Growing Opportunity
Sales
NSMC/IRM Events at the International Builders' Show
Use CRS Credits Toward New Homes Sales Designations
Education
Fuel Up On Education at IBS, Win Free Gas for a Year
IBS Pre-Show Education About Marketing, More
Education Calendar
Green Building
Voluntary Green Programs Counter Costly LEED Approach
Workforce housing
Congressional Interest Grows in Helping Homeless Veterans
Count Sets Baseline to Monitor Homelessness Trend
International
International Awards Open to U.S. Industry Professionals
Labor
Landscaping Students Graduate From Project CRAFT
Building Products
Steel-Framed Home to Benefit Gulf Coast Children’s Hospital
Danze Pot Fillers Lead Hot New Trend in Kitchen Faucets
TV
Audition at IBS to Host NAHB-Produced TV Home Show
HGTV Looks for Builder for 2009 Dream Home Giveaway
NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV and DIY This Week
Endowment
Centex 'Build Your Future' Scholarships Available
Association News
Noted Wisconsin Builder Arthur Davis, Jr. Dies at 86
Bob Jones a Candidate for NAHB Vice President/Secretary
NAHB Board Meetings Scheduled for Builders’ Show
Free UPS Shipping From the BuilderBooks Store in Orlando
GM $500 Off for NAHB Members Rolls Into 2007
Builders Rock! Limited Edition Pin Available at Builders’ Show
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Top Story

New EPA-Certified Toilets Address Water Shortages

Along with its final specifications for the newest water-saving toilets that use less than 1.3 gallons per flush, the Environmental Protection Agency last week issued efficiency and performance criteria for toilets to be certified to carry the WaterSense label.

Endorsed by NAHB, WaterSense is a voluntary public-private partnership that promotes consumer use of water-efficient products, certification for water industry professionals and innovation in water-efficient product manufacturing.
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 285 down $ 8
OSB Composite $ 172 down $ 2
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 406 down $ 10
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com
 

IBS NextGen Home to Demonstrate Storm-Resistant Technologies

With the U.S. currently in the midst of the largest home-rebuilding effort in recent history in its recovery from Hurricane Katrina, this year’s NextGen home at the International Builders’ Show on Feb. 7 to 10 will provide some of the answers on how new homes can better withstand the destructive force of future storms.

According to the American Red Cross, more than 850,000 homes in the Gulf Region were damaged, destroyed or left inaccessible by Katrina.

[MORE]

Going to Orlando? Read the Special IBS Preview Issue of NBN

Read the Jan. 8 edition of Nation’s Building News, the special preview issue of the 2007 International Builders’ Show in Orlando from Feb. 7-10, and use it as a reference until you get to the show.

The preview issue contains information about more than 40 new products and technologies that you can see and sample, as well as classes and events that you can attend.

Plus, find photos and floor plans of The New American Home and The Renewed American Home, a remodeled showcase house, in preparation for your visit.

To Read the Special Issue

To read the Jan. 8 edition of Nation's Building News — the preview issue of the International Builders' Show — click here.

Extensive reports from IBS will appear following the show, beginning with the Feb. 19 edition.

Visit the Builders' Show Web Site for More Information

For more information about the 2007 International Builders' Show and its more than 1,900 exhibitors, and to register, visit www.BuildersShow.com

Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Feb. 5 or Feb. 12

Nation's Building News will not be published Feb. 5 or Feb. 12 while NBN staff is attending the 2007 International Builders' Show. Regular weekly publication will resume Feb. 19 and include reports from the show.

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 6.25% 15-Yr. Fixed: 5.98% 5 Yr. ARM: 6.00%
  1 Yr. ARM: 5.49% Libor (3 months): 5.36% Prime: 8.25%
Housing Starts*  (December 2006)
  Total: 1.642 million Single: 1.230 million Multi: 412,000
Home Sales*  (December 2006)
  New: 1.12 million Existing: 6.22 million  
Median Home Prices  (December 2006)
  New: $235,000 Existing: $222,000  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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