http://www.hgtvpro.com Industry news for builders, contractors and remodelers from HGTVPro.com. en-us Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:44:33 GMT Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:44:33 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Fastfwd Rss_Export v1.0 http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6023434,00.html The housing market received what should prove to be a real boost when, earlier this month, Congress and the President extended the first-time home buyer tax credit that was set to expire on Nov. 30 into the spring and expanded it to include eligible move-up or repeat home buyers. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:28:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6023434,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023432,00.html Nationwide housing production fell 10.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 529,000 units in October as builders awaited word on whether an important home buyer incentive would be extended, according to data released today by the U.S. Commerce Department. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:14:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023432,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023433,00.html Nationwide housing affordability, bolstered by affordable interest rates and low house prices, hovered for the third consecutive quarter near its highest level since the series was first compiled 18 years ago, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released today. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:20:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023433,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_6023429,00.html For the fifth consecutive year, EPA is reporting an increase in fuel efficiency with a corresponding decrease in average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for new cars and light duty trucks. This marks the first time that data for CO2 emissions are included in the annual report, "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2009". Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:40:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_6023429,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_6023094,00.html Despite a challenging economic outlook, green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and pump $554 billion into the American economy – including $396 billion in wages – over the next four years (2009-2013), according to a new study from the U.S. Green Building Council and Booz Allen Hamilton. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:49:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_6023094,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6023090,00.html While the National Association of Homebuilders supports legislators' efforts to improve access to quality and affordable health care, they also have strong concerns over the impact this legislation would have on home builders and their employees. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:20:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6023090,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6023089,00.html The first-time homebuyer tax credit has been extended to include contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30. In addition, it has been expanded to include a new $6,500 credit for existing homeowners buying a new principal residence. In more good news, the income eligibility has been raised to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:48:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6023089,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023082,00.html The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending November 6, 2009. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 3.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 2.8 percent compared with the previous week. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:51:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023082,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_cods_regs/article/0,2624,HPRO_26520_6023081,00.html The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that for the first four months of 2010, the staff of the Mortgagee Review Board (MRB) will exercise restraint in enforcing new regulatory requirements under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), due to take full effect on January 1. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:24:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_cods_regs/article/0,2624,HPRO_26520_6023081,00.html David Crowe, NAHB Chief Economist http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023025,00.html Recent housing data — including a rise in existing home sales and a decline in the new-home sales pace — demonstrate the stimulative power of the first-time home buyer tax credit. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:12:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023025,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_6023027,00.html The Paint Quality Institute recently released its color trends for 2010 as consumers continue to take their cues from today’s soft economy and a variety of social influences. In addition, the institute says, living space personalization continues to act as a driver for color change, with accent walls or niche areas appropriate for small doses of high impact, bold color while using more subtle hues on broad wall areas. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:38:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_6023027,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_material/article/0,2624,HPRO_26526_6023026,00.html A multi-agency government task force was unable to establish a conclusive link between Chinese-made drywall and adverse health symptoms in home owners or corrosive effects on components of their homes. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:16:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_material/article/0,2624,HPRO_26526_6023026,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023024,00.html After five consecutive months of increases, sales of newly built, single-family homes fell 3.6% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 402,000. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:07:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6023024,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6023020,00.html The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauded Congress for passing legislation that will extend and expand the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, stating that this will provide a much-needed boost to the fragile housing market and economy. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:38:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6023020,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6022990,00.html Do we really need more housing stimulus funding? A recent article from the Wall Street Journal opposes the idea that Congress needs to extend the $8,000 tax credit for new home purchases. The author states that even though a number of organizations, including the National Association of Realtors, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Home Builders, say that an extension is essential — he respectfully disagrees for five key reasons... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:51:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6022990,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_cods_regs/article/0,2624,HPRO_26520_6022954,00.html The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued the first test orders for pesticide chemicals to be screened for their potential effects on the endocrine system. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interact with and disrupt the hormones produced or secreted by human and animal endocrine systems, which regulate growth, metabolism and reproduction. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:08:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_cods_regs/article/0,2624,HPRO_26520_6022954,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022951,00.html After five consecutive months of increases, sales of newly built, single-family homes fell 3.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 402,000 units in September, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:07:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022951,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6022946,00.html The House Financial Services Committee voted last week to support the creation of a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) that would regulate a host of financial products, including residential mortgages. Prior to the markup, NAHB sent a letter to every member of the committee expressing strong reservations over the impact that the creation of a new agency dedicated solely to consumer protection might have on today’s impaired housing credit markets and on the cost and availability of mortgage credit for qualified buyers. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:17:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6022946,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022943,00.html It's a pretty safe guess that the U.S. economy is now on the road to recovery, according to economists participating in NAHB's Fall Construction Forecast Conference in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 21. But the end of the recession, they said, doesn't necessarily mean that troubles for the housing industry are over.< Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:08:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022943,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022945,00.html Nationwide housing production remained virtually unchanged in September, edging up half of a percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 590,000 units, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures released on Oct. 20. Meanwhile, issuance of new building permits, an indicator of future construction activity, fell by 1.2% to a seasonally adjusted 573,000 units. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:14:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022945,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022947,00.html While housing in some of the downturn's hardest-hit markets is now actually undervalued and nationwide housing affordability is about as good it has ever been, home prices haven't fully stabilized yet, according to economists focusing on the regional outlook at NAHB's Construction Forecasting Conference last week. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:21:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022947,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022950,00.html Small builders who have seen credit availability slow to a trickle at their local community banks may have to wait a year or longer to see financing restored to more normal levels, according to an economist speaking at NAHB’s Fall Construction Forecast Conference. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:53:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022950,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022948,00.html The market share of the 10 largest public builders is expected to grow to as much as 30% during the next three to four years, but private smaller builders will have the advantage at the end of that period as Generation Y, a generation comparable in size to the baby boomers, enters the market in full force, according to industry analysts at NAHB's Fall Construction Forecast Conference in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 21. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:38:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022948,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_dstr_floods/article/0,2624,HPRO_26524_6022944,00.html At the end of last month when severe flooding brought an estimated $250 million in damages to homes and businesses in 17 counties around the metro Atlanta area, the local home builders associations in the most severely-affected counties immediately stepped in to help their communities recover and rebuild. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:10:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_dstr_floods/article/0,2624,HPRO_26524_6022944,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022864,00.html With the expiration date for the home buyer tax credit fast approaching, builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes slipped one point to 18 in October, according to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:15:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022864,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6022865,00.html In its continuing efforts to stabilize the U.S. housing market, the Obama Administration on Oct. 19 announced a new initiative for state and local housing finance agencies (HFAs) that will help support low mortgage rates and expand resources for low- and middle-income households to purchase or rent affordable homes. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:19:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6022865,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6022862,00.html Facing mounting concerns over the bleak outlook for jobs, more lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week showed interest in extending and possibly expanding the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit that is set to expire on Nov. 30. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:06:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_legislat/article/0,2624,HPRO_26517_6022862,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_6022866,00.html Shugart Enterprises — a North Carolina construction company targeting first-time, move-up and empty-nester home buyers — has completed more homes certified to the National Green Building Standard than any other home builder in the nation. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:24:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_6022866,00.html http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022863,00.html The year ahead looks increasingly positive for the active adult housing market, according to participants at an Oct. 7 Web seminar sponsored by the NAHB's 50+ Housing Council. But joblessness and tighter credit conditions still linger. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:11:00 GMT http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_econ_fin_econ_ind/article/0,2624,HPRO_26527_6022863,00.html