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

NAHB-Produced Programs on the DIY Network

The NAHB Production Group produces weekly television shows for consumers on the DIY network. The following is the latest lineup:

"Indoors Out" on DIY

Episode: "Home Plate Hangout"

• March 12, 2:30 a.m. EST
• March 12, 11:30 p.m. EST

 

John and Chrissy Maguire love Cape Cod almost as much as they love baseball. When they found the perfect Cape Cod cottage right next to the Chatham Angler's baseball field, they were ecstatic. Their quaint home, however, is only 800 square feet, which makes inviting family and friends over for ball games nearly impossible. With a love for the game and a knack for distinctive projects, hosts Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns are the perfect contractors to come up with a baseball-themed design. Their design maximizes the space in the back yard without overwhelming the existing charm and style of the cottage. They start by installing a quartzite paver patio in the shape of home plate. In keeping with the baseball theme, they build a bar/grilling station accented with baseball bats — perfect for entertaining guests. To keep the Maguires warm on those cool Cape Cod nights, Dean and Derek bring in a removable firepit and seating area. But to really make this home plate hangout complete, they add relaxing chairs — on stilts — for a perfect view of the baseball field. Throw in lush plantings, more seating and a top-notch sound system and this outdoor room is an absolute home run.

Episode: "Outdoor Cigar Room"

• March 14, 9:30 a.m. EDT

 

Buddy LaPointe enjoys smoking cigars but his wife Sue doesn't allow him to enjoy them inside, so hosts Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns give Buddy a smoking lounge outside his patio doors. They create a two-layered deck with one area for eating and another for lounging. They also make the yard’s boring chimney a focal point with a salvaged chestnut beam for a mangle and an antique weather-proofed cabinet for cigars. From colors to furniture to stogies, this episode has everything needed to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor cigar room.

Episode: "Modern Urban Living Room"

• March 19, 11:00 a.m. EDT

 

In true Cambridge style, Nick and Tanya's townhouse is small and quaint. But their taste is modern and artistic. Nick, a company controller, and Tanya, a small business owner, like to defy convention, so they decide to expand their limited indoor living space by creating a sleek and modern outdoor living room. Seeing the potential for a modern urban space, hosts Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns are eager to make Nick and Tanya's city-dweller dreams come true. For starters, Nick and Tanya's yard is shaded with trees, so it's no surprise that grass won't grow. No worries, Dean and Derek select a bluestone patio in an Ashlar pattern to provide an attractive foundation to the room that will look good no matter the sun's exposure. And with the help from designer Jay Bearfield, they build a contemporary artistic water fountain. To give privacy to the space, they bring in bamboo, contemporary furniture and other decorative elements to complete the minimalist yet comfortable look.

Episode: "English-Style Family Room"

• March 19, 11:30 a.m. EDT

 

With six teenage children, the Barrett family is teeming with energy. Things inside can get a little crazy, so single mom Elinore has asked hosts Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns to help her turn the backyard into a tranquil, English-style family room for all of the family to enjoy. Dean and Derek start by demolishing the current brick patio. From there they have a clean slate to create landscaping with nooks for the family to enjoy together. Dean and Derek take advantage of some of the yard's natural features, like a large tree, to create intimate settings for seating areas. They install a self-contained waterfall to further add to the peaceful atmosphere. In addition, quaint touches like arbors, statues and urns make this space a unique place to sit and relax.

HGTV Seeking ‘Dream Home’ Builder/Architect Teams

HGTV is seeking developers, builders and architects to create the 2010 HGTV Dream Home, the grand prize in the network's annual sweepstakes. To learn more, click here.

About the NAHB Production Group

The NAHB Production Group is a full-service, self-contained, media production unit creating programming for cable television, broadcast television, non-profit, museum and corporate clients. Productions range from magazine format shows for general audiences to museum-installation videos for specialized use.

The production group includes award winning journalists, writers and photographers with experience in broadcast, documentary and corporate television.


 

Sponsored by
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> HP Business AdvantEdge Laptop Offer for NAHB Members
> Lock in 2009 Credit Card Processing Rate With Solveras
> Members, Take Advantage of Special Hertz Offers