ANSI Approves Next Generation of the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Liz Thompson

202-266-8495

ethompson@nahb.org


www.nahb.org

ANSI Approves Next Generation of the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard

Notable Changes Impact Energy Requirements and Scoring of Remodeling Projects

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11--The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the International Code Council (ICC) applaud the recent approval of the 2012 ICC 700 National Green Building Standard[tm].

In 2007, NAHB and the ICC partnered to establish a nationally-recognizable standard definition of green building. The resulting ICC 700 National Green Building Standard is the first and only residential green building rating system to undergo the full consensus process and receive approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This is the first time the standard has undergone Consensus Committee review and update since it was published in 2009.

"The introduction of the 2012 National Green Building Standard is a huge deal for our industry," said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. "Not only does the updated version raise the bar on energy efficiency requirements, but it also completely revolutionizes how renovations and remodeling projects are treated under the standard. The 2012 updates make the standard easier to understand and implement, and we expect that this will certainly help to build upon the momentum we are already seeing in green building across the residential building industry."

To date, the standard has been widely implemented throughout the industry. The NAHB Research Center, which serves as the secretariat of the standard as it progresses through ANSI, has certified the compliance of thousands of dwelling units and developed lots to the ICC 700. Dozens of regional and local green initiatives refer to the standard within their program criteria and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) requires compliance with the ICC 700 if a jurisdiction chooses to regulate residential buildings four stories or less in height.

"ANSI's approval of the 2012 ICC 700 National Green Building Standard reinforces the quality and transparency of the process used to develop this important standard for constructing green residential buildings across America," said International Code Council Board President Ronald Piester and CEO Dominic Sims in a joint statement. "We are proud to develop the codes and standards that ICC and NAHB Members use to guide the construction of safe, sustainable and affordable homes, and provide an opportunity for ICC Members to play a vital role in this important undertaking."

The new version of the standard includes several important changes including:

· Energy Code Update: While the original ICC 700 used the 2006 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as a basis, the new version will use the 2009 IECC. The requirements of the 2009 IECC are estimated to result in energy efficient performance that is about 15 percent higher than the previous 2006 code.

· Restructured Scoring for Remodeling: The new version completely revamped the scoring for renovations and remodeling projects. The revised standard includes two entirely new chapters devoted to existing building projects. The first provides criteria for entire buildings and includes requirements for improved energy and water efficiency that increases as higher levels of compliance are sought. The second provides a green protocol for the most common renovation and addition projects that focus on functional areas of a home such as a kitchen, bathroom, basement, or addition under 400 square feet.

· Incentives for Development and Lot Design: The 2012 ICC 700 includes the addition of a new scoring opportunity for those choosing the build lots in green communities. In the new version, six points can be earned in the Lot Design, Preparation and Development chapter for choosing lots in developments that have been certified to ICC 700 or an equivalent program. In the previous version of the standard no such incentives were provided.

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, "Green Day" at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, NAHB and the ICC will release additional information on what changes the 2012 standard entails. Attendees of the show can hear the details during a press conference at 9:30 a.m. that day.

The standard will be available for order on January 23 at www.BuilderBooks.com.

For more information on the 2012 ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, please visit www.nahb.org/nahbgreen.

Statement from NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg on Qualified Mortgage Rules

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Paul Lopez

202-266-8409

plopez@nahb.org


www.nahb.org

Statement from NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg on Qualified Mortgage Rule

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 - Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla., today issued the following statement regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's newly-released standard on the definition of a qualified mortgage (QM) which addresses the borrower's ability to repay a home loan:

"We appreciate the hard work the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has put into this effort to create a qualified mortgage standard that ensures home buyers have access to affordable mortgages, contains strong consumer protections and provides lenders proper incentives to make home loans to creditworthy borrowers.

"The qualified mortgage rule stipulates that borrowers must be able to repay home loans issued to them and will set the parameters for all mortgage financing going forward. So it is essential that it strikes the proper balance that encourages lenders to provide creditworthy borrowers access to affordable home loans, and also gives assurances to financial institutions that they will be protected from lawsuits if they meet the criteria set forth in the rules.

"Our initial review of the QM rule indicates that this balanced approach can be achieved. NAHB is encouraged that regulators heeded concerns from the housing industry to craft a broad standard that includes many of today's sound mortgage products, including fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages, under the QM standard.

"The rule will take effect next January. To spur the revival of the home lending market, it is essential that regulators act prudently and thoughtfully in the coming year to implement this rule in a sensible manner to avoid disruptions to the housing finance system and ensure qualified borrowers can obtain affordable credit."

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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in remodeling, home building, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

Builder Books Can Boost Your Business!

The housing market is recovering and builders' confidence continues to rise for newly built single-family homes. Click here to read the press release.

Did you have the opportunity to take advantage of this year's best-selling publications from NAHB BuilderBooks. These publications will help you prepare for the recovery and enhance your company's efficiency.

• Green Building Strategies: From Plan to Profit
• Internet Marketing: The Key to Increased Home Sales
• Jobsite Safety Handbook, Third Edition, English-Spanish
• Scheduling for Home Builders w/Microsoft® Project, Third Edition
• Social Media for Home Builders 2.0: It's Easier Than You Think
• Survive and Thrive in Building: Fundamentals of Business Management
• The Cost of Doing Business Study, 2012 Edition

Go to www.BuilderBooks.com to stock up on these helpful resources now!

Also, if you prefer the e-Book versions, click here to go to the BuilderBooks e-Books website or download the NAHB BuilderBooks App to your iPad or iPhone.

Remember before you buy, take the BuilderBooks Survey and get your 10% discount code to use with your purchase.

Have you registered for the NAHB International Builders' Show® in Las Vegas, Jan. 22-24, 2013? The NAHB International Builders' Show® is the largest annual light construction show in the world, with the latest and most advanced building products and services ever assembled. Go to www.BuildersShow.com to learn more.

Follow NAHB BuilderBooks on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/BuilderBooks.

NAHB BUILDERBOOKS—BOOKS THAT BUILD YOUR BUSINESS

NAHB CEO Available For Comment on Fiscal Cliff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Paul Lopez

202-266-8409

plopez@nahb.org


www.nahb.org

Media Availability: NAHB CEO Available to Comment on Fiscal Cliff Discussions and the Mortgage Interest Deduction

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29--As Congress and the White House contemplate the fiscal cliff and potential tax ramifications going forward, the mortgage interest deduction has been among the discussions of deductions at risk.

NAHB CEO Jerry Howard is available today to discuss the fate of the mortgage interest deduction and how any changes could result in a chill on the fragile housing recovery.

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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in remodeling, home building, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

International Builders' Show Kicks off with Keynote from Former Walt Disney Company Leader Michael Eisner

International Builders' Show Kicks off with Keynote from Former Walt Disney Company Leader Michael Eisner

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15--Legendary entertainment industry leader, Michael Eisner was announced today as the keynote speaker for the 2013 NAHB International Builders Show® (IBS), the housing industry's largest annual trade show and exhibition. The show, held Jan. 22-24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center will play host to professionals representing all facets of the housing industry from around the world. Eisner will address attendees on Jan. 22, during the IBS Opening Ceremonies.

"The Opening Ceremonies always provides an impressive lineup of speakers and entertainment, and this year is no exception," said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. "We look forward to hearing the inspirational words of former Disney leader Michael Eisner, followed by a comedic performance of the Capitol Steps."

Eisner, who served as the Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company for twenty-one years, is recognized for having revitalized and reinvented the company into a full spectrum entertainment enterprise. Under his leadership, the company began implementation of a continuing series of creative growth strategies that resulted in its annual revenues rising from $1.7 billion to more than $30 billion. Michael Eisner continues to be an entertainment innovator to this day. His investment company Tornante launched Vuguru, a studio producing original programming for the Internet, portable media devices and cell phones.

Drawing from his vast experience as both a Fortune 500 CEO and an entrepreneur, his remarks will motivate corporate innovation and teamwork.

Closing out the Opening Ceremonies will be a performance by famed political satire group, the Capitol Steps. Created in December 1981, the Steps began as a group of senate staffers who used the headlines of the day to create song parodies and skits that conveyed a special brand of satirical humor.

Since they began, the Capitol Steps have recorded more than 30 albums and have been featured on numerous major television networks. Although not all of the current members of the Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers, taken together the performers have worked in a total of eighteen Congressional offices, and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience.

The IBS Opening Ceremonies is open to all registered attendees. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. and limited general seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

The 2013 NAHB International Builders' Show is not open to the general public. Building industry professionals and their affiliates throughout the housing trades may register by visiting the show's Web Site at www.BuildersShow.com.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Complimentary registration is available to credentialed members of the working press. Visit http://www.buildersshow.com/press for more information or to register.]

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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in remodeling, home building, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

Follow NAHB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NAHBMedia.

Early Deals From Dell For NAHB Members

Dell’s Black Friday event is here early for NAHB members. Starting today, members will have exclusive early access to some of our best Black Friday deals on desktops, laptops, servers, workstations and select Electronics and Accessories. Member discounts of up to 10% will be valid on top of already great offers.

To make the most of your discount follow these steps:

1. Go to www.dell.com/nahb

2. Write down or copy coupon codes you are interested in using.

3. Click on the banner that reads “Black Friday Savings are Here…”

4. Check out the amazing discounts exclusive to NAHB Members.

5. Build the technology you need and add in the coupon code to your already discounted total during checkout.

 Here are some of the great deals below:

Dell Vostro 3555 Laptop

AMD Quad-core Processor, Windows 7 Professional, 4GB of memory and 500 GB hard drive, 15 inch screen

Standard Price: $729

Instant Savings Plus NAHB Member Discount: $391.02

Dell Precision M4700 Mobile Workstation

3^rd Gen Intel Core i7 Processor, Windows 7 Professional, 8GB of memory and 750GB hard drive, NVDIA Quadro K1000M with 2GBDDR3; available with Windows 8.

Standard Price: $2,486

Instant Savings Plus NAHB Member Discount: $1,304.10

Dell Latitude 5430 Laptop

3^rd Gen Intel Core i3 Processor, Windows 7 Professional, 4GB of memory and 320GB hard drive, 15 inch screen; available with Windows 8.

Standard Price: $830

Instant Savings Plus NAHB Member Discount: $474.05

Samsung WB150F Black 14.2MP 18X Long Zoom Digital Smart Camera

The WB150F Samsung Smart Camera uses a powerful 18x optical zoom , can capture video in 720p resolution at 30 frames per second, and this camera has built-in wireless functionality so you can upload high-quality photos to social networking sites and seamlessly sync your camera to other Smart devices.

Standard Price: $229.99

Instant Savings Plus NAHB Member Discount: $123.49

When you buy through Dell, you also have access to additional business benefits:

· Free technology consultation with an experienced Small Business advisor trained to recommend solutions tailored to needs, preferences, and budget.

· Professional Class Service and Support. Optional Dell Prosupport™ ensures a single point of accountability for your hardware and software support needs 24x7.

· Small Business Resources including access to online tools such as tutorials, webinars and tips.

To learn more about your membership benefits and shop Black Friday early, visit www.dell.com/NAHB or call 1-800-757-8442. If you have any difficulty accessing these discounts just call the Dell at 1-800-757-8442 and make sure to say you are a NAHB Member; and they will help get you the best possible price on your new electronics.

Statement from NAHB Chairman Barry Rtenberg on the Actuarial Review of the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund

Statement from NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg on the Actuarial Review of the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 - Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla., today issued the following statement on the latest actuarial review of the FHA mutual mortgage insurance fund:

"In light of today's report, there will certainly be discussion about altering the structure or role of the FHA. We would urge policymakers to proceed cautiously.

"The FHA was created during the Great Depression to promote stability in the housing marketplace and allow first-time buyers and middle class families to attain the dream of homeownership. Over the ensuing 78 years, the agency has successfully achieved its mission at no cost to taxpayers. The fact that the FHA finds itself in this position now, as opposed to four years ago during the height of the financial meltdown, is testament to its ability to meet its mission in these difficult economic times.

"While there is no doubt that the housing finance system needs to be reformed, the contributions that the FHA has made during this economic downturn underscore the need for a government backstop for both the primary and secondary mortgage markets. In times of crisis, private financial institutions have fled the marketplace and consistently failed to step up to the plate. Without government support for home purchasing and refinancing, the nation's mortgage markets will grind to a halt, throwing the economy back into recession.

"Given the significant role that housing plays in the economy, policymakers need to take a long-term, holistic approach to housing finance reform and carefully gauge how it affects other efforts under way to get the nation's fiscal house in order and achieve long-term economic growth."

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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in remodeling, home building, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

Follow NAHB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NAHBMedia.

Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market Continues to Improve in the Third Quarter

Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market Continues to Improve in the Third Quarter

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 - Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market for single-family homes showed significant improvement in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) latest 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. The index more than tripled year over year from a level of 12 to 36, which is the highest third-quarter reading since the inception of the index in 2008.

"Many builders and developers in the 55+ housing segment are reporting an increase in demand from consumers," said NAHB 50+ Housing Council Chairman W. Don Whyte. "We are seeing improvement in certain parts of the country where people are moving off the fence and either purchasing a home or renting an apartment that is designed to more specifically suit their lifestyle."

There are separate 55+ HMIs for three segments of the 55+ housing market: single-family homes, multifamily condominiums and rental apartments. Each index measures builder sentiment based on a survey that asks if current sales, prospective buyer traffic and anticipated six-month sales for that market are good, fair or poor (high, average or low for traffic). An index number below 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as poor than good.

Although all components of the 55+ single-family HMI remain below 50, they at least doubled from a year ago: present sales climbed 25 points to 36, expected sales for the next six months increased 27 points to 42 and traffic of prospective buyers rose 20 points to 33.

The 55+ multifamily condo HMI had a significant increase of 13 points to 23, which is the highest third-quarter reading since the inception of the index in 2008; however, condos remain the weakest segment of the 55+ housing market. All 55+ multifamily HMI components increased considerably compared to a year ago as present sales rose 13 points to 22, expected sales for the next six months jumped 19 points to 29 and traffic of prospective buyers climbed 11 points to 22.

Meanwhile, the 55+ multifamily rental indices, which already recovered substantially last year, showed continued but more modest increases in the third quarter: present production climbed six points to 31, expected future production increased nine points to 35 and current demand for existing units and expected future demand improved two points to 42 and 44, respectively.

"Like other segments of the housing industry, the market for 55+ housing is continuing on a steady upward path, driven by improving conditions in additional markets around some parts of the country" said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe "While we expect the upward trend to continue as the recovery broadens, the speed of the recovery is being constrained by factors as tight mortgage credit, making it difficult for potential 55+ customers to sell their current homes, and shortages of inputs to construction such as buildable lots that are beginning to emerge in some market areas."

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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in remodeling, home building, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

Follow NAHB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NAHBMedia.

Home Builders Congratulate President Obama on Re-Election to a Second Term

Home Builders Congratulate President Obama on Re-Election to a Second Term

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 - Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla., issued the following statement on Tuesday's national elections:

"The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) congratulates President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States of America and all the lawmakers who were elected to the 113th Congress.

"In the closing weeks of the 112th Congress, NAHB urges President Obama and congressional leaders to work together to resolve issues related to the 'fiscal cliff' by extending all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts while being mindful of how broad-based tax reform will affect the fledgling housing recovery. Any effort to engage in tax reform should be done in a careful and deliberate manner and demands the proper vetting by Congress and all relevant stakeholders. There should be no rush to judgment on an issue that will affect virtually every American citizen.

"Moreover, when the new Congress convenes in January, NAHB looks forward to working in a bipartisan manner with the Administration and with Republican and Democratic leaders to tackle critical issues facing the housing industry.

"Making sure creditworthy consumers and small businesses can get mortgages and loans, tackling housing finance reform in a responsible manner and resolving the foreclosure crisis are vital to spur job growth and strengthen the housing and economic recovery."

　

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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in remodeling, home building, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

Follow NAHB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NAHBMedia.

Home Price Appreciation Helps Housing Move Forward on Road to Recovery

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 - Sparked by rising home prices across much of the nation, the housing recovery is now under way, but fiscal uncertainties and other challenges could result in a bumpy ride in the coming months, according to economists participating in yesterday's National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) webinar on the construction and economic outlook.

"We're seeing a more robust housing sector than many other parts of the economy," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "One of the reasons is we have finally begun to see on a national scale that house prices are picking up again."

Crowe cited a number of other factors that are carrying the housing momentum forward. These include:

· Pent-up household formations

· Rising consumer confidence

· Increasing builder confidence in all three legs of the industry: remodeling, multifamily and single-family construction

· Growing rental demand

· More than 100 metros currently on the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index

However, Crowe offered several cautionary factors that continue to put a drag on housing activity at this time - including builders who are experiencing difficulties in obtaining production credit, qualified buyers who are unable to obtain mortgage loans, inaccurate appraisals, seriously delinquent mortgages that are at least 90 days late or in foreclosure, and a limited inventory of developed lots in certain markets.

Other causes contributing to uncertainty in the marketplace include the looming "fiscal cliff" that will trigger mandatory budget cuts and tax increases at the beginning of next year, pending Dodd-Frank Act regulations that are making financial institutions hesitant to lend since they don't know how the new rules will affect them, tax reform, and the future role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the nation's housing finance system.

NAHB is forecasting a 21 percent increase in single-family starts this year to 528,000 units and a further 26 percent climb to 665,000 units in 2013.

Multifamily housing starts are expected to rise 26 percent this year to 224,000 units and 6 percent in 2013 to 238,000 units.

Optimistic Housing Outlook

Expressing a more bullish outlook on housing and economic growth, Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Analytics, forecast that GDP growth will range in the 2 percent range this year and next and "double that growth closer to 4 percent in 2014 and 2015." At the same time, he expects job growth to go from two million per year to closer to 3 million in 2014 and 2015.

"A big part of this optimism is the housing market," said Zandi. "I expect 1.1 million total housing starts in 2013, 1.7 million to 1.8 million in 2014 and over 1.8 million in 2015."

Zandi noted a range of assumptions behind this rosy forecast, including the expectation that mortgage rates would remain very low, the availability of housing credit will improve as private mortgage lending begins to pick up, and the job market gains traction as policymakers work to resolve fiscal issues, which will ease market uncertainties.

Specifically, Zandi cited three critical fiscal policy concerns:

· The fiscal cliff. If policymakers do nothing, the combination of pending tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect in January could produce a fiscal drag of four percentage points, Zandi said, which would throw the economy back into recession. "Hiring will remain weak until this is resolved," he said.

· Treasury debt ceiling. By late February or early March, the Treasury is expected to hit its debt ceiling. A failure to raise the ceiling would prevent the U.S. government to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations, including the issuance of monthly Social Security checks.

· Achieve fiscal sustainability. Zandi said that federal government expenditures as a percentage of GDP is 24 percent and revenues is 17 percent. He said this seven-point gap needs to be slashed to closer to two percentage points of GDP. "We need spending cuts and tax revenues to narrow future deficits," he said. "If we can't do that, bad things will happen."

Acknowledging that these challenges won't be easy, Zandi said his forecast is based on the assumption that Democrats and Republicans will eventually strike a deal on these contentious issues because each side has much to lose. Democrats, he said, don't want to see tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and Republicans don't like the defense cuts mandated by sequestration.

If the nation has the "political will to address the fiscal issues in a reasonable way, I think we will be off and running," said Zandi.

A Gradual Climb to Normal

Delving into the state statistics behind the national numbers, Robert Denk, NAHB's assistant vice president for forecasting and analysis, cited a range of differences among the states in the amount of pain suffered during the recession and the progress that is being made in recovering.

The hardest hit states -- such as Arizona, Florida, California and Nevada -- bottomed out the furthest during the downturn and still have much ground to make up.

Meanwhile, several energy producing states - North Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana and Wyoming - will be back to normal levels of housing production by the end of 2014.

On a national basis, housing starts are projected to get back to 55 percent of normal production by the end of next year and 70 percent of normal by the end of 2014, Denk said.

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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in remodeling, home building, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

Follow NAHB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NAHBMedia.

"Builders For" E-Mail Communications

The NAHB leadership would like to take this opportunity to answer some of the questions that have been raised by concerned members regarding email communications that many of you received from the respective chairmen of the "Builders for Romney" effort on April 4 and of the "Builders for Obama" effort on May 3.

First and foremost, we want to reaffirm that NAHB does not endorse or support any candidate for President of the United States. That said, it is essential for our membership to be politically engaged and educated about the candidates in this election season, and that was the impetus behind the "Builders for" program. This program allows the designated chairman of a member group supporting a given presidential candidate to send an informational email to fellow members about that candidate.

In mid-March, NAHB CEO Jerry Howard sent an all-member email explaining the “Builders for” program. As that communication assured you, NAHB will not release any member email address to any person or outside group for any reason. Instead, this information is protected by NAHB sending the initial outreach emails on behalf of each “Builders for” organization chairman (two are allowed from each source), and any member who wishes further communication from a particular effort can opt-in to receive it.

Again, no NAHB member’s email address has been shared with either a candidate’s campaign or “Builders for” organization. Official NAHB policy is very clear on this matter.

Finally, members who do not wish to receive further communication from a particular “Builders for” effort can “opt-out” of such emails by clicking on the “opt-out” link contained in the initial email.

Hopefully, this information clarifies why you received a political communication on behalf of a “Builders for” chairman in recent days. If you have further concerns or comments, please feel free to communicate them to us at boardtopics@nahb.org.

BIG MONEY, BIG FIRMS WEIGH IN AGAINST FLEXIBLE CODE CYCLE

The Senate Regulatory Reform Committee held its first hearing on House Bill 4561 this past Thursday, April 26^th and the hearing room was packed with opponents of the measure who continued to engage in a campaign of misinformation designed to undermine the sound public policy approach offered by the bill.

Company after company, many with financial incentives to oppose the bill, stepped to the microphone to predict the collapse of Michigan’s economy and a reduction in public safety in Michigan if the director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affair was given the authority to update the codes either every three or every six years as appropriate.

As was the case in the House, where HB 4561 passed on a bipartisan vote of 68 to 39, committee members were treated to half-truths and misrepresentations by opponents of the bill including that passage of the measure would: 1.) only allow the codes to be updated every six years, 2.) raise insurance rates, 3.) require the state to give back federal weatherization funds, 4.) stop technology firms from locating in Michigan and make those who are currently here move out and, 5.) hurt the electric car industry.

The largest fog of propaganda was generated over the claim, despite specific language in the bill to the contrary, that going to a flexible code cycle would mean many of the products manufactured or sold wouldn’t be available in Michigan. None of those who made this claim explained how these products are available for use in the 35 other states that have flexible code cycles some of which are still using codes from the 1990s.

After being challenged by the MAHB, opponents of the bill have at least ceased to falsely claim General Motors is opposing HB 4561 but are still falsely claiming the Associated Builders and Contractors/Michigan have switched from their position of support in the House to one of opposition.

Anyone doubting how much money is being spent to prevent HB 4561 reaching the Governor’s desk should visit the opponent’s new website www.betterbuildingsmi.com where supporters of HB 4561 were characterized as follows “Who wants weaker building codes? Quite frankly, the handful of builders who like to cut corners, don’t want to keep up to date with the best possible safety and construction practices, and choose to sell a product that may save a dollar today – but cost hundreds more down the road.”

The following companies are listed on the above website as opposing HB 4561: Dow Chemical, BASF, CertainTeed, Guardian Industries, Huntsman International, Bayer Corporation, Cooper Bussman, Schneider Electric, Dow Corning, Eaton, Arvorn Inc. (Grand Rapids) Atlas Roofing Corp. (Byron Center), Detroit Spray Foam (Sterling Heights), Foam Rite (Almont), Gypsum Supply Company (Byron Center) Harbor Foam (Grandville), and North American Processing (Lapeer). Because this list earlier listed GM as opposing the bill and still lists ABC/Michigan as opposing the bill, members of the MAHB are encouraged to call these companies to verify their opposition to HB 4561.

Each builder needs to exercise their own judgment when selecting products from a vendor.

What Does It Mean to Build a Green Development?

What does it mean to build a green development? It can mean different things in different settings.

The NAHB Site Design and Development chapter in the National Green Building Standard, the guideline for certification of green building projects, lays out the criteria for qualifying a development as green. It addresses a wide variety of possible aspects that a green development might embody. 

As with any green project, the most basic principle is value. No amount of green trimmings is going to sell property if it’s not a really attractive place to live at a decent price. There simply is not a clientele that is looking for a green lifestyle at the expense of comfort, accessibility, quality, and a sense of home. Bruce Frost, the green building educator from Central Michigan University is fond of saying that green building at its most basic level is simply building with integrity. So it is with development.

When I proposed the Cedar Valley Ridge development in 2002, I had no idea that it would become Michigan’s first NAHB green-certified development, or that it would become the first development in the United States to be certified at the Four Star level, the highest certification offered by NAHB. I wasn’t interested in building a green development. “Green” wasn’t part of the language of the marketplace at the time. I merely intended to build the type of development that my wife and I would want to live in. That meant, among other things, a place that would foster relationship with nature, that would provide easy access to ways to exercise and stay fit, and that would provide a strong sense of community.

There are many other attributes, though, that can contribute to making a development green. One of the primary characteristics for some certification agencies is density. Good use of land resources calls for reducing sprawl. The certification requirements under some green program demand a level of density that almost require a development be urban. As a matter of fact, I doubt that Cedar Valley Ridge would even qualify as a green development under some of the other standards. However, I believe there is a place for rural green development. More about this later.

In general, green development under the NAHB Standard means:

·         Selecting an appropriate site. Preference is given to infill or greyfield/brownfield sites.

·         Assembling a team with a mission statement and goals, and providing education and guidelines to all members of the development team, including subcontractors.

·         Designing the site to protect the environment and enhance the natural features and resources of the site.

·         Providing building sites that will facilitate implementation of green features in the structure.

·         Planning the landscaping to build on the local ecology instead of replacing it, and to keep the use of energy, water, fertilizers, and herbicides/pesticides to a minimum.

·         Protect existing wildlife and plant life.

·         Use natural materials and re-use existing materials on the site.

·         Provide as many dwellings per acre as possible and/or cluster the building sites.

·         Minimize damage to the environment during construction.

·         Implement innovative practices to bring new ideas in design, construction, materials use, zoning, etc. to the marketplace.

That list is good as far as it goes. Clearly, based on the objectives for Cedar Valley Ridge, I would add to that list the building of community among the owners after the lots are bought. For a development to fulfill the intent of building green, it has to be more than just a green facility. The purpose of building a green development or a green home is ultimately to protect the planet – to save energy and to prevent destruction of the environment. If we build buildings or developments that are designed to do those things, but don’t educate the buyers or convey that vision to them, the building or development will not fulfill its intent. I can live in an energy efficient house, but if I leave the doors and windows open in Winter, it’s still going to waste energy. If a community doesn’t buy into the concepts behind a green neighborhood, it’s not going to be a green neighborhood for long.

Part of the education – the vision-sharing process – can be built into the restrictions in the master deed. The most essential part of the process, though, is the developer’s responsibility to follow through with educating buyers and fostering a sense of green community after the sale. It isn’t typically considered normal for a developer to be involved in a community after the sale, but I think it’s essential for the health of a green neighborhood. It’s also good business. Providing a clear and accomplishable vision of maintaining a neighborhood that fosters relationship with nature and with green living concepts is a great way to help build community spirit, and a strong and cohesive community is one of the primary qualities that attracts potential buyers.

Marketing a green development is no different than marketing any development. While a green label may bring in some free media exposure – which can represent some of the best advertising you can get – the green label in itself is unlikely to bring potential buyers to a project. “Green” generally appears to be way down the list on most buyers’ list of priorities. What is high on the list of priorities is what green represents in a project: access to nature – especially here in northern Michigan, a strong feeling of neighborhood, and the quality of lifestyle that a green project can provide. Those are strong selling points, and they are an essential part of what green development represents. As I’ve made presentations around the US on green development, it’s clear that this is a direction that is going to be a strong part of the development market in the coming years. Developers are beginning to see the potential in this market, and prospective buyers are asking for these characteristics. Incidentally, market surveys have shown that the most attractive selling point in a green development is the existence in the project of a system of nature trails.

The Cedar Valley Ridge project consists of thirty-five lots clustered on one hundred seventy acres. As I mentioned earlier, in some green certification protocols, this development wouldn’t even qualify for consideration because of the low density. We have a unique situation here in northern Michigan. We have an excellent and active land conservancy community that has preserved thousands of acres. We live in an area that will experience dramatic growth in the coming decades. We could end up with pockets of natural area surrounded by subdivisions. Doesn’t it make more sense to develop in a way that preserves land and at the same time allows people to live there? Cedar Valley Ridge represents this kind of transition between conservation land and urban living. The thirty-five lots are clustered on forty-five acres, leaving the remaining approximately seventy-five percent of the land in a permanently protected, private nature preserve that can never be developed. This protects some beautiful, environmentally sensitive land and allows an opportunity for people to live close to nature. It also can also help maintain wildlife corridors.

There are now many green developments around the country, representing a number of different approaches. The first NAHB green-certified development in the US is The Village at Burns Harbor, just across the border in Indiana. It’s an urban development that artfully brings together a sense of neighborhood and nature. Many other subdivisions exhibiting a wide range of interpretations of green development have been certified in the last four years. And no description of green development would be complete without looking at the work of Ross Chapin, whose book Pocket Neighborhoods was recently published by Taunton Press. Ross has worked for decades with Sarah Susanka, the author of the Not So Big House books. Pocket Neighborhoods are small developments, usually no more than a few acres, with an average of twelve to sixteen not-so-big houses, that are a remarkable expression of beauty, good use of resources, and vibrant community. You can learn more about Pocket Neighborhoods at http://www.pocket-neighborhoods.net/.

If you’re interested in learning more about green development, visit the NAHB website at http://www.nahb.org/page.aspx/category/sectionID=1801

Dan Paulson is the developer, with his wife Susan Sherman, of Cedar Valley Ridge, Michigan’s first NAHB-certified subdivision, and the first in the US to be certified at the Four Star level. Cedar Valley Ridge is eight miles west of Traverse City in Long Lake Township.

Builders Get Leg-Up on Competition at Upcoming Green Building Conference Nashville Event to Feature Homes Tour, Education, Exhibit Hall and More

WASHINGTON, April 13--Building professionals looking to expand their green building skills, or those just getting started in building green, will find tools for success at the 2012 National Green Building Conference and Expo in Nashville, Tenn., April 29-May 1.

Hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the annual conference will be held at the Nashville Convention Center. It will feature an exhibit hall with cutting-edge green products, a wide variety of education courses, unmatched networking opportunities and notable speakers and special events.

The event will be kicked off with a keynote session from renowned around-the-world solo sailor, Derek Hatfield. In his most recent race, Hatfield relied on solar and wind power instead of fossil fuels to generate the electricity needed during the race - an approach that goes hand-in-hand with the main principles of working toward a more sustainable future. He will share his exciting experiences and stories of circumnavigating the globe, and discuss his efforts in sustainability.

Two new offerings at the show this year provide building professionals with insights into the green market, and tips for enhancing their green building techniques. They are:

· Analysis of the Green Market--McGraw-Hill Construction, NAHB and Waste Management, Inc. will reveal the results of a new Smart Market Report on Residential Green Building. The report highlights the growth of green building and provides building professionals with insight into potential market opportunities, consumer preferences and industry trends.

· Green Building Plan Review--Attendees will have the opportunity to review their building plans with an architect, an accredited verifier for the National Green Building Certification Program and a home builder. All are experienced in working with the National Green Building Standard, which was the result of a partnership between NAHB and the International Code Council. They will be able to answer questions and provide practical tips and suggestions for making projects greener and more efficient.

"We are excited to be able to offer so many exciting opportunities for builders and remodelers to expand their knowledge of green building," said Eric Borsting, chairman of the National Green Building Conference and Expo. "Conference attendees will get the full experience with classroom training, tours of green homes, a showcase of green products, networking opportunities, knowledgeable speakers and much more."

Another conference highlight is the annual Green Building & Technology Tour, which offers builders a glimpse into the design and green building practices used by local builders. Attendees have the chance to hear firsthand about the building process, the green building certifications used and the value the homes bring to their owners.

Additionally, attendees are invited to attend the Muddy Boots Mixer and Awards event, for a night of networking, live music, food and recognition of the year's best in green building.

To register for the National Green Building Conference and Expo, or for additional information, visit www.nahb.org/greenbuildingconference.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Complimentary registration is available to credentialed members of the working press. For more information, please contact Liz Thompson, at ethompson@nahb.org.]

101 Housing Markets on Improving List in April

WASHINGTON, April 5 - The list of housing markets showing measurable improvement expanded slightly to include 101 metropolitan areas in April, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. Thirty-five states (including the District of Columbia) are now represented by at least one market on the list.

The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. The 101 markets on the April IMI represent a net gain of two from March, with 13 metros being added and 11 markets slipping from the list while 88 markets retained their places on it. Among the new entrants, areas as diverse as Rome, Ga.; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Greenville, N.C.; Brownsville, Texas; St. George, Utah; and Huntington, W.Va., are now represented on the IMI.

"While housing markets across the country continue to struggle under the weight of overly tight lending conditions and other challenges, the April IMI indicates that at least 101 individual metros are showing measurable and consistent signs that they are headed in the right direction," said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg. "A total of 35 states are now represented on the list, with 10 states having four or more entries. This positive news is in line with what our builder members have observed regarding firming conditions and improved buyer interest in certain locations."

"After five consecutive months of gains, the IMI recently began to plateau, with many markets holding steady and a few experiencing the ups-and-downs that are typical in a choppy recovery," observed NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "The IMI is designed to highlight markets that are showing consistent improvement, and those markets that have registered the smallest gains are more susceptible to dropping off the list due to a minor setback in prices, permits or employment," he explained. At the same time, "as stronger markets approach stability, it will get harder for them to keep charting improvement, which will also limit the expansion of the IMI."

"The fact that the number and geographic distribution of improving housing markets continued to expand beyond the 100 mark in April bodes well for the start of the spring home buying season, and should be an encouraging sign for those who are considering a home purchase," added Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company.

The IMI is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. The index measures three sets of independent monthly data to get a mark on the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The three indicators that are analyzed are employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau. NAHB uses the latest available data from these sources to generate a list of improving markets. A metropolitan area must see improvement in all three areas for at least six months following their respective troughs before being included on the improving markets list.

A complete list of all 101 metropolitan areas currently on the IMI, and separate breakouts of metros newly added to or dropped from the list in April, is available at: www.nahb.org/imi.

Editor's Note: The NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) is usually released on the fourth business day of each month at 10:00 a.m., ET, unless that day falls on a Friday - in which case, the index will be released on the following Monday. A full calendar of future release dates can be found at www.nahb.org/imi.

Builder Confidence Unchanged in March

WASHINGTON, March 19 - Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes was unchanged in March from a revised level of 28 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. This means that following five consecutive months of gains, the HMI is now holding at its highest level since June of 2007.

"While builders are still very cautious at this time, there is a sense that many local housing markets have started to move in the right direction and that prospects for future sales are improving," said Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Florida. "This is demonstrated by the fact that the HMI component measuring builder expectations continued climbing for a sixth straight month in March, to its highest level in more than four years."

"Builder confidence is now twice as strong as it was six months ago, and the West was the only region to experience a decline this month following an unusual spike in February," observed NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "That said, many of our members continue to cite obstacles on the road to recovery, including persistently tight builder and buyer credit and the ongoing inventory of distressed properties in some markets."

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for more than 20 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as "good," "fair" or "poor." The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as "high to very high," "average" or "low to very low." Scores from each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

While the HMI component gauging current sales conditions declined one point to 29 in March, the component gauging sales expectations in the next six months gained two points to 36 and the component gauging traffic of prospective buyers held unchanged at 22.

Regionally in March, the HMI gained five points to 25 in the Northeast, two points to 32 in the Midwest and two points to 27 in the South, but fell 10 points in the West following a 22-point gain in the previous month.

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Home Builders Applaud Menendez Bill to Restore the Flow of Credit for Home Building

ORLANDO, Feb. 8 - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today commended Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) for introducing the Home Building Lending Improvement Act of 2012, legislation to help restore the flow of credit for new housing production in order to create jobs, meet rising housing demand and bolster the economic expansion.

"We applaud Rep. Menendez for sponsoring this bill and leading the effort in the Senate to end the severe credit crunch for home building that is needlessly idling residential construction workers and hampering the housing and economic recovery," NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev., said while attending the International Builders' Show in Orlando.

With new housing inventories at or near record lows in many parts of the country, builders should be gearing up to produce homes to meet sizable demand from pent-up household formations and the growing list of metro areas on the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index whose economies are recovering.

Unfortunately, banks have largely cut off home builders from the credit they need to finance new projects or complete those still underway.

Resolving this situation will enable home builders to start rebuilding the economy. Constructing 100 average single-family homes creates more than 300 jobs, $23.1 million in wages and business income and $8.9 million in taxes and revenue for local, state and federal government. And there is a considerable economic ripple effect from there. New home building contributes to the local tax base, which supports schools, police, firefighters and road construction in municipalities across the land, and most of the products used in home construction are manufactured here in the United States.

Similar legislation to resolve the ongoing credit problems for home builders was introduced in the House last year by Reps. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and Brad Miller (D-N.C.). H.R. 1755, the Home Construction Lending Regulatory Improvement Act, currently has 87 House cosponsors.

"Without access to financing, small home builders cannot keep their doors open, let alone meet the rising demand that is emerging in scores of markets across the nation," said Nielsen. "The Menendez bill will help address the housing production credit crisis and establish an effective foundation to help housing regain its health, contribute to job growth and strengthen the economic expansion."

Builders Commend White House Focus on Helping Home Owners, Seek Additional Steps to Spur Housing

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) commends President Obama for offering proposals in last night's State of the Union address to help families stay in their homes and stanch foreclosures, and is urging policymakers to take additional actions to mend the housing market and boost the economy.

"President Obama's refinancing plan offers an opportunity for continued exploration of ways to aid struggling home owners and tackle the foreclosure crisis," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev. "We look forward to working with the White House and Congress to tackle this issue and continue to make progress on foreclosures that are hampering the housing market."

In order to create jobs and further stabilize housing and the economy, Nielsen added that the Administration, Congress and federal regulators need to reopen the lines of credit for builders ready to embark upon viable projects in markets where new housing stock is needed and to ease overly restrictive mortgage lending requirements for qualified home buyers.

The NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index shows that scores of metro areas across the nation are beginning to see signs of recovery, but in order to meet this emerging housing demand, builders need access to credit to break ground on sound projects and generate new jobs and sorely needed tax revenues in these communities.

"President Obama was absolutely right when he said that 'there has never been a better time to build,' and the nation's home builders are eager to do their part to contribute to economic growth and job creation," said Nielsen, who noted that housing normally accounts for more than 17 percent of the nation's gross domestic product.

Building 100 single-family homes creates more than 300 full-time jobs and $8.9 million in federal, state and local tax revenues that help fund local schools, police and firefighters in markets across the land.

Sixty percent of voters say that resolving the foreclosure mess is essential to get the economy back on track and there is broad support for government policies that encourage homeownership, according to a new nationwide survey on housing commissioned by NAHB from the Republican and Democratic polling firms of Public Opinion Strategies and Lake Research Partners.

More than seven in 10 voters representing all political parties believe that tax incentives to promote homeownership are reasonable and appropriate and nearly six in 10 voters say the federal government should make it a high priority to restore the nation's housing market.

Even more telling, the majority of voters believe neither party is doing a good job on housing.

"In this election year, voters will be looking closely at President Obama, the GOP presidential contenders and congressional candidates from both political parties to determine how they plan to put housing and the economy back on track," said Nielsen. "How the candidates respond will decide not only their political fate but the economic prospects of most Americans."

Remodeling Market Index Rises to Five-Year High

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 - Remodeling sentiment rose to the highest level in five years, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter of 2011. Released today, the RMI increased to 46.6 in the fourth quarter from 41.7 in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the RMI component measuring current market conditions rose to 48.4 from 43.0 in the previous quarter. The RMI component measuring future indicators of remodeling business was also positive, increasing to 44.8 from 40.4 in the previous quarter.

An RMI below 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is lower (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is higher. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future activity.

"As more consumers remain in their homes rather than move in this economy, remodelers benefited from a gradual increase in home improvement activity, taking us to a five-year high," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bob Peterson, CGR, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler from Ft. Collins, Colo. "2011 ended on a strong note for the remodeling industry."

Current market conditions improved significantly in all four regions over the third quarter of 2011. The RMI reported higher market activity in two important categories: major additions 52.3 (from 45.2) and minor additions 50.1 (from 45.7).

Future market indicators in each region also experienced gains from the previous quarter. Two of the indices reported a level over 50: calls for bids at 50.7 (from 45.4) and appointments for proposals at 50.1 (from 43.3), while work committed for the next three months only rose to 31.5 (from 29.9).

"With several key components above 50, the latest RMI provides reason for guarded optimism going forward," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "The residential remodeling market has been improving gradually, mirroring the trend in other segments of the housing market. Stringent lending requirements and economic uncertainty continue to be a drag on demand, but we expect a modest growth in remodeling activity to continue throughout 2012."

For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.