April 14, 2010

Subscribe to NAHB e-Newsletters
Manage Your Subscription
Email Our Editor
Member Advantage Discount
Member Advantage Tool Kit
. BuilderBooks.com
NAHB Home Page
. Browse Other NAHB e-Newsletters
. Search Back Issues
. Plain Text Version
Printer Friendly
 
Social Media For Home Builders
GM HBA/Dealer Networking Event Pilot

GM introduced an HBA/Dealer Networking Event Pilot Program at IBS. If your HBA was chosen to work with a local dealership please remember GM is making a substantial investment in the program and this year it is very important to see growth.

General MotorsGM introduced an HBA/Dealer Networking Event Pilot Program at IBS. If your HBA was chosen to work with a local dealership please remember GM is making a substantial investment in the program and this year it is very important to see growth.

We are requesting that all HBA’s send us copies of any eNewsletters, magazines or print newsletters where they communicate the availability of the GM program. It is needed when contract renewal comes up this fall.

Please mail a hard copy to Christy Ronaldson at NAHB, 1201 15th St, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Christy Ronaldson
Director, Affinity Programs
National Association of Home Builders
D 202 266 8273
cronaldson@nahb.org

HP Business AdvantEdge

Save $3611 on the award-winning HP ProBook 5310m Notebook PC - and get a free HP External USB Drive CD/DVD R/RW drive.

Prepare to be impressed with this incredibly thin and sleek notebook PC, named Editor’s Choice by NotebookReview.com, PCMag.com, Computer Shopper, and Laptop Magazine. The ProBook 5130m is "one of the most exciting small business systems we’ve seen in a long time," according to Laptop Magazine.

And with Windows® 7 Professional running, the HP Probook 5310m (FM997UT-SC2) seemingly pulls productivity out of thin air. Here’s how:

> Speed up: Starts up to 41% faster and shuts down 30% faster than an older laptop2
> Slim down: Only 0.9-inch thin, and 3.7 pounds3 with a 13.3-inch diagonal LED high-definition4 (HD) display
> Spread out: Integrated HP Mobile Broadband powered by Gobi5 allows you to conveniently access the Internet, company intranet, email and mission-critical information from more places

Only $899 and get the free HP External USB Drive CD/DVD R/RW drive until April 30, 2010 or while supplies last.

For details on this offer, and free U.S. ground shipping6, visit www.hp.com/go/nahb or call 1.800.202.4488 and mention NAHB.

1. Prices available at member website or by calling 1.800.202.4488 (mention NAHB). Pricing is subject to change without notice. U.S. only. Offer valid until April 30,2010.
2. Test results compare HP 5310 systems with identical configurations with one system running Genuine Windows® XP Professional SP3 and the second system running Genuine Windows® 7 Professional. Actual results may vary based on system configuration and performance will vary over time depending on software installed.
3. Weight will vary by configuration.
4. HD content required to view HD images.
5. Wireless access point and Internet service required and not included. Availability of public wireless access points limited.
6. All orders must be billed and shipped to a U.S. address. Some restrictions apply.

BONUS OFFER

Buy Microsoft® Office 2007 when you purchase your new HP PC and you can save up to 31% over buying at retail. Plus, you will be eligible for a free download of Office 2010, when it becomes available.1

Visit www.hp.com/go/nahb or call 1.800.202.4488 and mention NAHB to learn more about HP products featuring Microsoft Windows® 7.

1. Savings calculated from online retail pricing of Office 2007 Small Business as of 2/25/10. Office 2010 downloads will be accessible at general availability. Discs can be ordered for a fee. Eligible Office 2007 software must be purchased from Microsoft or an authorized reseller and activated between March 5, 2010 and September 30, 2010. Request your Office 2010 product by October 31, 2010 using your activated Office 2007 Product ID and dated sales receipt. One Office 2010 product per qualifying Office 2007 purchase, limit 25 per person. See www.office.com/techg.

[return to top]
NAHB Member Benefit - Solveras Payment Solutions

Save $2,308 on your credit card processing costs.*

Finding the best payment processing solutions can often be a time consuming and confusing proposition. Solveras has become a NAHB Member Advantage program and is working to get your business the best rates and payment solutions available because we know that in today’s society, saving money is just as important as making money.For over ten years, Solveras has been providing competitive savings and real customer service for thousands of businesses throughout the country. Be sure to take advantage of Solveras’ free payment processing analysis exclusively for NAHB members. This exclusive Member Benefit is quick, easy, and will determine if your business is getting the best rates for credit card processing. In fact, Solveras finds savings for over 70 percent of those undergoing the analysis.

Facts:
Credit Cards

The most common form of accepting payments, but also can be the most expensive. Check your statements each month to protect your business from hidden costs and fees and ask your processor for an annual rate review. Be sure your business is PCI Compliant by the July 1 deadline.

ACH (eCheck
ACH is an economical alternative to taking credit cards that can save your business significant time and money. Save that trip to the bank and save money. Economical ACH payments electronically debits a customer’s bank account with funds available in 48 hours.

Remote Deposit Capture (RDC)
Never drive to the bank again. Scan paper checks and electronically submit deposits to the bank.

Recurring Billing
Take monthly payments by check? Need to create a payment plan? Recurring billing and its' "Set It and Forget It" feature lets you get paid faster. No more waiting for the check to arrive.

Web Payment Gateway – Solveras SmartPay
Take all your payments from your computer – anytime, anywhere. This economical Web-based application processes all your payments and provides such tools as emailing receipts/invoices, making payments on your Web site, and recurring billing. Your one-stop for payments.

Call Solveras today at 1-800-613-0148 or visit them on the web at www.solveras.com/nahb.

Servicing thousands of businesses throughout the country, Solveras Payment Solutions finds, on average, $2,308* in annual savings for companies that switch their credit card processing to Solveras.

*Represents the average amount of annual savings found for businesses that switched to Solveras in 2009.

[return to top]
Save $5 Per Day, Up to $35 Off a Weekly/Weekend Rental at the Airport

Save up to $35 off a Weekly or Weekend Rental with Hertz at the Airport when PC#142564 is included in your reservation of an Economy or higher class car. Offer valid for pickup March 3 through May 31, 2010.

Get your Rental Quote!

Terms and Conditions: Advance reservations are required. Subject to availability, this offer is redeemable at participating Hertz airport locations in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. This offer has no cash value, may not be used with Pre-pay Rates, Tour Rates or Insurance Replacement Rates. No other CDP#, certificate, voucher, offer or promotion applies. Hertz age, driver, credit and qualified weekend and weekly rate restrictions for the renting location apply. Taxes, tax reimbursement, age differential charges, fees and optional service charges, such as refueling, are not included. Discounts apply to time and mileage charges only. Discounts in local currency on redemption. Offer valid for vehicle pickup through 05/31/10.

[return to top]
To Mom With Love From FTD

[return to top]
Learn Money-Saving Strategies Using Excel® 2007

"Estimating with Microsoft Excel® Third Edition", a book and companion CD by Jay Christofferson, takes readers through generating an estimating workbook in Microsoft Excel® 2007, step by step to save time and avoid costly errors.

Available at BuilderBooks.com, "Estimating with Microsoft Excel® Third Edition" teaches builders how to master the estimating process and easily incorporate changes, such as project alterations or materials substitutions, without starting from scratch…and without sacrificing profits. This new book and companion CD walks readers through all the ins and outs of using Excel and streamlines the estimation process, saving builders valuable time and money.

"Estimating with Microsoft Excel® Third Edition", includes formulas for calculating common materials and other project costs, including concrete, rebar, labor, permits and taxes. Builders get helpful information on calculating profit margin and offers several detailed tables and a worksheet with sample Excel formulas. The accompanying CD also contains sample Excel workbooks that address various stages of the estimating process and demonstrate Excel features that will help builders automate worksheets.

For more information or to order "Estimating with Microsoft Excel, Third Edition," click here, or call 800-223-2665.

[return to top]
NAHB Estimating Software Saves Builders and Remodelers Time and Money

Effective estimating is a vital factor in running a profitable construction business. With the newly released, "EstimatorPRO™ 5.2" construction estimating software, builders and remodelers now have the tools to complete complex estimates quickly and accurately.

Available at BuilderBooks.com, the latest version of the Microsoft® Excel-based software has been updated to take advantage of the software enhancements available in Excel® 2007, with the ability to create estimates in both Microsoft® Windows Vista and Windows 7. EstimatorPRO eliminates guesstimates, paperwork and common math errors. Detailed estimates can be completed up to twelve times faster than traditional estimating methods.

Developed by Jay Christofferson, EstimatorPRO is a complete estimating and accounting system designed specifically for the home building industry. The program features an easy to use point-and-click design, templates for producing frequently used forms and provides the flexibility to change the program to meet the user’s specific needs.

EstimatorPRO can be integrated with Quick Books and QuickBooks Pro, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project and Microsoft Word. Users can post items into category accounts in QuickBooks Pro, which also includes category resolution for job costing. Vendors can be automatically added to QuickBooks Pro and purchase orders related to change orders can be posted quickly and efficiently.

For more information or to order "EstimatorPRO™ 5.2," click here, or call 800-223-2665.

[return to top]
For more information or to contact us directly, please visit www.nahb.org l ©2009, National Association of Home Builders