NBN Online for the week of March 5, 2007

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

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

Applications Due for Green Building Standard Committee

The deadline to apply for membership on a committee that will create the first-ever residential green building standard is this Saturday, March 10.

The committee’s work is the result of an agreement between NAHB and the International Code Council (ICC) to create a voluntary green building standard based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. The NAHB Research Center is seeking participants to join the ANSI consensus committee for the standard development process.

The Research Center is an ANSI-accredited Standards Developer for American National Standards (ANS) and will serve as secretariat for the standard development, which will comply with ANSI’s requirements for openness, balance, consensus and due process.

NAHB and ICC announced their agreement to develop and publish the standard at the International Builders’ Show with an eye toward providing a common benchmark for recognizing and rewarding green residential design, development and construction practices in a manner that is transparent, verifiable and meaningful to builders, product manufacturers and consumers.

Members of the consensus committee will play a pivotal role in the creation of this standard which, when completed, can be adopted by local green home building programs or jurisdictions as a conformance guide.

Applications for consensus committee membership are being accepted by the NAHB Research Center, and must be submitted this week. The committee plans its first meeting in late April, and the standard should be completed by mid- to late 2008.

Click here (nahbrc.org/GBStandard) for information related to the development process or to download an application for committee membership.

Potential members can also call 800-638-8556 or e-mail standards@nahbrc.org with specific questions or comments.


 

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