Member Advantage Update

How much will your members or your association save on credit card processing costs?

Find out with the NAHB Credit Card Processing Program’s free savings analysis.

This powerful tool will show you exactly what you are paying now and how much additional profit the NAHB negotiated MasterCard and Visa processing rates through Solveras could put back in your pocket every month.

If the analysis doesn’t show any savings on your overall monthly credit card processing costs, Solveras will send you $50.

Send this NBN Online link to your members -- and make sure they have a Nation's Building News subscription.

New Publication from BuilderBooks Brings Focus to Latino Homeownership

BuilderBooks's official publication date -- Casa Y Comunidad: Latino Home and Neighborhood Design -- marks the occasion of an important news teleconference on Thursday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m. EDT: The State of Latino Homeownership.

NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders will address the impact of Latinos on the overall housing market.

CityView Chairman and former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros will discuss the needs of this growing segment of our nation and how it is driving change in home and community design, as described in his new book, Casa Y Comunidad: Latino Home and Neighborhood Design.

Hispanic home builder Dean Mon will moderate the call. Members of the media will be invited to ask questions of all speakers at the conclusion of their remarks.

The recent growth in the number of Hispanic home buyers, the nation’s fastest-growing minority, has shifted the mix of new housing production to reflect the requirements and preferences of Latino households. Hispanics make up 15 percent of the total U.S. population and are projected to account for 18 percent of the nation’s population by the year 2020.

To participate, dial toll-free 1-800-860-2442 and ask for the “NAHB Latino Homeownership” call. For your convenience, presentations and reference materials will be available for download at www.nahb.org/latinohomes, 10 minutes before the teleconference begins on Thursday.

For more information on logistics, please contact Liz Warin, at 800-368-5242, ext. 8495, or ewarin@nahb.com.

Dell – One Choice for All of Our Members' Technology Needs

Throughout the year, your members can take advantage of incredible savings on award-winning Dell technology including a complete range of reliable, affordable printers and flat-panel TVs, business-class desktops, enterprise solutions and the latest in mobile technology.

Whether integrating cutting-edge electronics and wiring in a home remodel or new construction project, embarking on a company-wide system rollout or setting up a wireless onsite trailer complete with wireless broadband, notebook computers, printers and PC-fax, dedicated NAHB Dell sales representatives are standing by to help your members with all of their technology needs.

To learn more about Dell products and services, members should visit www.dell.com/smallbusiness or call our dedicated sales representative at 1-888-577-3355.

When members are ready to purchase, our NAHB sales person will apply the member discount to each order.

Help Your Members Deliver Projects On Time! On Track! On Target!

An organized, well-planned schedule is a builder’s best tool. Scheduling for Home Builders with Microsoft^® Project provides easy step-by-step instructions to help master this powerful scheduling program.

Go to www.builderbooks.com order your copy of Scheduling for Home Builders with Microsoft^® Project today!

Announce Your Association Honor Roll

Showing appreciation can make a difference—particularly when we take the opportunity to honor people who are making a difference in your industry and your association.

With BuilderBooks.com, Your Signature Becomes a Revenue-Earner

Increase your BuilderBooks.com Retail Affiliate revenue by adding the BuilderBooks.com logo—with your affiliate code—to your email signature line.

That's it! If you have any questions or need more information about making your signature a revenue-earner, contact Jackie Barnes at (800) 368-5242, ext. 8588 or jbarnes@nahb.com .

Educational Opportunities for Your Members BEFORE IBS

The International Builders’ Show (IBS) is being held February 7-10 in Orlando, Florida. Builders, remodelers and other building industry professionals come from all over the world for the four day mega-event.

From February 3 through February 6, The NAHB University of Housing and the Home Builders Institute are offering nearly 30 in-depth programs designed for builders, remodelers, sales and marketing staff, associates and other professionals in the residential housing industry. Courses include: Lifestyle Merchandising, Advertising, and Promotion Strategies, Green Building for Building Professionals and Land Development, Site Planning and Zoning.

“A designation is extremely important because it gives you the opportunity to show your customers that you’ve done something that most other builders in the market place have not – continue your education and learn how to be a better builder,” said Tom Stephani, CGB, CAPS, CMP, MIRM of William Thomas Homes.

For those looking to begin two of the designations—Certified Graduate Builder the Certified Graduate Remodelor—the introductory tests, BAR and PREP, will also be offered. These assessments measure a builder’s or remodeler’s business strengths and determine the course of study.

These courses are convenient for attendees who wish to work on an NAHB designation or take a course to remain competitive in today’s market.

In addition to these courses, BuilderBooks offers many publications on similar topics that complement the knowledge acquired during the courses.

For more information on the pre-show courses, contact The NAHB University of Housing Office of the Registrar at 800-368-5242 ext. 8EDU. For information on starting a designation, call the NAHB Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242, ext. 8154.