If you're looking for regularly updated materials that can help you boost consumer confidence in the housing market, combat negative media reports and better understand the true state of our industry, be sure to visit www.nahb.org/mythbuster. Here you'll find regionally specific talking points, free print advertisements for your use, helpful economic data and more.
If you haven't visited the Myth Buster section of the NAHB Web site yet - or recently - please make it a priority to do so, and let your fellow members know that these important resources are there for them. See also our Buy Now promotional toolkit that's packed with resources to help our HBAs and members address negative headlines and convince consumers that now is a good time to buy a home.
Are 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
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The National Associates BUILD-PAC drive kicked-off April 1 and will run through June 30, 2008. Serving as NC State Chairman, Rick Shields has set a goal of $12,000 for this drive. All Associate, Affiliate and Builder members are being asked to contribute to the National BUILD-PAC at this critical time when housing is the major issue affecting our economy.
The NAHB BUILD-PAC speaks loud and clear for the housing industry on the National Congressional level. We all need to support the NAHB BUILD-PAC as the influence comes down from the top - from the US House and Senate. Much has been accomplished by the pressure initiated by NAHB, but more is needed and your National PAC carries a "big stick." It is up to YOU to step up to the plate to make a contribution to the housing industry.
For a contribution of $100 (Century Club) or more, you will be recognized as a National Club Member. Stand-up and be recognized by your peers. All contributions must be personal and can be made on your personal credit card. It's your business at risk, don't let it down. Don't delay, contribute today!
Your completed enrollment form can be faxed to NAHB BUILD-PAC at (866) 314-4602 or mailed to NAHB BUILD-PAC at 1201 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.
The North Carolina One Call Center Inc. is changing the formula that is used to determine the start time of a ticket when someone calls in a request for underground lines to be located and marked. Effective July 1, 2008 the “clock” start time for a ticket will begin at 12:01 a.m. the next business day after the locate request is made. As an example, a locate request that is made on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 10:45 a.m., the start time for calculating the 48 hour advance notice will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. In this example, the locate and marking would be completed by 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2008.
The North Carolina One-Call Center is a non-profit organization funded by our members, that takes excavation information from contractors, utilities and homeowners, anyone engaged in excavation activities, and transmits this information to our members. The member utility owner or their representatives will mark the location of the underground facilities within 48 hours of your call, free of charge. The members range from utilities to universities, from municipalities to home owner associations. Each caller is informed of the members that will be notified. The excavator needs to call directly, any utility owner or their representative that is not a member to physically mark the utility lines.
NCHBA extends its congratulations to Matt Sherrill, winner of the 2008 N.C. SkillsUSA Carpentry Contest. Sherrill, 16, competed against 77 other carpentry students from across North Carolina to win the state title and will compete in the national competition in Kansas City, Mo. later this month.
Sherrill is a junior at N.F. Woods Advanced Technology Center in Mooresville, N.C. He is currently in his second year in the carpentry class under the instruction of Tommy Chester. Along with his carpentry class, Sherrill is involved in building a Habitat for Humanity House that will be dedicated on June 8 in Mooresville. When not studying or volunteering, Sherrill can be found working for his family's company, Innovate Cabinet Co. Other interests include baseball and girls.
Please join us in wishing both Sherrill and Chester the best of luck at the National SkillsUSA Carpentry Competition.
The Residential Fire Sprinkler Action Kit provides you with the information you need to know in opposing mandatory fire sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family dwellings in the IRC. The information below covers a wide range of topics from concerns about residential sprinkler systems performance, installation, cost and the arguments made by sprinkler proponents.
The Action Kit highlights many of NAHB's concerns with mandates for fire sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings and the basis for NAHB's opposition to such adoption. It's recommended that all materials be reviewed. Additional assistance is available from NAHB Construction, Codes and Standards staff on 800-368-5242 -x8303 for Steven Orlowski.
The Lake Norman Home Builders Association invites you to brave the white water rapids of the New River with them this summer. On Saturday June 28 Appalachian Wildwaters will take the LNHBA down the New River Gorge for a great family adventure. The trip will include all your meals plus a full day of rafting down a guided 15 mile tour of the New River Gorge. Once the day is complete the group will meet back at Appalachian Wildwater grounds for swimming, food, drinks and a video of your group rafting down the river! Don’t miss this great adventure!
The deadline for registration is June 20. Click here for more information and to download a registration form.
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 HBA of Winston-Salem is offering two opportunities in June and July for members to continue their professional development and help members meet the continuing education requirements necessary for builder members to keep their HBAWS membership in good standing.
JUNE 10
Inspections Issues for Remodeling Projects
Two(2) hours of CE INSPECTIONS credit
Presenter: Dan Dockery
JULY 10
Morning session: Take-Off to Higher Profits
Afternoon session: What Does It Really Cost?
NCBI Accreditation Courses
Presenter: Greg Isenhour
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.
Home Buyer Tax Credit Key To Reviving Housing, Builders Tell Congress The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today called on Congress to create a temporary home buyer tax credit along with other important tax measures to boost the faltering housing market and economy.
“House prices and inventories obviously are central to the outlook for the economy and the financial markets,” Joe Robson, first vice president of NAHB and a home builder from Tulsa, Okla., told members of the House Small Business Committee. “Policies that stimulate home purchases in the immediate future can pay huge dividends and a temporary home buyer tax credit provides the most bang for the buck.” click here to read entire story
New-Home Sales Up In April Following Downward Revision In March
Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 3.3 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 526,000 units, the U.S. Commerce Department reported today. However, this gain reflected downward revisions to sales numbers reported for each of the previous three months, including a particularly large revision for March.
"The fact that new-home sales are up slightly from a dismal beginning to the spring home buying season in March isn't much to celebrate," said Sandy Dunn, president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Point Pleasant, W. Va. "We still need a great deal of help from the Administration and Capitol Hill to halt the downward trends in home sales and house prices that are producing such a drag on our nation's economy and disrupting financial markets." click here to read entire story
NAHB Releases Essential Accounting Tool for Housing Industry BuilderBooks, the publishing arm for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), has just released the fifth edition of Accounting & Financial Management for Residential Construction, a complete reference guide on accounting for home builders, remodelers and land development companies.
This easy-to-read manual explains basic principles for processing financial data, whether builders are doing it themselves or using an outside firm. The new version also includes an updated NAHB Chart of Accounts-the standard for accounting in the home building industry. click here to read entire story
Publications 
Are 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. 
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 
NCHBA extends its congratulations to Matt Sherrill, winner of the 2008 N.C. SkillsUSA Carpentry Contest. Sherrill, 16, competed against 77 other carpentry students from across North Carolina to win the state title and will compete in the national competition in Kansas City, Mo. later this month. 
