NBN Online for the week of June 29, 2009

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

In This Issue:


Front Page
•	Big Boost in Housing Demand Expected From Echo Boomers

•	More States Help First-Time Home Buyers Monetize Tax Credit

•	Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published on July 6


Layouts for Living
•	Floor Plans: A Federal Farmhouse With Built-In Sustainability


Coast to Coast
•	New Appraisal Rules Blamed for Killing Some Sales


Politics & Government
•	House Votes to Preempt National Building Code Process

•	Panel Nears Agreement on $1 Trillion Health Care Plan


Economics & Finance
•	New-Home Sales Flat in May, Decline in the South

•	Young Workers Waiting for a Stronger Economy

•	Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends


Downturn
•	Emerging Market Represents a New Departure for Housing

•	SBA Stimulus Program to Help Builders, Suppliers Pay Their Bills

•	Strong Sales Require Hiring a Strong Sales Manager


Tips
•	Builders’ Tip: Putting New Windows in an Old Brownstone


50Plus Housing
•	Deadline Nears for AARP-NAHB Livable Communities Awards


Multifamily
•	FHA Condo Announcement Brings Good News and Bad

•	July 8 Webinar to Discuss Costs, Benefits of Going Green

•	Explore FHA Financing at NAHB Webinar on July 22


Remodelers
•	EPA Warns Remodelers About Vermiculite Insulation

•	Members, Listen Free to Audio Seminar Recording on Lead Paint


Building Systems
•	Modular Industry Leaders to Share Concerns at SHOWCASE


Education
•	Education Calendar


construction safety
•	Summer Heat Can Cause Safety, Health Risks

•	DEWALT Recalls Two Framing Nailer Models


Green Building
•	EVHA Winners Provide Tips on Energy-Efficient Building


environment
•	EPA Greenhouse Gas Finding Could Raise Cost of Housing


Legal
•	NAHB, Supreme Court Like-Minded in Wetlands Decision

•	N.J. Court Limits Exactions for Recreation, Open Space


hbi
•	HBI Steps Up Assistance to YouthBuild Programs


Building Products
•	Overhead Door Corporation RSX Operator Featured at PCBC


TV
•	NAHB-Produced Programs on the DIY Network


Endowment
•	Student Competitions Boost Grades, Salaries, Study Finds


Association News
•	Save Big on 4th of July Essentials at Omaha Steaks

•	Members Can Save 10% on Vacation Rentals Worldwide

•	Save More With Hertz Off-Airport Locations

•	Members Can Save Big on FedEx Shipping Services Beginning July 1

•	ConstructionJobs.com Named a Top 100 Job Board

•	Calendar of Events


NAHB Career Center

Top Story

Big Boost in Housing Demand Expected From Echo Boomers

Depicting the current housing downturn in sobering terms, the 2009 "State of the Nation’s Housing" report released by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies on June 22 nevertheless gives home builders firm assurances of a resurgence in demand once the echo-boom generation gains a footing in the housing market.

Born from 1981-2000, members of the echo-boom generation, Harvard says, will boost annual average household growth to more than 1.25 million during the decade of 2010-2020 — even under the worst of circumstances.

[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite	$ 241	up	$ 12

OSB Composite	$ 187	up	$ 10

Southern Pine Plywood Composite	$ 372	up	$ 6

With Permission from: RandomLengths.com

Layouts for Living

Floor Plans: A Federal Farmhouse With Built-In Sustainability

Project:
Panelized Home

Manufacturer:
Connor Homes

Builder:
Columbia Country Historic Homes

About 30 miles from Albany, N.Y., on a hidden parcel of land in Chatham sits a new, “old” panelized construction-built farmhouse using sustainable green materials and systems and accented with salvaged lumber and other recycled materials.

The home owners wanted to use both passive and solar energy to power the home, so they worked to design and site the farmhouse for maximum solar gain.
[MORE]

More States Help First-Time Home Buyers Monetize Tax Credit

With the recent addition of Nebraska, Texas and Virginia, 13 states have now taken steps to monetize the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers so that it can be used for downpayments and closing costs.

The other 10 states with programs are: Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

[MORE]

Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published on July 6

Nation's Building News will not be published on July 6. Regular weekly publication will resume July 13.

Happy Fourth of July.

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates
	30-Yr. Fixed: 5.42%	15-Yr. Fixed: 4.87%	5 Yr. ARM: 4.99%
	1 Yr. ARM: 4.93%	Libor (3 months): 0.60%	Prime: 3.25%
Housing Starts* (May 2009)
	Total: 532,000	Single: 401,000	Multi: 131,000
Home Sales* (May 2009)
	New: 4.77 million	Existing: 342,000
Median Home Prices (May 2009)
	New: $221,600	Existing: $173,000

* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate