Builders: Apply for Tax Credit on Unoccupied Homes by September 30th
In the last legislative session, the General Assembly passed a law giving builders/developers property tax relief starting in the 2009 tax year on the improvement (house) until the new house becomes occupied, or the house reaches its fifth anniversary of receiving its Certificate of Occupancy (CO).

1.4 million Americans Score $8,000 Tax Credit
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- More than 1.4 million Americans have already claimed the new tax credit for first-time home buyers, according to a report from the Internal Revenue Service.

Builder Confidence Rises for the Third Straight Month
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose one point in August to its highest level in more than a year, according to the latest reading of the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), which was released on Aug. 17. Building on a two-point gain in July, the HMI reached 18 this month, its highest point since June of 2008.

NEW! Online Payment Option for HBASC Events and Programs
Home Builders Association of South Carolina members have a new option when it comes to paying registration fees and donating to the S.C. Builders PAC.

Hilton Head HBA to Help Produce Local Festival
The Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association is proud to announce it has partnered with the Island Recreation Association to produce the Coastal Cajun & Blues Festival.

HBASC Members Make National Newsletter
Home Builders Association of South Carolina Legislative Chairman Andy White and other HBASC members were recently spotted in the NAHB’s Nations Building News e-newsletter.

S.C. Housing Markets Make Builder Magazine’s Top 50
Three South Carolina housing markets have made Builder magazine’s Local Leaders top 50 list.

Upgrade to 2-10 HBW® Builder Online Resource Center Now Available
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty announces that new enhancements to their Builder Online Resource Center (BORC) are now available.

United Way 2-1-1 Call center Activated for Primary Role in Response to Swine (H1N1) Flu
As part of the South Carolina emergency information system, United Way has announced that the SC 2-1-1 has been fully activated in all areas of the state to take calls about H1N1, better known as the swine flu.

NAHB Webinars to Address Low Income Housing and Multifamily Marketing
Distance learning is a great way to take advantage of low-cost continuing education, and the NAHB is ensuring that those opportunities are available to members through webinars like the September 29th Strategies for LIHTC Properties and the October 22nd Multifamily Marketing in Today's Complex Environment.

New Superintendents' Course Focuses on Log Home Basics
The Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of NAHB, and the Log Homes Council have developed a course to teach superintendents about the fundamentals of log home construction and provide an overview of the growing log home niche market.

Icynene Insulation Approved for Green Building Certification
The climate-friendly, light-density renewable-based spray foam insulation and air barrier Icynene LD-R-50 was recently Green Approved by the NAHB Research Center, making it eligible for points toward NAHB National Green Building Certification.