NBN Online for the week of March 8, 2010

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

In This Issue:

Front Page
Lumber, Materials Prices to Rise as Housing Recovers
Builders Go Head to Head With Foreclosures and Win
NAHB Finds Construction Costs Are Three-Fifths of Home Price
Coast to Coast
As Loans Dry Up, Builders Work for Banks
housing forum
Letter to the Editor: Builders Are Not the Economy's Enemy
Politics & Government
Democrats Move Forward on Health Reform on Their Own
Mark Your Calendar for the 2010 NAHB Legislative Conference
Economics & Finance
New Single-Family Home Sales Down in January
Builders Concerned About FDIC Distressed Loan Sales
Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended for Some in the Military
Builders Need to Remind Buyers of Tax Credit Expiring Soon
Eye on the Economy: Housing Stumbles on Road to Recovery
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: A Simple Angle Grinder Dust Collector
Business Management
Market Effectively, Efficiently With Automated Marketing
Compare Business Performance in ‘Cost of Doing Business Study’
sales and marketing
Toolkit Helps NAHB Members Market New Homes Month
NAHB Book Provides Social Media Strategies for Selling Homes
IBS
Summaries of 30 Most Popular IBS Sessions Available
50Plus Housing
Webinar to Discuss Selling to 50+ Buyers in New Decade
Enter the AARP-NAHB Livable Communities Awards
Cohousing Conference Set for March 20 in Maryland
Multifamily
Good Marketing Can Rent Up Apartments in Tough Times
NAHB Supports FHA Underwriting Standards That Meet Market Needs
Robert Greer Tapped to Chair NAHB's Housing Credit Group
Enter Pillars of the Industry Multifamily Awards by April 9
Building Systems
Log Homes President's Tour Has Been Cancelled
Education
Education Calendar
Green Building
Builders Commend Proposed Energy Efficiency Incentives
National Green Building Conference Set for Raleigh in May
‘National Green Building Standard Commentary’ Now Available
Legal
Legal Action Grants Support Challenges to Fees, Exactions
Free Webinar on Chinese Drywall to Be Held on March 11
hbi
HBI Helping to Mentor Teens on Construction Careers
Building Products
GAF Fascia Intake System Solves Ventilation Problems
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on the DIY Network
Endowment
Challenge/Build/Grow Initiative Proposals Due March 26
2011 HELP Grant Applications Due March 26
Association News
Kevin Kelly a Candidate for 2011 NAHB Third Vice Chairman
Michael Kurpiel Named 2009 NAHB Associate of the Year
HomeAid America Completes Its 200th Shelter
Register for Spokesperson Training at Spring Board
In Florida, Insurer Pledges $100,000 to Polk County BA
HP Business AdvantEdge Laptop Offer for NAHB Members
Avoid Credit Card Processing Rate Increases With Solveras
Members, Take Advantage of Special Offers From Hertz
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Related Articles

Builders Commend Proposed Energy Efficiency Incentives

‘National Green Building Standard Commentary’ Now Available

National Green Building Conference Set for Raleigh in May

An expanded tour of green homes, advanced educational sessions and the National Green Building Awards Dinner will be highlights of the 12th annual NAHB National Green Building Conference in Raleigh, N.C., May 16-18.

Registration opened last month and so far is running slightly ahead of last year’s figures. There were about 1,200 attendees at the conference in Dallas last May.

The annual Tour of Homes is being organized by the Green Home Builders of the Triangle, veterans of green home tours in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area.

The tour includes examples of affordable, production and high-end homes, both completed and under construction. Remodeling and multifamily projects are included as well.

The growing interest in green building and requests from long-time conference attendees and more experienced green builders convinced the conference working group, led by Maryland builder Mike Bell, to increase the selection of more advanced, in-depth educational sessions along with the introductory courses and seminars.

Among the new offerings:

  • The Economics of Green Homes and Green Home Building. This session will examine real world case studies drawn from both single-family and multifamily new construction and weatherization projects to demonstrate the economics of green homes and identify opportunities to build a better, more salable product; reduce costs;  deliver good investment returns and value to the customer; and differentiate green homes from the competition.

  • The Latest in Appraising and Lending on Green Buildings. This program will provide an update on FHA, VA and conventional financing as well as the state of green appraising. Also covered will be the so-called “smart commute” and movement within the secondary market to create a true green mortgage.

  • Green Renovation & Addition. A start-to-finish case study of an extensive renovation and addition project that turned a 15-year-old, 1,800-square-foot, inefficient home into an award-winning green project will review the decision-making process of the home owners as they worked with an experienced team of green builders.


In addition, there will be an all-day GreenTensive session on May 17 to encourage advanced and veteran green builders and remodelers to collaborate and share solutions to the challenges they have encountered.

There is also a two-day course, Advanced Green Building: Building Science, that will instruct builders and remodelers on proper building science techniques for constructing and remodeling high-performance homes. Course attendees can earn credit toward a Master CGP designation. The course will be held May14-15, prior to the conference.

NAHB members receive discounted conference registration. Visit the registration page for more details.



‘National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.

The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.

Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here.



'National Green Building Standard Commentary' Available at BuilderBooks.com

The "National Green Building Standard Commentary," available through BuilderBooks.com and a companion to the ANSI approved "National Green Building Standard," that provides valuable insight to the intention and implementations of the practices and provisions found in the green building standard.

The "Commentary" is a useful resource for any designer or builder using the ICC 700-2008 as a rating system for developing or renovating residential properties of all types to reduce their relative impact.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.



The Future of Residential Construction Is Green

The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.

Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 4,600 people have earned the CGP designation to date.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.



‘Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.


 

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