NBN Online for the week of June 30, 2008

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
California’s Housing Market Finds Itself in Dire Straits
Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published July 7
Sen. Ensign Stalls Consideration of Housing Bill
Coast to Coast
Resets Peaking on Subprime Loans
Politics & Government
Carried Interest Provision in AMT Bill Would Harm Housing
States, Cities Offering Mortgage Counseling and Refinancing
Economics & Finance
New-Home Sales Decline In May
FHA Implements Risk-Based Mortgage Insurance Premiums
FHA Proposes to Halt Seller-Funded Downpayments
Eye on the Economy: Housing Policy Support Should Arrive Soon
Labor Department Collecting Building Industry Employment Data
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Fabricating an Inexpensive Dust Collector
Business Management
Solidify Warranty Expectations With a Knowledgeable Staff
Women
Draw on Business Basics When the Sky is Falling
Remodelers
More Home Owners Seeking Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Earn Designation Credits at the Remodeling Show
New Graduate-Level Designation Expands CGR Knowlege Base
Design
Smaller Homes Could Be Making a Comeback
Enter the BALA Design Competition by July 31
Sales
Training and Evaluating Sales Teams Bring Sales Success
Enter The Nationals Sales and Marketing Awards by Sept. 26
Education
Education Calendar
Green Building
Consumers Want Green Benefits, Confused by Details
‘WaterSmart’ Conference Set for Las Vegas
Environment
NAHB Takes Issue With New Construction General Permit
Safety
OSHA Has Free, Teen Summer Job Safety Materials
Legal
Ask the Lawyer: Passing on Fuel Surcharges
Labor
Lowe’s Introduces Hispanic Interns to Housing Careers
Building Products
Weyerhaeuser Announces Structural Framing Giveaway
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
Connecticut Team Builds Home for Injured Iraqi War Veteran
Stuard Scholarship Fund Announces 17 Winners
Association News
Macon Builder Robert Cleveland Dead at 71
Save $25 on Hertz ‘Green,’ ‘Fun’ or ‘Prestige’ Weekly Rentals
Save 10% With Office Depot Large-Format Printing Services
Willams Scotsman Offers $1.99 First-Month Storage Container
Sign Up for ‘Spokesperson Training’ Sessions at Fall Board
GM $500 Private Offer: Easy as 1-2-3
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Related Articles

More Home Owners Seeking Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

New Graduate-Level Designation Expands CGR Knowlege Base

Earn Designation Credits at the Remodeling Show

NAHB Remodelers who want to learn more about green building, estimating, risk management and the latest technical skills and business practices, as well as earn designation credits, should attend NAHB pre-show education courses at the upcoming Remodeling Show in Baltimore.

Pre-show courses will be held Sept. 7-9, followed by the Remodeling Show on Sept. 10-12.

In addition, The NAHB University of Housing is offering two “PREP: The Professional Remodeler Experience Profile” assessments, the first step in the process of becoming a Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) before and after the show.

The pre-show courses include:

Sunday, Sept. 7

  • “Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS I)”
    9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

    Attendees will learn best practices for communicating with and marketing to the aging-in-place market.

    Designation credits: CAPS; Master CSP


Sunday and Monday, Sept. 7-8

  • “Green Building for Building Professionals”
    9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

    The two-day course will discuss strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction, and how to competitively differentiate green-built homes from the competition.

    Designation credits: CGA; CGB; CGP


Monday, Sept. 8

  • “Design/Build Solution for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS II)”
    9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

    This Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) course will explain the guidelines and requirements of accessibility, the importance of doing an assessment with input from occupational and physical therapists as well as qualified health care professionals, and the significance of good design in making modifications that can transform a house into a safe, attractive and comfortable home for life.

    Designation credit: CAPS

  • “Business Accounting and Job Cost”
    9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

    This course will provide the terminology and method foundation necessary to comprehend basic business reporting and job cost procedures, measurement and analysis.

    Designation credits: CGA; CGB; CGR

  • “Project Management”
    9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

    This introductory, hands-on course will help attendees develop the skills necessary for successful on- or off-site production operations management. The course will cover the three phases of a successful venture: planning, implementation and evaluation.

    Designation credits: CGA; CGB; CGR


Tuesday, Sept. 9

  • “Business Management for Building Professionals”
    9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

    This course teaches best business practices in planning, organizing, staffing/directing and controlling for smaller businesses.

    Designation credits: CAPS; CGA; CGB; CGR; Master CSP

 

  • “Estimating for Builders and Remodelers”
    9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

    Attendees will learn how to create an effective estimating system, develop winning bids and use estimates as a powerful management tool.

    Designation credits: CGA, CGB, CGR

     
  • “Risk Management and Insurance for Building Professionals”
    9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

    This course will teach attendees comprehensive risk management strategies including how to structure their company insurance and risk management programs, how to use non-insurance risk management strategies, how to recognize the basic types of insurance coverage needed and more.

    Designation credits: CGR; GMB

  • “PREP: The Professional Remodeler Experience Profile”
    1:00-4:30 p.m.

    This three-hour, 150 multiple-choice question assessment measures a CGR candidate’s knowledge in five core areas of remodeling business management ― marketing and sales; business administration; design, estimating and job cost; contracts, liability and risk management; and project management.

    Candidates do not pas or fail the PREP. Their results will determine their course of study for the CGR designation.


Friday, Sept. 12

  • “PREP: The Professional Remodeler Experience Profile:
    9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.


Course fees are $185 for NAHB members and $235 for non-members, unless noted.

Attendance will be capped at 50 registrants per course.

To register, visit the Remodeling Show Web site at www.theremodelingshow.com.



Increase Your Professional Credibility

The Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) designation emphasizes business management skills as the key to a professional remodeling operation.

Remodelers who earn the CGR become members of an exclusive national program and gain recognition as industry leaders.

To learn more about the CGR designation, visit www.nahb.org/CGRinfo, or call The Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242 x8154.



'How to Find a Professional Remodeler' Available at BuilderBooks.com

"How to Find a Professional Remodeler," available at BuilderBooks.com, promotes the professionalism of your remodeling business by offering valuable advice to your customers on the process of selecting a remodeler.

The brochure guides consumers from the dream to the reality of having their homes remodeled by skilled and trained professionals. Sections include what to look for in a professional remodeler and what questions to ask.

To view or puchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665 to order.

 

 


 

Blaze a Trail to Success at the Custom Builder Symposium

Attend NAHB’s Custom Builder Symposium, October 24-26 in Austin, Texas and get the knowledge to make the most of the current market.

Advanced education sessions and new tracks on design and technology provide tactics to help identify and capitalize on trends and areas of growth. Also, learn how to market your business to capitalize on the growing demand for green.

 


 

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