NBN Online for the week of March 30, 2009

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Builders Urge Congress to Remedy AD&C Lending Crisis
Promote ‘New Homes Month’ With Free NAHB Resources Online
Builders Encourage Efforts to Step Up Residential Energy Efficiency
Coast to Coast
What Might Be Hurting Home Values
housing forum
Chipping Away at Mortgage Deduction a Bad Idea
Economics & Finance
Rising in February, New Home Sales May Be Near Bottom
Record Low Mortgage Rates Hard for Would-Be Buyers Not to Notice
Tax Credit Spurs First-Time Home Buyers, Survey Finds
Many First-Timers Considering Buying a Home This Spring
Builders Hope Toxic Asset Plan Will Free Up Mortgage Credit
Eye on the Economy: Economy Moving Toward Recovery
Register Online for NAHB Spring Construction Forecast Conference
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Downturn
As April 15 Nears, Home Buyer Tax Credit Comes Into View
Learn How to Get a Green Edge at Audio Seminar on April 16
Free NAHB Webinar to Discuss Impact Fee Alternatives on April 21
Attend Free Webinar on Strategic Planning on April 7
Free Online Business Survival Tips Available Till April 17
Tips
Builders’ Tip: A Simple Trick to Clean Mini Paint Rollers
Sales
CRM Can Help Build Quality Customer Relationships
Multifamily
Marketing Critical in Optimizing Revenue in Tough Market
NAHB Honors Year’s Best Apartments and Condos
Remodelers
Apply for 2009 NAHB Remodelers Awards
Remodelers’ Spring Board Preview
Commercial
Enter NCBC 2010 Awards of Excellence Competition
Education
University of Housing Honors Five Designees of the Year
Earn Professional Designations at NAHB Spring Conferences
Education Calendar
building quality
KB Home Earns National Housing Quality Recertification
Green Building
Green Remodel Project a Highlight of Dallas Home Tour
Learn to Green Your Business at Green Building Conference
Earn BuilderBooks Green Savings in April for Use Through June
environment
EPA Rules for Chesapeake Bay Watershed Raise Concerns
Legal
Builders File Suit Over Santa Cruz River Decision
hbi
Lowe’s Continues Support for Job Corps Grads
Building Products
Study Finds Home Technology Preserves Builder Profits
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
Apply for Centex ‘Build Your Future’ Scholarships by April 6
Endowment Funds IBS Student Scholarships for 2010
HBAs: Challenge/Build/Grow Initiative Proposals Due April 17
Apply for Herman J. Smith Scholarships by May 4
Association News
Robert Karen Named New Jersey’s ‘Legend of Housing’
Avoid Visa/Master Card Hikes in Processing With Solveras
Register Online for Spring Spokesperson Training
FTD Offers 15% Discount to NAHB Members
Members Can Save 10% on Vacation Rentals Worldwide
Drive Away With a Shiny New $500 GM Offer
Focus on Your Business, Not Your Payroll, With Paychex
Pitney Bowes Postage Meters Offer Convenience, Savings
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Builders’ Tip: A Simple Trick to Clean Mini Paint Rollers

 

 

 

Click for larger image.

I have found that little paint rollers can be really handy for reaching behind pipes, touching up and for blending the edges of newly painted surfaces. They do a great job, but they are hard to clean.

The accompanying drawing shows how I have adapted a paintbrush/roller spinner to clean the little rollers. My trick is easy to create — I use a dowel and some electrical tape — and it takes the hassle out of cleaning the little rollers.

Here is all there is to it:

  • I take a 1/2-inch dowel, which I use as the adapter, and insert it into the jaws of the spinner.

  • I wrap the other end of the dowel with a couple of layers of electrical tape to ensure a snug fit.

  • Then I put the spinner mini roller on the taped end of the dowel and use the spinner to help clean it.


—   Don Mathis Macomb, Ill.

Tips & Techniques provided by Fine Homebuilding.
©2008 The Taunton Press

To contact Fine Homebuilding, e-mail Christina Glennon.



Tax Credit Web Site Looks at Opportunity of a Lifetime

Builders and other industry professionals can help spur home sales by referring prospective first-time home buyers to www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com. The NAHB Web site provides detailed information on the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers included in the economic stimulus legislation signed into law by President Obama.

Consumers can use the Web site to find information on the tax credit – including a detailed question and answer section. It also includes information about other housing-related and small business measures in the legislation and a number of home-buying resources for consumers.

Spanish Version Also Available Online

A Spanish version of this increasingly popular Web site is also available to provide detailed information on the tax credit to Spanish-speaking first-time home buyers.

Industry professionals are encouraged to highlight either tax credit Web site when marketing to their potential first-time home buyer market.



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.


 

Sponsored by
NAHB

 
 
> Avoid Visa/Master Card Processing Hikes With Solveras
> Save 10% With Endless Vacation Rentals Worldwide
> GM $500 Offer Is Back for 2009, Better Than Ever