We-Connect e-Source - 10/10/2008 (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
SBA Submits Final Women's Contracting Rule
News Briefs on Managing Your Business
WIPP Unveils Economic Blueprint
Council, Leadership Awards Deadline Nov. 1
IBS 2009 Preview & Women's Council Sessions
Experts to Discuss Diversifying Into Light Commercial
Financial Rescue Extends Expiring Energy Tax Incentives
Housing Jobs Key to State and Local Economic Recovery
FHA Hope for Homeowners Program Initiated this Month
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Take Advantage of Two NAHB Awards Opportunities
Subscribe to the Women's Council Channel
BuilderBooks.com Latest Offerings
Fall NAHB Member Advantage Discounts
Women's Council Sponsors

Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends

Need help monitoring all the fast-paced changes in the econimic and housing market? The following are links to useful information from government agencies and NAHB that will enable you to monitor the housing market.

U.S. Census Bureau Construction Price Indexes
NAHB's Housing Forecast
Housing starts, sales and interest rate projections through 2009.
Latest Home Mortgage Interest Rates
Contains current and historical data on fixed and adjustable mortgage rates. Updated weekly.
Characteristics of New Housing
Highlights the latest data on new-home characteristics released by the U.S. Census Department. Includes links to the complete Census report and other trends researched by NAHB. Additional breakouts of this data and other trends researched by NAHB are available at www.nahb.org/constructionstats under “Selected Characteristics of New Housing” (dated 4/3/2008).
Housing Starts
Updated monthly and based on a seasonally adjusted annual rate.
New and Existing Home Sales
Updated monthly and based on a seasonally adjusted annual rate.
New and Existing Single-Family Median Home Prices
Updated monthly.
Home Price Index
The index measures average home appreciation in more than 250 metropolitan markets. Updated quarterly.
Metro Home Building Permits
Local and state data on housing construction rates. Updated monthly.
Employment Trends for Metro/State Markets
Provides metro and state employment data nationwide. Updated monthly.
Local Economic Impact of Housing
Shows how building 100 homes benefits a typical metropolitan area.
Housing’s Contribution to Gross State Product
Measures how much housing contributes to the economic output of each state.
Housing Market Statistics from HousingEconomics.com
Full array of statistical categories available to NAHB members, a limited number available to non-members.
In-Depth Analysis from HousingEconomics.com
Full array of analysis of factors affecting housing and the impact on the industry available to NAHB members, a limited number available to non-members.

Additional Resources to Promote Tax Credit, Bust Media Myths
The NAHB PR Toolkit, a comprehensive guide and resource that helps home builders associations and NAHB members plan, implement and measure public relations programs, has been updated and is now available online on the NAHB Web site at www.nahb.org/prtoolkit.

The toolkit can be used as a resource as members and HBAs plan strategies to promote the $7,500 first-time home buyer tax credit for consumers and get the facts about their particular housing markets out to local media and buyers.

Members and HBAs can access and read or print toolkit chapters that cover topics such as working effectively with the media, how to leverage NAHB resources, what to consider when developing key messages and other tips on how to generate favorable publicity.

Promotional materials are also available from NAHB to help promote the new $7,500 tax credit, which has garnered plenty of interest since it was passed. In the first two weeks after NAHB’s tax credit information Web site http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/ went live, the site attracted more than 100,000 unique visitors. Access the materials here.

Members and HBA staff must be logged in to the NAHB Web site in order to view the PR Toolkit and Myth Buster materials. For more information contact NAHB Public Affairs or call 800-368-5242 x8447.