NCHBA will hold its Legislative Conference on June 3-4. NCHBA's legislative reception on Tuesday evening, June 3, will compete with at least two other receptions that evening, so it's important that we have as many NCHBA members as possible at the NCHBA reception. On Wednesday, June 4, when NCHBA members are scheduled to walk the halls of the General Assembly to meet with their respective Representatives and Senators, the North Carolina League of Municipalities will be holding its "Town Hall" day, so mayors from across the State will be there as well; and to make matters even more interesting, we have information that environmental groups will be bringing in busloads of their members to lobby the General Assembly. That's no coincidence. The long and the short of it is that we need to ensure that our numbers overwhelm those of the environmental special interest groups and others. It has never been more important that NCHBA members come IN FORCE to make our presence felt. NCHBA is the largest home builders association in the country - on June 3 and 4, let's show the General Assembly what that means! Be there, and bring a colleague (or six) with you. The future of your business depends on it.
The NCHBA Legislative Conference and 2nd Quarter Board and Committee meetings will be held at the North Raleigh Hilton in Raleigh, NC on June 3-4, 2008. The Legislative Reception will be held at the North Carolina Museum of History in downtown Raleigh.
DIRECTIONS
Hilton North Raleigh
3415 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
From the West: Take EXIT 10 off I-440 (Wake Forest Road) and turn left. The North Raleigh Hilton will be on your left.
From the East: Take EXIT 10 off I-440 (Wake Forest Road) and turn right. The North Raleigh Hilton will be on your left.
For hotel reservations call 1-800-HILTONS ((800) 445-8667).
Are there individuals and organizations in your community that are making a difference for affordable housing? Perhaps you work or volunteer with an organization that has improved the quality of life in your community because of the housing opportunities it's provided.
The NC Association of Realtors Housing Opportunity Foundation would like to honor those who are making the biggest impact on affordable housing in North Carolina through the 2008 Homes4NC Affordable Housing Achievement Awards.
The awards program was established in 2005 to honor and learn from those whose hard work and innovation is leading the way to solving our most pressing housing challenges. The Homes4NC Affordable Housing Achievement Awards will help educate REALTORS and give the public about the critical need for affordable housing in our communities. They will also give well-deserved recognition to those programs and organizations leading the way.
The nomination deadline is June 27. You can visit www.Homes4NC.org for more information and click here for a nomination form.
Property owners across North Carolina scored another victory on Tuesday, May 6 when citizens in four counties rejected the proposed land transfer tax referendum that appeared on their ballots. Voters in Ashe, Gates, Orange and Tyrrell counties soundly rejected the referendum, bringing the voting record for the transfer tax to 0-20. This remarkable victory follows the pattern established last November, when the measure was voted down in 16 counties across North Carolina. The victory in Gates County followed the defeat of the same measure in November but, this time, by an even larger margin.
The land transfer tax, also known as the "home tax," requires property owners to pay an additional tax upon selling their property based on the value of the property. It places an unfair and unreliable tax burden on homeowners and ultimately makes housing less affordable. A last minute special provision was placed into the North Carolina state budget bill in 2007, which granted counties the authority to place a 0.4% transfer tax referendum on their ballots.
NCHBA is vehemently opposed to the land transfer tax and has worked diligently with its partner, the North Carolina Association of Realtors, through the "It's a Bad Idea" campaign to ensure that these measures would not be approved in these counties. Our attention now turns to repealing this law during the short session of the General Assembly in an effort to continue the promotion and protection homeownership in North Carolina.
NCHBA's share of the campaign came from our Issues Mobilization Fund. However, beating these referenda in 20 counties has been a very expensive undertaking. Please help us "replenish the fund" with your generous contribution. Please contact Jessi Hayes to help us with this effort.
County by County breakdown of May 6 Primary Election results:
re you ready to Soar Above the Rest in your business in 2008? Then it's time to register for the 2008 21st Century Building Expo & Conference. The three-day conference and two-day exposition will be held September 10-12 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Online registration is now open. Simply visit the 21CBEC Web site (http://www.21buildingexpo.com/attendees.cfm) and follow a few easy steps to become fully registered for the show. While you're there, take a look around to see how you can build your experience at the show into an Ultimate Adventure. Check out the extraordinary list of exhibitors, the extensive variety of continuing education courses and the spectacular array of door prizes.
Seize the moment! Register today and prepare to Soar Above the Rest.
The STARS Awards Gala is an opportunity to recognize association members who have made significant contributions to the association, the home building industry and the community. The recipients of these prestigious awards will be honored during "An Evening of Patriotic Proportions" on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at the Westin Hotel in Uptown Charlotte, NC during the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference.
Nominate a Builder or Associate member who you believe is deserving of one of these esteemed awards. For more information, please contact Kathryn Atkinson at (800) 662-7129 or email
.
Anytime you take a Builders University class at your local HBA, you can earn North Carolina Builder Institute (NCBI) credit, too. Credit applies toward AA and AB designations.
Builders Mutual Insurance Company's risk management experts bring the latest safety solutions and risk management programs to you through Builders University classes. You may even qualify for a Builders Mutual insurance discount by attending and becoming Fall Protection Certified. View the Builders University schedule, and reserve your spot. Seating is limited, so register today!
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.
Publications 
The NC Association of Realtors Housing Opportunity Foundation would like to honor those who are making the biggest impact on affordable housing in North Carolina through the 2008 Homes4NC Affordable Housing Achievement Awards. 
A
The STARS Awards Gala is an opportunity to recognize association members who have made significant contributions to the association, the home building industry and the community. The recipients of these prestigious awards will be honored during "An Evening of Patriotic Proportions" on 
