Pillars Awards Go Online!
The new Pillars Call for Entries page has been up for only a few days, but companies have already begun to apply to enter Multifamily’s 2007 Pillars of the Industry Awards competition for design, marketing, and individual and corporate achievement in development and management. The process has been redesigned to give you instantaneous access to the entry forms once your purchase is complete – no more waiting for entry binders! You can apply to enter at any time that’s convenient for you.

The process has been redesigned to give you instantaneous access to the entry forms once your purchase is complete – no more waiting for entry binders! You can apply to enter at any time that’s convenient for you.

Visit the introductory page and read the Call for Entries and Frequently Asked Questions to decide which categories you want to enter, and review the rules of the competition. Read the tips for creating a winning entry, assemble all the necessary information, and you’ll be ready to put your project before a carefully chosen team of expert judges who will pick finalists, and then the Winners!

If, after digesting all the information on our Web site, you still have questions, e-mail them to Laura Zaner.

Policy: NAHB and NAACP Join Forces to Advocate for Minority Housing
Representatives from the two organizations, along with a representative from HUD, will appear at a press conference together on Aug. 30 to announce the details of a joint program designed to address the problems of predatory lending, barriers to housing affordability, and better community planning. For more information, e-mail Paul Lopez or call him at 800-368-5242 x 8409. [return to top]

Economics: New Apartment and Condo Information Goes to the Press

• NAHB Economist, Multifamily Leaders Speak to the Press

More than 20 journalists and an additional 60 industry players and financial analysts joined NAHB’s chief economist, David Seiders, Multifamily Leadership Board chair Leonard Wood, of Wood Partners, and leading condo developer Bruce Menin, of Crescent Heights, for a teleconference to present new information on the state of the condo and apartment markets.

Seiders put numbers to the feeling in the industry that the condo market is cooling, and the apartment market is healthy. Inventory of existing condos, he said, is now up to about 550,000 — about an 8-month supply. Price appreciation in condos, which has been trending strongly downward, has moved into the negative and is at a minus-1% level currently, with prices likely to drop further.

Apartments, though, are in demand and starts are rising. By the end of 2007, says Seiders, rental starts should hit about 200,000 a year. With a level of 325,000 forecast for all multifamily starts, that means that rentals will once again comprise about two-thirds of all starts, up from its current 52% level.

The audio replay of the call and all backup materials are is available on NAHB's Web site at this link.  For more information, e-mail Ann Marie Moriarty, or call 800-368-5242 x8350.

• NAHB Economics Introduces New Condo and Rental Market Indexes

To more accurately reflect the levels of multifamily builder confidence, NAHB Economists have split the quarterly Multifamily Market Index into two parts – the Multifamily Rental Market Index, and the Multifamily Condo Market Index. The first releases of data from these revised indexes for rentals and condos went out this week.

You can participate by faxing this form to our offices, indicating the person at your company willing to spend the 10 minutes every quarter answering a few simply questions about the market in your area. The larger the number of respondents, the more useful it is to the industry, so make sure your opinions are represented!

Environment: Three States Adopt NAHB’s Green Building Certification Model
Michigan joins Ohio and Texas in adopting NAHB’s model Green Building certification program for residential construction (which includes light-construction multifamily residential). The affordability of the certification program is a plus. The Green Building Initiative program  is working with NAHB to provide training for those who wish to participate in the program. Read the full story in Nation’s Building News, and for more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132. [return to top]

Construction/Codes: NAHB on the Ground, a Year After Katrina
NAHB experts who attended the Mississippi Recovery Expo in Biloxi report that in spite of builders’ best intentions, reconstruction is occurring extremely slowly. Damage to infrastructure has affected everything from surveying – many landmarks are gone — to delivery of materials — washed out bridges and roads not yet rebuilt. And, relative to New Orleans, that area of Mississippi is iactually in much better shape. Read the full story in Nation’s Building News. E-mail any questions to Ken Ford at NAHB. [return to top]

Industry/Association News: Voting for Industry Leaders; Online Help to Organize your NAHB Meetings
Vote for your favorite Industry Leaders!

Inman News is asking for input in selecting its “100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders.” If you know of an industry star, or an underappreciated industry expert, now’s your chance to cast your vote. Find the link on the left-hand side of Inman’s home page.

NAHB Web Site Launches Online Meeting Planner

Members who log into the NAHB Web site can use the new online meeting planner to compile a personalized agenda for committee meetings at the Fall and Spring Board and IBS, as well as other events. Log in and give it a try! [return to top]

Calendar: Tax-Credit Issues Forum, Meetings, Shows, and Awards

• Surviving the High Cost Squeeze: Strategies for Tax Credit Developers – Sept. 13

NAHB’s Housing Credit Group — members involved with low-income housing tax credit development — will present a one-day Issues Forum in Salt Lake City, in conjunction with the Fall Board of Directors Meeting. View the details and register online at this link to the NAHB Web site.

• NAHB Fall Board of Directors Meeting – Sept. 13-17

View this page for online registration and the schedule of committee meetings and events, including the Multifamily Board of Directors meeting and the Whirlpool reception.

• Multi-Housing World – Chicago – Sept. 19-21

Multi-Housing World will take place at the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago this fall, and offers three full days of educational opportunities, plus special multifamily networking events, and a show floor of products and services. Visit the show’s Web site for more details.

• SAFE Awards Deadline Approaching – Sept. 22

If your company has a great safety program and track record, consider entering the Multifamily Safety Program of the Year category in NAHB’s SAFE awards. Or, if you have a terrific relationship with a stellar OSHA official, nominate that person in the Federal and State Plan OSHA Official of the Year category. For a full list of categories and all the information you’ll need to enter this low-cost, high-importance  awards program, visit the SAFE awards page on NAHB’s Web site.

• Housing, Communication and Crisis: Framing Messages to Build Public Support – Sept. 27-28

This conference, offered by the Campaign for Affordable Housing, will take place in Houston and will focus on focus on framing messages that capture media attention and build public support for affordable housing issues, as well as applying the housing lessons learned in the wake of last year's gulf coast hurricanes to other "crisis" situations. For more information, visit the Campaign’s Web site.

• Rescheduled NAHB Trade Mission to Mexico – Nov. 12-14

Join NAHB’s Trade Mission and explore the exciting business opportunities in México’s Vallarta/Nayarit high-end residential, resort, and retirement market! Private briefings will be conducted by government and industry experts from FONATUR (México’s Trust for Tourism Development), FIBBA, (Fideicomiso Bahia de Banderas), the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and Stewart Title Guaranty de México. Participants will have one-on-one meetings with builder/developer members of México’s Construction Industry Chamber (CMIC) and visit a variety of projects including residential developments, resorts, a future retirement community, and land available for purchase and development.  Please click here to reference the draft agenda for more details. To register, complete the registration form and e-mail it to mboyce@nahb.com or fax it to the attention of Michael Boyce at 202-266-8120. Please note: The participant fee does not include travel and hotel expenses.

• Sunbelt Builders Show – Grapevine, TX – Nov. 16-18

There will be a new and enthusiastic Multifamily presence at the Sunbelt Builder’s show in Texas this fall, held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, TX, part of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. Register before Oct. 30, and receive a free Expo-only pass for an employee. For more information, visit the show Web site.

Resources: Economics; Land Planning

• Eye on the Economy E-Newsletter

The latest issue explores the softening of the economy, especially in the housing markets, but forecasts that there is sufficient forward momentum to keep us out of recession.

For the latest economic news twice a month from NAHB’s chief economist, go to NAHB’s Web site to sign up for a free subscription.

• Land Development, 10th Edition—Hot off the BuilderBooks Press!

The just-released 10th edition of this comprehensive resource to the residential building industry contains:

• The latest details concerning major environmental regulations that affect land development       
• Emerging demographics for targeted marketing
• New innovations in housing types

Clearly written by Daisy Linda Kone, logically organized, and full of illustrations, this new edition is an indispensable resource for understanding the essentials of residential land development. It’s already receiving rave reviews.

“I recently read Land Development.  It was exactly what I was looking for—a readable, comprehensive introduction to the development process,” said Greg Sundt, Manager,
Installed Services, Guardian Building Products, Greer, South Carolina.

 You can order your copy online today!