NBN Online for the week of August 10, 2009

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Builders Ask Congress to Extend Home Buyer Tax Credit
Many Sign Up Early for Hot IBS Deals on Housing, Registration
Public Feedback Drives Growing Coverage of Key Housing Issues
Coast to Coast
Stable Housing Market Seen as Key to U.S. Economic Recovery
Economics & Finance
Eye on the Economy: Drumbeat of Bad News Starts to Fade
Register for Fall Construction Forecast Conference
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Make Your Stiff, Leather Gloves Fit Like a Glove
Downturn
How to Use Social Networking When Marketing New Homes
Webinar to Explore Selling to 50+ Buyers in a Down Economy
Free Aug. 17 Webinar to Discuss Land Development Opportunities
Multifamily
FHA Extends Apartment Building Refinancing Waiver
Attend Aug. 20 Webinar on Multifamily Design Trends
Remodelers
Remodelers Modestly More Optimistic in Second Quarter
Homes for Life/CAPS Design Award Applications Due Aug. 21
Custom
Courses Debut at Combined Custom Builder, Design Show
Commercial
Enter NCBC 2010 Awards of Excellence by Aug. 31
Education
Education Calendar
environment
Wider Focus Needed to Clean Up Cheasapeake Bay
Green Building
'Work Boots Tour' Educates Indiana Brokers, Home Buyers
Zero Energy Homes Draw Traffic in Tucson Despite Sales Slump
Presentation Proposals Sought for Green Building Conference
hbi
Project CRAFT Hammers Away at Southeast Building Show
Building Products
Home Depot and Habitat Expand Green Building Program
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on the DIY Network
Endowment
HBAs: Apply for NAHB/NOD Disability Initiative Award
Association News
Members Can Save Big on FedEx Shipping Services
Members, Continue to Drive Away With a Shiny New $500 GM Offer
Save Big on Summer Essentials at Omaha Steaks
NAHB Committee, Council Appointment Process Underway
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Builders’ Tip: Make Your Stiff, Leather Gloves Fit Like a Glove

For many years, I have worn leather gloves for heavy construction work and have found that the inexpensive, stiff gloves I used lasted just as long as the more expensive, soft and pliable ones.

Rather than spend more money for gloves, I have found a simple way to make the less expensive ones fit me more comfortably — while also helping heal my rough hands.

Here’s my solution:

  • Coat your hands with a liberal amount of the thickest hand cream you can find, then slip on the gloves and go about your work like you normally would when wearing gloves.

  • While you are working, the cream soaks into the leather, softens it and forms the gloves to your hands.

  • In a matter of minutes, the old, stiff gloves will become pliable and you won’t be able to tell the inexpensive gloves from expensive ones.


By the way, the lotion also helps keeps gloves that have gotten wet from becoming stiff when they dry out. The lotion also seems to make the gloves last a little longer.

— Bill Rutledge, via e-mail

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.


 

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