Washington Hotline - October 9, 2008


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Reposition Your Marketing: Enter the 2009 Pillars of the Industry Awards

While many companies are looking for ways to revamp their spening, you can cut costs on marketing your community through the Pillars of the Industry Awards. During this trying time, let us help you promote your company and give you the recognition you deserve.


Entries are open for the 2009 Pillars of the Industry Awards competition honoring excellence in apartment and condominium design and development — including affordable and mixed-use communities — as well as leadership in marketing and property management.

Apartment owners and developers, property managers, architects, interior designers and others involved in the multifamily housing industry are invited to enter.

The application deadline is Nov. 7. Entry notebooks are due Nov. 21.

The Pillars of the Industry Awards program is the largest and most prestigious of its kind, and both housing professionals and the media look to the awards as a showcase of future trends and innovation.

The awards recognize superior achievement in three areas: building, marketing and individual excellence, including “Multifamily Development Firm of the Year” and “Best Multifamily Community of the Year.”

Award recipients will be honored at a gala ceremony during NAHB Multifamily’s Pillars of the Industry Conference at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego on March 18. The conference, on March 17-18, is the premier educational and networking event for multifamily developers, owners, managers and lenders.

For complete details, including eligibility requirements and application forms, go to www.nahb.org/pillarsawards, e-mail multifamily@nahb.com or call 800-368-5242 x8215.

Fall Board Recap: Key Multifamily Issues Discussed at Fall Board

View a summary of the current key issues discussed during last week's Multifamily Finance Subcommittee meeting in San Deigo.

Summary includes:

  • Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008: Provisions related to mortgage insurance programs and LIHTC's       
  • New Affordable Housing Trust and Community Development Funds
  • 2009 changes in income limits for all Government Housing Programs
  • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Reform
  • USDA Multifamily Programs
  • and more...

For more information, contact Claudia Kedda or call her at 800-638-5242 x8352.

Multi Residential Floor Measurement Standard Development

We are asking  the multifamily membership to respond to the three sets of survey questions below. There is a survey for each type of multi-residential building to support the development of a floor measurement standard for multi residential structures. It will become part of the record for ANSI certification of this new standard once the initial development process is complete.

Currently, there is not a standardized method to measure floor area in multi-unit (four or more) residential buildings in the United States. The completed standard will take a building-wide approach to measure floor area in new and existing multi-unit residential buildings, and will provide standardized definitions for those building elements that are a part of multi-unit residential buildings. The standard will not address single-family detached homes, duplex structures, or townhomes in rows or clusters. 

The goal is to ascertain the predominant approach multifamily members use in measuring each of the three primary multi-residential building types - Apartments, Condominiums, and Cooperatives.

Apartment Survey
Condominium Survey
Cooperative Survey

Please forward your response by Oct. 15 to rburton@boma.org . Thank you for your participation.

Regulatory: HUD Announces Emergency Foreclosure Fund Rules

HUD has published the Neighborhood Stabalization Program (NSP) rules for spending Emergency Foreclosure funds provided in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. 

This offers a range of opportunities to NAHB members, but those will vary depending on how the local or state government chooses to implement the NSP. Members should contact their local government, county or state to find out how the program will be implemented, and feel free to supply your input.

One important point: The law and rules clearly state that no profit may be earned from the sale of a foreclosed-upon or abandoned home that has been rehabilitated or redeveloped. But builders can earn development fees. This presents an opportunity for builders to take on rehabilitation work or build new residences on vacant properties or redeveloped lots.

Additionally, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program permits energy efficiency and conservation improvements as rehabilitation work, presenting an opportunity for members who specialize in “green” building.

Do not overlook partnering with a nonprofit organization. It is likely that some grantees will contract with non-profits as sub-recipients to administer a program of purchasing foreclosed-upon homes or properties. These nonprofits will need to contract with builders or remodelers to undertake the rehab or redevelopment work, presenting an opportunity for NAHB members.

View a summary of the program rules here.

Register for HUD's Neighborhood
Stabalization Program Information Session


For more information, e-mail Claudia Kedda, or contact her at 800-368-5242 x8352.

Finance: No Change in Multifamily MIP's for 2009

On September 24, HUD issued a notice announcing no changes would be made to the current mortgage insurance premiums for FY 2009.

View the notice here.

For more information, e-mail Claudia Kedda, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8352.

Economy: Near-Term Housing Outlook Has Darkened

Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the second quarter has been revised downward from 3.3% to 2.8% — still a respectable pace. Of more importance, key sectors of the economy weakened considerably during the third quarter and the economy is entering the final quarter of the year in troublesome condition, despite recent declines in oil prices.

The housing sector continues to pull the U.S. economy downward. Housing-related weakness is progressively spreading to other sectors, and credit-market constraints are weighing on virtually all components of spending except for outlays by the federal government.

Consumer spending, accounting for about 70% of overall GDP, has been flagging badly as the special stimulus from the personal tax rebates has run out of steam, as job losses have accumulated and as wealth losses in housing and the stock market have weighed on consumer confidence and discretionary spending.

Indeed, real disposable income has been declining in recent months and it’s now pretty clear that real personal consumption expenditures contracted in the third quarter — the first quarterly setback since 1991. Plummeting auto sales are an important part of that story.

The confidence of nonfarm nonresidential businesses also has been shaken badly and recent indictors point to a manufacturing sector in recession and systematic declines in commercial construction as well.

It’s now likely that nonresidential fixed investment, in total, will slip into the red zone in the third quarter of the year and that overall GDP growth will be around zero for that quarter — a percentage point below our most recent baseline forecast.

View the full article in NBN.

NAHB News: NAHB Audio Seminars — EPA Lead Paint Rule; Diversifying Into Light Commercial

 

  • NAHB Audio Seminar on EPA's Lead Paint Rule

    In a special NAHB audio seminar scheduled for 2:00 pm EST on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Presented by NAHB Remodelers and the NAHB University of Housing, the seminar will provide participants with details on what the new rule covers, what remodelers will have to do to be in compliance, and where to go for more information.

    Featured speakers include NAHB Remodelers Lead-Based Paint Task Force member Brindley Byrd, CGR, CAPS; NAHB member and member of the Connecticut Department of Public Safety State Codes and Standards Committee Bob Hanbury, CGR; and NAHB environmental analyst Matt Watkins. The EPA's new lead paint rule takes effect in April of 2010.

    Read more about it at www.nahb.org/leadpaint and access a free NAHB lead paint resource guide here. A fee of $79 per phone site applies for the audio seminar. Register for it and get more information here.


  • Experts Discuss Diversifying Into Light Commerical

    With builders looking to boost business and bolster morale during the downturn, residential builders who have expanded into commercial construction will particpate in an NAHB audio seminar to discuss how to diversify into the light commercial market. The hour-long broadcast begins at 2:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Presented by the National Commercial Builders Council (NCBC) and The NAHB University of Housing,  presenters in the “Up Your Profits in a Down Market with Light Commercial Construction” seminar will explain how to diversify into light commercial construction, and how this segment’s similarities and differences — particularly regarding codes and business process — to residential construction.

The featured speakers for the seminar include:

  • John Piazza, CAPS, CGP, of Piazza Construction, Inc. in Mount Vernon, Wash.
    Piazza, a multifamily member, custom builder and remodeler, is the chairman of the National Commercial Builders Council and has built numerous award-winning commercial projects over the years. He has been active in NAHB leadership and has served on numerous committees.
  • Tom Swartz, CGR, CAPS, CGB, of J.J. Swartz Co. in Decatur, Ill.
    Swartz is the third-generation owner of a residential and commercial remodeling company founded in 1921. He has been active in NAHB leadership for more than 30 years and was named NAHB’s National Remodeler of the Year in 1996.

To Register

For more information and to register for the seminar, visit www.nahb.org/lightcommercialaudio.

For additional resources about commercial construction, visit the National Commercial Builders Council Web page, e-mail commercialbuilders@nahb.org, or call 800-368-5242 x8455.

 

NCHI Product: Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Interior Latex Coating

Bold, saturated colors have become a popular choice for residential and commercial projects, but a drawback to using these hues has been how easily they can burnish and how poorly they wash, especially in matte finishes.

Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Interior Latex Coating, is now available in deep, vivid accent bases in all sheens — matte, satin and semi-gloss.

Duration Home allows for ultra-smooth application, superior stain and moisture resistance and industry-leading washability and finish retention — all in an environmentally responsible coating. Duration Home saves money by reducing callbacks and exceeds expectations with walls that stay fresh and clean longer.

Visit www.sherwin-williams.com for more information on Durations Home Interior Latex Coating.

For more information about NCHI, E-mail David Cooper, or call him at 800.368.5242 x8247.

Resources: MLB Capital Markets Audio, NAHB's Impact Fee Handbook, Free Storage for One Month

  • MLB Capital Markets Audio Files Available

    NAHB's Multifamily Leadership Board hosted a one-day forum to discuss various strategies multifamily firms can use to survive the current turmoil in the Capital Markets. Please take an opportunity to listen to the audio files for the entire program as an additional benefit of your membership in the Multifamily Council.
     
    *Please note that you will need to be logged to NAHB's website as a member to download the files.

  • NAHB Impact Fee Handbook

    NAHB's Impact Fee Handbook  is a free online resource that's designed to help NAHB members and HBAs to negotiate or fight impact fees in their communities. The 133-page publication, which can be downloaded in PDF format, offers new ways to analyze impact fee methodologies and ordinances, and highlights the most common mistakes after ordinances are passed. With many local governments now turning to impact fees as a financing tool in the face of increased budgetary constraints and rising demand for services, this updated resource is a timely and useful tool. Other information within the handbook includes the latest economic and legal data and public affairs strategies that builders and developers can employ to address proposed fees. Download the Impact Fee Handbook from our Web site or get other general infrastructure financing resources at www.nahb.org/infrastructurefinance. Contact: Thais Austin, x8343. [return to top]

  • Williams Scotsman: One Month Free Rent PLUS $50 Gas Gift Card

Williams Scotsman understands the needs of NAHB members and always supplies the right product quickly and efficiently. Their modular space solutions provide immediate and secure on site presence.

NAHB members are eligible for One Month Free Rent (up to $500)* for each mobile office, storage container or specialty trailer leased for six months or longer but there is an additional special offer available for a limited time.

Extra space also means extra gas. Williams Scotsman will provide a $50 Gas Gift Card for each mobile office, section modular complex, executive/sales office, or GoSpace™ leased for seven months or longer. This offer is good from 9/15/08 through 12/31/08 and delivery must be accepted by 1/15/09.  *For more details, call 877-884-4065 or visit www.willscot.com/products/mobile-offices.html

Other Member Advantage Discounts

For the most up-to-date details on the Member Advantage discount program and all of the participating companies, go to www.nahb.org/MA.

 

Calendar: Conferences and Events

October 2008

NationalsSM Entry Deadline Extended until Oct. 17

Enter your best in sales and marketing and design for the 2009 National Sales and Marketing awards, the largest and most prestigious competition for residential and marketing professionals and communities.

Sponsored by NAHB’s National Sales and Marketing Council, The Nationals honor the best in architectural achievement, product and community design, advertising and promotion, interior merchandising, and Web site design in over 50 categories.

Entrants now have until October 17 to submit entries. Late entries will be accepted until Oct. 24 with an additional fee. New home sales and marketing professionals are encouraged to enter the 2009 National Sales and Marketing Awards, sponsored by the NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council.

To Apply
For a list of The Nationals awards categories, click here.
For entry forms, click here.

For more information, visit www.TheNationals.com, e-mail Lisa Parrish, or call her at 800-658-2751.

Fall 2008 Construction Forecast Conference

National Housing Center, Washington, D.C.; local locations via Webcast.

Attend the Fall 2008 Construction Forecast Conference, featuring multifamily Industry Analyst, Ron Witten, on October 22, 2008. In a volatile economy, good information is the most important currency. You can hear the country’s most respected economists give up-to-the-minute forecasts on the national economy, regional economies, the mortgage market, construction finance, and the multifamily market. Many local Builders’ Associations are hosting webcast viewings. Register and view more conference information on this page.

The EPA's New Lead Paint Rule Audio Seminar

October 28, 2008
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

Fee: $79 per phone site

REGISTER NOW!

 

The EPA’s New Lead Paint Rule Will Change the Way You Do Business.

This audio seminar will explain, in detail, what the new rule covers and exactly what you’ll need to do to be compliant. A panel of experts will discuss the rule and answer your questions. You’ll also find out where to get additional information.

Speakers:
Brindley Byrd, CGR, CAPS, of QX2 Contracting, Lansing, MI
Bob Hanbury, CGR, of House of Hanbury, Newington, CT
Matt Watkins, NAHB Environmental Policy Analyst 

Questions can be submitted in advance through October 24, 2008 to remodel@nahb.com.

 

For more information about the rule and what NAHB Remodelers are doing to help you, visit www.nahb.org/LeadPaint.



November 2008

The Sunbelt Builders Show

November 6-8, 2008
Gaylord Texan
Grapevine, TX / DFW

The Sunbelt Builders Show has become the Southwest region's largest building industry trade show. Nearly 20% of all Americans who moved in the last few years relocated to Texas – most of them to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Produced by the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Sunbelt offers you a positive business climate in which to learn, network and have fun at the show named one of the 2006 "Fastest 50" by Trade Show Week Magazine. Whether you’re marketing products or building and remodeling, this is your opportunity to meet and network with the nations top housing professionals.

For more information, e-mail Lawrence McFadden or contact him at 800-368-5242 x8550.


Pillars Call for Entries

The online Call for Entries and application system is now open. Vist the Awards Web page to check out the most frequently asked questions, review entry requirements, and browse the list of categories. The application deadline is November 7, 2008. Be sure to submit your entry binders and supporting materials no later that November 21.

We look forward to receiving your entry. Good Luck!

For more information, e-mail Sheronda Carr, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8168.



January 2009

Our 2009 IBS Grand Opening Ceremonies keynote speaker is... 
legendary football coach Lou Holtz!  The only coach in history to take six different college teams to a bowl game, Holtz is a West Virginia native who started his head coaching career at the College of William & Mary, followed by the University of Minnesota, University of Arkansas, North Carolina State University and Notre Dame; he was also head coach for the NFL's New York Jets for one season. While at Notre Dame, he turned a struggling team into one with the longest winning streak in the school's history. He's now a college football analyst on ESPN, and earlier this year was named to the College Football Hall of Fame. Holtz will speak during opening ceremonies for the 2009 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas on January 20.

Read more in our press release.

 
Register now. Visit the all-new www.buildersshow.com to lock in the best registration rates and the choice hotels for IBS 2009 in Las Vegas. January 20-23, 2009.


March 2009

Save the Date for Pillars 2009!

The 2009 Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference and Awards Gala will be held March 17-18, 2009, at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, Calif.

The Awards Gala will be held on March 18. Registration information and conference details will be provided in the upcoming issues of Multifamily Hotline.