Legislation

Legislation

• Sales of New Homes Dive 11.3% in November

  Median sales price stands at $217,400, which is $45,000 higher than pricing of existing homes last month.

   

• Groups Decry Senate Health Bill Forcing Coverage at Small Firms

  Exemption for 50-employee companies reduced to 5 workers for construction industry employers.

   

• New legislation gives owners in New York stronger foreclosure protection

  Dec. 16--ALBANY -- New York has passed legislation that strengthens the rules on home foreclosure, augmenting consumer protections that were already considered some of the nation's toughest.

   

• Big Builders Form New Group

  Leading Builders of America will focus on housing’s recovery, energy efficiency legislation, and other issues.

   

• Questions, answers on Wall Street regulation bill

  The House passed legislation Friday governing Wall Street, the biggest overhaul of laws covering banks and other financial institutions since the New Deal.

   

• Proposed Amendment Would Give Florida Voters Final Say In Land Use Policies

  Special interests work to win over an electorate who may be skeptical of new development, given the housing bust.

   
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  NAHB Plays Leading Role in Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension

  The organization called its members to action and they responded.

   
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  Missouri Builders And Fire Service Officers Compromise On Sprinkler Installation

  “Mandatory option” requires builders to help educate customers about home safety.

   

• NAHB Wades Into Health Care Debate

  Senate is scheduled to vote on Senator Harry Reid’s proposal late Saturday; NAHB opposes the House version of health care reform.

   

• Housing Starts, Permits Slide in October

  Single-family permits remain flat at seasonally adjusted pace of 451,000.

   

• Builder Confidence Holds Steady in November

  HMI remains at a reading of 17.

   

• Builders May Receive Cash Infusion From New Tax Bill

  The same law extending the housing tax credit includes provisions that sweeten carrybacks from net operating losses.

   

• Breaking News: Congress Extends, Expands Housing Tax Credit

  House approves extension by vote of 402-12; buyers now have until June 30, 2010 to close on a home.

   

• Housing Groups, Experts Testify on Tax Credit Extension

  Maryland builder says first-time tax credit was like “oxygen” to the struggling industry this year.

   

• Home Buying Tax Credit Influences Buyers

  Zillow survey estimates that extending the $8,000 tax credit would attract 334,000 extra buyers.

   

• Senate Bill Would Establish Formaldehyde Ceilings for Composite Wood Products

  Modeled after CARB regulations, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Act would limit formaldehyde levels, require third-party certification.

   

• Treasury Releases Housing Tax Credit Usage Data

  At least 300,000 taxpayers through August have bought homes using the credit, according to tax return data.

   

• More Cities Offer Incentives to Spur Development

  An increasing number of cities are reducing or suspending impact fees; implementing tax rollbacks; and offering additional incentives in a desperate attempt to stimulate development activity.

   

• AIA: Climate Change Bill Would Create Green Building Jobs

  Association's analysis finds growth opportunities for home building, remodeling, and multifamily industries in two key legislative provisions.

   

• NAHB: Extend Federal Housing Tax Credit

  Builders group wants credit expanded to everyone buying a ‘principal residence’ and extended for one year.