Nation's Building News Online: October 13, 2008Print All Articles Text Version |
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States, Cities Told Housing Needed to End Revenue SlumpJob losses and declining tax revenues resulting from the deep housing slump and the decline in property values require state and local governments to consider innovative ideas to help put the housing market back on track, according to NAHB Chairman Sandy Dunn. "Necessity is indeed the mother of invention during a financial crisis," Dunn said. "While the federal government has stepped forward with a series of emergency actions to stabilize and restore confidence in the financial markets, it's now time for the same sort of innovative thinking at the local and state levels where public officials are grappling with budget shortfalls that are putting a squeeze on spending for everything from schools to public safety and other essential services." Such creative thinking, Dunn added, could range from foregoing impact fees on new development to allowing higher density zoning to build more affordable housing and streamlining the entire development review process. It is also important for cities and counties to extend existing zoning approvals while builders work out financing for new projects, she said. Any of these measures will help stimulate the housing sector and boost local economies. "By encouraging new development rather than penalizing it, local governments will be helping to create a new business environment that will generate jobs, stabilize property values and get the housing market back on track," she added. "Fifteen cents of every dollar spent in this nation is spent on housing," Dunn said. "It is the engine that runs this country." The importance of residential construction to local economies is documented in a recent study by NAHB economists looking at the impacts of single-family and multifamily home building and residential remodeling. The NAHB study estimates that in 2008, on average:
"This study clearly demonstrates the housing industry's importance to the U.S. economy," Dunn said. "The fastest, most effective way to turn this economy around is to shore up the housing sector." "There is no easy way out of this economic downturn," Dunn said. "But in times of crisis we find opportunity. This is the time to be creative and to work collaboratively. Builders, developers, lenders, local policy makers and other stakeholders need to work together to promote smart growth practices that can help us build vibrant communities that meet the needs of families across the economic spectrum." For more information, e-mail Blake Smith at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8583. NAHB Achievement Award Honors ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’In a ceremony at the association’s board of directors meeting on Sept. 26 in San Diego, NAHB presented its first-ever Special Achievement Award for Contributions to the Home Building Industry to the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” television show. “Through their work, the talent, creativity, dedication and generosity of the home-building community has been showcased in millions of living rooms across the country,” said NAHB Chairman Sandy Dunn. NAHB created the award to recognize individuals or organizations that are not directly involved in housing that have done much to showcase the home building industry in a positive light. “‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ has changed the lives of more than a hundred families — and inspired millions more,” Dunn said. “And more importantly, it has shown what a home can mean to a family.” She noted that the program enables the families — who often have encountered many hardships and are struggling with the special and unique needs of one or more of their members — to attain their dream of having a home that is a safe and comfortable sanctuary for everyone. Communities Come Together The award was accepted by Executive Producer Conrad Ricketts, Senior Producer Diane Korman and Production Manager David Bohler. “Builders have been part of what has made this nation great,” Ricketts said. “You’ve given individuals the ability to own a home, to have a retirement and to put their children through school.” More than 100 home builders and 65,000 volunteers have donated time and materials to build homes for more than 130 “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” families across the United States. “You cannot meet these builders and families and not be affected by it,” Ricketts said. “When you watch your community come together, it is an amazing thing to be part of.” Homes Not Really Built in Seven Days Ricketts revealed to the more than 1,000 builders in the audience that the homes are not built in seven days, as depicted on the show. “That’s just Hollywood,” he said. “It’s done in just 106 hours, from the time the family leaves to the time they return home.” According to Ricketts, every single home has been completed within the time limit. Two “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” teams travel across the U.S. and work simultaneously to build a home each week for the show. An average of 500 volunteers works on each project. Work With 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' The show is seeking builders who want to help with “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” projects. For the first time, starting this season, builders will be allowed to alert the local press prior to a project’s start. “You will be able to rally your community in ways we never even thought possible in the past five years,” Ricketts said. “It’s the greatest team-building exercise you will ever go to, like the barn-raising of the 1900s.” Builders wanting to work with the show should e-mail builders@emhe.tv. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” premiered in 2003 and has won two People’s Choice awards, a Family Television Award and two Primetime Emmy awards. For more information on the award, e-mail Gwyn Donohue at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8447. Clarification on Extension of Energy Tax ProvisionsAn article in the Oct. 6 issue of NBN detailing the extension of housing-related energy tax incentives incorrectly stated that the Section 25C credit for existing homes was retroactively extended for installations in 2008. In fact, H.R. 1424 only extended the existing homes tax credit for 2009 installations of certain energy-efficient home improvements. The credit expired at the end of 2007, and no retroactive extension for 2008 was provided. For a related story in this issue of NBN on how residential remodelers can use the tax credit for existing homes, click here. Mortgage Last Loan People Pay, Study FindsWhen faced with the possibility of falling behind on home loans, credit card payments or car loans, borrowers are more likely to choose to let their mortgages slide than the other kinds of debt, according to a recent study conducted by Equifax, a major consumer credit rating agency. In the study, researchers looked at thousands of borrowers who had taken out mortgages in 2002 and 2005 and tracked their payment behavior over a 24-month period. Of those in the 2002 sample who missed two payments on their mortgages during the two years, 26% maintained a spotless credit card payment history and 59% kept pace with car payments. Mortgage payments continued to slide down the list of priorities a few years later. Of those in the 2005 sample who fell behind on their mortgages, 38% kept up with credit-card payments and 62% made all their car payments. Kisha Wright, a counselor for the Long Island Housing Partnership, a nonprofit affordable-housing group in Hauppauge, N.Y., said many of her clients lack the monthly income to pay all of their bills, so they pay the minimum amount necessary to keep their credit card. “People are living off their credit cards — buying food, gas or even taking cash advances to pay their mortgages,” she said. (www.sfgate.com)
Feeling the Economic Pinch; Small Percentage of Small Firms Say Credit Crunch Forces LayoffsAlmost two-thirds of small-business owners said in October that the credit crunch is affecting their ability to do business, and a small portion of those said they’d been forced to lay off workers as a result, according to a survey by American Express. Of the 63% who said their firm “has been affected by the tightening of credit in the company” — up from 50% in August — 12% of small-firm owners said they’ve been forced to lay off workers, 7% have been unable to make payroll and 4% couldn’t fill customer orders. Also, of those 63% who’ve been hit by the credit crunch, 79% said sales are decreasing, 51% said they’ve tapped personal asserts to pay business expenses, 40% are unable to pay bills or are paying bills late and 24% tapped another source of financing. Eighteen percent of firms said their company risks going out of business in the next six months due to the state of the economy, up from 9% who said that in August. (www.marketwatch.com)
Credit Crisis Hits Home for Local RehabberInstead of being part of the solution to the housing and financial mess we’re in, John Quargnenti and his two employees appear to be among the victims. Quargnenti is a rehabber and landlord with a simple business plan. He buys a distressed property, usually from a bank, then fixes it up and rents it to a low-income person who qualifies for the government’s Section 8 housing subsidy. Once he has a rental contract in hand, he takes out a mortgage on the house, freeing up cash for his next project. He has been working in North St. Louis County, the epicenter of foreclosures in the metro area. The trouble is, he’s been turned down for a mortgage on his latest property, a two-bedroom house that soon will be home to a mother and her young daughter. He was turned down because he has too many mortgages — eight on rental properties and one on his own home. Although he is current on all of them, in an attempt to limit speculation Fannie Mae changed its rules this summer to add a limit of four mortgages per investor. Quick profits were never in Quargnenti’s game plan. He still owns every property he has fixed up, and he sticks to “old-school rules” like making sure his rehab expenses don’t go over 50% of the house’s value. “It’s not like I’m trying to buy myself a half-million dollar condo on the Gulf shore,” he said. Still, he’s getting tripped up by rules that the condo-flipping crowd made necessary. He’s eyeing three properties, one of which shows obvious fire damage, but if he can’t get a mortgage on the house he just completed, he can’t afford to buy any of them. (www.stltoday.com)
Credit Crunch Hits Bay Area Housing Market HardRecent bank failures and stock market declines are hurting the San Francisco Bay Area’s real estate market in two ways, economists said. First, the turmoil has deepened the country’s economic woes, and second, it has dried up the credit market and made it even more difficult for potential home buyers to get loans. The Bay Area up until now had skirted a recession, said Ken Rosen, chairman of the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at UC Berkeley. But as Wall Street’s troubles have made the national economy worse, “It means there is less security of employment and when that happens, fewer people are willing to go out and buy things,” he said. “People are going to be more cautious about buying a house if they’re afraid of losing their jobs.” Beyond the psychological impact, the losses have a very real effect on some Bay Area buyers, said Avram Goldman, chief executive officer of Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate. Many home buyers sell stock in order to put together a downpayment. At a time when lenders are requiring high downpayments — in some cases more than 20% — shrinking stock portfolios mean that potential home buyers are having a hard time scraping together enough cash. Home buyers seeking to take out jumbo loans of more than $729,500 are being asked to put down as much as 30% in some cases, according to real estate and mortgage industry experts. That’s because the investment banks and hedge funds that gobbled up those loans on the secondary market during the housing boom have slammed the door shut, limiting the capacity of banks to make loans. Economy.com Chief Economist Mark Zandi said he expects the credit situation to begin to ease up a little bit in the coming months. (www.sfgate.com)
Credit Squeeze Hits High-Rises; Buyers of High-End Condos Struggle to Secure MortgagesPotential buyers are struggling to secure mortgages at two major condominium-hotels in Las Vegas — Trump International Hotel & Tower and Palms Place — as credit has tightened, even for the well-do-do. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” New York billionaire developer Donald Trump said. “Historically, the banks will call me and beg for end loans. But they don’t do that any more because the banks are really out of business.” Brock Davis, founder of U.S. Express Mortgages, said prospective condo-hotel buyers are now facing lenders who want as much as 50% down and require borrowers to have exceptional credit. The buyer must be willing to take adjustable-rate mortgages to obtain lower rates. “The rules have changed on qualifying,” said Davis, who has been involved in the area’s mortgage industry for 30 years. “They still have to qualify better than normal on income, on credit and showing where your downpayment is coming from.” Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages for banks willing to loan on condo-hotel purchases are as high as 8% to 9%, according to the latest data Davis had seen. “There’s just not the financing available at the interest rate or small downpayments there was two years ago,” he said. “That’s the problem.” A few potential buyers have had to walk away from their nonrefundable 20% deposits, Trump said. (www.lvrj.com)
More People Find Refuge With FHA MortgagesDemand for loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration is soaring, after years of being overshadowed by subprime, interest-only, no-doc and other inventive mortgage types. Through July, the number of FHA loans in New Jersey already is 80% higher than in all of 2006, according to the Philadelphia office of the FHA. Most of the new interest is coming from distressed home owners seeking to refinance their existing, mainly non-FHA loans — especially adjustable loans resetting at higher rates. Of 22,666 FHA loans in New Jersey through July, 13,597 were for refinancings by existing home owners. The refinancing boom was ignited by the FHASecure program announced in September 2007, which loosed loan terms and authorized refinancings for borrowers who were delinquent in paying their non-FHA mortgages. FHASecure loans have accounted for 51% of all FHA refinancings this year. (www.pressofatlanticcity.com)
Build on Change, Attend SLGA Conference in NovemberNo matter what the outcome of the 2008 election, one thing is certain — change. The 2008 State and Local Government Affairs Conference on Nov. 20-22 in Memphis, Tenn., gives HBA government affairs staff and volunteer leadership the resources to navigate the shifting political landscape with ease. Learn the most effective ways to educate new leaders about the housing market and make housing a priority at the local and state levels. Education sessions and panel discussions will cover such topics as leveraging the economic stimulus package, advanced immigration case studies, the latest trends in inclusionary zoning, NAHB’s Green Building Standard, honing home builders association political operations, a 2009 legislative preview and lobbying fundamentals. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/SLGAConference. Builders Can Rehab Foreclosed Homes for HUD ProgramUnder the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) included in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act passed this summer, NAHB members may find opportunities to rehabilitate or redevelop homes that been foreclosed upon or abandoned. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is distributing almost $4 billion to states and local communities to help them remove these properties from the market in a process aimed at stabilizing neighborhoods that have been hit hard by the current housing crisis. Following rules established by HUD, the homes can be purchased and rehabilitated, or if they are too deteriorated, they can be demolished and redeveloped. The funds can also be used to provide financing for eligible households to purchase these properties, such as second loans. The properties will be sold to households earning up to 120% of area median income. States and localities may choose to administer the NSP program directly or to contract with third parties. The residential properties must be rehabilitated to comply with local health and safety standards. In addition, adding energy-efficiency and conservation improvements are considered eligible rehabilitation costs. While the law does not permit any entity to make a profit on the sale of any of these homes, builders may earn developer fees as part of the rehabilitation or redevelopment costs. NAHB members should contact their local or state government to find out how the program will be implemented and what opportunities might be available for builders. For an NAHB summary of the program rules, click here. For information about the program from HUD, click here. For more information, e-mail Claudia Kedda at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8352.
Don't miss NAHB's 2008 Fall Construction Forecast Conference and Webcast for the latest economic news about the housing industry. Join NAHB on Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C., where the country’s leading economists and finance experts will provide insight into the uncertainties of the housing market. Onsite registration is available the day of the conference. To register for the Webcast, and to see the full conference agenda, visit www.nahb.org/cfc.
Find out in HousingEconomic.com’s 2008 to 2009 Metro Forecast (free preview). Get the metro forecast with in-depth analysis, overviews and downloadable Excel tables. To learn more, visit www.HousingEconomics.com.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Mortgage Insurance Tax-Deductible for Some Home BuyersAt a time of higher downpayment requirements and a more stringent mortgage lending environment, home builders should be reminding their prospective customers of tax savings that can lower the cost of buying a home, including the deductibility of mortgage insurance payments for some home buyers, according to Robert Dietz, NAHB’s director of tax issues. The new tax deduction for payments of mortgage insurance was created by Congress in 2006 and is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010. Under this provision, premiums paid for qualified mortgage insurance for a principal residence or a secondary non-rental residence (but not for home equity loan debt) are tax-deductible for itemizing taxpayers who meet certain income requirements. For example, a typical home buyer servicing mortgage insurance may spend about $600 to $1,200 per year. For a taxpayer in the 25% tax bracket, this deduction will reduce federal income taxes by $150 to $300 per year. When combined with other tax incentives for homeownership — including the mortgage interest deduction, the property tax deduction and the first-time home buyer tax credit — the tax savings stemming from the purchase a home can be significant. NAHB estimates that a buyer with $90,000 in income, obtaining a $250,000 mortgage and claiming the first-time home buyer tax credit will save more than $27,000 in federal income tax during their first five years of homeownership. Mortgages insured or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Housing Administration, the Rural Housing Service or private insurers qualifies for the tax deduction. The deduction is available for mortgage insurance contracts issued after Dec.31, 2006 and for mortgage insurance payments made before Jan.1, 2011. Only mortgage insurance premiums allocable to a given period may be deducted, said Dietz. This means that deductions for prepaid mortgage insurance, which are allocable over the life of the insurance contract, must be allocated over several tax years. IRS Notice 2008-15 provides the rules for allocating private mortgage insurance and Veterans Affairs prepaid mortgage insurance payments over a 84-month period. Exceptions are available for VA and Rural Housing Service prepaid mortgage insurance. The deduction for mortgage insurance is subject to an income phase-out. The amount allowable as a deduction is phased out for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes in excess of $100,000 ($50,000 for a married taxpayer filing a separate return). Partial deductions are allowed for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes between $100,000 and $110,000 ($50,000 and $55,000 for married taxpayers filing a separate return). For more information, e-mail Rob Dietz at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8285.
Don't miss NAHB's 2008 Fall Construction Forecast Conference and Webcast for the latest economic news about the housing industry. Join NAHB on Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C., where the country’s leading economists and finance experts will provide insight into the uncertainties of the housing market. Onsite registration is available the day of the conference. To register for the Webcast, and to see the full conference agenda, visit www.nahb.org/cfc.
Find out in HousingEconomic.com’s 2008 to 2009 Metro Forecast (free preview). Get the metro forecast with in-depth analysis, overviews and downloadable Excel tables. To learn more, visit www.HousingEconomics.com.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Household Budgets Stretched Thin by Housing Costs, Study FindsThe nation’s current foreclosure crisis has focused criticism on the widespread use of subprime and exotic mortgages at the height of the housing boom, but mortgage payments are only one of several factors that are making the cost of housing tough for both home owners and renters alike, according to a new report from the Center for Housing Policy. Examining trends between 1996 and 2006, the study, “Stretched Thin: The Impact of Rising Expenses on America’s Owners and Renters,” finds that all the major categories of home owner expenses increased faster than incomes, some substantially. These housing cost increases could compromise the ability of both home owners and renters to stay in their homes, the study warns. Over the 10-year period covered by the study, a growing share of household income was devoted to housing. In 2006, households typically spent 26.2% of their income to own a home, up from 21.5% in 1996, while they paid 29.4% of income for rent, up from 25.6% 10 years earlier. However, the study says that these averages mask wide variations. “Nearly one in six households — nine million home owners, nine million renters — spent more than half their income on housing in 2006 — a share of income far in excess of the 30% threshold generally deemed ‘affordable,’” the study says. “Most tellingly, the increase in housing expenses between 1996 and 2006 far exceeded increases in other essentials. Housing expenses increased by an average of $5,314 (64.9%) during this period, substantially more than food ($1,4213 or 30%) and transportation ($2,126 or 33.3%) and even outpacing health care ($996 or 56.3%).” The report draws on the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Expenditure Survey and other sources to put housing expenses in the context of the typical household budget. Incomes for all households rose 35.8% over the 10-year period, and home owners saw a 36.3% increase. By comparison, mortgage payments climbed 46%, utilities 43%, property taxes 66% and property insurance mortgage payments 83%. Rental costs also increased faster than incomes. Rents increased by 51% between 1996 and 2006, while renter incomes grew by only 31.4%. Moreover, the costs of owning and maintaining rental properties were also affected by the cost trends examined in the report, and will likely be passed along to tenants through rent increases. Looking at more recent data, the report identifies factors that are likely to exert further upward pressure on housing costs and their implications for national housing policies:
“By documenting the substantial increases in a wide variety of housing expenses, this study shows that the nation’s housing concerns extend beyond higher mortgage payments,” said Center for Housing Policy Chairman John McIlwain, a senior resident at the Urban Land Institute and the ULI/J. Ronald Terwilliger chair for housing. “To get the American economy back on its feet, we will need to look comprehensively at helping Americans afford the full ‘costs of place,’ which include the costs of shelter, utilities and transportation,” he said. The Center for Housing Policy is the research affiliate of the National Housing Conference.
Don't miss NAHB's 2008 Fall Construction Forecast Conference and Webcast for the latest economic news about the housing industry. Join NAHB on Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C., where the country’s leading economists and finance experts will provide insight into the uncertainties of the housing market. Onsite registration is available the day of the conference. To register for the Webcast, and to see the full conference agenda, visit www.nahb.org/cfc.
Find out in HousingEconomic.com’s 2008 to 2009 Metro Forecast (free preview). Get the metro forecast with in-depth analysis, overviews and downloadable Excel tables. To learn more, visit www.HousingEconomics.com.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Get Essential Housing Analysis at Construction Forecast ConferenceDuring the daylong NAHB Fall Construction Forecast Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C., nationally-recognized housing and economics experts will provide answers to the most critical questions facing the industry today. Panelists at the conference, which will also be presented on a webcast, will discuss key questions including:
The panels include:
To Register Online registration is available . To register for the Webcast and to learn more, visit www.nahb.org/CFC. Can't Attend in Person? Webcast of Conference Also Available For webcast information, visit www.nahb.org/CFC. The purchase price includes unlimited access to the webcast archive for three months and electronic copies of the presentation materials.
Find out in HousingEconomic.com’s 2008 to 2009 Metro Forecast (free preview). Get the metro forecast with in-depth analysis, overviews and downloadable Excel tables. To learn more, visit www.HousingEconomics.com.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing TrendsThe following are links to useful information from government agencies and NAHB that will enable you to monitor the housing market. To access the latest information available, simply click the links.
Don't miss NAHB's 2008 Fall Construction Forecast Conference and Webcast for the latest economic news about the housing industry. Join NAHB on Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C., where the country’s leading economists and finance experts will provide insight into the uncertainties of the housing market. Onsite registration is available the day of the conference. To register for the Webcast, and to see the full conference agenda, visit www.nahb.org/cfc.
Find out in HousingEconomic.com’s 2008 to 2009 Metro Forecast (free preview). Get the metro forecast with in-depth analysis, overviews and downloadable Excel tables. To learn more, visit www.HousingEconomics.com.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Daily Speakers at IBS to Give Tips on Surviving DownturnEach day of the 2009 International Builders’ Show will open with a special session featuring one of three nationally recognized speakers from companies that have capitalized on innovation and turned challenges into opportunities. The speakers will provide insights into marketing effectiveness and communications; long-term growth through green building; and the culture, service and business choices businesses will have to make in today's environment to survive and thrive. The speakers' presentations are aimed at helping to guide IBS attendees as they navigate the downturn and position their companies for the market’s eventual resurgence.
Wednesday, Jan. 21.
To Register for IBS For IBS registration information, click here. For hotel information, click here. To register online, click here. For the latest IBS information — including floor plans, renderings and construction photos of The New American Home — visit the 2009 International Builders’ Show Web site at www.BuildersShow.com.
Register for the 2009 Builders' Show in Las VegasRegistration 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:
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. Full registration is $295 for members through Nov. 7 and $425 thereafter. Full registration for non-members is $475 and $575, respectively. Exhibits-Only Registration Exhibits-only registration is $50 for members through Nov. 7 and $100 after and $50 for their spouses. Exhibits-only registration for non-members is $100 through Nov. 7 and $200 after and $70 for their spouses. Education Session Tickets Exhibits-only registered attendees can purchase tickets to individual IBS education sessions. Individual tickets are $50 for members and $70 for non-members. Registrants can purchase packages of four tickets and get one free or seven tickets and get three free. (Attendees who purchase full registrations do not have to purchases education session tickets or exhibits-only registration.) To Register For registration information, click here. For hotel information, click here. To register online, click here. For the latest IBS information — including floor plans, renderings and construction photos of The New American Home — visit the 2009 International Builders’ Show Web site at www.BuildersShow.com. Think — and Act — Radically About Industry Education. Sign Up at IBSThink radically about industry education programs from The NAHB University of Housing and embrace new ways to navigate the downturn and strengthen your company while attending the 2009 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 16-19. The University of Housing is offering courses, designations, special all-day sessions and more, so members and their employees can gain the knowledge they need to survive and thrive. Designation Courses Plan to participate in one or more of the IBS pre-show designation courses. Brush up on a particular subject or work towards one of NAHB's 16 professional designations to increase your industry knowledge and stay ahead of the competition. For a complete listing of course and descriptions, and to register, visit www.BuildersShow.com/PreShow. All-Day Events Monday, Jan. 19
More than 250 educational sessions across 10 tracks will be offered at IBS. The sessions are available with full registration to IBS, or session admission can be purchased individually. For more information about the designation courses, education sessions and special all-day education events at IBS, visit www.BuildersShow.com/Education. How to Compete for Sales in a Fearful Market
To survive the downturn, builders and salespeople need to see the market through their buyers' eyes, Robbins said. Only then, can they begin to address their concerns. The payoff, though, can be more than just survival. Builders who take the time to understand their customers’ perceptions, fears and beliefs ― particularly small-volume builders — can actually find ways to turn negative perceptions into positive advantages, Robbins said. First, though, the industry has to overcome its own bad habits. “Every time prospective home buyers go out, the deals get better. There is so much inventory for them to choose from, they figure that there’s going to be just as much inventory tomorrow,” Robbins said. Also, since many buyers have their own houses to sell as well, they often decide to wait, Robbins added. “The worst thing of all is that salespeople have caved in to that agenda,” Robbins noted. “They come in looking for a deal and if we can’t meet their deal, we let them go.” “Who wins? Nobody! That’s a lose-lose game, and folks, that’s a stupid game to play,” he said. To help turn customers' attitudes around and create a win-win situation, Ross suggested that builders and salespeople accept the realities of the current market and do the following:
Smaller builders can offer some advantages in the current market:
“Contact all your previous clients who had a great experience and have them write those experiences down,” Robbins said. “That is something that the big guys can not match ― that personal testimonial.” “Do you have a customer where you can just step aside and let them do the selling? That’s gold,” he added. “That customer is 50 times more credible than you are.” “These are the things that you’ve got to start talking about in your agenda, and you need talking points on every one of these things,” Robbins said. Most home buyers buy a home as “a refuge, a gathering place, a place to create memories and celebrate the events that make up a lifetime,” Robbins said. If they buy to satisfy these goals, it is almost certain that their “investment” yield will be very high. At the same time, buying a home is not like a stock certificate whose only reason for being is investment. A home buyer’s equity will increase in value over the long haul, absolutely for certain, he said Practice Your Message “So then, how do we get comfortable transmitting these very real messages to our prospects? That’s easy — we must practice them,” Robbins said. “There is no substitute for having a script that you and your sales team have created and practiced with role playing until the responses are second nature,” he said. “Training on the right way to deal with the uncertainty your prospects display is a critical piece of being confident that you can deal with whatever the message may be that the media transmits today.” “If you want to convert prospects to buyers, you and your sales team must role play until you are comfortable that you have a sensible response for whatever stall you hear,” he added. Ross also noted that, when reporting on home buying, most financial editors “have made the financial aspect of home ownership the primary focus — but it is not.” “While the financial equity created over time is important, the human equity is far more important,” he said. “ If you can make sure you can successfully convey that to your buyers, Robbins said, “then I will confidently make this financial prediction — you and your buyers will do fine during and long after the discussions about how bad the housing market is.” Ross Robbins, MIRM, is an operations and marketing consultant with the Shinn Consulting | Lee Evans Group based in Littleton, Colo. He has been in the home building industry for more than 34 years, and currently teaches sales skills and management skills to builder clients around the country. For more information, e-mail Robbins, or call him at 303-972-7666.
Options Selling Can Boost Sales, Make Lasting Impression In “Option Selling for Profit: The Builder’s Guide to Generating Design Center Revenue and Profit,” authors Gina Gullo and Angela Rinaldi share their hands-on understanding of high-powered selling in the ever-expanding market of options for new homes. By offering a range of options and upgrades, the design phase provides the best opportunity to make a lasting impression and ensure that buyers will favorably remember the entire buying experience. To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
Subscribe to Sales + Marketing Ideas Magazine for Cutting-Edge Information For additional cutting-edge sales and marketing information, subscribe to NAHB’s Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine (www.smimagazine.com). Click here to learn about membership benefits of the National Sales and Marketing Council and the Institute of Residential Marketing. Improve Daily Operations Using Available TechnologyYour outlook dictates how well technology can help run your business. Technology becomes more valuable once you understand where and how it can help you. Some builders, contractors and business owners see computers as more of an obstacle to running their business than a help, but software can improve communication, efficiency and documentation and put you in a better competitive position — especially in a down market. There is no paradigm to determine the exact level of technology for your company. It is something you have to evaluate on a periodic basis. But the more technology you use, the more time can be saved and efficiency can be improved. Technology’s Best Applications Computers and software are most beneficial when used for the following:
Use What Works for You Start with general and flexible software. Most builders start by using a combination of Excel and accounting software and e-mail. Excel software can be used to manage schedules, task lists and punch lists, as well as to perform calculation functions such as estimating. Accounting software, like QuickBooks, can be used for purchasing, budgeting and cash management. E-mail can be used to communicate with and transfer documents to trade partners and home buyers. These flexible software applications can be used to meet specific builder needs and are a good starting point. Use application software to meet specific needs. Numerous software applications are available to meet the specific needs of builders. These include drafting, estimating, punch lists and scheduling, change orders and, more recently, selections and warranty. These applications can be highly efficient; they are designed to meet specific needs and are easy to implement. Look to integrated solutions once you’ve got your feet wet. Once your business reaches an elevated plateau, you will want to use an integrated solution. Efficiency jumps once information flows seamlessly through all your business functions. With integrated solutions, selection information can flow to estimating, sales and purchasing in a timely and seamless process that increases efficiency. Similarly, change orders in the field can be transmitted electronically to your proper departments to improve budgeting and scheduling. Better Business Management Seamless technology that integrates selection decisions and schedule changes with overall business operations is a good example of how technology can improve business management. Having to call all the parties affected by changes or selections can be time-consuming — some details can get lost during this type of communication and there is no documentation. Faxing is almost as slow, but at least it provides a documented record. E-mailing multiple parties is fast and well-documented, but this process is not necessarily organized and requires you to initiate the process. Application software, on the other hand, can automatically notify all parties instantly and accurately. Integrated solutions can further update effected functions like purchasing requirements and task lists. Using technology to improve business efficiency will increase profits and keep a business on track. It also will create satisfied customers To learn more about technology applications that can help improve your business, visit NAHB’s Technology Solutions Directory. Andy Elsbury, a member of NAHB’s Custom Home Builders Committee, is the founder of Indianapolis-based SelectionWare, which provides consulting services and solutions for home builders to improve the building process. For more information, e-mail Elsbury, call him at 866-585-9222 or visit the SelectionWare Web site at www.SelectionWare.com.
NAHB Has Nearly 300 Resources to Help You Run Your Business More Profitably Go to NAHB's Business Management Tools Web pages (available to members only) for instant access to nearly 300 timesaving, moneymaking and cost-cutting business resources to help you run your business more profitably. Get guidance on accounting and financial management, business strategy, computers and information technology, customer service, human resources and more. Resources are added weekly, so bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools to go directly to these vital business management resources. Local and state home builders associations can link directly to www.nahb.org/biztools from their Web site and give their members instant access to these resources. It will make your HBA's Web site the place to go for the information and guidance that members need to succeed. Missing a deadline can seriously damage your bottom line. The "Scheduling" course from The NAHB University of Housing shows building professionals how to set workable schedules and use various time-management tools. The course teaches the benefits of scheduling and integrating scheduling with other management activities and will help builders, remodelers and site managers deal with those days when nothing goes according to plan. Find upcoming Scheduling courses here, or call 800-368-5242 x8154 for more information.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Learn About Diversifying Into Light Commercial MarketWith builders looking to boost business and bolster morale during the downturn, residential builders who have expanded into commercial construction will particpate in an NAHB audio seminar to discuss how to diversify into the light commercial market. The hour-long broadcast begins at 2:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Presented by the National Commercial Builders Council (NCBC) and The NAHB University of Housing, participants in the “Up Your Profits in a Down Market with Light Commercial Construction” seminar will explain how to diversify into light commercial construction and this segment’s similarities and differences — particularly regarding codes and business process — to residential construction. In addition, the seminar’s experts will discuss why diversifying into light commercial might be easier than you think and how builders can identify opportunities in their markets. The featured speakers for the seminar include:
For more information and to register for the seminar, visit www.nahb.org/lightcommercialaudio. For additional resources about commercial construction, visit the National Commercial Builders Council Web page, e-mail commercialbuilders@nahb.org, or call 800-368-5242 x8455. Builders’ Tip: Bend PVC Pipe Without Putting a Kink in It
Years ago, I worked in a mock-up shop where we bent plenty of PVC pipe of different diameters using heat and a bending form. I thought I would share the technique here because it enables you to bend the PVC without kinking it. As always,when working with heat and heat guns or torches, be sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby.
Once it has cooled, the pipe is ready to use. — Peter Doherty, Waterford, Conn. Tips & Techniques provided by Fine Homebuilding.
To contact Fine Homebuilding, e-mail Christina Glennon.
Set Yourself Apart With CGB Designation Join the ranks of the nation’s top building industry professionals with the Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) designation. The “Builder Assessment Review” (BAR) is your first step towards obtaining the CGB. This comprehensive assessment measures your expertise in the four key areas of the building industry: building technology, business and finance, project management and sales and marketing. Your results will show the areas where your knowledge is strongest and weakest and will help determine the courses required for you to obtain your CGB. To learn where the next BAR will be held, visit NAHB’s education listings, or call the Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242 x8154.
BuilderBooks.com Offers More Than 250 Books That Help You Build Your Business BuilderBooks.com is your source for training and education products for the building industry. The official bookstore for NAHB, BuilderBooks.com offers award-winning publications, software, brochures and more available in both English and Spanish. To view these publications online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Home Technology Within Reach of Average BuyersBy Lesley Boyd
"Home automation systems are no longer considered a luxury item, with nearly half of homes being pre-wired for additional home technologies," said Dan Fulmer, CEO and founder of FulTechSolutions, Inc. based in Jacksonville, Fla. "With technology ranging from a simple programmable thermostat to full home automation, builders need to keep up with their competitors by ensuring a quality infrastructure to handle additional home technology upgrades,” he added, noting that builders should consider pre-wiring homes with structured wiring or risk falling behind their competition. Home automation integrates the control of three or more systems in a residence. Although a truly “smart home” integrates systems such as lighting, climate control, security and surveillance, and such luxury systems as automatic window shades and Jacuzzis through a central computer, each of these systems on its own is in demand by potential home buyers. In addition, systems like multi-room audio and video, home entertainment systems and various applications such as pool monitoring and remote access are also home automation options that are in demand. What to Offer? Think Comfort, Safety and Ease of Use Every home buyer is different, so installing and displaying the automation options in spec and model homes that will pique a buyer's interest can be tricky for builders. With that in mind, here are guidelines to consider:
For instance, before leaving the office a home owner can ensure that he will arrive home to find it lit, at a comfortable temperature and even have music playing. "People are not only looking for comfort and security for their homes, they also want their technology to be easy, intuitive," said Brian Post, president of LouisClark, Ltd., an Evanston, Ill.-based technology integrator. "For our clients, we utilize a myriad of remotes and touch panels that give feedback with the touch of one button. It’s simple and easy to use.” “An added benefit to home automation is the potential for energy savings for the home owner, which is a growing concern for buyers these days," he noted. Post also said that owners of second homes and vacation homes are relying on home automation systems and their remote capabilities to monitor the properties when they are not in use.
Weather can be a factor in determining what automation options a builder should offerl. In hurricane-prone areas such as Florida and other states along the Gulf of Mexico, offering automatic hurricane shutters that can be operated remotely via the Internet is a logical option. When choosing and installing options, "it is extremely important for builders to partner with experienced electronic systems contractors (ESCs)," said Post. Builders must “ensure that the ESC has the correct balance of IT and AV expertise to create a solid home automation system for your clients.” “Additionally, it is imperative that builders include the ESC early in the design phase of the home, because it is much easier to place cables before the walls go up and a lot less costly to both the home owner and builder alike," he said. Choose Installer-Certified ESCs Builders considering adding home technologies to their product line should consider ESCs with installer certifications as qualified partners and integrators. "Most ESCs are more than happy to meet with a builder, his subs and clients to educate and discuss their systems’ capabilities and how they work," said Fulmer. "A good integrator knows that educated builders and consumers can lead to additional upgrade discussions and further revenue." Home Automation ― Builder Quick Tips
Lesley Boyd is a freelance home technology writer based in Orlando. For more information, e-mail Boyd.
Information About Home Technology Available From HTA The Home Technology Alliance (HTA) is a partnership between NAHB and the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) that was formed to position the housing industry to effectively meet the growing home buyer demand for home technology and provide maximum return on investment in the new home building and remodeling process. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/HTA.
CEDIA: A Source for Experienced ESCs The Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) is a founding sponsor in the Home Technology Alliance and an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this field. CEDIA serves as a source for Electronic Systems Contractors (ESCs). For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org. To find an ESC, click here. The Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) is a founding sponsor in the Home Technology Alliance and an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this field. CEDIA serves as a source for Electronic Systems Contractors (ESCs). For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org. To find an ESC, click here. National Debt Called a Threat to Well-Being of the ElderlyThe national debt poses a growing threat to the nation’s senior citizens and to the record numbers who will soon be joining their ranks, according to former Comptroller General of the U.S. David Walker, who is president of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. The interest on the debt is costing the U.S. $1.20 for every dollar it spends, Walker said in a timely keynote address to the recent 2008 Aging Revolution II conference in Philadelphia. “We’re the world’s largest debtor nation,” he said. “We’re not only not paying our bills — we’re eating our seed corn,” he said, and reducing expenditures in such vital areas as research and development and education. He listed four factors that have painted the U.S. into an economic corner:
On Social Security, he suggested that recipients who are financially better off receive proportionately fewer benefits. Walker would begin fixing health care by targeting Medicare and Medicaid benefits to those who need them the most — and he noted that people of means may not need them at all. He believes that taxing health benefits, indexed to income, would be a good idea, and that there needs to be line-item budgetary limits for federal health care assistance. Currently, he said, there are none. Finally, he recommended creating a national panel on the future of the country to define fiscal problems and their solutions and present its findings to Congress for an up or down vote. Walker said that the mission of the Peterson Foundation is to promote fiscal responsibility and accountability today in order to ensure economic opportunity in the future. The foundation was created with a $1 billion allocation by Peter G. Peterson, one of the founding partners of the Blackstone Group. The Aging Revolution conference was presented by the Wesley Enhanced Living Foundation, an arm of Wesley Enhanced Living, a Pennsylvania-based provider of retirement and continuing care communities. For more information, e-mail Ann Marie Moriarty at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8350. Revolutionize How You Think About 50+ Housing Plan to attend the 2009 Building for Boomers and Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium on April 27-29 in Philadelphia and revolutionize how you think about, and are engaged in, the 50+ housing market. The symposium includes information and educational sessions covering all aspects of the 50+ market, as well as a special housing tour of 50+ communities in the greater Philadelphia area. For more information and to sign up to be notified when registration opens, visit www.nahb.org/Build4Boomers.
Improve Your Focus on the 50+ Market With Publications From BuilderBooks.com The 50+ market provides some great opportunities for builders today. BuilderBooks.com brings together the essential resources for builders seeking to grow their businesses while bringing high-quality product to this demanding, often affluent consumer group that has planned well and is ready to build or buy. BuilderBooks.com also offers publications on customer service so builders can start building strong relationships before breaking ground and turn these experienced consumers into enthusiastic sales people. To view or purchase these and a wide variety of industry publications online, click here or call 800-223-2665. The Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation gives housing professionals serving the rapidly burgeoning 50+ market the essential knowledge, tools and skills that will help them succeed — from conducting initial research to design considerations and features to serving the customer. Find upcoming CAASH classes by clicking here. For more information, call the Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242 x8154 or e-mail CAASHinfo@nahb.com. Best of 50+ Housing Awards Open for NominationsNAHB is now accepting nominations for its 2009 Best of 50+ Housing Awards, which honor excellence in building, designing and marketing housing for boomers and beyond. “The Best of 50+ Housing Awards is a great opportunity for those serving the 50+ market to showcase their best work,” said 50+ Housing Council Chair Jo Theunissen, a builder from Mt. Pleasant, Mich. “The awards exemplify the most innovative work being produced for the mature market today, and we look forward to recognizing those at the forefront of our industry.” Launched by the NAHB 50+ Housing Council to encourage quality and innovation in the 50+ housing market, the awards are widely considered the most prestigious and influential in the industry. Highlighting innovation, emerging trends and quality housing, the awards showcase the best in active adult and service-enriched communities across the country. Awards are presented in three categories: completed 50+ housing projects, projects in the design or construction process, and marketing efforts. Winners will be recognized at an awards gala held during the Building for Boomers and Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium in Philadelphia on April 27-29. Nominations will be accepted until Dec. 5. To apply for the award or for more details on eligibility requirements and categories, visit www.nahb.org/50plusawards. For more information on the awards program, e-mail Lynn Basso at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8130. Revolutionize How You Think About 50+ Housing Plan to attend the 2009 Building for Boomers and Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium on April 27-29 in Philadelphia and revolutionize how you think about, and are engaged in, the 50+ housing market. The symposium includes information and educational sessions covering all aspects of the 50+ market, as well as a special housing tour of 50+ communities in the greater Philadelphia area. For more information and to sign up to be notified when registration opens, visit www.nahb.org/Build4Boomers. Improve Your Focus on the 50+ Market With Publications From BuilderBooks.com The 50+ market provides some great opportunities for builders today. BuilderBooks.com brings together the essential resources for builders seeking to grow their businesses while bringing high-quality product to this demanding, often affluent consumer group that has planned well and is ready to build or buy. BuilderBooks.com also offers publications on customer service so builders can start building strong relationships before breaking ground and turn these experienced consumers into enthusiastic sales people. To view or purchase these and a wide variety of industry publications online, click here or call 800-223-2665. The Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation gives housing professionals serving the rapidly burgeoning 50+ market the essential knowledge, tools and skills that will help them succeed — from conducting initial research to design considerations and features to serving the customer. Find upcoming CAASH classes by clicking here. For more information, call the Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242 x8154 or e-mail CAASHinfo@nahb.com. Revolutionary Ideas for 50+ Market at Boomers and Beyond in PhillyPlan to attend the 2009 Building for Boomers and Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium on April 27-29 in Philadelphia and revolutionize thinking and working in the 50+ housing market. The symposium includes information and educational sessions covering all aspects of the 50+ market, as well as a special housing tour of 50+ communities in the greater Philadelphia area. For more information and to sign up to be notified when registration opens, visit www.nahb.org/Build4Boomers. Multifamily Builders Report Summer Credit TighteningA recent NAHB survey finds that credit tightened further this past summer for multifamily builders who were looking for acquisition, development and construction financing. Seventy-nine percent of those polled reported that the availability of new credit for building multifamily rentals or condominiums had worsened during the June-to-August period compared to conditions in April and May. About 48% said they sought credit for multifamily construction this summer, primarily from commercial banks. The availability of credit for land acquisition and land development showed even greater tightening, with 100% and 90% of the respondents, respectively, reporting worsening in June, July and August. Roughly one-third of those participating in the survey sought credit for land acquisition or land development during the three-month period. Of the 28% of multifamily respondents who said they sought credit for single-family production, 57% said they encountered greater constraints on borrowing. Among the changes in credit availability noted this summer by those who encountered tightening:
No repayment problems were cited on outstanding multifamily rental construction loans. However, 42% said they had problems repaying condo construction loans, 14% land acquisition loans, 26% land development loans and 19% single-family construction loans. To resolve problems in repaying outstanding loans:
Of those who indicated lenders were tightening on loans prior to maturity:
Enter Pillars of Industry Multifamily Awards by Nov. 21Entries are open for the 2009 Pillars of the Industry Awards competition honoring excellence in apartment and condominium design and development — including the best mixed-use community — as well as leadership in marketing and property management. Apartment owners and developers, property managers, architects, interior designers and others involved in the multifamily housing industry are invited to enter. The application deadline is Nov. 7. Entry notebooks are due Nov. 21. The Pillars of the Industry Awards program is the largest and most prestigious of its kind, and both housing professionals and the media look to the awards as a showcase of future trends and innovation. The awards recognize superior achievement in three areas: building, marketing and individual excellence, including “Multifamily Development Firm of the Year” and “Best Multifamily Community of the Year.”
For complete details, including eligibility requirements and application forms, go to www.nahb.org/pillarsawards, e-mail multifamily@nahb.com or call 800-368-5242 x8215. Energy Tax Credits Available in 2009 for Existing Home OwnersResidential remodelers may use the newly enacted tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements as a financial incentive to encourage more customers to go green on their renovation projects in 2009. The IRS Section 25C tax credit for existing homes, which expired at the end of 2007, has been reinstated next year as part of the package President Bush signed two weeks ago, a bill that also included $700 billion to shore up the mortgage and banking industries. The tax credits have been extended through the end of 2009. With the newly enacted legislation, home owners can receive tax credits for installing energy-efficient windows, doors, roofing and insulation as well as furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps. Details on qualifying improvements are available at the IRS Web site. Remodelers can encourage their customers by becoming familiar with the model types and products that qualify for the tax credit — but home owners must submit the appropriate forms with their tax return. Home owners should retain records that include product information and a certification statement from the manufacturer indicating how the product qualifies for the tax credit. They do not need to submit the paperwork to the IRS, nor do they need the manufacturer’s sales receipt. The record for each product should include:
For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132. Plan a Local Event Around the Lead Paint Audio SeminarHome builders associations and local NAHB Remodelers councils can plan a membership event around the upcoming NAHB audio seminar on the new rule governing the work of professional remodelers in homes where there is suspected lead-based paint. The hour-long seminar begins at 2:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Presented by NAHB Remodelers and The NAHB University of Housing, “The EPA’s New Lead Paint Rule: What it Means for You” will explain in detail what the new rule covers, how to be in compliance and where to find additional information. Featured speakers include:
The EPA lead paint rule addresses remodeling and renovation projects disturbing more than six square feet of potentially contaminated painted surfaces for all residential and multifamily structures built prior to 1978 that are inhabited or frequented by pregnant women and children under the age of six. It will take effect in April 2010. It requires a cleaning inspection after the work is completed and grants the remodeler flexibility in determining the size of the work area, which can reduce the size of the area subject to containment. The EPA rule also lists prohibited work practices ― including open-torch burning and using high-heat guns and high-speed equipment such as grinders and sanders not equipped with a HEPA filter. To Register For more information and to register for the seminar, visit www.nahb.org/LeadPaintAudio. For general information about the rule and what NAHB Remodelers are doing to help their members comply with it, visit www.nahb.org/LeadPaint. Free NAHB Lead Paint Resource NAHB also has prepared a free lead paint resource document, “Lead Paint: EPA’s Final Rule on Remodeling and Renovation,” to help remodelers understand and prepare for the rule. To review or download NAHB’s lead paint resource document, click here. For more information on promoting the seminar, e-mail Kelly Mack at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8451.
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.
Member Profile: Surviving Through Sharing IdeasThe latest in a series that profiles members of local NAHB Remodelers who are strengthening their local councils through networking and recruiting new members. The grassroots champions who are being highlighted in this series have collectively recruited more than 400 new members for the NAHB Remodelers to date.
Rick Hjelm, CGR
Rick Hjelm’s remodeling company, Phase II General Contractor, specializes in whole house and kitchen and bath remodels. With seven full-time employees, six of them in the field, Hjelm is a case study in the benefits of connecting with and learning from colleagues. When he launched his business in 1978, Hjelm recalls, his timing was perfect: “I was just starting to go after the high-end market, and with some of the leading remodelers in the area retiring at that time, I had a chance to hire a couple of guys who were great at their craft.” “I not only learned a lot from those remodelers at that time,” he recalls, “I picked up where they left off.” A New Perspective on Competition Over time, Hjelm also learned the value of sharing resources, ideas and solutions with other remodelors. “It used to be that you never shared information with competing remodelers. If something worked for you, you hid it because it gave you an edge,” Hjelm says. But the longer he was in the industry, the more he realized that when one builder went out of business, the rest of the industry felt the pain because they started getting more calls than they could keep up with. “In our area, there’s more work than any of us will ever be able to do. We’re not all fighting for the same jobs, and actually, we seldom see each other,” he points out. For these and other reasons, the close relationships Hjelm has made through the Master Builders Association of Pierce County with other builders and remodelors have been critical to his success. In addition, he notes, “the business changes so fast and the challenges are so great, that the only way to survive is to share ideas and solutions.” A Natural at Association Recruitment As one of the winners in NAHB’s “7 in ’07” membership recruitment campaign, Hjelm believes that being involved in a local association will help any industry professional improve their business. He points out that being actively involved in his local and state HBAs, as well as national, has enabled him to take his business to the next level — so he recruits for his HBA with a passion. “You’re much more effective when you put your time and energy into something you passionately believe in,” Hjelm says. “Without that, you’re just selling.” The same goes for participating in HBA meetings, events and activities. “I always tell people that if you only show up at meetings and don’t say a word, you’re just wasting your money. You need to join a committee, get on a council or help with an event — only then will people start opening up to you,” says Hjelm. Hjelm is celebrating his 30th year in the remodeling business and admits that this year feels a little strange. “It’s weird, because one day you wake up and find you’ve been doing what you do for 30 years.” Hjelm has arranged for his brother to take over his business when he is ready to retire. “I’m making sure that when it’s time, I can leave on my terms and have more time to enjoy life,” he says. “That’s another thing we want to teach our younger colleagues ― don’t do what we did, start planning early.” SHOWCASE Offers Solutions in a Challenging MarketSales and marketing, business management and green building seminars that can help companies survive, or even thrive, in the current housing downturn will be featured at the 2008 Building Systems Councils’ SHOWCASE in Memphis, Tenn. on Nov. 16-19. SHOWCASE 2008, by NAHB’s Building Systems Councils (BSC), will also feature breakout sessions on the growing influence of green building, sales and marketing techniques, business management tools and liability that emphasize the benefits systems-built technologies and strategies and how building systems can expand market share. In addition, NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders will present NAHB’s latest economic and housing forecast and Doug Duncan, chief economist for Fannie Mae will discuss housing financing in “The Past, Present, and Future of Housing Finance ― How the Credit Crunch Has Changed the Guidelines.”
Green building sessions include:
The networking gala will be from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 at B.B. King’s Blues Club. Apply for BSC Marketing and Design Awards Entries are being accepted for the 2009 Excellence in Marketing and Home Design Awards, the BSC’s annual competition recognizing the builders and manufacturers responsible for the finest marketing materials and home designs in the concrete, log, modular and panelized home building industry. Awards categories added this year include multifamily and green building for concrete, log, modular and panel construction. To apply, visit www.nahb.org/showcase and click on the "Special Events" tab. Winners will be honored during a ceremony at SHOWCASE. Winners also will be recognized during the 2009 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas in January. All winners will be featured in the January/February 2009 issue of Building Systems Magazine, Nation’s Building News, on the NAHB Web site and through national and local press releases. To apply, visit www.nahb.org/showcase and click on the “Special Events” tab. To Register for SHOWCASE To register online for SHOWCASE, or for more information, visit www.nahb.org/showcase. Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities at SHOWCASE NAHB is seeking vendors and suppliers of the systems-built industry to exhibit on the trade floor or sponsor activities and events at SHOWCASE. For more information, e-mail Andy Flank at NAHB, call him at 800-368-5242 x8059 or visit www.nahb.org/showcase and click on the “Sponsorships and Advertising” tab at the top of the page. Education Calendar
Learn More About Upcoming Conferences and Designations Interested in attending a University of Housing conference or learning more about NAHB designation programs? Visit www.nahb.org/notifyme, and sign up to receive more information.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Landscaping Represents Missed ‘Green’ OpportunitiesWhile 96% of U.S. adults have personally adopted sustainable or energy-efficient practices at home, only 58% use energy- or water-saving techniques in their yard, lawn or garden, according to a new survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects. For example, only 29% planted shade trees to lower energy costs, a scant 15% harvested rainwater or used recycled water for watering plants and an even smaller minority of 11% used drip irrigation. Ninety-one percent of those same respondents reported turning off lights when they weren’t being used, and 70% said they had installed energy-saving light bulbs. Additionally, 55% said they were relying less on their furnace or air-conditioner and 38% said they unplug appliances when not in use. “The results clearly show a desire and willingness to use techniques that reduce utility bills at home, but few know what can be accomplished outside their homes,” said Nancy Somerville, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. “The space between buildings is just as important — perhaps more so — to not only reducing energy costs, but addressing a broad range of environmental issues.” In partnership with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden, ASLA plans to release a report next month that will offer scientifically researched approaches to sustainable sites and landscapes. People want to conserve resources and limit pollution, but they’re not aware that sometimes ‘green’ isn’t really green. And, in many cases, they lack solid, scientifically researched information. Our November report will remedy that,” said Susan Rieff, executive director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. A major goal behind the November report is to solicit additional feedback on the proposed benchmarks and guidelines, with a final report to be released in the summer of 2009. The Sustainable Sites Initiative plans to produce a rating system by May 2011 and test the guidelines with pilot projects in 2010 and 2011. For more information, visit www.sustainablesites.org .
The Future of Residential Construction Is Green The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options. Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 1,000 people have earned the CGPdesignation to date. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.
Attend the National Green Building Conference in Dallas Attend the 2009 National Green Building Conference in Dallas on May 10-13 to learn more about the critical paths to green building, and to participate in interactive sessions and be part of the driving force for the green building and remodeling markets. For more information and to sign up to be notified when registration opens, visit www.nahb.org/GreenBuildingConference.
‘Profit from Building Green’ Available at BuilderBooks.com “Profit from Building Green — Award-Winning Tips to Build Energy Efficient Homes,” available through BuilderBooks.com, showcases what energy conscious award-winning builders are doing, provides innovative energy-efficient features and covers successful techniques for building this niche market. To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665. NAHB SAFE Award Fee Waived, Deadline Extended to Oct. 31NAHB is removing the $50 application fee and extending the entry deadline for the 2008 Safety Award For Excellence (SAFE) awards, as part of its ongoing commitment to help members weather the economic downturn and to recognize and promote exemplary workplace safety programs. “We want to help our members minimize expenditures wherever possible, while at the same time continue to recognize those that are leaders in advancing safe behavior and safety education,” said Buck Roberts, president of A.B. Roberts Construction Company in Anderson, S.C. and chairman of NAHB’s Construction Safety and Health Committee. The NAHB SAFE award honors the achievements of builders and trade contractors who have developed and implemented high-quality construction safety programs, as well as government officials and NAHB-affiliated associations who have made successful efforts to advance safety in the home building industry. In order to encourage members who may not have submitted nominations due to the entry fee, the deadline has been extended to Oct. 31. Awards will be made in a variety of categories; for a detailed listing, click here. For information, requirements and an online application, click here (nahb.org/SAFE). Award winners will be recognized during a breakfast ceremony on Jan. 20 during the 2009 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. Winners will receive an award and coverage in this publication. Read about the 14 companies recognized for their safety achievements with 2007 SAFE awards here. NAHB is seeking companies to become sponsors for the safety awards program. For sponsorship information, click here; or e-mail Andy Flank at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8059. NAHB provides members and others in the residential construction industry — including non-English and limited English-speaking employees and trade contractors — with information, guidance and access to training resources to help them protect employees' health and safety. A variety of safety resources and guidebooks, including the NAHB-OSHA Jobsite Safety Handbook: English-Spanish Edition, can be purchased through www.builderbooks.com/safety. For more information on the SAFE Awards, e-mail Lindsay Cather at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8163.
Boost Job Site Safety With Fall Protection Training Products In an effort to increase job site safety and reduce the chance of job related accidents, NAHB has produced the “Fall Protection Video, English-Spanish” and “NAHB-OSHA Fall Protection Handbook, English-Spanish.” Both are available through BuilderBooks.com. The 30-minute “Fall Protection Video, English-Spanish” can be used by builders to train workers to use safe work practices that eliminate fall hazards and comply with OSHA fall-protection standards. The “NAHB-OSHA Fall Protection Handbook, English-Spanish” provides guidelines for creating a written fall-protection plan and identifying safe work practices that can prevent costly accidents and injuries. Written with clear text, photographs and illustrations, the book serves as a user-friendly resource for promoting safety on any job site. To purchase the handbook and video online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
Four common hazards cause 90% of the injuries and fatalities on residential construction job sites. The “Recognizing the Big-Four Safety Hazards for the Home Building Industry” course from The NAHB University of Housing shows how to comply with OSHA regulations and to recognize and minimize those hazards most likely to cause accidents. The course teaches builders to protect their workers from harm and themselves from liability. This course is also available in Spanish. To find out where upcoming courses are being held, click here, or call 800-368-5242 x8154 for more information.
Home Builders Institute Offers New Program to Teach Hispanic Adults English Sed de Saber™-Construction Edition is an easy-to-use, take-home learning tool created exclusively for the construction industry by the Home Builders Institute to improve communication, quality and safety on the job site. The product, now available at www.seddesaberconstruction.com, uses proven LeapFrog technology to allow workers to listen, record and play back their pronunciation of more than 500 vocabulary words and 340 phrases. Participants who practice 30 minutes each day will complete the program in just four months. Learning at home, on their own time, also eliminates scheduling conflicts. Sed de Saber™-Construction Edition was developed by a team of subject matter experts assembled through HBI — including superintendents, craft skills experts, remodelers and builders — to ensure that the information is relevant to today’s home building workforce. To address worker safety issues related to the language barrier, HBI created a seventh book based entirely on the NAHB-OSHA Job Site Safety Handbook. NAHB members can purchase the learning system, all seven books and a skills assessment to chart employee progress for $395 per kit. The non-member price is $495. Order today and empower your workers to learn English at www.seddesaberconstruction.com. ‘Gifts In Kind’ Donations Aiding Hurricane Ike VictimsHurricane Ike caused massive property destruction along the coasts of Texas and Louisiana on Sept. 7. Many residents were left homeless, and millions were without electricity for weeks. NAHB responded immediately, assisting local home builders associations and FEMA with disaster relief efforts. Now that the recovery efforts have turned to rebuilding, NAHB members who have expressed interest in donating products or building materials are being encouraged to make donations through Gifts In Kind International. Gifts In Kind is a charity that serves housing and community rebuilding nonprofits by distributing home improvement and building supplies. “Hurricane victims now face rebuilding or repairing their homes. There is a desperate need for tools and building materials as the rebuilding effort gets underway,” said Virginia Royal, director of business association development for Gifts In Kind.
Building Supplies Needed Gifts In Kind is asking corporate donors in the building industry to donate new, bundled building and repair supplies. The following items are among those most urgently needed:
To donate products, complete the Product Donation Form and return it by fax to 877-798-3192, attention Doyle Delph, or e-mail it to ddelph@giftsinkind.org. Cash donations, which help cover the shipping and handling of urgently needed items, can be made online by clicking here. Gifts In Kind’s Emergency Relief Team is available from 9:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. EST at 703-836-2121. After hours, leave a voice mail message for Doyle Delph at 703-299-7532. Gifts In Kind International serves as a donation conduit between for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations in order to benefit communities in need worldwide. Each year, it distributes new corporate product donations valued at close to $750 million to quality nonprofit organizations. For more information about Gifts In Kind International’s efforts, click here. For more information on NAHB’s disaster assistance resources, e-mail Ken Ford or Gwyn Donohue, or call them at 800-368-5242, x8228 and x8447, respectively. Enter The Nationals Sales and Marketing Awards by Oct. 17Enter your best in new home sales and marketing and design for 2009's The Nationals — the National Sales and Marketing awards, the largest and most prestigious competition for new-home sales and marketing professionals and communities. Entries, including fees and exhibits, are due Friday, Oct. 17. Late entries will be accepted by Oct. 24, with an additional fee. Sponsored by NAHB’s National Sales and Marketing Council, The Nationals honors the best in architectural achievement, product and community design, advertising and promotion, interior merchandising, Web site design and more. New residential projects with homes available for sale between Sept. 1, 2007 and Sept. 28, 2008, and entries in individual and sales and marketing council categories for the same time period, are eligible. The awards are open to individual sales and marketing professionals, home builders, associates and sales and marketing councils. The Nationals recognizes innovation and excellence in 63 categories — including a new "On the Boards" category that showcases projects not yet completed and new clubhouse and marketing for green-built communities categories. During a three-day judging process, a panel of industry professionals from across the country will select silver and gold award winners from a field that typically includes more than 1,200 entries. To Apply The Nationals features a new, streamlined entry process that reduces the amount of images, paperwork and information required. In addition, a new PowerPoint format is being used for "Sales and Marketing Council of the Year" entries.
Awards Gala at IBS on Jan. 20 at Caesars Palace Category winners will be honored during a gala event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Jan. 20 during the International Builders' Show. For more information, visit www.TheNationals.com, e-mail Lisa Parrish, or call her at 800-658-2751.
Options Selling Can Boost Sales, Make Lasting Impression In “Option Selling for Profit: The Builder’s Guide to Generating Design Center Revenue and Profit,” authors Gina Gullo and Angela Rinaldi share their hands-on understanding of high-powered selling in the ever-expanding market of options for new homes. By offering a range of options and upgrades, the design phase provides the best opportunity to make a lasting impression and ensure that buyers will favorably remember the entire buying experience. To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
Subscribe to Sales + Marketing Ideas Magazine for Cutting-Edge Information For additional cutting-edge sales and marketing information, subscribe to NAHB’s Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine (www.smimagazine.com). Click here to learn about membership benefits of the National Sales and Marketing Council and the Institute of Residential Marketing.
HBI Leader Bill Paul Named Florida Builder of the YearHome Builders Institute (HBI) Immediate Past Chairman Bill Paul has been named the 2008 Florida Home Builders Association's (FHBA) Builder of the Year. The ceremony took place on Oct. 4 during the installation banquet at the association’s fall board of directors meeting. Many past FHBA Builder of the Year winners were in attendance, including the award’s first recipient, John Koelemij, who received it in 1973. Mike Rahn, FHBA’s immediate past 2nd vice president, presented Paul with the award, citing his 25 years in the home building industry and calling him “a person who has been our industry’s voice on a local, state and national level.” Since joining the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA), Paul has recruited more than 160 members into NAHB’s local affiliates, including 16 this year alone. Paul is the immediate past president of the TBBA and he currently serves the state association as an area vice president and chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee and the FHBA Foundation. In frequent communication with local political leaders, Paul is a noted advocate of housing industry priorities and he has led successful efforts to obtain funding for several important workforce development initiatives involving the state association and HBI. Paul has played a particularly vital role campaigning on behalf of HBI’s Project CRAFT (Community, Restitution, Apprenticeship Focused Training), which is a model intervention program that helps rebuild the lives of court-involved youths by preparing them for productive jobs in residential construction. “The famous quote, ‘when you want something done, ask a busy person,’ applies perfectly to Bill,” said Rahn. “He is Florida’s Builder of the Year because he simply gets things done. Our industry, our citizens and our state are better off because of his work.” “What I love about this award is that it’s bigger than just construction,” said Paul. “I’ve met so many people in our industry who care about more than just themselves; they put their neighbors and their communities first. I am very appreciative that service is valued and recognized by FHBA.” For more information on Project CRAFT, e-mail Dennis Torbett at HBI, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8908. CertainTeed Web Site Provides Ideas for a Dream PorchA new consumer Web site from CertainTeed is designed to enable home owners to gather ideas for building their dream porch. The site features an array of photographs of outdoor spaces and helps visitors visualize a new porch, connecting them with relevant CertainTeed product information. “CertainTeed’s siding, soffit, railing and exterior trim products offer a myriad of colors and styles that can be mixed and matched to create distinctive outdoor living spaces,” says Patti Pellock, senior marketing manager for the manufacturer’s fence, railing and deck business. “Ultimately,” says Pellock, “the online idea center will help home owners boost the curb appeal of their homes.” Among the many CertainTeed products that can contribute to a model porch:
This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page. NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTVThe NAHB Production Group produces weekly television shows on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV for consumers. The following is the latest lineup: "Rock Solid" on DIY
"I Want That" on Fine Living
HGTV Seeking ‘Dream Home’ Builder/Architect Teams HGTV is seeking developers, builders and architects to create dream homes for the network’s Dream Home Sweepstakes. To learn more, click here. About the NAHB Production Group The NAHB Production Group is a full-service, self-contained, media production unit creating programming for cable television, broadcast television, non-profit, museum and corporate clients. Productions range from magazine format shows for general audiences to museum-installation videos for specialized use. The production group includes award winning journalists, writers and photographers with experience in broadcast, documentary and corporate television.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Submissions for Lee S. Evans Scholarships Due Nov. 21
The scholarships award graduates and undergraduates pursuing degrees in residential construction management in two- and four-year colleges and universities up to $5,000 each year. “Lee and Virginia Evans started this scholarship to provide the most outstanding students studying construction management with industry recognition for their hard work and academic achievements,” said Bruno Pasquinelli, chair of the Lee Evans scholarship committee. “This scholarship has come to mean so much to the recipients, many of whom would not be able to pursue their educations without such financial assistance.” Fifteen students were awarded $52,000 in scholarships for the 2008 academic year. Since the Lee Evans scholarship fund was founded in 1993, 170 students have been awarded more than $437,000. The Lee Evans scholarship recipients for the 2009 academic year will be announced in January at the 2009 International Builders' Show in Orlando. The National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of NAHB, administers 12 scholarship programs and annually awards more than $350,000 to students pursuing careers in residential construction and related fields. For more information and to download scholarship applications, visit the endowment Web site at www.nationalhousingendowment.org. Applications for Endowment IBS Scholarships Due Oct. 31Applications for students to attend the 2009 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas are now available and due by Oct. 31. The scholarships ― sponsored by the National Housing Endowment in conjunction with the Home Builders Institute ― enable NAHB Student Chapter members to offset some or all of their travel and attendance expenses at IBS. Providing funding to students has proven to be instrumental in helping them learn outside the classroom and prepare careers in the home building industry. The IBS scholarship program also helps give young NAHB members the tools to enter into the federation as graduates and to become future leaders. The endowment has allocated $100,000 for scholarships in this, the second year of the program. “IBS is something that everyone who intends to enter into residential construction should see,” said one student scholarship winner last year. “The National Housing Endowment is proud to continue this scholarship program for NAHB’s student chapter members,” said Gary Garczynski, endowment chair and 2002 NAHB President. “The endowment is working to increase the number of college graduates entering residential construction and this scholarship, along with other programs we sponsor, is leading the effort to reward and encourage the best and brightest to choose a rewarding career in residential construction.” To be considered for funding, a student must meet the following qualifications:
State and local home builders associations can apply for up to $2,500 in matching funds to distribute to their local NAHB Student Chapter. Students can apply for up to $500 in non-matched funds. Individual NAHB Student Chapters can apply for up to $2,500 in non-matched funds. Preference will be given to chapters represented by a Residential Construction Management Competition team at the IBS. To apply online, visit www.NAHB.org/2009IBSscholarship. Recipients will be notified by Nov. 21 and funds will be distributed in mid-December. More Endowment Scholarship Programs The endowment administers 12 scholarships and awards more than $350,000 each year to students pursuing careers in residential construction and related fields. For more information, visit the endowment's Web site at www.nationalhousingendowment.org. CBIA Mourns Loss of Chairman Raymond BeckerRaymond C. Becker, the 2008 chairman of the California Building Industry Association (CBIA), passed away suddenly at the age of 59 at his home on Oct. 7. “He was a wonderful, talented, dedicated man and association leader,” said Robert Rivinius, president and CEO of the CBIA. “Ray brightened each day with his presence and his steady hand in dealing with issues. He will be deeply missed by his friends and associates.” Becker was a 25-year veteran of the real estate development industry. He managed the development of large-scale master-planned communities involving more than 40,000 homes, as well as thousands of acres of retail and industrial projects in Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego counties. In January 2004, Becker joined DMB Associates, a community builder in Scottsdale, Ariz., to develop a new town on 4,500 acres in San Benito County, at the south end of the Silicon Valley. Becker attended California State University, Northridge, and spent a 10-year stint in the U.S. Army’s Intelligence Branch. He began his development career under the tutelage of John D. Lusk, famed for his endowment of the Lusk Center for Real Estate at the University of Southern California. In the early 1980s, Becker was division manager for Lusk’s fledgling division in the Inland Empire. Prior to joining DMB, Becker was a senior vice president with Lennar Communities' Southern California Division. Becker’s involvement with the BIA began in 1982. In 1987, he served as president of the Riverside County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California and was BIA/SC president in 2003. He was a member of the Home Builders Association of Northern California. He served on numerous committees and task forces at CBIA, including association vice chair and public affairs chair in 2007. He was a past president of the Inland Empire Chapter of HomeAid and served on the boards of the Building Industry Legal Defense Foundation and NAHB. For a tribute page to Becker on the CBIA Web site, click here. GM $500 Private Offer: Easy as 1-2-3Receiving $500 towards the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles, whether for business or personal use, is now as easy as one, two, three. Follow these simple steps to get your GM authorization number and turn it in at your GM dealer for your $500 discount. The $500 NAHB private offer may be combined with most current GM incentives: One: Create a username and password.
Other Member Advantage Discounts For information on the Member Advantage discount program and all its participating companies, go to www.nahb.org/MA.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips in Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Williams Scotsman Offers One Month Free Rent, $50 Gas Gift CardWilliams Scotsman is offering NAHB members one month free rent for each mobile office, storage container or specialty trailer leased for six months or longer, plus a $50 gas card for each mobile office, section modular complex, executive/sales office, or GoSpace™ leased for seven months or longer. These offers are available through Dec. 31 and delivery must be accepted by Jan. 15. For more information, call Williams Scotsman at 877-884-4065, or visit www.willscot.com/products/mobile-offices.html. Other Member Advantage Discounts For information on the Member Advantage discount program and all its participating companies, go to www.nahb.org/MA.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips in Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Members, Save 10% at Omaha Steaks When Shopping OnlineJust in time for autumn cookouts and tailgate parties, NAHB members can save 10% on all Omaha Steaks food and specialty items when they shop online at the Omaha Steaks special NAHB Member Advantage Web page. Omaha Steaks, a leader in the incentive industry for more than 40 years, has a first-class reputation and a variety of gourmet entrees and items available to members, including beef, pork, poultry, pasta, salmon, tuna, seafood, appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Members ordering Omaha Steaks discounts ― which also include specialty selections, blockbuster combos, family value combos, soups, snacks, breads, coffee and monthly specials — can use them as gifts for their customers, clients, friends, family and staff members. The 10% discount can be combined with any special found on the Omaha Steaks special NAHB Member Advantage Web page. To order online and receive the Omaha Steaks 10% discount, click here. Other Member Advantage Discounts For the most up-to-date details on the Member Advantage discount program and all of the participating companies, go to www.nahb.org/MA.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. Save $25 on Hertz ‘Green,’ ‘Fun’ or ‘Prestige’ Weekly RentalsNAHB members can save $25 on weekly rentals of Hertz “Green,” “Fun” or “Prestige” collection vehicles in the U.S. No blackout dates apply. All collection vehicles can be reserved by make and model. Fun vehicles include SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Green Collection vehicles are fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly. Prestige vehicles include NeverLost® in-car satellite navigation. For information about this offer and Hertz collection vehicles, click here. This $25 offer is valid through Dec. 31, 2008. For information on special NAHB member savings with how NAHB members can join Hertz #1 Club Gold® with the fee waived for the first year (a $60 value), click here. Other Member Advantage Discounts For information on the Member Advantage discount program and all its participating companies, go to www.nahb.org/MA.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on ShippingNAHB and UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company, have joined forces to offer NAHB members discounts of up to 30% on shipping. The NAHB shipping discounts include domestic air and ground, international export and international import. Association members can also take advantage of hassle-free on-line shipping, 24/7 access and advanced package tracking at your fingertips. NAHB members are eligible for discounts up to 30% to help manage costs with no catch — and no minimums. The shipping discounts — which increase the more packages or letters the user sends — will be applied once enrollment is complete. The enrollment process is fast and easy and is available to NAHB members through the Web site: www.savewithups.com/nahb. For more information on UPS savings and the complete Member Advantage program, visit www.nahb.org/MA.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242. Calendar of Events
Learn More About Upcoming Conferences and Designations Interested in attending a University of Housing conference or learning more about NAHB designation programs? Visit www.nahb.org/notifyme, and sign up to receive more information.
Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn. To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here. To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar. For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242.- |