NAHB Contests ICC Vote Mandating Fire Sprinklers
Citing a failure of the International Code Council to provide a fair and open voting process at its Final Action Hearings in Minneapolis in September, NAHB has filed an appeal to the ICC to set aside code changes mandating fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes constructed under the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) and to consider changes that would restore balance to its voting process.

SC Builders PAC Impacts 2008 Elections
The SC Builders PAC continued to achieve exceptional success during the 2008 election cycles, with 84% of the state-wide candidates that we endorsed and supported being elected. Our success starts with your donation to the SC Builders PAC.

Home Builders Congratulate President-Elect Obama, Urge Quick Action On Housing Stimulus
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) congratulated Senator Barack Obama on his election as the nation’s 44th President and all the lawmakers who were elected to the 111th Congress.

Training for Disabled Workers Continued in Columbia, S.C.
As a result of the success of Project HOPE in training disabled workers in Columbia, S.C., Home Builders Institute (HBI) and the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia have received a five-year Projects With Industry (PWI) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue the implementation of the program.

HOW Distribution to Builders
Eligible home builders who were members and owners of the Home Owners Warranty Insurance Company (HOW) are set to receive a distribution of their capital contributions made to HOW before the company was placed in receivership by the commonwealth of Virginia.

Economic Slowdown Stalls Remodeling Activity
The residential remodeling market continued its slump during the third quarter of 2008, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI).

To Stay Ahead in Tough Times, Set Yourself Apart
Ed Nikles, CGB, GMB, CGR, and CGP, the recently-named 2008 Custom Builder of the Year, said that builders trying to survive today’s tough market must pay close attention to their budgets, set themselves apart from their competition and get the most out of what their local builders association and NAHB have to offer.

Housing Affordability Rises to Highest Level in Four Years
With home prices decreasing and interest rates holding at historically low levels, the number of potential home buyers nationwide who can afford to buy new and existing homes has reached the highest level in more than four years, according to NAHB’s Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).

Tap Into Green Remodeling With Home Performance Testing
In a tight market, remodelers can differentiate themselves and tap into a growing green remodeling market through home performance testing — a series of home assessment tests that can clearly demonstrate where energy losses in a home occur.

Builders Can Find Alternate Funding Sources Close to Home
With funding from banks and private investors difficult to secure, real estate finance experts participating in a Nov. 13 NAHB audio seminar advised builders and developers to mine their personal and professional contacts as alternate funding sources.

NAHB Members Sought for 2009-10 ICC Code Committees
Nominations for NAHB representatives on the 2009-10 International Code Council Code Development Cycle committees and councils are now being accepted.

Now Open: NAHB National Green Building Awards
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced recently that applications are now being accepted for the 2009 NAHB National Green Building Awards.