NBN Online for the week of October 8, 2007

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Tax Bill Sails Through House
Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Oct. 15
NCHI Suppliers Good Friends to Have in Housing Downturn
Coast to Coast
Car Dealer Tactics on the New-Home Lot
Politics & Government
Turning Out Voters Can Elect Pro-Housing Local Leaders
Governors Blast Lack of Uniform U.S. Immigration Policy
Register for SLGA Conference Online Until Oct. 14
Economics & Finance
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: How to Easily Prime Exterior Trim End Cuts
Research
Research Testing Moisture Resistance of Exterior Cladding
Building Quality
Builders Prepare for Upturn by Managing Quality
Multifamily
Multifamily Reception at Builders’ Show on Feb. 14
Enter Pillars of Industry Marketing, Design Awards
Remodelers
CAPS Contractor Makes Accessibility Accessible
NAHB Remodelers Celebrates 25th Anniversary This Month
Building Systems
SIPs Code Change Lowers Hurdles on the Job Site
Register for SHOWCASE 2007, Coming Oct. 28-31
Technology
New Home Technologies Require Trained Installers
Sales
A Sisterhood of Success in Good Times, Down Markets
Late Entries for The Nationals Due Friday, Oct. 12
Construction Safety
‘811’ Service Stops Diggers From Hitting Utility Lines
Apply for NAHB Safety Award for Excellence by Oct. 19
IBS
2008 International Builders' Show Registration Open
Plan for Success With IBS Pre-Show Education
Free Spike Party Tickets Available to HBA Membership Staff
Custom
Attend the Custom Builder Show in Naples, Fla., Oct. 26-28
Education
Education Calendar
Environment
EPA Trains Texas Builders to Follow Storm Water Rules
Green Building
Builders More Familiar With Green Building Guidelines
Workforce housing
Mississippi Issues RFPs for Workforce Housing Programs
Labor
Students Spend a Day at Pulte Homes Job Sites
Building Products
Home Improvement Projects Bring the Family Together
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
Community Service Award Entries Due by Nov. 12
Students, Apply for Scholarships to Attend IBS by Nov. 15
Association News
Pardee Builds Playhouses to Raise Funds for the Homeless
Make Sound Bites Bark With NAHB’s ‘Interviewing Skills'
Drive Away With a Shiny New $500 GM Offer
Dell Savings on Vostro Desktops, Notebooks Through Oct. 19
UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on Shipping
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Top Story

Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Tax Bill Sails Through House

Addressing the subprime lending crisis, the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 4 approved legislation that would eliminate any taxes home owners might face when banks renegotiate the terms of a home loan and forgive a portion of the outstanding mortgage debt. The change in the tax law would cap untaxable forgiven debt at $2 million and apply only to principal residences.

“This legislation will play a central role in helping American families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes,” said NAHB President Brian Catalde.
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 269 down $ 2
OSB Composite $ 180 no change $ 0
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 454 up $ 1
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com
 

Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Oct. 15

Nation's Building News will not be published Oct. 15. Regular weekly publication will resume Oct. 22.

NCHI Suppliers Good Friends to Have in Housing Downturn

Recognizing the steady increase in its membership as suppliers of home building products and services have been stepping up their collaboration with home builders to bolster sales in today’s more competitive marketplace, the National Council of the Housing Industry (NCHI) recently announced that it is calling itself “The Leading Suppliers of NAHB.”

A part of NAHB from the inception of the association in 1942, NCHI came into its own during the 1960s when it was called upon to organize and help sustain the National Housing Center in Washington, D.C., the first real home of NAHB. The council continued to play that role when NAHB moved to larger headquarters roughly a decade later and when that building was expanded to double its size several years ago.

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 6.37% 15-Yr. Fixed: 6.03% 5 Yr. ARM: 6.11%
  1 Yr. ARM: 5.58% Libor (3 months): 5.25% Prime: 7.75%
Housing Starts*  (August 2007)
  Total: 1.331 million Single: 988,000 Multi: 343,000
Home Sales*  (August 2007)
  New: 795,000 Existing: 5.50 million  
Median Home Prices  (August 2007)
  New: $225,700 Existing: $224,500  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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