NBN Online for the week of February 2, 2009

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In This Issue:

Front Page
Stimulating Housing Demand Key to Reviving U.S. Economy
ANSI Approves National Green Building Standard
Coast to Coast
Builders Scale Back House Sizes as Buyers Commit to Energy Efficiency
Housing Forum
American Bankers Association Says Banks Continue to Lend
Politics & Government
IRS Gives Unmarried Home Co-Buyers Guidance on Tax Credit
Economics & Finance
Bottom Nears, But 2009 Looks Like Another Painful Year
New-Home Sales Data More Grim News for U.S. Economy
Housing Starts Plummet to Record Lows in December
Builder Confidence at a Record-Low Ebb in January
Prospective Home Buyers Unable to Sell Existing Homes, Poll Finds
Eye on the Economy: The U.S. Economy Is Faltering Badly
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Downturn
NAHB Members to Get Free Business Survival Tips
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Strain Paint for Touch-Ups, Without the Mess
ibs
Interest in IBS Exhibits Strong Despite Thinner Crowds
New American Home 2009 Wows Crowds in Las Vegas
legal
Revised Form I-9 to Verify New Hires Is Delayed
Remodelers
Be a Professional and Build a Better Business
Green Building
Home Remodels, Retrofits Key to Energy Efficiency in Housing
Green Product Demand Continues to Rise, Manufacturers Say
Design Competition Showcases Affordable Green Homes
Purdue Students to Earn Green and Other NAHB Designations
Entry Deadline Extended for NAHB Green Building Awards
environment
EPA Storm Water Guidelines Costlier Than First Believed
construction safety
NAHB's Thibodeaux Appointed OSHA Committee Chair
education
February Is NAHB National Designation Month
Education Calendar
Labor
Awards Recognize Top NAHB Student Chapters, Educators
Student Teams Vie in Construction Management Competition
Building Products
Free Webinars Aim at Helping Builders in Tough Times
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
Endowment Webcast Examines Green Building Opportunities
Association News
Nation’s Home Builders Elect Leadership for 2009
Drive Away With a Shiny New $500 GM Offer
NAHB Members Can Save Big on FedEx Shipping Services
NAHB Members Can Get 10% Off Stays With Wyndham Hotel Group
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Top Story

Stimulating Housing Demand Key to Reviving U.S. Economy

As Congress continued to move rapidly toward completion of landmark legislation to stimulate the sputtering U.S. economy, leading national economists cautioned that the package is unlikely to succeed without provisions to restore home buying demand and address housing problems that are the root cause of the worst recession since the Great Depression.

With the Senate expected to vote on its version of the stimulus bill the middle of this week, NAHB has been coordinating a major grassroots push across the country to alert lawmakers on Capitol Hill that reviving housing demand through a beefed-up tax credit for home buyers is essential to restoring the confidence among consumers and in the financial markets needed to revive economic growth.
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 190 down $ 3
OSB Composite $ 179 up $ 2
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 380 up $ 6
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com
 

ANSI Approves National Green Building Standard

The National Green Building Standard for all single-family homes, apartments and condos; land development; and residential remodeling and renovation was approved on Jan. 29 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The approval signals a new era for the nation’s builders, remodelers and developers and also provides an extra measure of reassurance for home buyers, said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson.

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 5.10% 15-Yr. Fixed: 4.80% 5 Yr. ARM: 5.27%
  1 Yr. ARM: 4.90% Libor (3 months): 1.22% Prime: 3.25%
Housing Starts*  (December 2008)
  Total: 550,000 Single: 398,000 Multi: 152,000
Home Sales*  (December 2008)
  New: 331,000 Existing: 4.74 million  
Median Home Prices  (December 2008)
  New: $206,500 Existing: $175,400  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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> FedEx Delivers New Savings Opportunity for Members
> Lodging Discounts Through Wyndham Hotel Group
> GM $500 Offer Is Back for 2009, Better Than Ever