NBN Online for the week of July 23, 2007

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Green Featured in Extreme Home Makeover in Billings
Unsold Inventory Continues to Weigh on Florida Builders
‘Buy Now’ Spotlight Shines on New York City Builders
Coast to Coast
First Rung on Property Ladder Gets Harder to Reach
Politics & Government
House Passes Reforms for Section 8 Voucher Program
House-Passed Labor Funding Bill Headed for a Veto
Economics & Finance
Single-Family Permits in June Down 43% From 2005 Peak
Builder Confidence Loses More Ground in July
‘Small’ Impact Fees Taking a Big Toll on Housing Affordability
The Good Life Starts With Housing Growth, Study Finds
FHLBank Director Application Deadline August 15
Housing Slowing Growth of U.S. Economy, Fed Chief Says
Eye on the Economy: Modest Housing Recovery Seen for 2008
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Calculating the Radius of an Arch
Building Quality
Product Manufacturers Should Provide Quality Control Tools
Design
Photo Gallery: Outdoor Spaces
2007 Best in American Living Entry Notebooks Due July 31
Women
The Big Easy Casts Its Spell on Students’ Rebuilding Effort
Remodelers
Remodelers Channel Provides Valuable Remodeling Info
Apply for This Year's NAHB Remodelers' Awards
Building Systems
Enter the 2007 Brick in Home Building Competition by July 31
Take PCA Builders Survey by Aug. 3, Be in Drawing for Free iPod
Commercial
Software Solutions Manage Time and Budget Effectively
Apply for 2008 Commerical Building Awards by Aug. 1
Custom
Apply for NAHB Custom Home Builder of the Year Award
Education
Education Calendar
Green Building
Congress Urged to Support Market-Driven Green Building
Draft Standard Nearly Ready for Public Comments
Environment
Bill Would Make All U.S. Waters Subject to Clean Water Act
Legal
Register for Upcoming Construction Law Seminar
Building Products
Products Eliminate Moisture in Home Building Envelopes
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV and DIY
Endowment
Harvard Publication Addresses Homeownership Challenges
Association News
Famed EO Irvin Yackness Dies in Michigan at Age of 90
Local Builders Helping to End Global Poverty
Focus Group Room Brings in Revenue for Illinois Builders
Dell Summer Sizzle: Get Double Discounts Through July 31
Drive Away With a Shiny New $500 GM Offer
Introducing the Hertz Green Collection. Reserve and Conserve.
Get One Month Free Credit Card Processing With Solveras
Get Free CD of Customer Service Forms From Biz Forms and Checks
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Related Articles

2007 Best in American Living Entry Notebooks Due July 31

Photo Gallery: Outdoor Spaces

Photo Gallery, which follows, is a regular feature of NAHB HouseKeys, the consumer-oriented e-newsletter from NAHB for home owners and prospective home owners.

Photo Gallery showcases a portfolio of homes, with each feature focusing on a different theme. The feature that follows, which was originally published in NAHB HouseKeys on July 19, showcases outdoor spaces — ingeniously designed areas that allow home owners to enjoy the best of the indoors in the beauty of the outdoors.

 

This outdoor kitchen and entertaining space, as seen in the 2006 New American Home in Orlando, Fla., was built by Hannigan Homes, Inc. The space features retractable screens and walls of doors that slide into hidden pockets so the outside can flow easily into inside of the home.


 

At the 2007 Renewed American Home overlooking Lake Eola in downtown Orlando, remodelers PSG Construction, Inc. added this outdoor area next to a garage/mother-in-law suite to increase living space and provide a conversation area.


 

 


In West Village, a new development by Monte Hewett Homes in metro Atlanta, patios feature fireplaces — a growing trend in outdoor living spaces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

For those seeking creative ideas, the following images from the "Backyard Idea Book, by Lee Ann White (Taunton Press, 2004), show just how different and unique outdoor living can be.

Here, the home owners have taken full advantage of their water views by creating a lush garden wonderland. Photo by Steve Silk, Taunton Press.



 

 

 

 

 

 


 

The creation of this space shows how dining outdoors can be elegant — with absolutely no need for a picnic basket or blanket, of course. Photo by Anne Gummerson.


 

Even small spaces can become personal retreats when designed appropriately. Plants and flowers add to this courtyard's serenity. Photo by Lee Ann White.


 

Personal touches, such as sculptures and a porch swing, transforms this patio into a unique — and artful — gathering area. Photo by Dency Kane.



The next Photo Gallery will showcase kitchens. To submit homes for consideration, e-mail Niki Clark at NAHB. Put "Photo Gallery: Kitchens" in the subject line of the e-mail.

For more information about NAHB HouseKeys, or to subscribe, visit www.nahb.org/HouseKeys.



HouseKeys Articles Available to NAHB Members

NAHB member companies are invited to use non-bylined articles in NAHB HouseKeys for their consumer outreach, including Web sites, newsletters or magazines.

NAHB will provide a graphic that can be posted on your own Web site or in print products to promote NAHB HouseKeys to home buyers and prospects.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/HouseKeys, or e-mail Niki Clark at NAHB.


 

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