Earlier this month, new limits were set on loans insured by HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Nearly 250,000 Americans in dozens of states, including North Carolina, could benefit from the new limits.The temporary changes came into place through the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, signed into law by President Bush.
The temporary increase on the FHA-backed loans is designed to produce economic stability through allowing homeowners to refinance high-rate subprime mortgages into safer, more affordable mortgages.In addition to the newly raised loan limits, HUD has also calculated new temporary limits for loans to be purchased by Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
"Many families all over the will benefit from this access to credit, and increasing these loan limits will inject much-needed liquidity into the housing market," said FHA Commissioner/Assistant Secretary for Housing Brian Montgomery. "Even moderate-cost areas like those in the South and Southwest will be helped, with most loan limits there rising to $271,050."
By increasing loan limits nationwide, FHA will provide much needed liquidity and stability to housing markets across the country. The change in loan limits are applicable to all FHA-insured mortgage loans endorsed after HUD publishes the increased loan limits today, and it lasts until December 31, 2008. For more information, click here.
"Now is a Great Time to Buy" is a campaign aimed to inform consumers that now really is a great time to buy a home. Favorable market conditions and low interest rates have created a time in which investing in a home could not be more desirable. Please feel free to use the logo to promote the idea to your members.
Home Builders Association of Fayetteville donated $26,393.15 to Cumberland Interfaith Hospitality Network. The proceeds from their annual Casino Night event raise money to give back to the community, and this year the committee chose Cumberland Interfaith Hospitality Network for their dedication to building homes for the homeless.
The mission of Cumberland Interfaith Hospitality Network (CIHN) is to serve as an advocate for the elimination of homelessness, to encourage those in need towards self sufficiency and to educate the public concerning the extent of homelessness and the means of overcoming it. The funds raised for Casino Night will go towards the Genesis Project - A Supportive Housing Program for Working Homeless Families. The funds will be used to assist in the completion of the rehabilitation of housing units to immediately place working parents and their children into housing.
The HBA of Fayetteville does not obtain any net proceeds from Casino Night. All proceeds were donated to CIHN. The HBA of Fayetteville is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all our neighbors and this CIHN project fits perfectly into that goal.
The Alleghany HBA made a donation of tools and supplies to Vocational Education teachers at Alleghany High School in Sparta, NC. Tim Stamper and Jamie Vestal were presented with the donation by President Jerrold Davis at the association's general membership meeting on March 4.
The tools and supplies were donated for use in instructional programs at the high school, which has special Trades & Industry courses in the curriculum and a chapter of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America.
The North Carolina Home Builders Association extends an invitation to you to participate in the annual "Builder's Classic" Golf Tournament, Friday, April 25, 2008 in Whispering Pines, North Carolina. The tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. All proceeds go to the North Carolina Home Builders Educational & Charitable Foundation, Inc. The program awards scholarships to students majoring in a construction related field.
Also make plans to attend the BBQ "Throw Down" Thursday, April 24 at The dinner, sponsored by Builders Mutual and hosted by Pete Mace of Sandhills Team & Carolina Real Estate Brokers, will be held at
Pine Barrens
.Last year's chef, Larry Airey, EO for Lake Norman HBA, will be challenged by NCHBA's Director of Codes and Construction, Robert Privott. Members will cast their votes for the best BBQ by placing dollars in contribution jars, which will be located in Airey and Privott's respective serving areas. All contributions will go to the North Carolina Home Builder Educational & Charitable Foundation.
A new tradition has been added to the Builder Classic Golf Tournament. Past President Dave Stormont issued an extra challenge within the tournament - The President's Cup.Are you ready to accept the challenge in 2008?
The challenge is issued to all "Presidents" to enter a competition within a competition.Any current or past Local Association, State Association and/or National Association President is invited to put together a foursome and enter the tournament, which is open to all members - builders and associates.The challenge will begin with a shotgun start at on April 25, 2008 at the Whispering Pines Golf Club in Whispering Pines, NC.
Get your golf clubs and competitive spirit ready!Don't forget that all proceeds benefit the North Carolina Home Builders Educational & Charitable Foundation, Inc., which awards scholarships to NCHBA members and their families.
The North Carolina Home Builders Educational & Charitable Foundation, Inc. awards scholarships based on a combination of need and merit to four year college students entering their junior or senior year and technical school students entering their second year who have declared their major in a construction related field.
To be eligible a student must meet the following criteria:
1. Applicants must be nominated by a NCHBA member firm.
2. Nominees shall be immediate family members - related by blood, (ie. children, step-children or grandchildren).
3. Students related by marriage, (ie. son-in-law, daughter-in-law, etc.) shall not be eligible.
4. Immediate family members of any current trustee of the NCHB Educational & Charitable Foundation, Inc. shall not be eligible.
5. Awards are for one year, but scholarship winners may submit a renewal application and be considered for renewal if they make satisfactory progress in their studies.
6. Only full-time students will be considered. NCHBA defines a full-time student as one taking a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
Haywood County HBA will be offering a variety of North Carolina Builder Institute (NCBI) courses throughout spring 2008.This provides a great opportunity for members in the western part of the state to earn credit toward their NCBI designation without having to drive a long distance.Courses being offered:
April 8 - PM107 Building Codes (4 hours)
PM207 Construction Industry and the ADA (4 hours)
Instructor - Robert Privott
May 7 - BM203 Borrowing Bucks for Builders (8 hours)
Instructor - Jim Bowman
Courses will be held at Fat Buddy's Restaurant in the
WaynesvillePlaza
behind the Coldwell Banker RE office on
Russ Avenue
. For more information and to register, contact the Haywood County HBA office at (828) 454-0221.All courses must be paid for in advance.
The Lake Norman HBA University now offers the NCBI Accreditation Program, as part of the their program of classes! No longer will you have to drive to Raleigh for your NCBI designation courses. Classes are being held at Mitchell Community College in Mooresville, NC, on a monthly basis. The cost for HBA members is $180 per 8 hours and $95 per 4 hours. Upon completion, builders receive this prestigious designation not only with NCBI, but also with the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
The HBA of Raleigh-Wake County is excited to offer two classes required for the NAHB Residential Construction Superintendent (RCS) designation. What builder, contractor or remodeler hasn't wished for personnel with the requisite skills to be savvy, on-the-spot field superintendents? The RCS designation series of courses is geared toward the budding field of superintendents and can benefit current personnel wishing to excel in this position.
The classes will be held Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 24 at the Raleigh-Wake HBA office located at 6510 Chapel Hill Rd. in Raleigh. Cost per class is $150 for NAHB members and $250 for non-members.
April 23 - RCS: Customer Service & Homeowner Relations, 1-5 p.m.
April 24 - RCS: Budget Management and Cost Control, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Registrations must be submitted no later than April 16, 2008. For more information click here or contact the HBA of Raleigh-Wake.
The time has come to submit your nomination for the 2008 NCHBA Construction Trades Teacher of the Year. The award is designed to help HBAs interact with their local school systems and to recognize outstanding educators. Nominations may be submitted on behalf of an instructor in the secondary school system by a local HBA, vocational director or local principal. The process is as follows:
1. Nominations should be returned to the NCHBA by the deadline.
2. Local HBAs should distribute nomination packages in their area.
3. Local HBAs can set their own deadlines to receive nomination packages. If an HBA has more than one nominee, they should select their local winner. Locals are encouraged to recognize their local winner and nominees (examples - meeting invite, plaque, tool donation, etc.).
4. Final selection of the state winner will be made by the NCHBA Vocational Education Committee. Nominations are due by May23, 2008.
5. Nominees are encouraged to submit pictures of examples of their work.
On Tuesday April 15, 2008, over 1400 students from across our state will gather at the Greensboro Coliseum to compete in approximately 32 skills contests and 48 leadership contests. The contest is open to the public from to
The state anticipates having 70 carpentry students participate in the event. From a set of plans and materials supplied by PRO-Build, competitors will be building actual wall sections that will eventually end up in Habitat for Humanity houses. A competent panel of judges, selected by 2008 NCHBA President Ray Rhodes, will determine the winners of the events.NCHBA will also send the state carpentry winner to the national SkillsUSA contest this summer.
TEAMWORKS might also be a contest of interest to NCHBA members. Lowe's is providing the materials and students come together to work on a project that combines carpentry, electrical, masonry and plumbing.
We invite you to visit and check out tomorrow's workforce!
The North Carolina Home Builders Association is delighted to announce the dates for the 6th Annual 21st Century Building Expo & Conference (21CBEC).The three day educational conference and two day exposition will be held September 10-12 at the CharlotteConvention Center in Charlotte, NC. All home building professionals in North Carolina and the surrounding states are encouraged to attend and "Soar Above the Rest." The 21CBEC is the largest networking event in the southeast for professionals in the home building industry.
Hundreds of new products and services will be unveiled at this year's event with over 400 exhibits on the Expo Floor. In 2007, the sold out Expo floor drew the highest attendance in the show's history, and hopes are high that 2008 will be another record breaking year. The 21CBEC is striving to make this year's Expo an even better resource by providing every opportunity for attendees to find up-to-date information pertinent to the home building industry.For more information visit our Web site at www.21buildingexpo.com.
Exhibitors may now select their booth space for 2008. For more information on exhibitor space, please contact Tracie Garrett at 800.662.7129 or email .
The STARS Awards Gala will be held in conjunction with the 21CBEC.Please note that this event has moved from Thursday evening to Wednesday, September 10, when we will celebrate the best in the building industry with "An Evening of Patriotic Proportions."For information about being a STARS Sponsor or submitting an entry, contact Kathryn Atkinson at 800.662.7129 or email
.
The North Carolina Housing Hall of Fame Board of Governors is pleased to provide your association with the opportunity to nominate a candidate for the North Carolina Housing Hall of Fame (NCHHF).The primary purpose of the NCHHF is to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to housing in North Carolina, the building industry, and to the North Carolina Home Builders Association.Nominees do not have to be active or a member of the North Carolina Home Builders Association.
Below you will find links to the by-laws of the NCHHF and a nomination form.If you know of an individual who has excelled in making a significant and lasting contribution to the building industry, please complete the enclosed nomination form and return it to the NCHBA office at the address below.All nominations must be postmarked by April 15, 2008.
Publications 
"Now is a Great Time to Buy" is a campaign aimed to inform consumers that now really is a great time to buy a home. Favorable market conditions and low interest rates have created a time in which investing in a home could not be more desirable. Please feel free to use the logo to promote the idea to your members.
Tim Stamper and Jamie Vestal were presented with the donation by President Jerrold Davis at the association's general membership meeting on March 4. 
The North Carolina Home Builders Association is delighted to announce the dates for the 6th Annual 21st Century Building Expo & Conference (21CBEC).
The STARS Awards Gala will be held in conjunction with the 21CBEC.
