NBN Online for the week of August 11, 2008

Pulte, Builders Promoting Home Buying Tax Credit

Along with builders, large and small, Pulte Homes is focusing the attention of its prospective customers on the benefits of the first-time home buyer tax credit included in the landmark housing stimulus legislation signed by President Bush on July 30.

Richard Dugas, president and CEO of Pulte Homes, and other participants in an NAHB teleconference on Aug. 4, said they expected the $7,500 tax credit to provide a major boost to slow markets around the country, but noted that it is imperative for builders to get the word out about its availability.

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

In an hour-long audio seminar from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 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.

“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.

Builders Hear Advice on Making Job Changes in Tough Market

Home building professionals who are waiting out the currently tough conditions in many of Florida’s housing markets heard from a panel of experts at the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) in Orlando earlier this month on what they can do to remain gainfully employed and position themselves to reenter the business when better times return.

Speakers emphasized the importance of networking during these hard times and using the resources available to members of local home builders associations. Where appropriate construction-related jobs are scarce, they suggested, housing professionals should take stock of their skills, which can be applied to jobs in other fields.

Kalamazoo Builders School Home Buyers on Tax Credit

With preparation the key for the Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo (HBAGK) in Michigan, when President Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 on Wednesday, July 30 the association already had the tools to get the word out to its local market on the financial benefits of the home buyer tax credit.

“We put a lot of effort and time into the planning and execution of our public relations efforts in regards to the housing stimulus bill,” said Dale Shugars, executive vice president of the HBAGK. “We wanted to be ready to hit the ground running as soon as it was signed.”