NBN Online for the week of December 3, 2007

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Turning Housing Around Top Priority For Treasury Secretary
Home Price Changes Vary Among Top 20 Markets
Coast to Coast
U.S. Lumber 2008 Outlook Dim as Housing Woes Persist
Economics & Finance
New Single-Family Home Sales Edge Up in October
Single-Family Loan Limit to Remain at $417,000 in 2008
Economy’s Fate in Fed’s Hands, PCA Economist Warns
November Sees No Rebound in Builder Confidence
Indianapolis Shines As Most Affordable Housing Market
October Starts Up But Single-Family Stays on Downward Slope
New Guide Shows Best Practices in Tax Increment Financing
Sales Offices Can Be Financed With SBA-Guaranteed Loans
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Vacuum Dust From Anchor-Bolt Retrofits
Research
Finalists Selected for EnergyValue Housing Awards
Builders Invited to Focus Groups on Products and Materials
Codes and Standards
Mandatory Fire Sprinkler Proposal Rejected in New York
50Plus Housing
AARP and NAHB Name Livable Communities Award Winners
Enter the 2008 50+ Housing Design, Marketing Competition
Remodelers
Maximize Referrals With Well-Planned Customer Network
Building Systems
Three Builders Say Prefab Costs Less, Delivers More
Awards Recognize Systems-Built Marketing and Design
Sales
Five Critical Stages to Effective Customer Relations
Free NAHB 'Ramp Up Sales' Audio Conference on Dec. 12
Tickets Available for The Nationals 2008 Gala at IBS
Education
Education Calendar
Green Building
Pulte Honored for Green Homes in Las Vegas
Online Green Certification Tool Ready for a Test Drive
Enter Green Building Awards, Applications Due Jan. 31
IBS
Plan for Success With IBS Pre-Show Education
Register Online for 2008 International Builders' Show
Safety
HBAs: Host a Fall Protection Training Seminar in 2008
Legal
New I-9 Employee Verification Form Now Required
Building Products
Top 10 List Gives Cement Products Green Design Edge
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
Submissions for Lee S. Evans Scholarships Due Dec. 7
Penn State Engineering Student Named Most Recent Glunt Scholar
Builder Achievement Award Deadline Is Dec. 3
Association News
Boston-Area Affordable Home Builder, Austin O'Toole, Dies
Drive Away With a New $500 GM Offer This Holiday Season
UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on Shipping
End Public Speaking Anxiety With ‘Spokesperson Training' at IBS
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Related Articles

Builders Invited to Focus Groups on Products and Materials

Finalists Selected for EnergyValue Housing Awards

Thirteen builders have been selected as finalists for the NAHB Research Center's 2008 EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA).

The EVHA are presented each year to home builders across the country who incorporate energy efficiency and environmental stewardship into the design, construction and marketing of their new homes. Now in its 13th year, the EVHA program aims at educating builders, trades and consumers about successful approaches to green and resource-efficient home building.

EVHA winners will be announced on Feb. 13 during the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando.

Award categories include affordable, custom, factory-built, production and multifamily housing in hot-, moderate- and cold-climate regions. Each finalist will be presented with a silver or gold award, and one will be named the “Builder of the Year.”

Finalists for the 2008 awards are:


Judging for the awards program was completed in September by a panel of experts in the fields of engineering, residential energy, construction, design and marketing. This year’s finalists were selected based on their homes’ energy value, design, construction methods and processes, marketing and customer relations efforts, and their ability to successfully execute a whole-house, systems-design approach.

Online voting is now underway for the popular “People’s Choice” award category, which allows members of the public to select their favorite home design from among this year’s finalists. A voting ballot is available at www.nahbrc.org/evha/voting.aspx until Feb. 12.

According to the judges, EVHA applicants have raised the bar each year in proving that energy-efficient homes can offer both higher performance and the popular aesthetic features sought by home buyers. Among the finalists’ entries, judges found exemplary practices related to climate-specific selection of equipment and systems, advanced air sealing and ductwork, high-efficiency equipment, innovative construction techniques and consumer education.

The EVHA is coordinated by the NAHB Research Center in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and NAHB.

For more information, to purchase ceremony tickets or to vote for the “People’s Choice” award, visit www.nahbrc.org/evha  or contact Dr. Kevin Mo, EVHA program manager, at 301-430-6210.


 

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