NAHB

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing affordability remained near its highest level nationwide for the seventh consecutive quarter as interest rates dipped below 5 percent for the first time since the series was first compiled nearly two decades ago, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released today.The HOI indicated that 72.1 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the third quarter of 2010 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400. The index for the third quarter almost equaled the record-high 72.5 percent set during the first quarter of 2009 and marked the seventh consecutive quarter that the index rose above 70 percent. Until 2009, the HOI rarely topped 65 percent and never reached 70 percent.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Annual single-family housing production in 2008 and 2009 fell about one million units short of the housing that would be needed in a normally functioning economy, suggesting that builders will have a lot of catching up to do as the economy improves and household formations return to trend levels, according to a special study by economists at the National Association of Home Builders.The report, "Extent of Underbuilding in the Single-Family Housing Market," finds that there was an excessive amount of single-family building from 2003 through 2005, but overbuilding largely ended by 2006 and the subsequent downturn was severe enough to more than offset those annual surpluses. This year is likely to add to the growing deficit of single-family homes by another one million units, the report finds.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing starts declined 11.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 519,000 units in October, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. The decline was primarily registered in the more volatile multifamily sector, where starts retreated 43.5 percent to an 83,000-unit rate, while single-family starts posted a more modest 1.1 percent decline to 436,000 units."Home builders continue to be very cautious about starting new projects at this time," said Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "That said, in markets where consumer demand for new homes is reviving, builders are finding it almost impossible to obtain construction financing, and this frustrating situation is producing an unnecessary drag on both new home production and economic growth."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes improved slightly in November, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. The HMI rose one notch to 16 from a downwardly revised level of 15 in the previous month.

November 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The third-quarter results from the National Association of Home Builders' 55+ Housing Market Index confirm that builder confidence in the mature-market sector reflects the larger housing market's bleak landscape. Almost all categories surveyed declined from the levels reported in the third quarter of 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., issued the following statement today in reaction to a draft proposal from the co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The latest National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) remained essentially unchanged at 40.8 in the third quarter, compared to 40.7 in the second quarter. An RMI below 50 indicates that more remodelers report that market activity is declining than report that it is increasing; so, on balance, it was the sentiment of remodelers that the market was still declining in the third quarter. The RMI has been running below 50 since the final quarter of 2005.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 6.6 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 307,000 units, their best pace since June, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today."The fact that new-home sales are finally moving in the right direction – albeit slowly – is definitely good news following an exceptionally quiet summer at builders' sales offices and model homes," said Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "The road to recovery will be a long one, however, and a key hurdle that must be surpassed is the lack of available credit for new-home construction so that builders can meet improving demand for new homes moving forward."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A live performance featuring a Broadway star at Allegro in the District of Columbia, dramatic interior merchandising at Icon in the Gulch in Tennessee, a gallery-style leasing center at 70 Greene in New Jersey and a website with floor-by-floor virtual tour capabilities from Park Place in D.C. are among the 2010 NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards marketing winners.The Pillars of the Industry Awards program, launched by the National Association of Home Builders in 1991, highlights superior achievement in apartment and condominium development, design, marketing and management, and is recognized as the industry's most prestigious honor.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home owners have two more months to take advantage of tax credits that can help them save energy and reduce their utility bills with more energy-efficient windows and doors, insulation, and heating and cooling equipment, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)."Our members are ready to help consumers make the best choices for their homes, but home owners should act soon if they want to qualify for up to $1,500 in tax credits when they complete their 2010 income tax returns," said NAHB Remodelers Chair Donna Shirey, a remodeler and builder in Issaquah, Wash.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Reserve's new interim rule on appraisals is a welcome step in clarifying the home valuation process, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAHB has sought appraisal guidance that provides transparency in the appraisal process with sufficient flexibility to address the unique aspects of valuing new homes. NAHB will work with the Federal Reserve and other appraisal stakeholders to ensure the final rule fully achieves that outcome.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will host its Semi-Annual Construction Forecast Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 27, in a two-hour webinar from 2:00-4:00 p.m. featuring three renowned industry experts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- WHAT:Winners of the marketing category for 2010 NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards will be announced tomorrow in a new webcast format.

WASHINGTON, D.C - October 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new look at housing starts based on data from the Census Bureau finds that single-family homes in the U.S. continued to get smaller last year, and the downward trend is likely to last significantly beyond the end of the recession.From a peak of 2,268 square feet in 2006, the median size of new single-family homes dropped consistently through last year, when the size was down to an even 2,100, according to a special study by economists at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- When you are ready to remodel or renovate your pre-1978 home, it's important to hire a Lead-Safe-Certified professional, recommends the National Association of Home Builders.Before being banned in 1978, lead was a common ingredient in exterior and interior house paint, and is still present in many older homes. Lead ingestion has been shown to cause developmental delays and disabilities in young children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing starts edged up 0.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 610,000 units in September, due entirely to a 4.4 percent gain in the single-family sector, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures released today."Builders are cautiously responding to the small improvement they are seeing in interest among potential home buyers," noted Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "However, as consumer demand for new homes rises, a major limiting factor for a housing recovery continues to be builders' inability to access credit for new construction."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Citing its national implications, extremely high costs and technical complexity, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has asked the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to give the public more time to study the proposed "pollution diet" for the Chesapeake Bay watershed."The Chesapeake Bay is a precious natural resource, and it is essential that people living in the affected areas have ample opportunity to study and comment on the EPA proposal," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. To that end, NAHB has asked EPA for an additional 180-day public comment period, rather than the 45-day timeframe that the agency set when it introduced the plan on Sept. 22.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose three points to 16 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for October, released today. This was the first improvement registered by the HMI in five months, and returns the index to a level last seen in June of this year."Builders are starting to see some flickers of interest among potential buyers, and are hopeful that this interest will translate to more sales in the coming months," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "However, because most builders still have no access to credit for building homes, there is a real concern that we will not be able to meet the pent-up demand when consumers are ready to get back in the market. This problem threatens to severely slow the housing and economic recovery."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Remodelers trained as Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) can help home owners adapt their home for easier accessibility and improved functionality, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). During Aging-in-Place Week, October 11-15, home owners can learn more about the benefits of remodeling their home to meet their changing needs.According to AARP, most seniors prefer to stay in their home rather than move due to health and independence concerns. Remodeling for aging-in-place can enhance a home's function as an individual ages or lives with a disability. CAPS remodelers have received education about aging-in-place home design and partnering with customers to create a more comfortable home

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- NAHB Remodelers recently announced two winners of its fourth annual Homes for Life Award, recognizing excellent remodeling work for aging-in-place and universal design. Sponsored by AndersClark - Homes for Life Winneren Windows, the awards were presented during the NAHB Remodelers gala held in Baltimore last month during the Remodeling Show

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- NAHB Remodelers posthumously inducted Steven B. Maltzman from Redlands, Calif., into the Remodeling Hall of Fame. One of the highest awards in the industry, the Hall of Fame honors individuals' lifetime achievements in making a lasting impression in remodeling. The induction ceremony took place during the National Association of Home Builder's (NAHB) Remodelers Gala in Baltimore last month.Maltzman provided expert business and financial guidance to remodelers for many years as a trainer, coach and business advisor. He founded his own business, SMA Consulting, in 1987 and worked in the construction industry for more than 25 years as an accountant.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- NAHB Remodelers recently named Sherry Schwab, CGR, CAPS, of HCS Construction Services Co. in Bellevue, Wash., the 2010 Remodeler of the Year, in recognition of her professional remodeling achievements and support of industry professionalism. The award was given at the NAHB Remodelers awards gala held last month during the Remodeling Show in Baltimore."Sherry Schwab promotes professionalism, education and quality of service as a leading remodeler," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler from Issaquah, Wash. "I'm thrilled to bestow this award to a remodeler who has achieved so much in her business, donated to community service causes, and works to advance the remodeling industry."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today recognized the more than 476,000 home renovation contractors who have successfully completed the training required under the federal Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builders and developers support the goals of low-impact development and believe that federal, state and local land development policies should be flexible and responsive to consumer preferences, according to Bruce Boncke, who testified before Congress today on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).Far more important than any regulation is the effort to improve cooperation between local governments, builders and developers, and other stakeholders. "This collaborative approach can serve the industry – and the environment – as we all continue to work toward sustainable development," said Boncke, who is the chief executive officer of BME Associates, an engineering firm based in Rochester, New York.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., today called on the Senate to move immediately to pass legislation approved by the House that would allow construction loans to be eligible for the new small business lending fund signed into law earlier this week."Congress last week approved a small business lending bill (H.R. 5297) that fails to allow tens of thousands of small home builders across the nation to obtain badly needed credit for viable home building projects. The $30 billion lending fund established under this new law to help small businesses does not allow for construction loans to be made to small builders.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- New research from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that the benefits of housing-related tax deductions, such as the mortgage interest deduction, generally decline in value as individuals age.Using Internal Revenue Service Statistics of Income (SOI) data, NAHB was able to report for the first time how various tax deductions are used by different age groups. The analysis demonstrates that the biggest beneficiaries are younger households, who typically have large mortgages, small amounts of equity in their homes and growing families.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief economists from the American Petroleum Institute (API), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will address the state of the U.S. economy based on their respective industries. The economists will be available to answer questions. API Chief Economist John Felmy will provide an overview of the current state of the economy and discuss U.S. gasoline and diesel fuel demand and their implications. API represents the oil and natural gas industry, which supplies a majority of America’s energy, supports more than 9.2 million U.S. jobs and comprises 7.5 percent of the U.S. economy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes were unchanged in August, holding at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 288,000 units and matching July’s revised sales figures, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A growing segment of the housing market, first-time home buyers are contributing to an increase in demand for smaller and less expensive new homes, according to research from economists at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).Delving into data from the most recent biennial American Housing Survey, which was conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Census Bureau in 2009, the study, "Characteristics of New and First-Time Home Buyers," finds that 41 percent of the 8.4 million households who bought a home between 2007 and 2009 were first-time buyers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes held unchanged in September from the previous month's low level of 13, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today."In general, builders haven't seen any reason for improved optimism in market conditions over the past month," noted NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "If anything, consumer uncertainty has increased, and builders feel their hands are tied until potential home buyers feel more secure about the job market and economy."