Working With Preferred Lenders
Sick of slow construction funding and delayed closings? You can remove some of the risk from building and selling homes by working with a trusted lender to help your customers get loans or construction financing.

Many builders partner with a lender or maintain lists of lenders that they recommend to their customers. “Working with just two lenders allows us to communicate with them better,” says Phil Chamberlain, vice president of Chamberlain & McCreery Homes in Cordova, Tenn. “If we have 20 loans out, we don’t have to talk to 20 lenders.”

Select this link to read about additional business benefits of working with preferred lenders and to learn what to look for in a lender.

What Do You Need From Estimating Software?
A builder who subcontracts every job doesn’t need the same estimating system as a builder who self-performs a significant number of the trades. You can use this premise to start evaluating types of software. Will a stand-alone electronic spreadsheet work for you? Maybe. Do you need a full-blown, multi-faceted estimating system that can do everything from counting boxes of nails to fully integrating with an accounting package? The answer is also… maybe.

Select this link for some pointers on determining what you need from estimating software.
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IRS Small Business Resource Guide
The IRS announces the release of the 2005 Small Business Resource Guide. This free, interactive CD contains all the business tax forms, instructions, and publications small business owners need.
 
The CD provides additional resources, such as information on how to prepare a business plan, finding financing for your business, new tax law changes for 2005, and other topics.  There's also an IRS Tax Map, a subscription option to join the SB/SE Mailing List, and a "Rate the Product" survey.
 
To request a copy of this CD, visit the IRS Small Business Products Online ordering page. [return to top]

When Codes Are Costly
Please call your local code official and ask him to support a rollback of the unjustified insulation requirement in the 2006 ICC codes that would increase the cost of building a new home by $600 to $1,000 or more.

In previous reports, NAHB told you about the proposed code change that would require increased insulation R-values for wood-framed construction in all climate zones. Unfortunately, many types of insulation can't achieve the new ratings using standard 2X4 wall construction. That means builders will need to either switch to 2X6 walls, use costly high-density fiberglass bats or attach additional insulation to exterior walls — a costly proposition, whichever way you cut it. And the changes would save consumers only pennies on the dollar, according to the Department of Energy. Nevertheless, the only chance we have to overturn the measure is for a two-thirds majority of voting code officials to approve a rollback at the fall code hearings. That's why we need your help.

Every NAHB member can do his or her part by contacting their local code authority on this issue. Select this link for talking points and a sample letter. Contact John Loyer at 800-368-5242, x8303 for more information. [return to top]

Does Your Business Measure Up?
Get your copy of the 2004 Cost of Doing Business Study and you’ll instantly see how your financial performance stacks up against the rest of the industry. The publication gives home builders a rare glimpse at other builders’ books by providing data about profitability, cost of sales, and expenses from hundreds of home builders across the country.
 
In this 2004 edition, you’ll learn how to develop cost control systems and get tips on cutting cycle time. Start working more profitably by ordering it today. [return to top]

Business Opportunities From NAHB’s Councils and Departments
May is National Home Remodeling Month

Many homeowners want to try their hand at remodeling their home themselves. This month (and throughout the year), help educate consumers on the importance of hiring a professional remodeler to safely make their house a home for a lifetime. NAHB’s Remodelors Council has created a consumer campaign on How and When to Hire a Professional Remodeler.

There’s still time to take advantage of the opportunities surrounding National Remodeling Month to help publicize the industry and emphasize to homeowners the importance of hiring qualified, professional remodelers. Contact your local council to find out about plans for the month and to join this important campaign.

The National Remodelors Council has downloadable material to help promote National Remodeling Month including proclamations, public service announcements, press releases and articles. Visit the Remodelors Council section of http://www.nahb.org/ for more information. In addition, check out the National Home Remodeling Month link.

Reward and Motivate Your Sales Team

Strong sales—and motivated salespeople—are the lifeblood of successful home building businesses. Sponsored by NAHB's National Sales and Marketing Council, Million Dollar Circle awards are a cost-effective way to recognize leading salespeople and sales managers for producing millions of dollars in sales each year.

Million Dollar Circle citations are available in bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels to correspond to a million dollar sales mark. The program also offers lifetime plaque awards for those with six or more years of million dollar sales, as well as lapel pins. New the year is the Chairman’s Sales Leadership Award, a high-profile award for those who have reached $50 million or more in new home sales.

Order your Million Dollar Circle awards online today at http://www.milliondollarcircle.com/. 

Learn Design Trends and Strategies

The 2nd NAHB/BALA Design Institute for Builders takes place June 13-15 at the Westin Tabor Center in Denver. During this education event, you’ll learn the latest in residential housing design trends from the industry’s top design professionals; tour award-winning homes and communities that display the latest in cutting-edge architectural design; and learn how to profitably apply these design ideas to the homes you build.

Select this link for more information, to register, and to view the full schedule of events.

Participate in the Concrete Technologies Tour

Sponsored by NAHB’s Concrete Home Building Council, the Concrete Technologies Tour takes place June 26-28 in Kansas City, Mo. This brand-new event will give builders, designers, and other residential construction professionals a broad view of the regional differences in production and building trends, a working knowledge of all types of cement-based materials, and an understanding of how to implement current industry trends into their own businesses. 

Select this link to register online. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/concretetour.

Enter the Mexican Housing Market

Attend the 3rd International Housing Conference of the Americas and gain critical initial contacts with professionals in Mexico’s burgeoning residential construction industry.

The conference will be held November 3-5 in Mexico City at the Four Seasons hotel. The conference features six educational sessions, a property tour of higher-end housing, exhibits, and multiple networking opportunities with industry leaders and government officials.

As an added bonus, the first 100 registrants to the 3rd International Housing Conference of the Americas will receive a complimentary registration to the 2006 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Florida.

Select this link to learn more about this successful conference series. Questions? Contact NAHB International at 800-368-5242, x8417. [return to top]

Member Advantage: Get GM Discount Pricing on More Than 80 GM Vehicles
GM is offering preferred supplier discount pricing on more than 80 General Motors vehicles, including Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Saturn, HUMMER (except H1), and Saab passenger cars, light duty trucks, vans and SUVs as part of NAHB’s Member Advantage discount program.

Through the program:
• NAHB members get Preferred Supplier Pricing on all eight GM nameplates.
• NAHB members can realize the benefits of other GM offers in addition to the supplier price.
• NAHB members will receive their authorization codes and program details via direct mail from GM.
For complete details, go to www.gmfleet.com/nahb. The GM Preferred Supplier Pricing program runs through Jan. 3, 2006.

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 http://memberadvantage.nahb.org. Or visit www.nahb.org to explore the full range of benefits associated with membership in your local, state, and national home builders associations. [return to top]