NAHB

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders' Multifamily Market Indices (MMI) show that current and expected demand for rental apartments improved significantly in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter. The current indexes for Class A, Class B and Class C apartments rose to 59.5, 57.6 and 56.6, respectively, increases of more than 15 points when compared to the first quarter and the highest level since 2007. Builders' expectations for demand in the next six months increased to similar levels.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The cast of the Emmy-winning television comedy series "Glee," Chef Emeril Lagasse, Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning, and other celebrities have joined forces with the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders, to help Louisiana families hit hard by the oil spill in the Gulf with a celebrity shrimp boot fundraiser.Plain white shrimp boots have been decorated and autographed by celebrities from sports, music, television, Broadway, the media and more to be raffled off at the inaugural New Orleans Home and Interior Design Show at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans Sept. 17-19. Raffle proceeds will go to the Catholic Charities' Oil Spill Relief Fund, which is running out of money according to Co-president Gordon R. Wadge

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders, just released the fourth edition of Residential Construction Performance Guidelines, the industry’s most widely accepted reference on how homes should perform. Available in contractor and consumer versions, this fully revised and updated reference helps builders and remodelers successfully manage customer expectations while delivering high-performance homes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 31, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders' National Sales and Marketing Council launched the inaugural issue of SMI Digital today, the digital version of its award-winning Sales + Marketing Ideas (http://www.smimagazine.com) magazine. SMI Digital has the same layout as the print version of Sales + Marketing Ideas, but is delivered to subscribers' email addresses as an interactive PDF document.Both Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine and SMI Digital feature articles for new home sales and marketing professionals by top experts in the industry on such topics as sales and marketing trends, market research, advertising, marketing plans, model merchandising and sales management.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes declined 12.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 276,000 units in July, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. This was the lowest sales rate for new homes on record."Today's report, though not unexpected, is disappointing in view of the improvement in sales activity that we saw in June," said Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "Potential home buyers have become very hesitant due to uncertainty about the economy and job market, and are putting off the decision to buy until they feel more confident."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bolstered by favorable interest rates and low house prices, housing affordability remained near its highest level nationwide for the sixth consecutive month 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 72.3 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the second quarter of 2010 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400. The index for the second quarter was slightly more affordable than the previous quarter and almost equaled the record-high 72.5 percent set during the first quarter of 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing starts inched up 1.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 546,000 units in July from a downwardly revised figure in the previous month, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures released today. The gain occurred entirely on the multifamily side, with single-family housing production falling 4.2 percent to 432,000 units.“Builders are very reluctant to build more homes in view of the current state of the economy and weak buyer demand,” noted Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today unveiled a new website featuring the finalists in its 19th annual Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards. The recently-named finalists represent the nation’s top-performing firms working in design, development, marketing and management of apartments and condos.The newly-launched website – www.nahb.org/pillarsawards – provides a full listing of all Pillars finalists, as well photos and information on each project. With its searchable format, visitors to the site can easily search for finalists by category or location. Additionally, the site includes comments by the award hosts and judges.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes edged down for a third consecutive month in August, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. The HMI declined one point to 13, its lowest level since March of 2009.“Builders are expressing the same concerns that they are hearing from consumers right now, particularly the sense that the overall economy and job market aren’t gaining any traction,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “Meanwhile, many continue to report that problems with inaccurate appraisals, competition from the large number of distressed properties on the market, and tight consumer lending conditions are causing them to lose potential sales.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the mature-housing market retreated during this year's second quarter, according to data from the National Association of Home Builders' 55+ Housing Market Index (55+ HMI) – a quarterly survey of the association's builder members engaged in the production of mature-market housing. This past quarter's index values dropped for all areas surveyed, compared to the previous year's second quarter."The same factors that affect activity in the overall housing market – including hesitant home buyers, tight consumer credit, and continuing competition from foreclosed and distressed properties – are having an impact on the 55+ segment of the market, which remains stalled in most regions," says NAHB's Chief Economist, David Crowe. "In spite of the recent flurry of home-buying activity tied to the home buyer tax credit, many older homeowners continue to have difficulty selling their existing homes, causing them to postpone plans to look for a home that offers reduced maintenance or is otherwise more appropriately designed to accommodate their current lifestyles."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today officially opened online registration for the NAHB International Builders' Show (IBS), the largest annual light construction tradeshow in the world. Considered a must-attend industry event, the 2011 show, to be held in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 12-15, features attractive deals on registration fees and education sessions for members who register now."The NAHB International Builders' Show is the event of the year for our industry, with its unmatched networking opportunities, education sessions, product showcase and special events attracting tens of thousands of professionals from around the globe," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "With multiple discounts and incentives making attending even more affordable, this year's show is certainly one not to miss."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The remodeling market slid backward during the second quarter, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI). The RMI (combining current and future market indicators) sunk to 40.7 from 43.8 in the first quarter. Current market conditions slid back to 42.6 from 44.5 in the previous quarter. Future indicators of remodeling business declined to 38.9 from 43.1 in the last quarter.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Coming off an historic low in May, sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 23.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 330,000 units in June, according to U.S. Commerce Department data released today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is now accepting submissions for its Best in American Living Awards (BALA), the nation's premier award program recognizing residential design excellence. The awards program is open to builders, architects, remodelers, designers, developers, land planners and interior designers nationwide.Winners will be selected in 32 different award categories recognizing excellence in both custom and spec homes, attached, detached and multifamily homes, as well as affordable housing, remodeling, rental developments, communities, interior design, green homes and communities. Awards will also be given for the Best in Region, Home of the Year, Room of the Year and Community of the Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Single-family housing starts were virtually unchanged from the previous month at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 454,000 units in June, according to newly released figures by the U.S. Commerce Department. Meanwhile, a 21.5 percent decline on the more volatile multifamily side weighed down the overall housing production number, which fell 5 percent to a 549,000-unit rate.“As our most recent member surveys have indicated, builders remain very cautious in light of the sluggish pace of the economic recovery and the hesitancy they are seeing among potential home buyers,” noted Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes declined for a second consecutive month in July to its lowest level since April of 2009, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. The HMI fell two points from a downwardly revised number in the previous month to 14 for July.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The site of a waterfront townhome community located on the banks of the Indian River in Millsboro, Del., is the first on the East Coast and only the fourth nationwide to earn a four-star land development certification under the new National Green Building Standard, according to the National Association of Home Builders and the NAHB Research Center (NAHBRC), which developed the standard and certified the project

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the Obama Administration and Federal Reserve this week sponsoring events that focus on how to ease regulatory burdens on the small business community that are constricting job growth, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today urged policymakers to address the lack of financing for housing production that is impeding the housing and economic recovery."In normal times, housing accounts for about 17 percent of GDP," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "However, in the current economic climate, lenders have basically stopped making acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) loans and are calling in existing loans, even when the borrower's payments are current. Policymakers must act now to restore credit availability for viable home building projects; otherwise countless construction jobs will be lost, further jeopardizing the fragile economic recovery.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A coalition of housing industry groups joined the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today in announcing plans to file a lawsuit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for removing the "opt-out" provision from its Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders' National Sales and Marketing Awards is now accepting entries for the 2011 competition. New home sales and marketing professionals are encouraged to enter their projects for these awards, informally known as "The NationalsSM," which are sponsored by NAHB's National Sales and Marketing Council.The Nationals is the nation's largest competition for new-home sales and marketing professionals and communities, typically drawing over 800 entries and more than 500 attendees. Now in its 30th year, The Nationals will recognize this year's winners during an awards ceremony held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A luxury apartment complex built with energy- and water-efficient features and within walking distance of the Johnson Space Center in Houston has become the largest project certified by the NAHB Research Center to the National Green Building Standard, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the NAHB Research Center, which developed the standard.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes declined dramatically in May following the expiration of a popular home buyer tax credit program in the previous month, according to newly released figures by the U.S. Commerce Department. The data show that sales fell 32.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 300,000 units, the lowest number on record since the government started keeping track in 1963

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to delay enforcement of the new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule will provide much-needed time to get more remodelers and other contractors trained – and for EPA to get the word out to consumers about the importance of hiring a certified remodeler, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).“EPA listened to our concerns and did the right thing,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., today issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives passing H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010:“The nation’s home builders commend the House for passing vital legislation that will provide $30 billion in additional capital to community banks to expand small business lending.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing starts and issuance of building permits stalled in May following the expiration of a popular home buyer tax credit program, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. New-home production declined 10 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000 units, the slowest pace since December 2009, while permit issuance slowed 5.9 percent to a rate of 574,000 units, its slowest pace since May 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A cement plant “eyesore” that was transformed into a pedestrian-friendly golf course community in San Antonio; a transit-oriented Washington, D.C. rental community; and an affordable rental community whose Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., neighbors helped in the design process—are just a few of the exceptional apartment and condo projects announced today as finalists in the NAHB Multifamily 2010 Pillars of the Industry Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Snapping a string of two consecutive monthly gains, builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes fell back to February levels, before the beginning of the home buyer tax credit-related surge, according to results of the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. The HMI dropped five points to 17 in June

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The multifamily market showed signs of moving back toward stability in the first quarter of 2010, according to the latest NAHB’s Multifamily Market Index (MMI). The current production index for market-rent apartments jumped to 30.6, 14 points higher than a year earlier, while future demand expectations for Class A apartments rose to 49.6 from 34 and for Class B to 53.1 from 43.9. For lower-rent units and for-sale condominiums, the current production indexes rose to 38.2 and 25.0, respectively, more than 10 points higher than in the first quarter of 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today congratulated the Home Builders Association of Delaware and state officials on the creation of a program that offers cash incentives for building homes certified by the NAHB Research Center to the National Green Building Standard.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- This is a warning to alert all consumers, EOs, or NAHB members about an e-mail scam circulating through the Internet. Anyone receiving an unsolicited e-mail about a Mystery Shopper Vacancy notifying you that you will receive a check via UPS to evaluate a Wal-mart store or other shopping outlet should understand that this is an Internet Scam. The e-mail will ask you to act as a mystery shopper and observe the store in question. As part of the fraudulent scheme, it calls on you to cash the check, take a cut, and transfer the rest of the funds through Western Union to a third party