NBN Online for the week of August 3, 2009

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Clock Running Down on First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
NAHB Asks Bank Regulators for Prompt Action on Faulty Appraisals
Compliance With Storm Water Rules Serious Business
Coast to Coast
High-End Homes Frozen Out of Budding Housing Rebound
Politics & Government
Lawmakers Approve Housing Initiatives Before Adjourning
No Floor Votes on Health Care Before September
NAHB Continues to Seek Co-Sponsors for NOL Bills
Economics & Finance
‘Second Look’ Program to Expand Mortgage Modifications
Mortgage Rates Rise Slightly Along With Optimism on Housing
Fed’s Beige Book Sees Spotty Signs of a Housing Turnaround
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Downturn
Webinar to Explore Selling to 50+ Buyers in a Down Economy
Free Aug. 17 Webinar to Discuss Land Development Opportunities
NAHB Provides HBAs Incentives to Save on Recruitment Training
Tips
Builders’ Tip: A Simple Way to Bore Clean Holes
IBS
Hot Housing Deals at IBS When You Register in August
Technology
Home Technology Can Add Value, Boost Appeal
Multifamily
Interest Grows in FHA Multifamily Finance Programs
Remodelers
Deadlines Near for Four NAHB Remodelers Awards
Education
Education Calendar
Green Building
Grant Supports Green Building in New Hampshire
Appraisal Institute Webinar to Look at Value of Green Homes
hbi
Lowe’s Helps Job Corps Grads Begin Industry Careers
Building Products
Dryvit Donates ‘Green’ Finish to Silo Eco-Home in Kansas
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on the DIY Network
Endowment
Herman J. Smith Scholarship Award Winners Announced
Association News
Save Big on Summer Essentials at Omaha Steaks
Members, Continue to Drive Away With a Shiny New $500 GM Offer
Members Can Save Big on FedEx Shipping Services
Members, Get 15% Discount on New FTD Luxury Collection
NAHB Committee, Council Appointment Process Underway
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Top Story

Clock Running Down on First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

With the clock running down on the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and less than four months to go, builders are urging qualified prospective buyers to start the sales process long before the Nov. 30 deadline.

Faulty appraisals that have been using foreclosed properties as comparables for new homes have been slowing down the sales process in many instances, builders warn, creating hiccups in the financing stage that can often push the closing date much later than originally expected.
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 235 up $ 3
OSB Composite $ 192 down $ 2
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 369 up $ 7
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com
 

NAHB Asks Bank Regulators for Prompt Action on Faulty Appraisals

In a July 27 letter, NAHB has asked banking agencies for guidance to instruct appraisers on the proper procedures for using distressed or foreclosed properties as comparables in new single-family home appraisals.

“We have noticed that some appraisers are frequently using distressed and foreclosed property sales as comparables in conjunction with appraisals on single-family home sales without properly adjusting the comparable property values to reflect the relative conditions of the properties,” the letter said.

[MORE]

Compliance With Storm Water Rules Serious Business

Even as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers more stringent regulations on storm water management for construction sites, it remains important for builders and developers to comply with the rules now in place, according to storm water regulation expert Jennifer Hildebrand of Weis Builders Inc. and Washington area builder Chuck Ellison of Miller and Smith.

The two appeared on a July 28 webinar by NAHB to discuss the storm water regulation challenges confronting the housing industry.

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 5.25% 15-Yr. Fixed: 4.69% 5 Yr. ARM: 4.75%
  1 Yr. ARM: 4.80% Libor (3 months): 0.47% Prime: 3.25%
Housing Starts*  (June 2009)
  Total: 582,000 Single: 470,000 Multi: 112,000
Home Sales*  (June 2009)
  New: 384,000 Existing: 4.89 million  
Median Home Prices  (June 2009)
  New: $206,200 Existing: $181,800  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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