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News You Need to Know: Faxing Clients, Designing Spaces
In This Section:
Faxing Clients and Members Still OK
Using faxes to communicate with cients and members would remain a permissible activity for small businesses and trade associations under the NAHB-supported Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2004, which was passed by voice vote recently in the House of Representatives.
The Act relieves the excessive regulatory burden of the new FCC rule mandating that all faxes be authorized by a written and signed consent form from the intended recipient. That rule, which is part of the agency's anti-telemarketing campaign, becomes effective at year-end 2004. The legislation, H.R. 4600, creates an "established business relationship" exception to the general rule against unsolicited commercial faxes, allowing NAHB members to communicate via fax with existing customers without the burdensome regulatory requirements.
Also, for NAHB and its state and local affiliates, H.R. 4600 would allow legitimate communication with all of our 215,000 members regardless of consent forms. Companion legislation in the Senate passed out of committee just prior to the House action. For more information, contact Jim Tobin, 800-368-5242 x8258.
Designing Spaces: More Home Owners Seek to Add Value
According to a survey of 200-plus Realtors®, interior designers and landscape architects, as much as 30% of a home's value can be tied to the deck, patio, courtyard, pool, garden and other outdoor spaces. "Designing Out: Laneventure's Home Lifestyle Report" reveals that home owners increasingly are enhancing their outdoor living areas for entertainment purposes, often modeling the design and quality after that of their interior spaces. "We're starting to see the added emphasis of style and function when it comes to designing outdoors," remarks Laneventure's Gary McCray. While home owners are able to recoup nearly 80% of the cost of kitchen upgrades, research shows that returns of more than 100% are possible for outdoor improvements.
Business Wire (08/04/04)
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