McGowan Inducted Into America's Best Remodeling Hall of Fame
Edward W. McGowan, CGR, founder of Binghamton, NY building and remodeling firm McGowan Corporation has been named the sole 2003 inductee into the NAHB Remodelors™ Council America’s Best National Remodeling Hall of Fame.

McGowan was presented the America’s Best National Remodeling Hall of Fame trophy from Remodelors™ Council Chair M.M. Weiss, CGR, CAPS, GMB, and Trustee Tony Thompson, CGR, CAPS. Jeff Williams of Weathershield announced a $1,000 donation to be made in McGowan’s name to the charity of his choice, the New York State Builders Association Builders Research & Education Foundation.

McGowan, who founded McGowan Corporation in 1959, has a long history of service to the home building industry at the local, state and national levels, and has received numerous awards for his dedication to the advancement of the industry. He has made exemplary contributions as an active member of the NAHB, where he is a Senior Life Director and Former Area II Vice President.  McGowan’s participation in Remodelors™ Council programs through the years has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to raising the professional standards of the remodeling industry. He was active in the creation of the Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR) professional designation program and contributed to the production and publication of the “Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeler.” In addition to several positions on NAHB-wide task forces and Committees, his past service includes membership on the Remodelors™ Council Board of Trustees and Chairmanship of the Remodelors™ Council.

He was honored as National Remodelor of the Year in 1993. In that same year, he was recognized as the Broome County Small Business Person of the Year in his home town, where his community service contributions include active participation in the Rotary Club, the American Arbitration Association as well as Director of the Southern Tier Builders & Remodelers Association Political Action Committee. He is also a founding member and serves as Chair of the New York State Builders Association (NYSBA) Legal Defense Fund, which provides funding and attorneys for litigation and amicus curiae briefs in legal cases with potential impact on the building industry.  McGowan is a Director and a Past President of the NYSBA, and his service also includes both positions at the Southern Tier Home Builders and Remodelers Association. McGowan’s company received the Distinguished Service Award from the New York State Director of Housing in1986 and he was inducted into the New York State Builders Association Hall of Fame in 2000. McGowan was named to the prestigious remodeling “Big 50” in 1989 and his company’s work has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Professional Builder, Builder, Qualified Remodeler, Remodeling, and Journal of Light Construction.

Remodeling Outlook Bullish Despite Mortgage Refinancing Slowdown
The nation’s remodeling industry is not expected to run out of steam any time soon, even as factors that have given a boost to owners’ expenditures on their homes begin to fade, according to economists speaking at the Remodelers’ Show in Baltimore.

Very low mortgage interest rates and record mortgage refinancings that enabled home owners to cash out some of their equity provided “unique circumstances” bolstering the remodeling industry earlier this year, said Kermit Baker, director of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies' Remodeling Futures Program.

The annual pace of spending on home improvements rose to $125.2 billion in the Joint Center’s Remodeling Activity Indicator (RAI) for this year’s third quarter, said Baker, a 6.6% increase from the same quarter a year earlier.

Baker cited research by the Federal Reserve finding that over one-third of the cash taken out of homes from refinancing has been plowed back into home improvements, which would be adding up to $20 billion a year to remodeling.

But with mortgage rates ratcheting up from their 45-year lows of early summer and refinancings falling back into a more normal range, “we now have to drive this market the old-fashioned way,” said Baker, through increases in personal income and jobs, both of which seem to be in the cards heading into next year.

The remodeling industry has “good solid momentum to drive on fundamentals,” he noted, and in the meantime the stimulative effects of the cash-outs taken in recent months won’t fizzle out overnight.

One trend in the industry worth noting, Baker said, is “growth focusing on upper-end projects in upper-end homes.”

In 1993-1995, 39.6% of the spending on improvements occurred in homes valued at less than $100,000 and 18.2% was in homes worth more than $250,000, he said. By 2000-2002 those shares had reversed: 20.7% of improvements were in the lower-priced category and 35.6% occurred in the most expensive group.

The continuation of this trend will depend upon house appreciation, which appears to be settling in at a slower rate of increase than the galloping increases characteristic of recent years, and as cash-out financings slow, the disparity between the upper end and the bottom of the market will probably “close a bit,” he predicted.

David Seiders, chief economist of NAHB, added that even as the re-fi market is “losing tremendous momentum,” home owners will still be able to get at their equity at relatively low interest rates, which are typically priced at 1% over the prime rate. The prime rate is currently 4% and expected to remain at that level for most of next year.

Seiders predicted that annual home price appreciation will hold in the 5% range and that “we will continue to see strong price increases in home owner equity” even as home owners continue to borrow against it.

Weakness in the remodeling market will be focused on the multifamily side, Seiders said.
Multifamily accounted for about 30% of total remodeling activity last year, but that share will be “edging down over time.”

The Joint Center’s RAI is published during the third week after the close of each business quarter, a full two quarters before the U.S. Commerce Department’s data on residential improvements and repairs becomes available.
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National Aging in Place Week — Free Consumer Booklet on Strategies for Aging in Place
In an effort to stimulate seniors, recent retirees and Baby Boomers to consider taking proactive steps to modify their home environments to make them safe and comfortable as they age, and provide them with ideas and information on how to do so, the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), in partnership with the National Advisory Council on Aging in Place designated the week of November 9-15 as the first National Aging in Place Week.

The NAHB Remodelors Council is a member of the National Advisory Council on Aging in Place.  Acting as an advisor to NRMLA, the Advisory Council’s primary mission is to generate increased awareness that, if aging in place is a long-term personal objective, home modifications to make the home safe and comfortable should be considered. Home modifications refer to adaptations to homes that can make it easier for someone to carry out daily activities, such as bathing, cooking, and climbing stairs, as well as alterations to the physical structure of a home to improve its overall safety and condition. 

A free consumer booklet is available to educate older homeowners on practical steps they can take to modify their living environments to accommodate lifestyle changes and increase comfort. Titled the NRMLA Guide to Aging In Place, the booklet aggregates information on design ideas that homeowners can use to modify their home environments to make them safe and comfortable as they age, useful products and how to find them, and professionals who can help plan and implement home modifications. The booklet features several real life case studies of people who successfully modified their homes to accommodate their changing needs.

To order the booklet call 866-264-4466 or visit www.seniorsafehome.com. On the Web site, visitors can locate a CAPS designee in their area, as well as find information on assessing and adapting a home environment and strategies for addressing the financial burden of paying for large-scale home modifications.

The production of the consumer booklet and Web site are the first major events in an ambitious schedule of activities for the National Advisory Council on Aging In Place. Aging In Place Week will feature national and local events to raise awareness about home modification options, new products that can make life more comfortable, and new options for financing retirement needs, including reverse mortgages. Media events are scheduled to take place in Seattle, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Boston, Buffalo, NY and Charleston, SC, during National Aging In Place Week. To find out more about National Aging In Place Week events, visit www.ageinplace.org.
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Expert Panel Reports on Health Effects of Indoor Mold
Reviewing the existing scientific literature, a panel of experts in the fields of mycology, industrial hygiene, immunology and toxicology reported that mold can cause allergic reactions in sensitized individuals but there is scant evidence that it is linked to many other health problems.

The panel was convened by NAHB to help association members sort through the complex and often conflicting information on the health effects of mold. The panel was also asked to identify future research that may help determine the links between indoor molds and their related health effects.

To read the panel’s report, click here,  and go to PDFs on "Scientific Literature Review of Mold."
While various studies on humans attempted to link molds to a variety of non-specific health problems — such as fatigue, nausea and depression — the panel found that those links are weak and there is no evidence of causation in this area.

The panel also found that there is little evidence to link inhalation of molds in offices, schools, hospitals and residences with any form of cancer. The report includes an executive summary and review of what the panelists consider to be the 100 most important documents on the health effects of indoor mold in the English language.
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Register Now for IBS 2004
Register now for the Full Registration Package and gain access to more than 200 educational sessions at the 2004 International Builders' Show January 19-22, 2004 in Las Vegas. And, if you are an NAHB member attending the Show for the first time, your Full Registration Package is ONLY $100!  Click here to register online.
 
A comprehensive listing of all 2004 IBS educational sessions is now available online! Click here to find out exactly what you and your business need. The educational seminar listing is searchable by seminar title or description, track or date. 

Former President George H.W. Bush will kick off the Show as the keynote speaker on January 19 at the Orleans Hotel Arena at the Opening Ceremonies — sponsored by Kohler. Click here for more information about special events. [return to top]

Remodelors Council IBS Show Planner
Mark your calendar for these events at the IBS in Las Vegas.

Remodelors Council Meetings at IBS
Friday, January 16, 2004
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.          Remodelors Council Leadership Development Committee

Saturday, January 17, 2004
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.       CGR Board of Governors
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.       Membership & Council Development Committee
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.     Education & Business Development Committee
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.     Public Affairs Committee
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.         CAPS Board of Governors
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.         Remodelor 20 Club Working Group

Sunday, January 18, 2004
7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.      Remodelors Council Board of Trustees
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.        Remodelors Council General Session

Remodelors Education at IBS
Monday, January 19, 2004
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Healthy Homes, Healthy People
Speaker: John Ouellette, MD

11:00 a.m.  - 12:30 p.m.
Spread the Risk: Builder & Remodeler Diversification
Speakers: Vince Butler, CGR, GMB, CAPS & M.M. (Mike) Weiss, CGR, GMB, CAPS

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Controlling Profits: QuickBooks® Pro
Speaker: Diane C.O. Gilson, CPA, CIA
 
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
9:00 a.m.  - 10:00 a.m.
Winning the Job Without Leaving Profit on the Table
Speaker: Mike Gorman

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Managing Risk for the Remodeler and Home Builder
Speaker: Leslie C. Shiner

Wednesday, January 21, 2004
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Measuring Satisfaction & Maximizing Performance
Speaker: Geoffrey Graham

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
The Best Remodeling Companies to Work for
Speaker: Kim Sweet

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Results-Minded Marketing
Speaker: Kim Sweet

4:00 p.m.  - 5:00 p.m.
Using PSAs & PDAs to Save Time & Money
Speakers: Beverly Koehn & Michael Strong, CGR

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
What is Overhead & Where is Profit?
Speaker:  Leslie C. Shiner

Thursday, January 22, 2004
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Understanding & Preventing Mold Growth
Speaker: Greg Bates

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Nailing Profitability
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Don’t Miss the Remodelors Council Chairman’s Dinner at IBS
Remodelors™ Council Chairman’s Dinner
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
6:30 p.m.
Treasure Island — Caribbean Room
Tickets are $50.00 and must be purchased in advance.

Join the Remodelors™ Council to celebrate the year’s accomplishments, pass to gavel to the new leadership, present the Chairman's Awards for Distinguished Service and Outstanding Service, and the Year-long Membership Contest Awards. Dress is business attire. A reservation is required for this event. Call 800-368-5242 x8216 or email remodel@nahb.com to make your reservation. This is the premier social event for the Remodelors Council at IBS.   [return to top]

Join Habitat For Humanity Build at International Builders’ Show
Join remodelers from around the country as we partner with building product manufacturers, Habitat for Humanity champions and the staff of Professional Remodeler magazine to build a Habitat for Humanity home at the 2004 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas for and with a needy family and new homeowner.

Remodelers nationwide are asked to sign up for this special Habitat for Humanity build, which begins at 8 a.m. on January 15 and be completed January 18. To sign up for a build shift, visit www.housingzone.com/projects/showvillage2004/habitat/habitatform.asp. Professional Remodeler staff will contact you with details and additional information as the build approaches.

Together, we will not just attend the International Builders' Show, we will share in an experience of meaning and benefit.

The following are available shifts for the Habitat for Humanity build:

Thursday, January 15, 2004
8:00 a.m. - 12:01 p.m.
12:01 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, January 16, 2004
8:00 a.m. - 12:01 p.m.
12:01 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 17, 2004
8:00 a.m. - 12:01 p.m.
12:01 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 18, 2004
8:00 a.m. - 12:01 p.m.
12:01 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Rise & Shine with Marvin in Las Vegas
Marvin Windows and Doors will be sponsoring a breakfast in the Remodelors Council hospitality suite (LVCC N237) during the International Builders' Show on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Join your peers for this complimentary breakfast and bring your business card to enter a drawing for a free Marvin door (within specifications).

Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Remodelors Council Hospitality Room LVCC/N237
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. [return to top]

Council Welcomes New Team Member
Melanie Hinton has joined the Remodelors Council team as the new Communications Manager. Melanie will coordinate the Council’s communication activities, including press relations, producing news updates and maintaining the Council’s website. Before coming NAHB, Melanie worked for the American Nursery & Landscape Association as their Industry Relations Manager handling public relations for the association. She also worked for Associated Builders and Contractors as a staff writer and publications coordinator. You can reach her via email at mhinton@nahb.com or phone 800-368-5242 x8451.  Please welcome Melanie! [return to top]

NOD Disability Initiative Awards Deadline Approaching
NAHB is delighted to once again participate with the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) in the NAHB/N.O.D. Disability Initiative Awards. These awards recognize local home builder associations that have done outstanding work in expanding the participation of people with disabilities in community life. Through this partnership with N.O.D., NAHB will present a $1,000 cash award to one local or state HBA that sponsored an exemplary project to expand the involvement and participation of people with disabilities in their communities.

All entries must be submitted to NAHB in Washington, DC by Friday, November 21. The winner will be notified in early December and receive the award at the Associates' Awards Breakfast at NAHB's International Builders Show in Las Vegas on January 20, 2004. For more details and an application form, contact Erika Lee at 800-368-5242 x8550. [return to top]

Member Advantage: save up to $500 on mobile offices with Williams Scotsman
With 80 locations in North America and more than 50 years experience, Williams Scotsman has a money-saving plan specifically designed for NAHB members — with up to one month's free rent.  When you sign up, your seventh month is FREE — with a maximum value of $500.  Williams Scotsman offers a full line of temporary-space products and accessories, including sales office and centers, construction trailers, mobile offices, storage products, and floor plans and specifications. 

For more information, call 800-782-1500 today. Identify yourself as a NAHB member. To order online and for details on more than a dozen other money-saving Member Advantage discount programs click here.  Go to www.nahb.org to explore the numerous advantages associated with membership in your local, state and national home builders association.
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