NBN Online for the week of May 19, 2008

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In This Issue:

Front Page
Green Building a Plus for Builders in Tough Market
Take Aim on Membership During ‘The Big Hunt,’ Tuesday, May 20
Home Buyers Finding Out They Have It Good in Oklahoma City
Coast to Coast
Spring a Bust for Housing Market
Politics & Government
Builders Urged to Meet With Their Members of Congress
Senate Votes to Renew Flood Insurance Program
Anaheim Stimulus Plan Aims at Reviving Home Building
Economics & Finance
Single-Family Home Starts Lose More Ground in April
Builder Confidence Edges Down in May
Fannie, Freddie Overturn 'Declining Market' Policies
Eye on the Economy: Fiscal Policy Needed to Break Downward Spiral
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Story Sticks Make Measuring Easy
Research
In a Slump, Builders Redesign Homes to Add Value
Business Management
Document All Change Orders and Avoid Potential Headaches
Technology
Technology Adds Safety, Convenience, Energy Efficiency
50Plus Housing
Madison’s Troy Gardens Builds a Sense of Community
Remodelers
NAHB Efforts Minimize Problems With Lead Paint Rule
CAPS Remodelers Are Experts on Aging in Place
Education
University of Housing Seeks Feedback on Education
Education Calendar
Green Building
More Big Changes Ahead Predicted for Green Building
Awards Honor Leaders in Sustainable Building Practices
Building Products
CertainTeed Easy-Care Fence Provides Stucco Styling in Vinyl
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
Lennar Honored for Mental Health Center for Children
Association News
1990 NAHB President Martin Perlman Dies in Houston
Free ‘National Homeownership Month’ Material Available
Sign Up for ‘Spokesperson Training’ Sessions at Fall Board
Save 10% With Office Depot Large-Format Printing Services
GM $500 Private Offer: Easy as 1-2-3
Willams Scotsman Offers $1.99 First-Month Storage Container
UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on Shipping
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Top Story

Green Building a Plus for Builders in Tough Market

Home builders attending the May 11-13 NAHB National Green Building Show in New Orleans were told by market analysts that they have a long way to go to sell the benefits of sustainable construction technologies to their prospective customers.

But at a time when housing demand remains largely sluggish around the country, advances in green building are providing a notable shot in the arm for builders, and as the housing industry moves out of its cyclical downturn green business appears headed for a galloping rate of growth.
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 283 up $ 6
OSB Composite $ 214 up $ 10
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 492 up $ 6
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com
 

Take Aim on Membership During ‘The Big Hunt,’ Tuesday, May 20

NAHB members and membership chairmen are invited to join ”The Big Hunt” — the National Membership Day free webcast on Tuesday, May 20 — to learn how to grow and retain membership for their local home builders associations. Tips on how to help members survive the housing downturn will also be presented during the webcast.

“The Big Hunt” webcast will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST. Visit www.nahb.com to watch it.

[MORE]

Home Buyers Finding Out They Have It Good in Oklahoma City

Strong job growth, a strong local economy, a low cost of living and mortgage rates near all-time lows are providing an unbeatable combination for prospective home buyers in Oklahoma City, according to the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association.

Just because optimal home buying conditions can be hard to find under the lackluster conditions that prevail in many parts of the nation today, consumers in Oklahoma City shouldn’t allow their confidence to be rattled by what they are seeing in the news, the association says.

In a multi-faceted campaign combining a state-of-the art Web site (DefyTheTrends.com) with more traditional marketing strategies, the local association is carrying a positive message to a larger and more diverse audience and dispelling some of the information that may apply to other places but can only be considered myths closer to home.

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 6.01% 15-Yr. Fixed: 5.60% 5 Yr. ARM: 5.57%
  1 Yr. ARM: 5.18% Libor (3 months): 2.68% Prime: 5.0%
Housing Starts*  (April 2008)
  Total: 1.032 million Single: 692,000 Multi: 340,000
Home Sales*  (March 2008)
  New: 526,000 Existing: 4.93 million  
Median Home Prices  (March 2008)
  New: $227,600 Existing: $200,700  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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