NBN Online for the week of May 18, 2009

NAHB Resources on Hand to Drive New Home Sales

With the spring home buying season moving into full view, this issue of Nation’s Building News features NAHB resources that association members can use now to get the most out of a marketplace that has been hammered by the worst conditions in living memory.

The housing market has begun to show signs of new life in recent weeks, led largely by first-time buyers. Builders across the country have been reporting that historically low mortgage rates, affordable home prices and the $8,000 tax credit are reviving interest in home buying.

In the latest development, home builders received encouraging news on May 12 when HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that FHA-approved lenders; federal, state and local government agencies; and FHA-approved non-profit organizations would be allowed to supply first-time home buyers with short-term or “bridge loans” up to the amount of the tax credit.

[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

NAHB Membership Key in Weathering Tough Economic Times

On the eve of National Membership Day on May 19, association members across the country are stepping up their recruitment efforts and informing professionals who work in the housing industry of the many advantages of joining the NAHB federation — which are indispensable in surviving today’s tough economic times.

To help its members conduct business more effectively and more profitably, NAHB offers a powerful combination of political advocacy, educational opportunity, industry research, business management tools and relationship-building networking events.

Log Onto NAHB.org for Member Resources

Many of the resources highlighted in this issue of Nation's Building News are for NAHB members only, and to access them on the NAHB Web site, you must be logged in as a member at www.nahb.org.

If you don’t have a login yet, you can set one up at www.nahb.org/login.

Members can also contact NAHB's Member Service Center at 800-368-5242 for assistance.