The 21st Century Building Expo & Conference (21CBEC) is giving builders the chance to become green this September by offering the new NAHB Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation courses.
The two-day Green Building for the Building Professional course will be presented on Wednesday, September 10 and Thursday, September 11 and will be followed on Friday, September 12 by the Business Management for Building Professionals course.
These courses will provide builders with the opportunity to learn strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction from nationally recognized speaker and vice president of GreenHaus Builders, Michael Strong, CGR.
Green building is not just a trend in the home building industry – it is a practice that is here to stay. Register for the 21CBEC today and designate yourself as a Certified Green Professional!
The 21CBEC is the largest networking event in the Southeast for home building professionals. Featuring over 400 exhibits and more than 50 continuing education seminars, the event has become one of the fastest growing tradeshows in the region. For more information, visit www.21buildingexpo.com or call (800) 662-7129.
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
.
South Carolina is the first state on the east coast to host the Green Building Field Verifier Training course. The course will be presented during the Home Builders Association of South Carolina's State Convention on August 2, 2008 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Marriott Grande Dunes Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC
This is a 3-hour training course covering the process required of an accredited verifier. The course is followed by a proctored test. Participants passing the test are provided with the additional information needed to be accredited and listed on www.nahbgreen.org.
The NAHB Research Center must verify your prerequisite information before you are accepted into the class. You must first register online with theNAHB Research Center at www.nahbgreen.org/Certification or complete the attached form and fax it to (301) 430-6180, ATTN: Rita Knab. Then, register with the HBA of SC.
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.
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.
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.
The HBA of Winston-Salem is offering an opportunity in 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.
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.
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!
Housing Starts Decline 3.3 Percent In May
Providing the latest evidence of the ongoing downturn in the nation’s housing market, the U.S. Commerce Department reported today that new-home starts declined 3.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 975,000 units in May. This was the lowest total starts number since March of 1991. Single-family starts declined 1.0 percent to a rate of 674,000 units, their lowest since January of 1991.
“Builders are doing the right thing by slowing new production in view of the very weak demand in the market and reluctance of prospective buyers to move forward with a purchase at this time,” noted National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) President Sandy Dunn, a home builder from Point Pleasant, W.Va. “Production of new homes won’t pick up until the demand side does, and it’s going to take some decisive policy action on the federal level for that to happen. It’s high time for Congress to move on a housing stimulus package that will substantially bolster our weakened national economy.” click here to read the entire story
Builder Confidence Edges Down in June
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes edged down in June, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The index slipped to 18 this month, returning to the record low that was posted in December of 2007 (the series began in January of 1985).
The HMI was released today during a special teleconference held by NAHB. At that event, association CEO Jerry Howard pointed out the urgent need for Congress to pass targeted housing stimulus legislation amidst ongoing and severe weakness in the housing sector that is exerting a substantial drag on economic growth. click here to read the entire story
Builders Offer Congress Recommendations On Making Affordable Housing Green
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) testified before Congress on June 11 on ways to improve sustainability and energy efficiency in housing while simultaneously supporting housing affordability.
Jerry Howard, NAHB executive vice president and CEO, spoke at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on H.R. 6078, the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhood Act of 2008, also known as the GREEN Act. click here to read the entire story
Publications 
The 21st Century Building Expo & Conference (21CBEC) is giving builders the chance to become green this September by offering the new NAHB 
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 
