Nation's Building News Online: May 3, 2010

Print All Articles Text Version

Lack of Credit a Threat to Sustainable Housing Recovery, Builders Warn

Some 1,000 builders visiting Capitol Hill on April 21 as part of NAHB’s annual Legislative Conference told lawmakers that business conditions in the housing industry remain grim in the face of an ongoing credit crisis that has choked off the availability of acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) lending to begin or complete viable residential projects.

The credit crunch has been particularly acute in the housing sector, and builders recently surveyed by NAHB have reported continued deterioration in residential lending conditions.

“Our message to Congress was loud and clear,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones. “The lack of credit for AD&C financing must be resolved soon. Otherwise, it could end the budding housing recovery before it has time to take root.”

While in Washington for the April 18-23 NAHB board meeting, association leaders and a cross-section of builders were able to continue their ongoing series of meetings with top federal policymakers to alert them to the dire impact of credit scarcity and to discuss other key housing issues.

NAHB Senior Officers and key staff members — accompanied by leading executives from the single-family, multifamily and manufacturer/supplier sectors of the home building industry — on the morning of April 19 updated all five Federal Reserve Board governors, including Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, on the state of the nation’s housing.

While the specifics of NAHB’s conversations with Fed officials have always been confidential in order to allow for a frank exchange of ideas, builders did tell the governors that the AD&C credit crunch is a critical problem for the industry and is raising doubts over the strength of the nascent housing recovery and its ability to move the economy forward following the worst downturn since the Great Depression.

A separate one-hour meeting with Fed Governor Elizabeth Duke focused on this issue.

Later that afternoon, NAHB Chairman Jones, First Vice Chairman Bob Nielsen, CEO Jerry Howard, EVP for Advocacy Bill Killmer and Chief Economist David Crowe met at the White House with Lawrence Summers, director of the National Economic Council, to discuss steps the federal government can take to help boost housing’s role in generating jobs.

Topics included the AD&C credit crisis, the future role of housing’s government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and GSE loan limits, financial services regulatory reform and an overview of the housing outlook.

NAHB Senior Officers and senior staff discuss housing finance issues with HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, far right.

Serious difficulties with the credit crunch and new home appraisals were at the top of the agenda when the NAHB Senior Officers met with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan on April 20. Other topics of discussion included the GSEs, FHA underwriting changes and the Administration’s foreclosure mitigation efforts. NAHB leaders emphasized the importance of Secretary Donovan raising housing credit problems in discussions with other members of the Administration's economic team.

Continuing to take its case to those who can make a difference in pursuing policies aimed at restoring the health of the housing sector, NAHB has remained engaged with the nation’s top banking regulators. On April 29, Senior Officers and staff met with Sheila Bair, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and John Dugan, comptroller of the currency, to discuss solutions that will help restore the flow of credit to housing.

NAHB has also been reaching out to all the major banking trade organizations and housing industry groups. On April 27, association leaders met with their counterparts from the Independent Community Bankers of America to further address the importance of lending to creditworthy borrowers and the need for regulators to provide constructive guidance to encourage and facilitate real estate loan workouts.

During the Legislative Conference, builders conducted more than 250 meetings with their members of Congress, urging lawmakers to send a letter to banking regulators voicing their concerns on the lending environment.

The letter urged regulators to recognize the damaging economic impact of overly restrictive lending policies. It also said that financial institutions should be encouraged to fund viable new projects and to take steps to avoid foreclosure on AD&C loans by accommodating loan modifications and workouts.

“While I support prudent financial regulatory oversight, it seems that bank examiners are forcing actions that are unrelated to sensible regulatory requirements,” the letter said. “It is not in anyone’s interest — not lenders, not builders, not the economy as a whole — to deny credit for viable projects and to force performing borrowers into insolvency.”

In addition to delivering an urgent AD&C message to lawmakers, builders participating in the Legislative Conference cited the importance of using tax credits to encourage energy retrofits and urged members of Congress to oppose any attempts by labor unions to revive the failed health care amendment by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

Merkley would have required construction firms employing more than five workers to provide health insurance even though the law exempted from mandated coverage all small businesses with 50 or fewer workers. While NAHB was successful in stripping the Merkley language from the final health care bill, concerns remain that proponents of the provision could add it to an unrelated piece of legislation moving through Congress.

Photos by Herman Farrer Photography

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), left, meets with a delegation of members that includes NAHB First Vice Chairman Bob Nielsen, second from left, a builder from Reno, Nev.

Kentucky builders discuss housing issues with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), far right.

A large delegation of NAHB members meets with Senator Thomas Carper (D-Del.), center.

NAHB members meet with Republican Conference Chair Mike Pence (R-Ind.), center.

Davis-Bacon Construction Wages Zoom in Montgomery County, Md.

Providing a cautionary tale for builders and developers across the country who work on federally funded residential construction of four stories or less, prevailing Davis-Bacon wages for key construction workers skyrocketed last year in Montgomery County, Md., because non-union workers were underrepresented in the survey that determines them.

Labor unions in the county made a strong push to have their members fill out the wage survey. Employers of non-labor union workers, in sharp comparison, did not. As a result, carpenters saw their wages surge by a whopping 63% and other residential construction workers such as plumbers, bulldozer operators and unskilled labor saw their wages rise dramatically over what was actually being paid in the local employment market.

Builders and remodelers in Montgomery County will now be required to pay those higher Davis-Bacon wage rates to engage in weatherization projects under the stimulus bill. This also includes weatherization upgrades in federally funded buildings such as military or HUD housing.

With the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act — or “Cash for Caulkers” bill — now moving through Congress, labor unions are seeking to limit the ability of non-union retrofit training programs, and non-union contractors, to engage in the program.

If enacted, the bill would provide $5 billion to retrofit 3.3 million American homes for energy efficiency — creating up to an estimated 168,000 jobs.

In a somewhat haphazard process, the prevailing Davis-Bacon wage rate for workers on federal and public works projects is determined by surveys of area employers on their wage rates and benefit packages.

In most instances, the surveys submitted to the Department of Labor disproportionately include information gleaned from collective bargaining agreements and unionized employers, since unions often coordinate efforts to ensure the surveys are filled out by their members.

Not only can the data be skewed, as demonstrated in the case of Montgomery County, but there is no set schedule for these surveys in many parts of the country, making it difficult to determine a current, fair wage.

NAHB has urged the Department of Labor to replace the existing process and instead use data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that lay out the actual wages paid by employers to their employees across the country.

But until a new process is adopted, NAHB is advising its members that it is vital for builders, remodelers and developers to fill out the wage rate survey in their area whenever it is offered.

To learn more about the Davis-Bacon Act and federal labor laws, e-mail Jenna Hamilton at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8407.

For more information on the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, contact Elizabeth Odina, x8570.

EPA Announces Expansion of New Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that its new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule will apply to all homes built before 1978. The agency is eliminating an “opt-out” provision that largely limited the regulation’s applicability to older homes that were the residences of pregnant women or children under six years old.

Expected to be enforced starting in July, the new mandate will increase the number of homes covered by the lead rules from an estimated 9.4 million to about 79 million, even though the EPA itself estimates that a significantly smaller number of homes — about 38 million — still contain lead paint.

The agency also gave notice that it is writing an additional rule to require more complex dust-wipe or clearance testing, effectively requiring remodelers to fill the role of lead-paint abatement workers. If approved, this rule would become effective in July 2011.

The announcement was made on Earth Day, April 22, the day before the new lead-based paint training and certification requirements for remodelers went into effect.

The rule requires remodelers and all other contractors disturbing more than six square feet of painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes to attend the required training and submit firm certification. It also dictates lead-safe work practices, pre-renovation consumer education and record keeping practices.

NAHB fought hard to delay the certification rule, citing a lack of trainers, ineffective lead-based paint test kits, long delays in the firm certification process and other issues related to a general lack of preparedness for the rule’s implementation.

Now that the rule is law, NAHB is recommending that its members avoid all work in pre-1978 homes unless they have completed their training and certification requirements. Members can click here to find a list of EPA-accredited trainers.

At an April 22 meeting of NAHB Remodeler trustees, Steve Owens, the EPA’s assistant administrator, and Maria Doa, director of the agency’s National Program Chemicals Division, were told by association members that removing the opt-out provision will only magnify the shortage of certified remodelers by increasing  the number of homes subject to the new work requirements.

The EPA said that the opt-out provision could result in insufficient protection for children under age six and pregnant women who might move into a targeted pre-1978 home that had been renovated without following the new work procedures. Eliminating the ability to opt out, it said, will result in “fewer homes being purchased with lead hazards created by renovation, repair and painting activities.”

In addition, removing the opt-out provision provides “protection for family pets, as lead poisonings resulting from renovations have been documented in both cats and dogs,” the EPA said.

Owens told a standing-room-only audience that the EPA would “work with NAHB to make the transition as smooth as it could be,” promising that those remodelers who had submitted the paperwork and fees for firm certification and completed their training by April 22 — but had not yet received that certification in the mail — would not be prosecuted. “You’re good to go,” Owens said.

He also agreed with concerns that the agency has been slow to get the word out to consumers and contractors about the rule’s requirements. “Certainly we could have had more awareness,” Owens said.

The agency has partnered with the non-profit Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on a public relations campaign to increase home-owner awareness of the rule, he said, and EPA officials had spent the week conducting “a boatload of radio interviews.”

However, Owens said the EPA is not concerned that a shortage of certified remodelers will impede plans of the Obama Administration and Congress to offer incentives for weatherizing the nation’s older housing stock. “The Department of Energy does not think there will be any impact,” he said.

Citing the economic impact of the rule, a remodeler from Colorado said that he has already lost bids because of the additional expense and an Alaskan remodeler said the rule is likely to add between $7,000 and $10,000 to his company’s cost of a major home addition project. Doa shook her head and Owens affirmed the EPA’s estimate that the rule will add between $8 and $187 per project. “We stand by our analysis,” he said.

The agency said it was working on providing NAHB members with clarification on how the rule applies to homes under construction before 1978 but not completed until after that time, when lead paint was no longer allowed.

In addition to removing the opt-out provision, the rules set to take effect in July will require remodelers to give any records to their customers within 30 days of completing the job, including a checklist confirming that they followed the required lead-safe work practice steps.

The EPA also announced it will soon propose expanding the rule to public and commercial buildings. 

NAHB is hosting a lead rule webinar free for members on Thursday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. to answer questions about removal of the opt-out provision and to offer remodelers guidance on managing other requirements of the rule.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/leadpaint; or e-mail Therese Crahan at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8211.

New Resources Available for May 25 National Membership Day Recruitment Drive

NAHB’s Membership Defenders are back just in time for National Membership Day on May 25 to help home builders associations build their membership strength, one member at a time.

This year’s “Superhero” campaign features new tools, a lead list and other valuable resources that will enable HBAs to recruit new members and bring former members back as well as promote the power of participation.

New this campaign are National Membership Day Edit-Me Articles — five focused articles that set the stage for National Membership Day; reinforce the importance of participation; talk the talk and walk the walk; help build strong relationships; and ask for the time to build membership.

All the articles can be edited and trimmed and used in HBA publications and communications as messages from the HBA president, membership committee chair or other appropriate membership recruiters. The Edit-Me articles can be downloaded at www.nahb.org/membershipdefenders.

Other Resources

Other resources available to HBAs include:

• Two postcards to cultivate new prospects and re-engage members who have left the fold. The postcards are free while supplies last and can be ordered at www.nahb.org/materialsordering.
• A lead list for all participating local associations of non-member IBS registrants within the HBA’s service area. The lists will be e-mailed to the associations.

Opt In to the Membership Day Campaign

HBAs can join the National Membership Day campaign by visiting www.nahb.org/membershipdefenders.

This year, Spike credits for participating associations will double during May. In addition, NAHB is not requesting state associations to join the annual campaign.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/membershipdefenders, or call the National Membership Defenders hotline at 800-899-6242. 

Home Builders Gird for Higher Costs as Lumber Prices Climb

Builders in Sioux Falls, S.D., say increasing lumber costs haven’t hit them yet, but they are bracing for the future as they start new projects. “We won’t see the price increase for another month or so,” said Gary Harr, one of the owners of Harr and Lemme Homes. “Anything that we start from now on, it’s going to affect those prices.” The cost of lumber and wood products accounts for one-third of the cost of materials used to build a home, according to NAHB. At $350 per 1,000 board feet — close to the $365 cost reported by Random Lengths on April 30 — the lumber package for a 2,400-square-foot home would cost more than $9,000. The increase comes after a down period for lumber prices because of low demand and an oversupply in the market. But demand has started to build, and now supply is not able to keep up, explained Jon Anderson, publisher of Random Lengths. “When things start to get better, it’s a difficult decision to commit to reopening saw mills,” Anderson said. “It might take a while because despite the price behavior, the overall picture is still not anywhere close to health.” In Sioux Falls, Al Schoeneman, owner of Schoeneman’s Building Materials Center, said he has product in inventory that has helped him to avoid the steep rise in costs so far. But he said if he were to buy lumber today, it would be about 60% higher than it was in February. Daryl Christensen, president of the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire and owner of Prairie Risings Construction Services, said he has his lumber prices locked, but he’s noticed they’re starting to creep up. He expects the numbers to keep increasing. How much such cost increases raise the price of a home remains to be seen, though Harr said he doesn’t expect the effect to be severe. (www.argusleader.com)
Sioux Falls Argus Leader (4/28/10); Kelly Thurman

High Cost of Raw Materials: Surging Prices, Fueled by Emerging-Market Demand, Hit Profits, Consumers

An unrelenting rise in the cost of raw materials — largely driven by mounting demand from Asia — is cutting corporate profits, hitting stocks and, in some cases, pushing up consumer prices. Data on producer prices released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on April 22 showed that crude goods such as iron ore, construction sand and pulp shot up 44.5% year-over-year, the fastest rise since 1974. Lumber is up nearly 59%. The gains in lumber prices have added about $2,400, or 1.1%, to the price of the median home, according to NAHB. In a recent presentation, Raymond James analysts concluded that higher lumber costs could shave as much as 3% to 4% off home-builder profit margins unless they pass the costs on to customers or find some other way to reduce expenses. (www.wsj.com)
Wall Street Journal (4/23/10); Liam Pleven

Market for High-Priced Homes, Jumbo Mortgages Begins to Thaw

Since the collapse of the housing market, home buyers trying to secure a mortgage of more than $729,750 have faced higher interest rates and tough new standards to even qualify for a loan. Now the market for these “jumbo” loans is starting to thaw. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage stood at about 5.8% for the week ending on April 24, according to HSH Associates. That was near historic lows and down significantly from the height of the financial crisis, when it was near 8%. Traditionally, jumbo loans account for 18% to 20% of mortgages issued, but by 2009 they were only 5%, according to Inside Mortgage Finance, a trade publication. Demand for jumbo loans has already picked up in California and New York, two traditionally high-priced markets, said Sanjiv Das, chief executive of CitiMortgage. “It looks like, at the higher end, prices have dropped by as much as they needed to, and there is some sense of stabilization in a much broader swath of the country as opposed to six months ago,” Das said. “I am much more confident than I was six months ago that there is a stabilization and that it will stay stable.” In another sign the market may be improving, California-based Redwood Trust said in a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it would sell $222 million in securities backed by pools of jumbo mortgages. The average balance of the mortgages would be about $933,000. This will be the first securitization of jumbo mortgages since the market collapsed, said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com. “If lenders have the ability to sell those loans to investors, that opens up a pipeline of capital with which to make more jumbo loans,” he said. “It will increase availability of credit in the jumbo space and help bring down rates relative to smaller conforming loans.” (www.washingtonpost.com)
Washington Post (4/24/10); Renae Merle

Fannie Mae Wants to Help Some Troubled Borrowers Get Back Into Home Market

In an April 14 bulletin to lenders, Fannie Mae said it is relaxing rules that prevented loan applicants who have participated in short sales or deeds in lieu of foreclosure from obtaining a new mortgage for extended periods of time. Under the new rules, which are scheduled to take effect on July 1, home owners who have done short sales will be able to qualify for a mortgage in as little as two years, instead of the four or five years that is typical. To qualify for a new loan in the minimum two years, most borrowers will need to come up with downpayments of at least 20%. If they can scrape together only 10% for a downpayment, the wait will revert to the four-year minimum. And if their downpayments are less than 10%, the wait could be even longer. On the other hand, if borrowers can demonstrate that their mortgage problems were directly attributable to “extenuating circumstances” — such as loss of employment, medical expenses or divorce — they might be able to qualify for new loans with minimum downpayments of 10% in just two years. (www.washingtonpost.com)
Washington Post (4/24/10); Kenneth R. Harney

Tool Belt Yoga: Construction Worker Sees Ancient Discipline as a Benefit to Manly Men

On his website, yogafortheconstructionindustry.com, construction-guy turned-yoga-instructor Allan Nett, 64, of St. Helena, Calif., shows and tells how a version of lynegar yoga can benefit construction workers. Yoga opens up a tool box of benefits to guys in construction, Nett says. “The construction industry is known for sore hands and knees, bad backs and hurt shoulders,” he cautions. Yoga helps in recovery, he says, and it helps a guy from being injured in the first place. Keith Wingfield of River Rock Builders and president of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Little Rock takes pride in his company being “way ahead of most folks in terms of energy efficiency and green building,” but he rates the chances of yoga catching on among the guys who work for him at “zero to none.” Nett says that the first argument against yoga that he encounters is that a person who works construction all day winds up too tired for exercise. He counters that yoga gives him more energy more dependably than anything else. He also argues against another objection: that physical labor is all the workout a person needs. “It’s bogus,” Nett says. “Yeah, we get a lot of exercise [on the job]. I was very toned when I was swinging a hammer. But our activities are so lopsided.” A right-handed carpenter, for example is going to work that arm the way Nett did — thousands and thousands of swings and jolts to the right arm, compared to his left hand’s slacker job of holding a nail. In time, Nett says, repetition can throw the whole body out of alignment. Balance is the answer, and yoga is all about balance, Nett says. But even if the boss orders his crew to a yoga class for their own good, and for the company’s benefit as a way to have stronger, healthier workers and fewer injuries, there’s no forcing yoga. “They have to want to be in,” Nett says. “I’ve been where people have been mandated to take my classes, and it doesn’t work at all.” (www.arkansasonline.com)
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (4/26/10); Ron Wolfe

Houses of 2020 Will Be All About Energy

The American house of 2020 will likely be smaller, smarter, more urban and efficient. More houses will have energy meters that track power usage and program appliances to run when electric rates are lowest. Houses also will waste less energy because they’ll have better insulation and windows. Production builders such as Pulte are already reducing the average size of their new models and offering more eco-features such as solar panels. KB Homes is now offering pre-wiring for electric vehicle charging stations. Alex Wilson, executive editor of BuildingGreen, expects lower prices and improved performance to make solar water heaters and rooftop panels “very common” by 2020, used in at least 30% of new homes. Among other changes he sees: more houses and apartments built in areas close to public transit, walkways and bike paths; an increased market share for LED lighting despite its higher cost compared to compact fluorescent; and ductless heating. Geothermal heat pumps will be replaced by lower-cost, ductless “mini-split” air-source heat pumps, predicts Wilson. He says ductless technology is improving, and while most manufacturers are now Japanese, more U.S. firms will move into the market. Efficient windows are also on the rise. Triple-glazed, low-emissive windows will become common, accounting for up to a third of sales in colder climates. It also will become common to “tune” windows, Wilson says, by using different glass on a home’s south side than on its east or west. (www.usatoday.com)
USA Today (4/22/10); Wendy Koch

Builders Support Long-Term Extension of National Flood Insurance

NAHB on April 21 expressed support for congressional efforts to enact a long-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to ensure that the federally-backed flood insurance program remains available, affordable and financially healthy.

Testifying before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, Barry Rutenberg, second vice chairman of NAHB and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla., urged Congress to approach this legislation with care.

"The NFIP is not simply about flood insurance premiums and payouts," said Rutenberg. "Rather, it is a comprehensive program that guides future development and mitigates against future loss. While a financially stable NFIP is in all of our interests, the steps that Congress takes to ensure financial stability have the potential to greatly impact housing affordability and the ability of local communities to exercise control over their growth and development options."

The NFIP recently experienced several short-term lapses in authorization, forcing many home buyers who were unable to obtain insurance for a mortgage to delay or cancel closings. In other instances, builders lacking flood insurance approval were forced to stop or delay construction on a new home.

With the hurricane season just weeks away, NAHB supports a long-term extension of the insurance program to prevent further disruptions in the real estate market and commends the subcommittee for acting quickly on this issue, said Rutenberg.

To improve the solvency of the program and its attractiveness to potential policy holders, NAHB supports a number of reforms that would enable the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the NFIP to better adapt to changes in risk, inflation and the marketplace:

• Bringing coverage limits more in line with today's home values would increase assurances of losses being covered and increase premiums, boosting the program's solvency. The subcommittee's draft legislation includes this much-needed increase.
  
  
• Creating a more expansive "deluxe" flood insurance option — or menu of insurance options from which policyholders can pick and choose — would provide additional home owner benefits while aiding program solvency.
  
  
• Raising the minimum deductible for paid claims would provide a strong incentive for home owners to mitigate and protect their homes, reducing potential future losses to the NFIP.

Before enacting any reforms to change the number, location or types of structures required to be covered by flood insurance, FEMA should first demonstrate that the resulting impacts on property owners, local communities and local land use are more than offset by the increased premiums generated and the hazard mitigation steps taken, said Rutenberg.

"NAHB is pleased that the subcommittee's draft flood insurance legislation requires FEMA to conduct a study of the feasibility and implications of such a change in the NFIP's mandatory purchase requirements," he said.

In a related area, NAHB supports H.R. 1264, the Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2009, which would provide wind insurance for home owners. Sponsored by Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), the bill also references the mitigation requirements of consensus-based building codes aimed at reducing the potential damage from a natural disaster and thus further bolstering the financial stability of the NFIP.

One week after Rutenberg testified before Congress, the House Financial Services Committee on April 27 approved H.R. 1264 and two other NAHB-supported bills that would assist home owners with disaster coverage.

H.R. 5114, sponsored by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), would extend the NFIP through September 2015 and would delay for five years the implementation of a requirement for home owners in new flood-hazard areas to purchase insurance.

H.R. 2555, the Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2009, would allow more than 30 states to pool their risk of natural disasters by creating a National Catastrophe Risk Consortium. This would increase access to home owners insurance by spreading the risk and reducing taxpayer exposure in the event of a major national disaster.

Established in 1968, the NFIP offers affordable flood insurance to home owners and businesses in flood plains and other low-lying areas that otherwise might not be able to obtain coverage.

More than 20,000 communities nationwide participate in the insurance program, which currently covers about 5.5 million policyholders.

To view the legislation, click here and type the bill number in the box at the center of the page.

For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.

House Rides to the Rescue of Key Rural Housing Program

With funding for a key rural housing program about to be exhausted, the U.S. House of Representatives on April 27 approved legislation to ensure that home buyers in rural areas have continued access to affordable mortgages through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan guarantee program.

NAHB is urging prompt action on a companion bill, S. 3622, that has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)

The House bill — H.R. 5017, the Rural Housing Preservation and Stabilization Act of 2010 — would strengthen the USDA 502 loan guarantee program, which is a critical source of financing for rural home buyers.

The program guarantees loans to applicants who have incomes no higher than 115% of the median income for the area. The loans are funded by private lenders and can be used to build, buy, repair or renovate homes.

As a result of the current mortgage credit crisis, demand for the loans has spiked since 2006 and the number made annually has tripled. Without timely congressional action, the program could see its current federal funding depleted within days, according to the bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.)

“As a result of the unprecedented demand, the program is now unfortunately running out of money,” Kanjorski said. “Without action, too many families in rural America will have no options for getting home loans.”

The legislation will correct the funding shortfall by enabling the Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan program to pay for itself, rather than relying on federal funding.

Participating lenders would be required to increase their current 2% fee on new home mortgages to as high as 4%, which would make the program self-sustaining, at no cost to the American taxpayer, and provide families in rural communities with a vital source of mortgage credit.

Citing the importance of the USDA 502 loan program to providing homeownership opportunities in rural communities across the nation, NAHB designated a vote in support of H.R. 5017 as a “key vote.”

The House approved the legislation by a vote of 352 to 62.

To view the legislation, click here and type H.R. 5017 in the box at the center of the screen.

For more information, e-mail Scott Meyer at NAHB or call him at 800-368-5242 x8144.

House Bill Designed to Improve Energy Performance of New and Existing Homes

On Earth Day, April 22, the House Financial Services Committee approved bipartisan legislation that is designed to improve the energy performance of new and existing homes while maintaining their affordability.

H.R. 2336 — the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods Act, or GREEN Act — includes the National Green Building Standard for residential construction and remodeling, the only green standard approved by the American National Standards Institute.

In a letter to Reps. Ed Perlmutter  D-Colo.) and Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) prior to the committee vote, NAHB noted that the measure would provide resources and incentives making green and energy-efficient housing more accessible to consumers.

Key provisions in the GREEN Act include:

• Providing incentives for new and existing structures financed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to meet or exceed the minimum energy efficiency standards established in the bill.
  
  
• Directing HUD to establish a four-year, 50,000-unit program demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of funding a portion of the costs of meeting the enhanced HUD energy efficiency standards. In addition, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) would be encouraged to insure at least 50,000 energy-efficient mortgages by Dec. 31, 2012, creating an emerging market for these loans among home builders, home owners and lenders.
  
  
• Providing resources to non-profit and for-profit organizations to extend the availability of energy-efficient products for existing homes.
  
  
• Establishing a residential energy efficiency block grant program — according to established formulas for the Community Development Block Grant program — to distribute grants for the sole purpose of improving the energy-efficiency of single-family and multifamily housing, with preference given to projects that meet the bill’s efficiency standards.
  
  
• Requiring HUD to insure certain loans made by qualified energy lenders to finance the acquisition of renewable energy systems for residential properties, a provision that would improve the accessibility of leased renewable energy systems for home dwellers.

For more information, e-mail Elizabeth Odina at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8570.

House Bill Aimed at Strengthening FHA’s Financial Stability

Legislation to shore up the financial stability of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) by allowing the agency to better manage its risk and to raise more money was approved by the House Financial Services Committee on April 27.

H.R. 5702, the FHA Reform Act of 2010, would enable the FHA to improve its financial position by adjusting its premium structure for new borrowers and shifting some of the upfront cost to the annual premium.

Specifically, the bill would allow the FHA to increase the annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) from 0.55% to 1.55% for borrowers who make less than a 5% downpayment.

While the FHA is only expected to increase the annual premium to between 0.85% and 0.95%, this additional flexibility will allow the agency to reduce the up-front MIP that was increased to 2.25% earlier this month. Shifting some of the increase from the up-front to the annual premium will reduce the impact on the consumer.

In addition, the measure provides the FHA with enhanced authority to terminate lenders’ approval to originate or underwrite loans backed by FHA insurance when the agency finds evidence of fraud or noncompliance.

The legislation is intended to boost the FHA’s capital reserves, which have recently fallen below the 2% threshold required by law.

NAHB supports these efforts to strengthen the FHA’s finances.

Before the panel considered the measure, NAHB — along with the Mortgage Bankers Association of America and the National Association of Realtors® — sent a letter to committee members urging them to oppose amendments offered by Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) mandating higher downpayments on FHA loans, of up to 5% in some cases, and prohibiting the agency from financing closing costs.

“This is not the time to make unnecessary steps to a program that is serving such a vital function in our housing finance system,” the letter said. “We urge you to oppose any amendments to increase FHA’s downpayment requirement.”

The panel ultimately rejected all of Garrett’s amendments to raise downpayment requirements.

The FHA currently requires a minimum downpayment of 3.5% of the purchase price.

To view the legislation, click here and type H.R. 5702 in the box at the center of the page.

For more information, e-mail Scott Meyer at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8144.

Immigration Reform Hitting Political Snags in the Senate

The outline of a comprehensive draft immigration bill was unveiled last week in Congress, but the outlook for a bipartisan overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws this year has become increasingly uncertain after the lone Republican working with Democrats recently pulled out of negotiations on the issue for the time being.

For the past several months, Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have been working to craft a broad package that would tackle such issues as border security and address the concerns of a number of stakeholders in the debate — including the business community, unions and immigrants seeking to legally enter the country to work.

Such a measure would also presumably seek to resolve the status of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. by establishing a path that would enable them to earn the right to apply for permanent legal status.

Against this backdrop, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on April 23 signed into law a controversial measure to crack down on illegal immigration in her border state. Among its provisions, the law would require police officers to question citizens they suspect are illegal aliens.

Arizona’s tough new initiative brought the contentious issue of immigration to the fore in Congress. Many Democrats and Republicans are not eager to confront this issue just months before the mid-term elections, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) surprised lawmakers when he said during an immigration rally in Las Vegas on April 10 that immigration reform “cannot wait.” He then went further to announce that the Senate would set aside efforts to move forward on climate change legislation and instead take up immigration reform as soon as possible.

Following Reid's announcement, Sen. Graham — who had simultaneously been working to craft a bipartisan climate change bill — indicated that he would not support moving forward on immigration at the expense of the climate change package, which had been scheduled to be introduced on Monday, April 26.

Though Reid subsequently suggested that both issues can be addressed this legislative session, regardless of the sequence in which they are considered, Graham has since indicated that Congress must first improve border security before he will be willing to work on an immigration measure.

Meanwhile, pro-immigration rallies were held in several cities on May 1 in protest of the Arizona law and urging Congress to move quickly to revamp the nation’s immigration policies.

Senate Democrats, led by Sens. Schumer, Reid and Robert Menendez from New Jersey, continue to work on a framework for action on immigration and to seek Republican support. They released their broad draft outline on April 29.

While NAHB had been engaged in the talks with Schumer and Graham, NAHB CEO Jerry Howard noted in an interview with Roll Call last week that if Graham or no other Republicans or conservative, business-oriented Democrats are involved in the negotiations, the prospects of any meaningful immigration reform advancing in 2010 will be “significantly diminished.”

NAHB continues to monitor events closely.

For more information, e-mail Jenna Hamilton at NAHB or call her at 800-368-5242 x8407.

House Bill Would Dramatically Expand Reach of Clean Water Act

In a move that would dramatically expand the scope of the Clean Water Act by replacing the phrase “navigable waters of the United States” with “waters of the United States,” Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on April 21 introduced H.R. 5088, the America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act (ACCWA).

This change would have an enormously negative impact on the home building industry, effectively extending the federal government’s reach to all waters, including storm sewers and retention basins, roadside ditches and seasonal streams.

The expansion of federal jurisdiction proposed in the bill would lead to many more land development and residential projects requiring federal permits and would exacerbate permitting delays — increasing construction costs and driving down housing affordability.

H.R. 5088 was introduced with two other cosponsors, Reps. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.).

By comparison, when Oberstar introduced a similar bill in the last Congress, the Clean Water Restoration Act, he had almost 160 cosponsors.

Oberstar has indicated that he would like to bring H.R. 5088 to the House floor for a vote in September, which would require his committee to consider the measure in the next few months.

On the Senate side, there has been no action since the Environment and Public Works Committee approved S. 787, the Clean Water Restoration Act, last June. At that time, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) said he had placed a “hold” on the bill and indicated that he would filibuster to prevent it from moving to the Senate floor. Crapo is still committed to preventing the bill from moving forward.

To read the legislation, click here and enter H.R. 5088 in the box at the center of the page.

For more information, e-mail Annie Bartlett at NAHB or call her at 800-368-5242 x8307.

With Tax Credit Deadline Approaching, New-Home Sales Surge 27% in March

With many buyers rushing to take advantage of the federal home-buyer tax credit and meet an April 30 deadline for signing a sales contract, sales of newly built single-family homes surged 26.9% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 411,000 units, the Commerce Department reported on April 23.

Sales increases were posted in all four regions of the country.

"Undoubtedly, the tax credit is working," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones. "Builders are seeing a growing optimism among consumers."

"The near record-breaking 27% increase over February was the result of home buyers taking advantage of the tax credit as well as a carryover of demand that was held back by unusually bad weather in February," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe.

"The increased sales are very welcome news and sales will continue to improve, although we expect them to plateau in late spring and early summer when the credit expires,” Crowe said. “Following that, the housing momentum will be carried forward by low interest rates, pent-up household formations, excellent affordability conditions and budding employment growth."

Regionally, sales increased 35.7% in the Northeast, 4.3% in the Midwest, 43.5% in the South and 5.7% in the West.

The nationwide inventory of new homes on the market dropped a negligible 0.8% in March — to 227,000 units — as builders continued to maintain small inventories. With the increased sales pace and low inventory level, the month's supply of new homes for sale dropped from 8.6 in February to 6.7 in March.

Spring Construction Forecast Conference Now a Webinar on May 18

The 2010 Spring Construction Forecast Conference is now a two-hour webinar to be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 18.

Mark Zandi, of Moody’s Analytics, and Chris Varvares, of Macroeconomic Advisers, will join NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe for a macro-level look at the state of the nation’s economy and its impact on housing.

To register, visit www.nahb.org/cfc.

Register for Construction Forecast Conference Webinar on May 18

The 2010 NAHB Spring Construction Forecast Conference, previously an all-day, in-person event with a webcast option, will have a new two-hour webinar format and provide a macroeconomic outlook on the state of the nation’s economy and its impact on housing.

The webinar will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 18.

NAHB’s biannual construction forecast conference has provided in-depth housing and economic analysis for 40 years.

“It is my hope that this new format makes the construction forecast conference even more accessible and ensures that the event continues to provide the most relevant, useful housing market analysis,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe, who will moderate the event and present NAHB’s housing forecast.

Panelists at the conference will discuss key questions, including:

• Recovery: Where is it going? How long will it take?
• What will be the effect of the housing inventory overhang on the market?
• What housing policy issues loom? What will the Fed do?
• Regional highlights — where are housing prospects strongest?

Panelists will include:

• Chris Varvares, president of Macroeconomic Advisers, who will present a macro overview and discuss finance, interest rates and how the Fed’s actions are affecting the recovery
  
  
• Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, who will present his outlook on growth and housing and discuss housing prices and the regional differences in recovery
  
  
• David Crowe, NAHB chief economist, who will present NAHB’s outlook on housing and the economy and examine the effects of low credit availability and under-value appraisals

Participants are encouraged to submit questions via the webinar’s onscreen application.

The fee is $29.95 for NAHB members and $49.95 for non-members.

For more information and the latest agenda, visit www.nahb.org/cfc.

To Register 

Online registration is available through Friday, May 14. To register and learn more, visit www.nahb.org/cfc.

Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends

The following are links to useful information from government agencies and NAHB that will enable you to monitor the housing market.

To access the latest information available, simply click the links.

• U.S. Census Bureau Construction Price Indexes
  
  
• NAHB's Housing Forecast
  Housing starts, sales and interest rate projections through 2009.
  
  
• Latest Home Mortgage Interest Rates
  Contains current and historical data on fixed and adjustable mortgage rates. Updated weekly.
  
  
• Characteristics of New Housing
  Highlights the latest data on new-home characteristics released by the U.S. Census Department. Includes links to the complete Census report and other trends researched by NAHB.
  
  Additional breakouts of this data and other trends researched by NAHB are available at www.nahb.org/constructionstats under “Selected Characteristics of New Housing” (dated 4/3/2008).
  
  
• Housing Starts
  Updated monthly and based on a seasonally adjusted annual rate.
  
  
• New and Existing Home Sales
  Updated monthly and based on a seasonally adjusted annual rate.
  
  
• New and Existing Single-Family Median Home Prices
  Updated monthly.
  
  
• Home Price Index
  The index measures average home appreciation in more than 250 metropolitan markets. Updated quarterly.
  
  
• Metro Home Building Permits
  Local and state data on housing construction rates. Updated monthly.
  
  
• Employment Trends for Metro/State Markets
  Provides metro and state employment data nationwide. Updated monthly.
  
  
• Local Economic Impact of Housing
  Shows how building 100 homes benefits a typical metropolitan area.
  
  
• Home Building’s Direct Impact on the Economy
  
  
• Housing’s Contribution to Gross State Product
  Measures how much housing contributes to the economic output of each state.
  
  
• Housing Market Statistics from HousingEconomics.com
  Full array of statistical categories available to NAHB members, a limited number available to non-members.
  
  
• In-Depth Analysis from HousingEconomics.com
  Full array of analysis of factors affecting housing and the impact on the industry available to NAHB members, a limited number available to non-members.

Spring Construction Forecast Conference Now a Webinar on May 18

The 2010 Spring Construction Forecast Conference is now a two-hour webinar to be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 18.

Mark Zandi, of Moody’s Analytics, and Chris Varvares, of Macroeconomic Advisers, will join NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe for a macro-level look at the state of the nation’s economy and its impact on housing.

To register, visit www.nahb.org/cfc.

Builders’ Tip: Put That Good Orphaned Glove to Work; Use It to Protect Your Goggles

Click for larger image.

Like pairs of socks, gloves have a habit of breaking up and heading off in separate directions with one of the pair getting lost.

I have an orphaned glove like that, a soft fleece half-of-a-pair that was just too good to toss.

So, rather than throw it out, I found a new use for it — protecting my safety goggles.

Now, instead of tossing my goggles into my toolbox at the end of the day, I have a useful fleece-lined sheath to put them in that keeps them from getting scratched when I store them in my toolbox.

— Kerri Spier, Block Island, R.I.

Tips & Techniques provided by Fine Homebuilding.
©2009 The Taunton Press

To contact Fine Homebuilding, e-mail Christina Glennon.

BuilderBooks 2010 Virtual Publications Catalog Now Online

The NAHB 2010 Publications Catalog for BuilderBooks is now available online.

Presented in a virtual format as part of the BuilderBooks effort to go green and streamline delivery, the catalog includes publications and products to help building industry professionals ramp up for a successful year as the industry and the economy begin to recover.

The materials in the catalog, written by industry leaders in various fields of residential construction, feature publications and products about accounting, estimating, business management, green building, sales and marketing, safety, construction codes, 50+ housing, multifamily housing, construction management remodeling and more.

Some of the newest publications in the catalog include “Social Media for Home Builders,” the “National Green Building Standard Commentary” and “Paper Trail: Systems and Forms for a Well-Run Remodeling Company, Second Edition.”

To view the virtual catalog, click here.

Learn Money-Saving Strategies Using Excel 2007 With ‘Estimating with Microsoft Excel’

“Estimating with Microsoft Excel Third Edition,” a book and companion CD by Jay Christofferson, a licensed general contractor, author and software developer, teaches builders and remodelers how to use the powerful features of Microsoft Excel to estimate more quickly and accurately and to customize the process to fit their needs.

Available at BuilderBooks.com, “Estimating with Microsoft Excel” explains how to master the estimating process and easily incorporate changes, such as project alterations or materials substitutions, without starting from scratch — and without sacrificing profits.

“Estimating with Microsoft Excel” includes formulas for calculating common materials and other project costs, including concrete, rebar, labor, permits and taxes.

Builders and remodelers will find helpful information on calculating profit margin with several detailed tables plus a worksheet with sample Excel formulas.

The accompanying CD also contains sample Excel workbooks that address various stages of the estimating process and demonstrate Excel features that will help builders and remodelers automate their worksheets.

For more information or to order, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

North Morningside Craftsman Home: 21st Century Living in 1920s-Era Clothing

The North Morningside Craftsman home in Atlanta was designed to blend in with the 1920s-era neighborhood and architecture that surround it — while functioning as an energy- and resource-efficient, visitable, state-of-the-art 21st century home.

Built by Yorkshire Enterprises, the English Arts and Crafts-style home comfortably occupies the juncture between livable universal design and high-end finish.

The home meets the standards and criteria of EarthCraft, the residential green building program of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association; and EasyLiving Home, a voluntary nationwide certification program for visitable homes.

The North Morningside Craftsman home features a spacious family room with a large wood burning fireplace that was fabricated using brick recycled from the 1920s home that was originally built on the site.

Brick for the fireplace in the family room was recycled from the 1920s home that originally was built on the site.

The master bedroom suite includes an attached sitting area with a fireplace and built-ins, as well as an attached morning kitchen. The bedroom suite also features his and her closets plus an additional walk-in cedar closet.

A second master bedroom suite is located on the first floor for easier access. In addition, each of the other bedrooms in the home features its own walk-in closet and private bathroom.

North Morningside Craftsman is one of four winners of the NAHB and AARP 2009 Livable Communities Awards recognizing the development, construction and marketing of livable homes and communities that improve daily comfort, ease of use and safety for residents. The home won the award in the builder, more than 2,500 square feet category.

Entries for the 2010 Livable Communities Awards are now being accepted. Guidelines and applications are available online; and the application deadline is July 16.

A long, sloped drive leads to the primary and accessible entrance to the home, which is actually at the rear of the home.

The site’s topography and the home’s orientation to the street dictated that the back door, at the end of a long, sloping driveway, serve as the main entrance to the home. That entrance features a flat threshold and a wide door with a levered handle.

Once inside, a wide oak-paneled staircase and a large residential elevator provide easy access to all the home’s floors.

An oak-paneled staircase leads to all levels of the home. An elevator also provides access to all levels.

All the exterior and interior doors are three feet wide or wider and all the hallways are four feet wide or wider. A pocket door opens to the first-floor bedroom suite, providing easy wheelchair access and maneuverability.

In addition, all the light switches and a thermostat in the first-floor bedroom suite were lowered and all the outlets were raised for easier access. The suite’s large closet also includes double-height rods and its bathroom features a roll-in shower and a roll-under sink.

The faucets on the double sinks in the first-floor bathroom suite feature lever handles, and the mirrors swivel up and down to accommodate varying user heights. For versatility and convenience, the hand-held shower head is attached to a wall-mounted rod that can accommodate bathers’ varying heights.

An accessible microwave oven has been installed below the countertop.

The kitchen features a microwave oven installed in a drawer below the countertop. The dishwasher was installed at the end of the counter to provide greater accessibility.

Energy-efficient features in the home include bio-based spray foam insulation and high-efficiency water heaters and heating and air-conditioning units that are zoned and have programmable thermostats. To further enhance efficiency, all of the home’s ducting courses through conditioned space.

Most of the appliances are Energy Star-rated. Aerated shower heads and faucets and low-flow toilets are used throughout the home to reduce water usage and low-VOC paints were used to minimize off-gassing.

Because of continued drought conditions in Atlanta, the home features low maintenance landscaping that does not require a sprinkler system.

Wide doorways ease accessibility and wheelchair maneuverability in the master bedroom.

All the bathrooms have private bathrooms and walk-in closets.

The home features wide hallways throughout.

Find Out What 45+ Housing Buyers Want

“Right House, Right Place, Right Time: Community and Lifestyle Preferences of the 45+ Housing Market,” available through BuilderBooks.com, will help determine the right design, home features and amenities to attract boomer home buyers in your market.

Author Margaret A. Wylde guides readers through the latest survey results on this important consumer group and explains what their responses mean for today’s and tomorrow’s home building industry.

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

May 19 Webinar to Examine Housing Preferences of 50+ Consumers

A webinar on What 50+ Consumers Want: New Research to Help You Understand Your Target Market will review how likely today’s 50+ home buyers are to move and what they will be looking for in their next home or community.

Sponsored by the NAHB 50+ Housing Council and Whirlpool Corp., the webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Margaret Wylde, CAASH, and her team from ProMatura Group, LLC, a nationally recognized market research firm, will present the latest findings from ProMatura’s 2010 Pulse Survey of 50+ Consumers conducted this spring. The survey asked consumers — including those who recently bought homes in 50+ communities — about their preferences and purchases.

Panelists Bernie Smith, CAASH, Edie Smith and Bryon Cohron will discuss the plans of 50+ prospects over the next three years, their timetable for moving, their preferred price and their preferences for age-qualified and other types of communities. They’ll also examine the activities of recent 50+ movers, looking at the prices they paid for their new homes, how they paid for the homes and what they did to sell their previous homes.

Information on how 50+ consumers shopped for their new home will enable builders to fine-tune their marketing. ProMatura has also gathered information on how consumers perceive current economic and market conditions, enabling builders to speak to their concerns.

The webinar will also provide a profile of today’s 50+ buyer, including household income, assets, investments and other key demographic information.  

Webinar registrants will receive one hour of continuing education credit for all NAHB professional designations, including the Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation.

This webinar is free to NAHB 50+ Housing Council members. To register, click here.

For more information on all upcoming 50+ webinars, visit www.nahb.org/50pluswebseminar; or e-mail Jeff Jenkins, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8292.

Find Out What 45+ Housing Buyers Want

“Right House, Right Place, Right Time: Community and Lifestyle Preferences of the 45+ Housing Market,” available through BuilderBooks.com, will help determine the right design, home features and amenities to attract boomer home buyers in your market.

Author Margaret A. Wylde guides readers through the latest survey results on this important consumer group and explains what their responses mean for today’s and tomorrow’s home building industry.

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

Remodelers See Market Poised for Recovery in First Quarter

The decline in remodeling may be nearing an end, according to the NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for this year’s first quarter, which rose to 47.9, up from 33.9 in the previous quarter. This was the RMI’s highest level since the first quarter of 2006.

Component indexes of the RMI showed current market conditions climbing to 47.0, up sharply from 36.4 in the fourth quarter of 2009. Over the same period, future indicators of remodeling business rose to 48.9, up from 31.4.

“Remodelers are receiving more calls for work, but getting to signed contracts is still challenging,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler from Issaquah, Wash. “We’re working a little more but not making more due to tighter margins, onerous federal regulations and consumer anxiety about making large purchases.”

The RMI measures remodeler perceptions of market demand for current and future residential remodeling projects. Any number below 50 indicates that more remodelers view market conditions as poor than good. The RMI has been running below 50 since the final quarter of 2005.

“Although the overall RMI and most of its components are still slightly below the break-even point of 50, the recent improvements suggest that the remodeling market may soon reach its bottom and begin to grow in the coming months,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “However, professional remodelers are still operating in a highly competitive marketplace and dealing with consumers who are uncertain about the future.”

Regionally, current conditions for the remodeling market rose from 27.7 in fourth quarter 2009 to 45.8 in the first quarter of this year in the Northeast, from 37.5 to 47.0 in the Midwest and from 40.0 to 49.0 in the South. Conditions declined in the West from 41.7 to 36.6.

From the last quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of this year, major additions climbed from 40.0 to 53.8, minor additions rose from 40.7 to 49.6 and maintenance and repair grew from 27.1 to 36.6.

Among future indicators of market activity, increases were seen in calls for bids, which rose from 37.5 to 56.3; appointments for proposals, rising from 34.4 to 59.2; the amount of work committed for the next three months, moving from 21.9 to 33.0; and the backlog of remodeling jobs at 47.2, up from 31.9.

“Although the overall RMI and most of its components are still slightly below the break-even point of 50, the recent improvements suggest that the remodeling market may soon reach its bottom and begin to grow in the coming months,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “However, professional remodelers are still operating in a highly competitive marketplace and dealing with consumers who are uncertain about the future.”

For more information, e-mail Kelly Mack at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.

Learn How to Run a Successful Remodeling Company

“The Paper Trail: Systems and Forms for a Well-Run Remodeling Company,” available through BuilderBooks.com, shows how to use proven management systems to run a successful remodeling company.

The publication includes a CD containing 160 essential forms and documents — culled from successful remodelers across the country — that you can customize to suit your business needs.

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

'How to Find a Professional Remodeler' Brochures Available at BuilderBooks.com

"How to Find a Professional Remodeler," available at BuilderBooks.com, promotes the professionalism of your remodeling business by offering a wealth of valuable advice to customers on the process of selecting a remodeler. 

The newly updated brochure highlights the before and after photos of the most frequently remolded rooms in the house.

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

May 20 Webinar to Update, Answer Remodeler Questions on New Lead Paint Rule

Representatives from the NAHB Remodelers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide the latest updates and answers to remodelers’ most pressing questions about the new EPA rule, "Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting," that went into effect on April 22.

The new rule changes the way remodelers and contractors work in homes built before 1978.

The webinar, sponsored by the NAHB Remodelers, is free to NAHB members and will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20. The fee for non-members is $34.95.

Registration is open to the first 100 participants. To register, click here.

Panelists will discuss and summarize the rule’s requirements; review changes to the regulation, including the removal of its opt-out provision; provide the latest information on compliance and training; and give tips on how to market a lead-certified business and how to adapt businesses to the new regulation

The panelists include Brindley Byrd, CGR, CAPS, of QX2 Contracting, in Lansing, Mich.; Bob Hanbury, CGR, of House of Hanbury, in Newington, Conn.; and Michelle Price of the Environmental Protection Agency. Matt Watkins, NAHB environmental policy analyst, will moderate the panel.

Registration includes access to the panelists’ electronic presentations.

For more information about the lead paint rule and NAHB’s member-resources on the rule, visit www.nahb.org/leadpaint.

Learn How to Run a Successful Remodeling Company

“The Paper Trail: Systems and Forms for a Well-Run Remodeling Company,” available through BuilderBooks.com, shows how to use proven management systems to run a successful remodeling company.

The publication includes a CD containing 160 essential forms and documents — culled from successful remodelers across the country — that you can customize to suit your business needs.

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

'How to Find a Professional Remodeler' Brochures Available at BuilderBooks.com

"How to Find a Professional Remodeler," available at BuilderBooks.com, promotes the professionalism of your remodeling business by offering a wealth of valuable advice to customers on the process of selecting a remodeler. 

The newly updated brochure highlights the before and after photos of the most frequently remolded rooms in the house.

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

Promote Remodeling This Month With ‘May Is Remodeling Month’ Toolkit From NAHB

NAHB has developed free, new online resources to help remodelers promote their businesses — and local councils promote the profession — during "May Is Remodeling Month."

The 2010 Remodeling Month Toolkit, available on the NAHB Web site, includes press releases, articles, consumer tips, public service announcements, remodeling month proclamations and guidelines for conducting marketing campaigns to promote the benefits of remodeling and emphasize the advantages of hiring a professional remodeler.

These resources, available to NAHB members only, can be downloaded and customized for use by home builders associations and local remodelers councils.

The toolkit also provides some new tips for promoting remodeling month, which include planning events, using social media, promoting aging in place and green remodeling and more.

“These great resources can help boost awareness about the benefits of hiring a professional remodeler,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP and president of Shirey Contracting in Issaquah, Wash. “And local associations can help promote themselves and their members by taking advantage of these helpful tools.”

Members can download and customize the materials in the kit to address the needs of their local market.

The toolkit includes:

Consumer Information Pieces

• Top Five Maintenance Projects 
• Consider Upgrading Your Home During National Remodeling Month 
• Get the Best Bang for Your Remodeling Buck  
• Add Green to Your Home — and Your Pocketbook — By Remodeling  
• Remodel Within Your Limits: Tips on Coming in Under Budget
• Small Remodels Bring Big Rewards 
• Top Ways to Add Value to Your Home

Marketing Tools

• Remodeling Column Service Web Site 
• Remodeling Month Frequently Asked Questions 
• Sample Public Service Announcements
• Letter Requesting Airing of Public Service Announcements
• Sample "May Is Remodeling Month" Proclamation
• Letter Requesting Proclamation

Press Materials

• Why Hire a Professional Remodeler? 
• How to Hire a Professional Remodeler 
• The Value of Hiring a Professional Remodeler 
• Five Tips for a Successful Home Remodel 
• If You Want the Job Done Right, Hire a Professional Remodeler 
• Tax Benefits Increased on Energy-Efficient Home Improvements 

Communications Campaign Tools

• Tips for Making the Most of Remodeling Month 
• Remodeling Month Frequently Asked Questions 
• Step-by-Step Guide
• Creating a Successful Communications Campaign
• Guidelines for Media Queries on Remodeling 
• The Art of Council Public Relations
• NAHB PR Toolkit
• NAHB Remodelers Toolkit

To Download Remodeling Month Material

To download toolkit material, visit www.nahb.org/remodelingmonth.

For more information, e-mail Kelly Mack at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8451.

Learn How to Run a Successful Remodeling Company

“The Paper Trail: Systems and Forms for a Well-Run Remodeling Company,” available through BuilderBooks.com, shows how to use proven management systems to run a successful remodeling company.

The publication includes a CD containing 160 essential forms and documents — culled from successful remodelers across the country — that you can customize to suit your business needs.

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

'How to Find a Professional Remodeler' Brochures Available at BuilderBooks.com

"How to Find a Professional Remodeler," available at BuilderBooks.com, promotes the professionalism of your remodeling business by offering a wealth of valuable advice to customers on the process of selecting a remodeler. 

The newly updated brochure highlights the before and after photos of the most frequently remolded rooms in the house.

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

Generate Leads by Connecting With Realtors® Through Social Media — On Their Terms

By Steve Hoffacker MIRM, MCSP, CMP, CSP, CGP, CAPS, CAASH Hoffacker Associates

Builders and new home salespeople in every market are turning to their respective Realtors® for help in generating leads — as if they were the singular answer to their traffic issues.

Unfortunately, this has resulted in Realtors® being continuously bombarded with presentations and requests for business from builders in their area.

And while Realtors® are enjoying free coffee, orange juice, bagels, brownies, pastries and extra attention, they are tuning out many of the presentations simply because there are so many of them.

In addition, Realtors® have to find buyers of their own. It's not so much a matter of whether Realtors® are bringing their buyers to new-home communities, it's really more about whether they have enough customers who are willing to buy either a new or existing home.

Consequently, increasing a commission or offering other incentives cannot make a Realtor® suddenly decide to show a new home if there are no eligible buyers.

Try a Different Approach — Social Media

So forget about parading Realtors® through your models and enticing them with coffee, flyers and elaborate receptions. Welcome, instead, to the world of social media — but not just any popular network, you want to reach out to the Realtors® community on social media networks that specifically target and engage.

Realtors®, just like the majority of home buyers of new and existing homes, use the Internet as their primary tool for gathering real estate information. And because selling is relational, to attract and work with Realtors® who can bring you customers, you have to establish and cultivate trust and respect before getting down to the business of selling.

You can develop this relationship by personally contacting, meeting and developing a network of Realtors® who will get to know you as you get to know them — a very effective, but also very focused, approach.

Or you can use social media — a path that is becoming more popular among Realtors®.

There are two ways to make social media work for you — blogging and participating on social sites.

The critical thing to remember about blogging or posting to social sites effectively is to avoid presenting blatant sales messages and, instead, focusing on content that Realtors® want to view and read. Pictures and videos of your homes and communities are great, as is discussing the benefits of what you offer. This is what Realtors® want from builders — information that will help them sell homes and make money.

So give Realtors® what they need to know — information on floor plans, lifestyle, pricing, availability, location, local services, warranty and other features.

That said, don’t post or blog calls to action on your social networking site — except for an invitation to call or e-mail you for more information. Your posts should be informative, educational and entertaining, and not a specific sales piece.

Let Realtors® Get to Know You

One of the great advantages of using social media, when done properly, is that it lets people get to know you and relate to you on their terms. This type of relationship building is the essence of effectively connecting and interacting on the Internet, and it is how Realtors® will find you, get to know you and decide whether they want to do business with you.

There are many popular social networking sites that will enable you to share information about your homes and communities; post photos, slide shows, videos, invitations to events and testimonials; and allow Realtors® and potential consumers to connect with you. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube are among the more popular ones.

One site, which should not be overlooked, is Active Rain. This is a dynamic network of more than 177,000 real estate professionals across the country who list properties, generate leads and referrals, discuss financing and other sales-related issues and blog about anything affecting their markets or their businesses.

The site attracts more than 2.3 million visitors a month and is the most underutilized resource for real estate professionals and home builders on the web. It’s also a great place for builders to start building their social media networks.

Active Rain is indexed by Google and ranks very high among all the addresses on the web. The site also cross-posts to many other popular sites. Builders and new-home salespeople can sign up and maintain a free basic account or add several subscription services. Visit Active Rain to learn more.

Connecting with Realtors® isn’t about free coffee and donuts anymore. It’s about using social media to interact and connect with them — your target audience — on their terms. After all, isn’t that what selling homes is all about?

Next issue: More about Active Rain

Steve Hoffacker, MIRM, MCSP, CMP, CSP, CGP, CAPS, CAASH is the founder of Hoffacker Associates, a real estate sales and marketing consultant firm based in West Palm Beach, Fla. Hoffacker is a sales and marketing coach, business strategist, consultant, photographer, commercial real estate broker, podcaster, blogger, teacher, author, salesman, mentor and motivational speaker with 30 years in the building industry. For more information, e-mail Hoffacker, call him at 561-685-5555, or contact him at through his social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Active Rain.

This article originally appeared on the NAHB Sales and Marketing Channel.

‘Social Media for Home Builders’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“Social Media for Home Builders: It’s Easier Than You Think,” available at BuilderBooks.com, demonstrates the power of social media through case studies and online outlets created specifically for the home building industry.

Learn how to use social media sites to build your brand, engage new and existing consumers, manage your online reputation and sell more homes.

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

In Today’s Market, 'Think Sold!' With Help From BuilderBooks

“Think Sold! Creating Home Sales in Any Market,” available at BuilderBooks.com, is a practical, how-to guide for developing the self-awareness, knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the competitive field of new home sales.

The book covers everything from the home buying process and new home financing to strategies for making better sales presentations and sizing up the competition. It teaches readers how to overcome customers’ concerns and provides specific examples of how to explain the benefits of new home features in customer-friendly language.

“Think Sold” provides insights on how to approach sales and life from a position of optimism that will create successful outcomes; how to improve upon potential customer prospecting and follow-up skills; and how to communicate effectively with various types of buyers and learn how to adjust communication strategies to increase rapport and alignment with buyers’ motives.

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

Measure All Aspects to Maximize Your Internet Sales and Marketing Performance

By Meredith Oliver MIRM, CMP, CSP, MCSP Meredith Communications

From musicians to athletes, superstar performers understand that success is driven by numbers — the number of dress rehearsals, the speed of a lap around the track, the distance jumped from point A to point B.

Sales performance is no different. Top performing sales teams are led by sales managers and business owners who quantify performance, set goals and regularly review results.

The rise of Internet marketing adds a new dynamic to measuring sales performance. Some sales managers shy away from quantifying Internet performance because they don’t know what to measure. Others back away because they fear their own lack of Internet knowledge will become apparent, and some simply don’t have the right tools in place or won't make the time.

Ounces, Minutes, Square Footage — What Should You Measure?

The beauty of Internet sales and marketing performance is that it is highly track-able. So, as managers and owners, you have the ability to measure many different aspects of your sales and marketing performance.

The first and most important measurement to track is your website’s performance. Commonly called “website analytic” reports, this data gives valuable insight into whether your website is working for you or against you.

The easiest and most affordable (as in free) website analytic program is Google Analytics, which will send automatic website performance reports via e-mail on a schedule of your choosing. I recommend reviewing the reports monthly. Like in-person walk-in traffic numbers, website visitor numbers are the foundation for assessing all your Internet sales and marketing performance.

Once you identify the average number of unique website visitors you have per month, the next step is to identify how many of those visitors convert into an electronic lead — an online registration, e-mail, live chat or phone call generated by the website. High performing websites convert 1%-to-2% of their unique monthly visitors into e-leads.

It’s Five O’Clock — Do You Know Where Your e-Leads Are?

How fast, how often and how many times does your sales team follow up on your e-leads? They can never be too fast with their follow-up, only too slow. The best way to measure your team's e-lead responsiveness is through e-mystery shopping.

To do this, simply pose as an “A+” e-lead by providing detailed information via e-mail or online on pricing, a move-in timeframe and a phone number with a best time you can be reached. Then, record the type, quantity, quality and speed of your sales agent’s follow-up.

You do need to do this. If you don’t measure your sales team’s e-lead responsiveness, you’re just wasting time and money building a killer website and marketing it on the search engines. If you want your website to be effective, your team must have the training and mechanics in place to follow-up on your e-leads.

E-Mails Don’t Sell Homes, People Do

E-mail alone rarely sells a home. People do — because buyers buy from people they like and trust.

Consequently, when determining your sales team's effectiveness, the final area you need to measure is your sales agents’ conversion rate of e-leads to in-person appointments and the conversion rate of kept e-lead appointments to sales.

You need to determine if your agents are only continually conversing with their e-lead prospects or if they are setting appointments with them because at some point, they need to actually meet their electronic prospect in person and give them compelling reasons to say yes.

Not only should your salespeople be appointment-setting machines, they should be closing machines as well. So determine the percentage of the e-lead appointments that result in a signed purchase agreement.  Well-trained and highly skilled sales agents convert about 25% of their e-leads into appointments and, of the appointments that show up, easily 30% should complete a purchase agreement.

Why Use a Hammer When the Job Calls for a Nail Gun?

Whether building a house or selling one, most people need the right tool to do their job effectively. When it comes to tracking Internet sales and marketing performance, customer relationship management (CRM) software is the preferred tool.

Think of CRM software as an electronic Rolodex on steroids. It far outperforms the tools we’ve used in the past — Excel spreadsheets, paper printouts, Post-It Notes, etc. — because CRM software automates the measurement process, making it easy and efficient, while the old tools require manual data entry and manual calculations.

When searching for a web-based CRM program, choose one with a strong e-mail marketing platform. Its set-up may take some time, but after that it should run on auto-pilot with only minor periodic updates and maintenance.

Be the Captain of Your Internet Ship

The biggest mistake sales managers and business owners make after creating their website is not minding their Internet store. Like every other facet of your business, you can’t manage what you don’t measure. If you want your Internet sales to soar, start operating by the (measured) numbers.

Meredith Oliver, MIRM, MCSP is the founder and president of Meredith Communications, a sales training and e-marketing consulting company based in Orlando that delivers marketing services to builders and developers nationwide. For more information, e-mail Oliver, call her at 321-285-1660 or visit her website, www.CreatingWow.com. 

This article originally appeared on the NAHB Sales and Marketing Channel.

‘Social Media for Home Builders’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“Social Media for Home Builders: It’s Easier Than You Think,” available at BuilderBooks.com, demonstrates the power of social media through case studies and online outlets created specifically for the home building industry.

Learn how to use social media sites to build your brand, engage new and existing consumers, manage your online reputation and sell more homes.

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

In Today’s Market, 'Think Sold!' With Help From BuilderBooks

“Think Sold! Creating Home Sales in Any Market,” available at BuilderBooks.com, is a practical, how-to guide for developing the self-awareness, knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the competitive field of new home sales.

The book covers everything from the home buying process and new home financing to strategies for making better sales presentations and sizing up the competition. It teaches readers how to overcome customers’ concerns and provides specific examples of how to explain the benefits of new home features in customer-friendly language.

“Think Sold” provides insights on how to approach sales and life from a position of optimism that will create successful outcomes; how to improve upon potential customer prospecting and follow-up skills; and how to communicate effectively with various types of buyers and learn how to adjust communication strategies to increase rapport and alignment with buyers’ motives.

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

Education Calendar

May 13	Business Management for Building Professionals	Raleigh, N.C.
May 14-15	Advanced Green Building: Building Science	Raleigh, N.C.
May 14-15	Green Building for Building Professionals	Raleigh, N.C.
May 16-18	National Green Building Conference	Raleigh, N.C.
May 18	Spring Construction Forecast Conference	Washington, D.C.
May 19	"What 50+ Consumers Want: New Research to Help You Understand Your Target Market"	Webinar
Aug. 4-7	Executive Officers Council Seminar	Santa Fe, N.M.

Learn More About 2009 NAHB Professional Development Offerings

See the variety of professional development offerings available through NAHB and its local associations in this interactive brochure. 

Search for Upcoming Courses in Your Area

Or, search for specific course offerings in your area and check out upcoming conferences.

ANSI Standards Replacing NAHB Guidelines for Green Certification

Builders can no longer begin projects to receive National Green Building Certification using the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines scoring tool at www.nahbgreen.org.

Projects must already be underway and receive their first inspections by June 1 to be grandfathered in, according to the NAHB Research Center, which is the sole administrator of National Green Building Certification for single-family and multifamily homes, remodeling projects and residential developments.

Final inspections must be completed by Sept. 1 under the guidelines. After that date, the NAHB Research Center will accept only the National Green Building Standard (ICC 700) as a green rating system for the program.

Importantly, nothing else about the certification program and its processes will change. The current pricing will remain the same, the online Green Scoring Tool will still be available for scoring a project to the standard and all green verifiers across the county who have been accredited by the NAHB Research Center (listed online) will still be able to conduct verification inspections, according to the Research Center.

There are some exemptions to these deadlines that will be considered via the Contact Us form on the NAHBGreen website. Examples include:

• A builder who is building a development with multiple homes, has already committed to getting all homes in the development certified to the guidelines and has had at least one home certified to the guidelines by June 1, 2010, may be grandfathered in for continuing certification to the guidelines beyond the Sept. 1 deadline. In this case, a builder will be able to continue getting homes certified to the guidelines until that phase of the development is completed or Dec. 31, 2011, whichever comes first. Contact the Research Center as soon as possible to finalize details in writing by June 1, 2010.
  
  
• A builder who has completed a rough inspection by June 1, 2010, but, due to unique circumstances — such as complex finishes that require more than three months to complete, extreme weather delays, etc. — will not be able to have the final verification completed and submitted by Sept. 1, 2010, may also appeal for an extension if the request is submitted by Aug. 1, 2010.

Background

In 2004, a committee of NAHB members and industry stakeholders wrote the Model Green Home Building Guidelines to capture the essential principles of green home building and provide association members and affiliates with a basis for creating their own local green initiatives. The guidelines represented a “snapshot in time” and were never intended to be the enduring definition of what “green” means in residential construction.

As interest in green building grew, NAHB and the International Code Council began in 2007 to create a consensus-based industry standard for green home building that could be used as a basis for green home certification. The result of this effort, the ICC-700 2008 National Green Building Standard, was approved by ANSI (the American National Standards Institute) in January 2009.

The consensus committee that developed the standard used the guidelines in their initial discussions and planning, but ultimately developed criteria for the standard that exceeded those in the guidelines both in performance and scope. The ANSI development process also made provisions for the standard to be regularly updated and to receive public comment, unlike the guidelines.

In February 2008, NAHB launched its National Green Building Program, NAHBGreen, and the NAHB Research Center simultaneously launched its National Green Building Certification Program. At that time, the guidelines were used as the initial green rating system, with the expectation that the standard would eventually become available.

Now that the standard is available as a green rating system, certification to the guidelines is creating a significant amount of confusion in the marketplace and among policy makers. Furthermore, the standard — which is based on the IECC 2006 for the energy efficiency practices — is more relevant as an above-code green rating system than the guidelines.

'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.

More Than 5,000 People Have Earned Their CGP Designation

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 5,000 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.

For answers to questions about National Green Building Certification by the NAHB Research Center, certification to the standard or the guideline sunset, complete and submit the Contact Us form on the NAHBGreen website.

NAHB Research Center Certifies 1,000th Green Project

A new single-family home in the Smyrna, Del , community of Willowwood is the 1,000th project to be certified by the NAHB Research Center National Green Building Program.

Bestfield Homes, which has certified more than a dozen green homes with the Research Center, holds the distinction of having certificate #1,000 under the national certification program, which began two years ago.

“I congratulate Bestfield on helping us mark this program milestone, and all of the dedicated builders who have helped to grow the national success of our program,” said Michael Luzier, president of the NAHB Research Center.

“Our research has confirmed what we probably all knew to be true — consumers value the extra sense of security they get from knowing a home has third-party certification, and they don’t just have to take the builder’s word that their home is green,” he said.

The home’s green features include low-E windows, an air sealing package, low-flow showerheads and sink aerators, low-VOC paints and sealants and an onsite recycling program in the community.

Since, 2008, every home built by Bestfield has been Energy Star-certified as well as built to the requirements of National Green Building Certification. Willowbrook homes are marketed to entry-level and older, downsizing buyers.

More stringent energy codes will become effective in Delaware in July, and Bestfield’s green practices have put the company a step ahead of the competition, said sales manager Guy Waites.

“Most of the builders in the area will most likely have to pass along these cost increases, and we’re not going to have to move our price because we’ve been doing it all along,” he said.

Bestfield Homes partner Scott Bradley said his company saw the intrinsic value of national certification

“We were anxious to dive in head-first early in the development of the National Green Building Program,” he said. “We appreciated the experience of the NAHB Research Center, and were thrilled to bring JCM Environmental on board to help us with all our verification work. We are excited that the certification program is moving to having all certifications done in accordance with the National Green Building Standard, and we’re proud to be one of Delaware’s leading builders in getting our homes certified by the Research Center.”

Joseph Gordon of JCM Environmental was the accredited verifier for this project; the most recent of more than a dozen National Green Building Certifications Bestfield Homes has received.

For more information about National Green Building Certification, complete and submit the Contact Us form on the NAHBGreen website.

'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.

More Than 5,000 People Have Earned Their CGP Designation

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 5,000 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.

Green Features Keep a Low Profile in Finely Crafted Custom Home

An upscale, finely crafted new home from Eco Building Group is one of the stops on this year’s Green Home and Technology Tour on May 16 during the NAHB National Green Building Conference in Raleigh, N.C.

While most people wouldn’t immediately recognize just how green and efficient this custom home is, they do note that it’s attractive and livable, points out Hank Wall, who owns Eco Building Group.

“I’m getting good reviews,” said Wall. With eight exterior doors, “there’s always a way to get outside, it’s very open to the outdoors. It’s a house for people who like nature. The house has great views.”

The home is located just 100 yards from a 5,600-acre state park popular with walkers, cyclists and hikers and thick with old trees. The trees extend into the home’s back yard, and Wall made sure to disturb as few of them as possible during construction, using 2-foot by 2-foot pier footings to support the wide back porches.

As a result, “it feels like a tree house in the back,” Wall said. “When you’re on the screened porch, 10 feet off the ground, and there are big beech trees just four or five feet away, well, it’s a different feel.”

The eventual owners will also enjoy a sleeping porch off the master bedroom that is sheltered by trees.

Wall’s home is packed with energy-, water- and resource-efficient features and was built with an eye to good ventilation and indoor air quality, as well.

The home was built with 2-by-6 framing that Wall filled with open-cell foam insulation, and its high-performance heating and cooling system helped achieve a HERS rating of 67, which is 33% more efficient than a home built to the prevailing energy code. “It’s like a house wearing a down coat,” he said.

The home also features Energy Star-rated appliances and dimmable LED lights, which use significantly less energy than comparable incandescent or compact fluorescent lights and last up to 17 years. The lights were locally sourced from Cree, an innovator in LED products “just eight miles up the road,” Wall pointed out.

The kitchen and bathroom faucets and dual-flush toilets are labeled by WaterSense, the Environmental Protection Agency’s new program to identify water-efficient fixtures. Two 550-gallon storage tanks nestled under the deck collect rainwater running off the back roof to be used as needed to water the drought-resistant landscaping. “It helps to be independent when there are drought restrictions on watering,” Wall noted.

Two tankless water heaters boost both water and energy efficiency, “one of the top 10 things you should do to build green,” he said. Traditional water heaters operate even when the occupants are not at home, needlessly wasting energy, Wall said. “There’s no hot water sitting unused in this house, but it’s an endless supply of hot water when you need it.” 

The bathroom countertops are made from remnant Zodiac quartz surfaces from DuPont, left over from previous countertop installations — an example of resource efficiency and another green feature. The white oak floors are from Tennessee, and the Pella wood entry doors are sourced from American walnut trees.

All paints, stains, varnishes and caulk used in the home are free of volatile organic compounds and potentially dangerous fumes. Wall saved and labeled the eco-friendly paint in case the home’s future owners need to do any touch-ups.

In a house as tight as the tour home, mechanical ventilation is a must, Wall said. An energy recovery ventilator in the HVAC system adds fresh air to the system when the fan automatically turns on every 20 minutes. The air is conditioned and filtered to remove allergens, as well. The Trane air filter is 100 times more efficient than a standard one-inch filter.

As part of the builder’s efforts to make sure that the home owners have an easy time living green, there is a recycling center in the garage.

All the green features add up to a Silver level green certification, which is remarkable for a house that doesn’t look different.

“This house has a familiar architectural feel to it so that the special features, the greenness, are not jumping out,” Wall said.

For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.

Register Online for the Green Building Conference

To register online for the National Green Building Conference, visit www.nahb.org/greenbuildingconference. The registration deadline has been extended to Tuesday, May 11.

'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.

More Than 5,000 People Have Earned Their CGP Designation

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 5,000 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.

New Tool Kit to Help Include Green Features in Multiple Listing Services

A new resource — The Green Multiple Listing Service Tool Kit — will help real estate appraisers provide more reliable valuations on homes with energy-efficient features.

A collaborative effort coordinated by the National Association of Realtors® and involving NAHB, the Appraisal Institute and the U.S. Green Building Council, the tool kit is aimed at helping add green features to searchable fields in a local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

“NAHB is working to make sure that all of our members are prepared to compete and succeed in a housing market that is increasingly focused on sustainable, efficient construction,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones.

“I congratulate the Realtors® for leading this essential effort,” Jones said. “This tool kit takes the next important step of translating green construction into demonstrable value for brokers and their customers all over the country.”

“Consumers and real estate agents frequently ask about how much green improvements increase property values,” said Appraisal Institute member Don Briggs. “Unfortunately, there is no way to find out because such features have not been added as searchable fields in most MLSs today. However, certified green homes have a clear market advantage over conventional homes.”

The tool kit provides a snapshot of the green home industry, outlines why adopting a green initiative for the MLS is important and offers step-by-step strategies for implementing this change.

To provide further support for adding green features to the MLS, the kit includes links to case studies of MLS systems that have successfully implemented a green initiative, sample data entry forms containing searchable green features, a glossary of green terms, and more.

“An MLS that gathers information with more accuracy becomes more valuable to appraisers,” said Briggs. “As the green home comparable data improves the appraiser can begin to support the value placed on other green home features such as water efficiency, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. As a result, they will be able to more accurately assess and place proper value on green homes.”

For additional information, e-mail Kevin Morrow at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8375.

'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.

More Than 5,000 People Have Earned Their CGP Designation

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 5,000 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.

For answers to questions about National Green Building Certification by the NAHB Research Center, certification to the standard or the guideline sunset, complete and submit the Contact Us form on the NAHBGreen website.

Drafts of EPA Storm Water Surveys Available for Comment by NAHB Members

NAHB members concerned about plans to expand federal storm water management regulations for the construction and development industry have a chance to help shape policy this week.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has drafted two surveys that, once completed, will be sent to about 2,400 developers and land owners in July.  

NAHB is seeking comments on the contents of the surveys. Click here to read the long version of the survey and click here to read the short version. Send comments to Ty Asfaw, an environmental policy analyst at NAHB. The comments need to be submitted to her by this Friday, May 7.

The new surveys will be posted on the EPA’s website within a few weeks for a 30-day comment period, but NAHB has acquired a prepublication version to provide comments early.

Click here to read the survey and send comments to the EPA.

NAHB is encouraging members to rewrite questions so that they are clearer and more straightforward and to also make suggestions that would help the agency better understand how the construction and development industry manages storm water runoff on current projects.

The EPA will use the results as it considers five new regulations, including one that would require existing developments to retrofit inadequate storm water management controls and another that would require developers to create long-term controls designed to better manage storm water discharges well past the construction phase.

As the result of comments submitted by NAHB late last year on the first draft of the survey, the questions have become more focused and the agency has created a shorter version of the questionnaire, according to Asfaw.

However, according to members of the NAHB Environmental Issues Committee who discussed the revised survey during the association's recent spring board meeting, it still takes too long to complete the survey and questions about a firm’s financial position are too intrusive.

The original survey would have taken about 61 hours to complete, according to EPA estimates. In the latest draft, 1,500 developers and land owners will be sent a short version of the survey, which should take about 20 hours to complete, and 870 others will get the long version, which takes about 70 hours.

Both the short and long versions of the questionnaire require respondents to disclose revenue figures and the value of projects over the last five years, and the long version requires more detailed financial information.

Developers and owners will be selected randomly by the EPA to participate and under federal law recipients of the surveys will be required to complete them.

For more information, e-mail Ty Asfaw, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8124.

Are You Ready for a Visit From the EPA? 

“Storm Water Permitting: A Guide for Builders and Developers,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides a starting point for builders and developers to use in locating and understanding storm water permitting requirements.

The publication has been prepared to help builders comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's stormwater requirements, and includes information on state permitting programs and more than 50 of the most commonly used Best Management Practices.

Also included are tips on compliance, including how to handle visits from inspectors.

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

EPA Presentations on May 6 to Review Plans for New Watershed Development Rules

Builders and developers have the opportunity on Thursday, May 6, to find out more about new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules that will govern development in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Still in the planning stages, the new rules will have a major impact even on NAHB members who are located on the other side of the country, because the EPA is using this as a test case for how communities will be developed in watersheds all over the United States.

On May 6, builders can learn about the agency’s plans either at a meeting with EPA regulators in Washington or from a webinar:

• The EPA’s “Chesapeake Bay TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) Webinar for the Development Community” will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Click here to register.
• A meeting on the same topic will be held from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at the National Housing Center in Washington, D.C. To register, send an e-mail to Lindsay Cather at NAHB.

“We strongly encourage HBAs to have a representative in attendance at one or both of these events, if it is possible,” said Susan Asmus, NAHB’s senior vice president for environmental and regulatory issues. “These new rules are going to set the stage for storm water management plans all over the country.”

Both the webinar and the meeting are intended as a forum to share and exchange information on key aspects of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL:

• The role of models and assumptions used in developing the TMDLs for the bay
• How loads from developed lands are calculated and addressed
• Assumptions on runoff for projects both under construction and completed
• Ensuring credit for best practices during and after construction
• Barriers to environmentally friendly development
• Ensuring all stakeholders assume their fair share of responsibility
• Opportunities for collaboration among regulated groups — and with regulators themselves

For more information, e-mail Lindsay Cather, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8163; or contact Susan Asmus x8538.

NAHB and OSHA Renew Alliance to Protect Worker Safety

NAHB and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have renewed their formal commitment to work together to provide the residential construction industry with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers.

The alliance was signed at a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Labor’s offices in Washington, D.C. on April 19 by NAHB Chairman Bob Jones and David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA.

"NAHB has worked with OSHA since 2003 to protect and educate residential construction employees across the country,” said Jones. “Through this alliance, hundreds of thousands of workers have benefitted from safety seminars, publications, articles and information on the NAHB and OSHA websites.”

In 2009 and 2010, OSHA officials gave educational presentations to attendees at NAHB’s International Builders’ Show and spring board of directors meetings.

NAHB participated in the May 2-8 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week kick-off event at the U.S. Department of Labor, which focused on the theme, “Safety Means Always Coming Home.”

For more information on the OSHA-NAHB Alliance, click here.

Boost Job Site Safety With Fall Protection Training Products

In an effort to increase job site safety and reduce the chance of job related accidents, NAHB has produced the “Fall Protection Video, English-Spanish” and “NAHB-OSHA Fall Protection Handbook, English-Spanish.”

Both are available through BuilderBooks.com.

The 30-minute “Fall Protection Video, English-Spanish” can be used by builders to train workers to use safe work practices that eliminate fall hazards and comply with OSHA fall-protection standards.

The “NAHB-OSHA Fall Protection Handbook, English-Spanish” provides guidelines for creating a written fall-protection plan and identifying safe work practices that can prevent costly accidents and injuries. Written with clear text, photographs and illustrations, the book serves as a user-friendly resource for promoting safety on any job site.

To purchase the handbook and video online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

‘Extreme’ Rehabs Put Affordable Green Homes on the Market

A rehabilitated 55-year-old home that has been given a new, green lease on life by Builders of Hope — a non-profit developer in Raleigh, N.C. — is the first stop on the May 16 Green Home and Technology Tour being held during the NAHB National Green Building Conference.

Builders of Hope takes donated or abandoned homes and either renovates them in place or moves them to a new neighborhood to be rehabilitated and rebuilt, reusing salvaged materials from the original home where possible and adding new features to make them energy- and water-efficient and improve their indoor environmental quality.

The tour home is located in State Street Village, where it will join 24 other homes that are either finished or in the process of being rebuilt. The entire community will be completed before the end of 2010.

The nonprofit’s model “is unique,” said Darryl Colwell, vice president of construction services for Builders of Hope. “We take a donated home, reuse the structure and put it back to work.”

In addition, Builders of Hope uses the site development and construction process as a job-training program for unemployed workers and at-risk youths, partnering with rescue missions, ex-offender re-entry programs and other social service providers.

Moved from a site elsewhere in Raleigh, the tour home was stripped down to the studs before getting new plumbing, soy-foam insulation, low-E windows, fiber-cement siding, Energy Star-rated appliances, low-VOC paints, formaldehyde-free cabinetry and other features that make it efficient, durable and sustainable.

Like all the homes at State Street Village, the house is certified by both Advanced Energy's SystemVision program (providing a two-year heating and air conditioning cost guarantee) and the North Carolina Solar Center's HealthyBuilt Home program.

The floor plan was also updated to reflect today’s lifestyles. The kitchen is now open to the family room, and a second bathroom was added. The home has a large front porch for outdoor socializing — an important part of life in North Carolina, Colwell said.

Hardwoods in the original house were recycled and used in the rebuilt home. Where they couldn’t be reused, bamboo was usually substituted. “We are really focused on providing cost-effective options, but we also focus on sustainability,” Colwell said.

“Our goal is to recycle and to reuse,” he said. If rehabilitating the home eliminates the need for some of its interior doors, they are donated to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore or given away to be used elsewhere. Old aluminum window frames are recycled rather than sent to the landfill, he said.

A landscape architect created an overall plan for the site featuring low-maintenance, drought-resistant plantings and turf, which are often installed by volunteer groups in Builders of Hope projects. The home includes a rain barrel to further control irrigation and store rain water during droughts.

Green building is a natural fit with workforce housing because a durable, more efficient home, if operated and maintained properly, has significantly lower utility bills than old, drafty homes. Good workforce housing is not only affordable to buy, it’s affordable to live in, Colwell said.

The home also includes amenities that can help improve indoor environmental quality such as ceiling fans, hardwood floors, tile and solid natural stone countertops that mitigate exposure to chemical off-gassing and allergens.

“Many of our buyers are first-time home buyers,” Colwell said. “They go through credit counseling, they learn how to manage their finances and we also teach them about sustainability — what’s going on in their home and what that means. We talk about the more efficient light bulbs and why they will save money in the long term, and we talk about how they can use all the products in their home.”

Builders of Hope is also renovating an old foreclosed apartment complex in Charlotte. When finished in November, the community will provide 23 low-cost, green rental units. The nonprofit also has developments in progress in nearby Cary, Fuquay-Varina and Durham and is exploring projects as far afield as Richmond, Va., and New Orleans.

Each project uses a combination of recycled homes, donated products and materials and volunteer expertise to create a newer, greener home, Colwell said. “We call it extreme green rehabilitation.”

For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.

'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.

More Than 5,000 People Have Earned Their CGP Designation

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 5,000 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.

HBI Returns to Hurricane-Battered Gulfport Job Corps Center

Home Builders Institute (HBI) on April 29 announced the reopening of its electrical wiring program at the Gulfport Job Corps Center. Closed since the area was hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the center provides Job Corps skills training and job placement counseling to youths ages 16 to 24.

HBI electrical students learn wiring skills through hands-on instruction and curriculum developed by experts in the home building industry. Students gain added experience by working on actual job sites, participating in local community service projects and assisting with construction projects at the center. HBI staff members help graduating students secure employment in the industry as apprentices and electrician helpers.

Once additional facilities at the Gulfport Job Corps Center are completed, HBI will reinstitute the same programs that existed prior to Hurricane Katrina — in carpentry, plumbing and facilities maintenance — and initiate a new program in brick masonry.

“The re-opening of the Gulfport Center is another encouraging sign of the progress being made in this region,” said Fred Humphreys, HBI’s president and chief executive officer. "These programs will prepare young people from Gulfport and southern Mississippi with the advanced job skills and training they need for careers in the home building industry.”

A reopening celebration will take place on Wednesday, May 5, at 10:00 a.m., at the Gulfport Job Corps Center located at 3300 20th Street in Gulfport.

Students interested in the HBI program can contact the Gulfport Job Corps Center at 228-863-1141.

For more information, e- mail Nathan Kelly at HBI, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8936.

Owens Corning Combines Air Sealing and Insulation for Energy-Efficient Homes

To increase residential energy efficiency by combating air leakage and air penetration in homes, Owens Corning recently introduced EnergyComplete with Flexible Seal Technology — the first high-performing, affordable, whole home insulation and air sealing system.

Air infiltration through a home can account for as much as 35% of the home’s energy use, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association.

Installed in two parts, the EnergyComplete system consists of a low-expanding, foam-based sealant that fills in joints and openings in critical areas where leakage commonly occurs to prevent air infiltration and reduce air leakage.

The second piece of the system — installed in the wall cavity and ceiling joists to provide thermal control — is Owens Corning PINK FIBERGLAS insulation.

With the two parts working together, the EnergyComplete system reduces air infiltration by up to 70% compared to new homes without proper air sealing and insulation, and it reduces heating and cooling bills by up to one-third.

Builders who use the EnergyComplete system will be well positioned to offer more energy-efficient homes to their customers, and do so at a lower cost than traditional full-cavity spray foam applications.

Unlike traditional spray-foam solutions, the house does not have to be quarantined for any period of time. Also, other trades can work in the structure simultaneously, improving cycle time and profits.

The EnergyComplete system can contribute points towards certification under the National Green Building Standard.

For more information, visit www.energycompletehomes.com, or call 800-GET-PINK.

Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Owens Corning is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — The Leading Suppliers of NAHB.

This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.

ODL Triple-Glazed Doorglass Blinds Provide Energy Savings With Style

ODL’s Triple Glazed Doorglass Blinds provide energy savings and style and can qualify for a federal tax credit.

This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.

Six Future Women Leaders of Housing Industry Awarded ‘Strategies for Success’ Scholarships

Six women pursuing careers in residential construction were awarded NAHB Professional Women in Building/National Housing Endowment “Strategies for Success” scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The scholarship winners are:

• Jill Dallman, a senior at Everglades University majoring in construction management and who wants to become a project/construction manager, was awarded $600.
  
  
• Sandra Higgens, an architecture student at the University of Maryland and who has several years of experience in the construction industry, was awarded $600.
  
  
• Whitney Johnson, a sophomore at Lawson State Community College majoring in architectural drafting and design, was awarded $600.
  
  
• Darcy McDonough, a sophomore at Kansas State University studying interior architecture and who wants to build green homes that incorporate sustainable design, was awarded $600.
  
  
• Rachel Posthumus, a junior at Northern Michigan University studying construction management and an active member of the university’s NAHB Student Chapter, was awarded $600.
  
  
• Lauren Wiest, a junior at Iowa State University majoring in construction engineering and a student member of the local chapter of NAHB Professional Women in Building and the Des Moines chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, was awarded $1,500. She was inspired to pursue a career in home building after becoming involved with the Ames Home Builders Association in Ames, Iowa. “It takes a very passionate person to get into the home building industry because you really become a key part of the community,” she said.

The six recipients were chosen from among a record 127 “Strategies for Success” applications.

“The number of talented and passionate women interested in the building industry was astounding. It makes me excited for what the future will hold,” said Carole Jones, CGB, CGP, CAPS, vice president of Robert R. Jones Homes in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and a trustee with the NAHB Professional Women in Building. “Supporting education is vital. In order for our industry to thrive in the future, it is imperative to support the motivated students of today,” she said

Established in 2001, the NAHB Professional Women in Building/National Housing Endowment “Strategies for Success” scholarship provides financial support to students pursuing careers in housing or a housing-related industry. The scholarship is funded by NAHB Professional Women in Building members and corporate donors.

“This scholarship fund is truly in keeping with our mission,” said Gary Garczynski, endowment chairman and 2002 NAHB president. “Even during these difficult times, the endowment is committed to encouraging the best and brightest to choose residential construction as a career. We are especially excited by the increase in women entering this profession and are proud to offer them this scholarship support.”

More Endowment Scholarship Programs

The endowment administers 12 scholarship programs and awards more than $300,000 each year to students studying residential construction and related fields.

For more information, visit the endowment website at www.nationalhousingendowment.org.

NAHB-Produced Programs on the DIY and HGTV Networks

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: "Eco-Entertainment Room"

• May 10, 11:0 a.m. EDT/PDT • May 15, 2:00 p.m. EDT/PDT

Anna and Mike — who strive to be as energy conscience as possible — are proud of their small first home. Their backyard, however, is always muddy, so much so that they call it their "mudpit." And beause they only have a small living room available for entertaining guests inside their home, Anna and Mike could really use extra space outside. Hosts Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns come to the rescue by turning their backyard into an outdoor entertainment room — with a green twist. To start, the cousins level the mudpit and remove the sinking concrete steps mired in the mud. They then build a composite deck landing with room for storage underneath and a paver patio. They surround the now-usuable outdoor area with fencing made from a combination of new wood and and an old fence. To cap off the project, they build a pre-fab grilling unit that features a green low-emissions grill. The old mudpit is no more. In its place the Andersons now have an eco-friendly and stylish outdoor room where they can entertain,

Episode: "Swedish Sauna"

• May 17, 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT

Hosts Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns help a Swedish expat couple adjust to American life with a one-of-a-kind outdoor spa. Mats and Tanja had no place to celebrate their shared love of European saunas and spas in their tiny 1920s house. So Dean and Derek surprise the couple with a European-meets-American style room complete with an easy-to-assemble infrared sauna, gorgeous hot tub and a do-it-yourself outdoor shower. Beautiful bluestone and Tennessee crab orchard stone create the floor and outdoor cedar furniture completes the look.

"Smart Fix" on HGTV

Episode: "Bohemian Chic Bedroom"

• May 11, 7:30 a.m. EDT/PDT

Susan Simcox attempted to re-do her master bedroom herself, but she didn't have the time and the money to do it well. So host Kristin Wells stepped in to help out and finish the job. In this episode, using Susan's antique pieces as an inspiration, Kristin creates a bohemian chic bedroom featuring a new fireplace and headboard that add a sense of luxury.

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.

1971 NAHB President and Housing Hall of Fame Member John Stastny Dies at 88

John Stastny, a Chicago-area builder who served as the president of NAHB in 1971 and who was inducted into the Housing Hall of Fame in 1980, died in Naples, Fla. on April 3. He was 88.

A third-generation home builder and housing leader who built single-family homes and apartments as well as light industrial, commercial and institutional projects in the Chicago area, Stastny founded his home building and general contracting company in 1945.

He was dedicated to housing and solving Chicago’s health care problems and provided outstanding community service throughout his career. His actions and participation in the local, national and international arena were always guided by his commitment to bolstering private opportunity for homeownership, home production and finance.

Locally, he was active in Chicago’s inner city development and served as chairman and CEO of Chicago-area’s Care Center Professionals, which, at that time, operated two suburban health care facilities. He also served six terms as chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

In 1969, then-President Richard Nixon appointed Stastny to the Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Commission. Two years later, he served as a delegate on the President’s Economic Commission for Europe when it met in Geneva, Switzerland.

Within the NAHB federation, Stastny served as president of the Home Builders Association of Chicagoland (now the HBA of Greater Chicago) for two years and as the HBA’s second vice president for one year. He also served as chairman of its board of governors for two years and was a member of the HBA’s urban renewal committee in 1962. He was eventually named a life director at the HBA.

Stastny, who was also named a life director at NAHB, served in every officer’s position for the association beginning in 1969. In addition, he also served as chairman of the Past Presidents’ Scholarship Fund and was chairman of the National Housing Center Board of Trustees. He also served on numerous NAHB committees, councils and task forces.

For the City of Chicago, Stastny served on the Commission of Human Relations. He was on the citiy's Housing Advisory Committee in 1965 and its Citizen’s Advisory Council on Building Code Amendments in 1964 and 1967.

He also was a member of several boards of directors and an advisor to several nonprofit organizations whose mission was to solve several of Chicago’s housing problems. These organizations included Maxwell Redevelopment, West Side Home Ownership Association, the Lansdale Redevelopment Corporation and the Mortgage Guarantee Corporation.

Former NAHB Remodelers Chairman, Cedar Rapids HBA President Donald Novak Dies at 73

Donald Novak, CGR, CAPS, CGB, a former chairman of the NAHB Remodelers, 2002 NAHB Remodeler of the Year and a former president of the Greater Cedar Rapids Area Home Builders Association, died after battling cancer on April 26 in Washington, D.C. He was 73.

A Gold Key Club member since 1988, Novak was incredibly dedicated to NAHB and rarely, if ever, missed a board meeting. In fact, despite being gravely ill, he traveled to Washington to attend NAHB's spring board of directors meeting, but while there, he took a turn for the worse and died at Georgetown University Hospital. 

A three-time president of the Greater Cedar Rapids HBA (1970, 1975 and 1988) who was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1990, Novak earned numerous designations and honors throughout his 52-year career as a builder and remodeler.

Novak, who founded Novak Construction in 1958, earned professional certifications including Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), as well as Certified Master Carpenter (CMP) and certified kitchen designer. He was a founding member of NAHB’s CAPS program.

He was selected as the 2002 National Remodeler of the Year by the NAHB Remodelers and, five years later, earned a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to the HBAs of the Greater Cedar Rapids Area, Greater Iowa City Area and Iowa, as well as NAHB. In 2007, the Greater Cedar Rapids HBA also honored him as its Remodeler of the Century.

Novak served as the chairman of the NAHB Remodelers in 2005 and as its vice chairman in 2004. He also served as a director with the council in 1987 and from 1999 until his death and served on the national council’s board of trustees from 1995 to 2001 and from 2004 to 2005.

He also was a board member of the Iowa City Remodelers Council from 2000 to 2004, including serving as chairman in 2003; and of the Iowa Home Builders Association since 2002.   

In 2000, Remodeling Magazine selected his company, Novak Construction, as one of the top 500 remodeling companies in the country. The magazine also recognized his company as one of The Big 50 Remodeling Companies in 2000. 

Novak is survived by his wife, Sharon; his daughters, Lory Novak-Towne of Fairfax and her husband, Thomas, Beverly Novak of Cedar Rapids and her husband, Keith Hemphill, and Kelly McDonald of Austin, Texas; a son, Tim McMeen and his wife Lisa, of Williamsburg; grandchildren Daniel Mitchell II, Benjamin Mitchell, Jordon Novak, Caitlyn Towne, Dylan McDonald, Evan McDonald, Mateo McMeen and Josie McMeen; a great grandson, Daniel Paul Mitchell III; a brother, Dave Novak of Beaverton, Ore.; and a sister, Linda Novak of Bradenton, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Norma, and a granddaughter, Sierra Mitchell.

Louisiana Hall of Fame Builder John Harry Hebert Dies at 81

Louisiana Hall of Fame builder John Harry Hebert, a founder and charter member of the Acadian Home Builders Association in Lafayette, La., died at the Lafayette General Medical Center on April 22. He was 81.

Hebert, known to all as Harry, began working in his father's restaurant, the Aggie Land Inn near the University of Lafayette, at a young age. He then worked at Lafco Boats before starting his first construction company in 1948 and embarking on a career as home builder, general contractor and developer that spanned more than a half-century.

Hebert created some of the most well-known subdivisions in Lafayette and Acadia, building nearly 3,000 single-family homes, numerous commercial buildings and various other projects. He also was a driving force for the industry and for the economic growth of the area.

In addition to founding the Acadian HBA, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, Hebert served as the association’s president five times and held every officer position and served on every standing committee of the association numerous times.

He also was a charter member of the association’s Home Builders Self Insurance Fund and served as a trustee for many years. He spearheaded the implementation of the HBA’s first home show, now called the "Blueprints Home and Garden Show," one of the area’s largest locally-sponsored trade shows of any kind.

Hebert was a member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and served on the City of Lafayette Planning Commission for several years, including as chairman. In addition, Hebert served on the City of Lafayette Board of Zoning and Adjustments for several years as well as on the city’s 1-49 Advisory Committee.

Hebert served as a member of the boards of directors of both the Louisiana Home Builders Association and NAHB. He also held every officer’s position at the state HBA, including president in 1967. He served as an area vice president to NAHB.

For his ongoing service to the industry, Hebert was named a life director of his local and state associations, as well as NAHB. He was selected as the first Acadian HBA "Builder of the Year" and was similarly honored by the Louisiana HBA before eventually being inducted in the state’s builder hall of fame.

Hebert devoted as much energy to serving his community as he did to the industry. He helped rehabilitate the St. Joseph's Shelter for Men for the Diocese of Lafayette. He organized the construction of the Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic, which provides services to the uninsured. And he visited Honduras twice to help build medical clinics there. For his service, he was honored at the Bishop's Charity Ball in Lafayette.

Hebert is survived by his wife, Marie Elise Lemoine Hebert, of Lafayette; two daughters, Lynne Ann Hebert and her partner, Lisa Cope, of Austin, Texas, and Mundy Marie Hebert and her partner, Jane Murphy, of Austin, Texas; two sons, Michael James Hebert and his wife, Ginger, of Lafayette, and Steven Paul Hebert and his wife, Cindy, of Lafayette; five grandchildren; and a sister, Hazel Clark. He was preceded in death by another sister, Ruby Gass.

Get the BuilderBooks 2010 Virtual Publications Catalog Online

The 2010 Publications Catalog of NAHB BuilderBooks is now available online.

Presented in a virtual format as part of the BuilderBooks effort to go green and streamline delivery, the catalog includes both proven and new publications and products to help building industry professionals ramp up for a successful year as the industry and the economy begin to recover.

The materials in the catalog, written by industry leaders in various fields of residential construction, will help businesses streamline their daily operations, better serve their new and existing customers, develop strategies to safeguard job sites and, ultimately, build and sell more homes.

Some of the newest publications include “Social Media for Home Builders,” the “National Green Building Standard Commentary” and “Paper Trail: Systems and Forms for a Well-Run Remodeling Company, Second Edition.”

BuilderBooks features publications and products about accounting, estimating, business management, green building, sales and marketing, safety, construction codes, 50+ housing, multifamily housing, construction management remodeling and more.

To view the virtual catalog, click here.

Industry professionals are urged to save the publications catalog link as a favorite on their computer for future reference and use.

To Mom With Love With an FTD 20% Discount to Members

FTD is offering a special discount for NAHB members for Mother's Day.

From now till Mother's Day, members can save 20% on all Mother's Day flowers and gifts from FTD.

Visit www.FTD.com/NAHB20 for more information and to take advantage of this special opportunity.

Other Member Advantage Discounts

For the most up-to-date details on the Member Advantage discount program and all of the participating companies, go to www.nahb.org/MA.

GM Has $500 Offer for NAHB Members

NAHB members can get a $500* private offer toward the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles. Visit gmfleet.com/nahb for more details.

Redeeming this offer is easy. NAHB members should:

• Obtain their NAHB proof of membership form at nahb.org/ma.
• Visit their GM dealer and mention the private offer.
• Choose an eligible vehicle(s) to purchase or lease and present their NAHB proof of membership form to their dealer.

Get More Through Business Choice

Through the GM Business Choice Program,† NAHB business owners can receive even more when purchasing or leasing an eligible Chevy or GMC van, truck or SUV for business use. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com for details.

* Offer valid toward the purchase or lease of new 2009, 2010 and 2011 model year GM passenger cars and light duty trucks, excluding Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette ZR1; HUMMER, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn vehicles and medium duty trucks. Not available with some other offers. Not valid on prior purchases. The program is subject to change without notice. See your GM dealer for details. Participants must take delivery by Jan. 3, 2011.

† To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Participants must provide proof of business. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Business Choice participants must take delivery between by Sept. 30, 2010. ©2009 General Motors

Members, Save on Reservations From Hertz

NAHB members save $5 a day, up to $35 off, their weekly/weekend rental — when they make their Hertz airport reservations. This offer is valid through May 31.

Members can make their reservations at hertz.com, with their travel agent or by calling Hertz at 800-654-2210.

When making the reservation, be sure to include the NAHB code, PC#142564 in all your reservations.

Other Member Advantage Discounts

For the most up-to-date details on the Member Advantage discount program and all of the participating companies, go to www.nahb.org/MA.

NAHB Calendar of Events

May 13	Business Management for Building Professionals	Raleigh, N.C.
May 14-15	Advanced Green Building: Building Science	Raleigh, N.C.
May 14-15	Green Building for Building Professionals	Raleigh, N.C.
May 16-18	National Green Building Conference	Raleigh, N.C.
May 17	National Green Building Awards	Raleigh, N.C.
May 18	Spring Construction Forecast Conference	Washington, D.C.
May 19	"What 50+ Consumers Want: New Research to Help You Understand Your Target Market"	Webinar
June 15	2010 Pillars of the Industry Awards	Virtual Ceremony
Aug. 4-7	Executive Officers Council Seminar	Santa Fe, N.M.
Aug. 5	EOC Association Excellence Awards	Santa Fe, N.M.
Sept. 14-17	2010 Remodeling Show	Baltimore, Md.
Sept. 16	CADRE Awards	Baltimore, Md.
Sept. 16	NAHB Remodeler of the Year Award	Baltimore, Md.
Sept. 16	National Remodeling Hall of Fame Award	Baltimore, Md.
Sept. 16	NAHB Remodeler of the Month	Baltimore, Md.
Sept. 20-26	Fall NAHB Board of Directors Meeting	New York, N.Y.
Sept. 30	Homes for Life Award	Baltimore, Md.

Learn More About 2009 NAHB Professional Development Offerings

See the variety of professional development offerings available through NAHB and its local associations in this interactive brochure. 

Or, search for specific course offerings and check out upcoming conferences.