NBN Online for the week of October 20, 2008

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Aging-in-Place Market a Bright Spot for Housing
IRC 2009 Code Brings Changes in How Homes Will Be Built
Coast to Coast
Surrounded by Ruins, Mortgage Market Remains Intact
Economics & Finance
Housing Starts Lose Further Ground in September
Financial Tumult Shakes Builder Confidence in October
Eye on the Economy: New Housing Stimulus Package Is Sorely Needed
Attend or View the Construction Forecast Conference on Oct. 22
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
IBS
Builders Race Against the Clock on New American Home
Register Online for the 2009 Builders' Show in Las Vegas
Online Registration Open for Spokesperson Training at IBS
Sign Up for Designation Courses and Education Sessions at IBS
Tips
Builders’ Tip: My Personal On-the-Job Hardware Store
Building Quality
2009 National Housing Quality Award Winners Announced
Survey Finds Home Buyers Increasingly Looking for Quality
Downturn
Ready Your Company Now for Housing’s Eventual Recovery
Learn About Diversifying Into Light Commercial on Nov. 5
Women
SBA Set-Aside Proposal Falls Short for Women Contractors
Economic Stimulus Sought for Women-Owned Businesses
Remodelers
Top Remodelers, Councils Honored at Annual Gala
Learn About Lead Paint Rule During Oct. 28 Audio Seminar
Building Systems
SHOWCASE Offers Solutions in a Challenging Market
Education
Apply for University of Housing Designee of the Year
Education Calendar
codes and standards
‘Today’ Fire Sprinkler Segment Presents Bad Information
Green Building
Appraisers Learning How to Valuate Green Homes
State, Local HBAs Affiliate With NAHB Green Building Program
Environment
Report Cites Need for Major Shift in Storm Water Regulation
Construction Safety
OSHA Launches New Fall Safety Web Resources
Apply for NAHB SAFE Award by Oct. 31, Application Fee Waived
Legal
Builders Receive Aid for Litigation on Housing Issues
Building Products
Timberlake Cabinets Supports Local Military Home Buyers
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
Five HBAs Honored for Community Service Projects
Applications for Endowment IBS Scholarships Due Oct. 31
Submissions for Lee S. Evans Scholarships Due Nov. 21
Association News
Members, Save 10% at Omaha Steaks When Shopping Online
UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on Shipping
Williams Scotsman Offers One Month Free Rent, $50 Gas Gift Card
GM $500 Private Offer: Easy as 1-2-3
Save $25 on Hertz ‘Green,’ ‘Fun’ or ‘Prestige’ Weekly Rentals
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Top Story

Aging-in-Place Market a Bright Spot for Housing

Aging-in-place renovation work is expected to provide one of the bright spots for residential construction as the recession-battered industry eventually begins gaining ground, according to panelists at last month’s Remodeling Show in Baltimore. They also pointed out that communication with elderly home owners will be key to success in this segment of the marketplace, and that is why builders should consider teaming up with occupational therapists.

Members of the post-World War II baby boom are fast approaching traditional retirement years with the advantages of a longer life, more wealth and better education than previous generations, said Michael O’Neal, an urban sociologist with AARP, and surveys by his organization suggest that the great majority of this population will be looking for remodeling jobs that enable them to continue living in their existing homes.
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 232 down $ 8
OSB Composite $ 198 up $ 1
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 437 down $ 10
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com
 

IRC 2009 Code Brings Changes in How Homes Will Be Built

Decisions voted on at the International Code Council (IRC) Final Action Hearings in mid-September will result in a number of changes in how homes are built in communities where the model 2009 International  Residential Code is adopted.

The most controversial change is the new mandate for fire sprinkler systems in one- and two-family homes. (For an earlier story in Nation’s Building News, click here.) The language mandating these systems was previously located in the appendix of the code as appropriate language for jurisdictions that wanted to adopt a requirement for sprinklers.

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 6.46% 15-Yr. Fixed: 6.14% 5 Yr. ARM: 6.14%
  1 Yr. ARM: 5.16% Libor (3 months): 4.06% Prime: 4.50%
Housing Starts*  (September 2008)
  Total: 817,000 Single: 544,000 Multi: 273,000
Home Sales*  (August 2008)
  New: 460,000 Existing: 4.91 million  
Median Home Prices  (August 2008)
  New: $221,900 Existing: $203,100  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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> Register Now for the Show
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> Choose the 2009 IBS Education Sessions That Work for You
 
 

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> Williams Scotsman $50 Gift Card
> Solveras Payment Systems TWO YEAR Rate Guarantee
> GM NAHB $500 Private Offer