NBN Online for the week of March 5, 2007

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In This Issue:

Front Page
Procrastinating Home Buyers May Lose Price Advantage
Conference Puts Green Homes on Tour in St. Louis This Month
Apply for ‘Buy Now’ Advertising Assistance Grants From NAHB
Share Nation's Building News With Your Staff. It's Free.
Coast to Coast
Toll Brothers CFO Optimistic on Housing, Eventually
Politics & Government
2008 Budget Process Likely to Be Drawn-Out
Economics & Finance
New Home Sales Slow in January, But Inventories Drop
Home Price Gains Continued to Moderate in 2006 Fourth Quarter
Freddie Mac Toughens Subprime Lending Standards
Eye on the Economy: Inventory Overhangs Weigh on Prices
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Easing Your Load With a Simple Roof-Rack Roller
Business Management
Boost Your Business With Free Biztools Business Guides
Warning: IRS Stepping Up Scrutiny of Passive Real Estate Losses
Legal
New Laws Could Require Checking Worker ID Online
Research
Mold-Resistant Gypsum Tops Housing Technologies List
50Plus Housing
Inaugural CAASH Designees Inducted at Builders' Show
Register Early for 50+ Housing Symposium and Save
Multifamily
Confidence of Condo Builders Is on the Rise
Toolkit Addresses Excessive Taxes on Affordable Housing
Remodelers
Vigorous Growth to Follow Current Remodeling Lull
Apply for the NAHB Remodeler of the Month Award
Sales
Hal Von Nessen Named 2007 IRM President
Inaugural Class of IRM Fellows Inducted at IBS
St. Louis Sales Professional Receives IRM’s Ripley Award
International
HBI-Mexico to Develop Spanish-Language Training Material
Education
Design Matters. Register Now for the Design Institute
Education Calendar
Green Building
Applications Due for Green Building Standard Committee
Regulation
San Diego Builders Contest Costly Water Permit
Labor
Students Turn Out in Record Numbers for Builders’ Show
Building Products
Distinctive Doors Key to Custom Builder's Success
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV and DIY This Week
Endowment
Star Home Builders Honored for Building Homeless Shelter
Endowment Funds Dunlop Lecture Series for Three More Years
Association News
Free 'New Homes Month' Resources Available Online
Public Tours of New American Homes Help Local Charity
GM Business Choice, Lowe’s Team Up to Reward NAHB Members
Office Depot Deals: Music to Your Ears
Lock in 2006 Visa/MC Processing Rates By March 31
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Related Articles

Free 'New Homes Month' Resources Available Online

Public Tours of New American Homes Help Local Charity

GM Business Choice, Lowe’s Team Up to Reward NAHB Members

Office Depot Deals: Music to Your Ears

Calendar of Events

Lock in 2006 Visa/MC Processing Rates By March 31

Year after year MasterCard and Visa have consistently announced nationwide interchange processing rate increases each April. If your HBA and members accept credit cards for payment, you know how much these changes impact your association's and your members' bottom lines.

Industry experts anticipate another rate increase this spring.

Lock in 2006 Rates by Saturday, March 31

NAHB has negotiated an exclusive deal for members to avoid this potential increase. Members who enroll in the NAHB Credit Card Processing Program through Solveras Payment Systems by Saturday, March 31 will lock in 2006 rates.

That means if MasterCard and Visa raise rates in April, your processing rates will not increase with the rest of the country, but instead remain at the same 2006 levels.

Add that to the program’s regular discounts on credit card processing, simplified monthly billing and an easy-to-read account statement, and you’ll find an excellent opportunity for you to keep more profit on every credit card sale.

Take advantage of the free savings analysis to see in writing how this program can cut your monthly costs and streamline your billing process. This tool consistently uncovers savings for two out of three businesses — finding average projected savings of 17%.

You and your members should take a moment to see how this program could impact your bottom line.

For Your Free Solveras Savings Analysis

Simply fill out the form linked to the Solveras Payment Systems Web page (scroll down to the linked PDF) and fax the form to 800-297-3405 for your free analysis, or call 800-613-0148.

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.



Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips in Cooling Market

With the current cooling of the nation’s housing market expected to persist into the middle of the year, NAHB has developed a comprehensive online toolkit geared to providing association members with information that will help them prosper in today’s changing business environment.

To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar.

For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242.


 

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