NBN Online for the week of July 21, 2008

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In This Issue:

Front Page
House Expected to Vote on Housing Stimulus This Week
Register for the 2009 Builders' Show in Las Vegas
Aug. 12 Audio Seminar to Look at Getting Hesitant Boomers to Buy
Indiana Builders Paint a Brighter Picture of Local Market
Coast to Coast
Credit Seen Drying Up for Small Business
Politics & Government
Mandate Benefits Limited for Residential Energy Efficiency
Economics & Finance
Single-Family Home Starts Slip Further in June
Builder Confidence Loses More Territory in July
Housing Demand Grows as Buyers Struggle to Overcome Obstacles
Federal Reserve Tightens Mortgage Underwriting Rules
Aug. 15 Deadline for FHLBank Director Applications
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Quick and Accurate Shorthand Measuring
codes and standards
Performance Solid for Vinyl Siding Over Foam Sheathing
Business Management
Retaining Assets: How to Get Paid in a Bankruptcy
Technology
Technology Helps Solidify Revenue in Volatile Market
50Plus Housing
SEBC Courses Discuss How to Attract 50+ Buyers
Women
During Lean Times, Seek Opportunities Outside the Box
Remodelers
Use Escalation Clause to Manage Pricing Increases
Deadline for NAHB Remodelers Awards Is July 25
Remodelers Making a Difference in Their Local Councils
Design
Enter the BALA Design Competition by July 31
Building Systems
Enter Building Systems Councils Excellence Awards
Commercial
Apply for 2009 Commerical Building Awards by Aug. 1
Sales
Enter The Nationals Sales and Marketing Awards by Sept. 26
Education
Education Calendar
Safety
In Case of Lightning, Workers Need to Take Precautions
New Scaffold Safety Video Essential for Fall Protection
environment
July 23 Webcast Looks at Storm Water Rules for Housing
Legal
Ask the Lawyer: New Online Copyright Process
Labor
Top HBI Job Corps Instructors Receive Awards
Building Products
Safe Plumbing Site Provides Water Efficiency Information
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
24 Centex ‘Build Your Future’ Scholars Announced
Association News
Save 10% With Office Depot Large-Format Printing Services
Save $25 on Hertz ‘Green,’ ‘Fun’ or ‘Prestige’ Weekly Rentals
Willams Scotsman Offers $1.99 First-Month Storage Container
GM $500 Private Offer: Easy as 1-2-3
Sign Up for ‘Spokesperson Training’ Sessions at Fall Board
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Top Story

House Expected to Vote on Housing Stimulus This Week

With the House expected to vote this week on housing stimulus package H.R. 3221, NAHB is continuing its grassroots push to urge Congress to extend the April 1, 2009 expiration date specified for the proposed home buyer tax credit.

In order to maximize the stimulative effect of the home buyer tax credit on the housing market and the U.S. economy, NAHB is urging lawmakers to extend the credit expiration date into the spring and summer home buying season.
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 267 up $ 3
OSB Composite $ 208 down $ 5
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 463 down $ 5
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com
 

Register for the 2009 Builders' Show in Las Vegas

Registration for the 2009 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas on Jan. 20-23 — the single, most important and largest industry event of the year — is now open.

This year, IBS will feature:

  • More than 1,700 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services
  • More than 250 education sessions or programs designed to help members stay current on industry trends and issues


Full Registration

Full registration provides attendees with access to four days of exhibits on one million net square feet of exhibit space, all the educational sessions and new, daily-featured speakers.

[MORE]

Aug. 12 Audio Seminar to Look at Getting Hesitant Boomers to Buy

Experts on selling to the 50+ market will give tips on how to get fence-sitting boomers and others in the 50+ market to buy now in an hour-long audio seminar from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Aug. 12. 

Get Hesitant Boomers to Buy Now!” audio seminar participants will discuss how to motivate prospective 50+ home buyers to move forward despite today's market conditions.

[MORE]

Indiana Builders Paint a Brighter Picture of Local Market

Armed with extensive local statistics, the Home Builders Association of St. Joseph Valley (HBASJV), which encompasses South Bend, Ind., is putting the national housing crisis into perspective for local news outlets.

Two recent news stories highlighted the facts that the builders of St. Joe County want consumers to know about the state of their local industry: “Area housing outperforms national market” appeared in the Tribune Business Weekly and local CBS affiliate WSBT-TV broadcasted a story in which “Experts say local housing market poised for turnaround.”

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 6.26% 15-Yr. Fixed: 5.78% 5 Yr. ARM: 5.80%
  1 Yr. ARM: 5.10% Libor (3 months): 2.80% Prime: 5.00%
Housing Starts*  (June 2008)
  Total: 1.07 million Single: 647,000 Multi: 419,000
Home Sales*  (May 2008)
  New: 512,000 Existing: 4.99 million  
Median Home Prices  (May 2008)
  New: $231,000 Existing: $208,600  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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