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Applications for New Home Purchases Decreased in December
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for December 2015 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased by 5 percent relative to the previous month. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.
Refinance Mortgage Applications Increase as Rates Fall in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Mortgage applications increased 9.0 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 15, 2016.
Energy Department Announces 16 Collegiate Teams to Compete in Solar Decathlon 2017
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the 16 collegiate teams selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2017 competition. The teams, from colleges and universities across the United States and around the world, will now begin the nearly two-year process of building solar-powered houses that are affordable, innovative and highly energy-efficient
2015 Housing Starts End Year Up 10.8 Percent, Permits Up 12 Percent
Nationwide housing starts increased 10.8 percent to 1.11 million units in 2015, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Commerce Department. Single-family starts posted a yearly gain of 10.4 percent to 715,000 units.
PCA Forecasts Optimism, Positive Gains in U.S. Residential Housing for 2015
Residential housing starts will be on the increase in 2015 according to the Portland Cement Association (PCA). During the 2015 International Builders' Show, PCA Chief Economist and Group Vice-President Edward J. Sullivan announced that housing starts will increase 20 percent to 1.2 million units in 2015.
DEPARTMENT OF UTILITIES ANNOUNCES CHANGE TO PROPOSED RATE ADJUSTMENTS
The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities notified customers in December about proposed rate adjustments for water, wastewater and storm drainage services. The City is announcing the need to postpone proposed storm drainage rate adjustments until 2017 but continuing to move forward with water and wastewater rate proposals.
HNN Associates honored for management of affordable apartments
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has recognized HNN Associates of Bellevue with a Proud Partner Award for outstanding management of affordable apartment properties throughout Washington
Opening Keynote Calls Building Industry to Meet Nation’s Resilience Challenges Head On
The National Institute of Building Sciences kicked off the first day of educational programs Wednesday, January 13, at Building Innovation 2016: The Institute’s Fourth Annual Conference and Expo with a breakfast keynoted by Judge Alice C. Hill (Retired), Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Resilience Policy on the White House National Security Council.
Consumers Energy Issues ‘Safety First’ Message to Winter Visitors to its 13 Hydroelectric Plants
Consumers Energy is advising outdoor enthusiasts to practice extreme caution when taking part in activities on or near open water surrounding its generating and hydroelectric plants
Researchers Pinpoint the Drivers for Low-Priced PV Systems in the United States
The price of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on homes and small businesses spans a wide range, and researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have published a new study that reveals the key market and system drivers for low-priced PV systems.
Builder Confidence Holds Firm in January
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes held steady at 60 in January from a downwardly revised December reading of 60 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index
NeighborWorks’ network invested nearly $2 billion in affordable rental housing in 2015
With the supply of affordable rental housing declining throughout the U.S., NeighborWorks America reported today that its network of local non-profit builders invested more than $1.9 billion into the development and preservation — through construction, rehabilitation, refinance, and purchase of new and existing apartments — of affordable rental homes for low- and moderate-income households.
Residential Remodeling Spending Trending Up
Spending on residential remodels will continue to trend upward, according to experts at a press conference hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. Professional remodelers from around the country agreed with the forecast, citing clients’ increased financial security.
2016 International Builders’ Show to Showcase the Industry’s Largest Product Display
Housing professionals from across the country and abroad will convene at the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 19-21 for the 2016 International Builders’ Show (IBS), the largest annual light construction show in the world. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) event, held in one of the largest convention centers in the country, will feature the most cutting-edge designs, technologies and products for all segments of the industry
Environmental Justice Leaders to Converge on All EPA Regional Headquarters Jan. 19, Challenge Obama’s...
Environmental justice leaders from frontline communities hardest-hit by climate change and pollution will converge on 10 Environmental Protection Agency regional office headquarters on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
NAHB Unveils The New American Home 2016
January 19, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Leading Suppliers Council, in collaboration with Professional Builder magazine, today unveiled The New American Home® 2016, the official show home of the International Builders’ Show (IBS). The home can be toured by IBS attendees Jan. 19-21, 2016
Goldman Sachs Sees Silver Lining in $5 Billion Mortgage Settlement
Yesterday’s agreement in principle struck between Goldman Sachs and federal regulators to settle allegations of the bank’s misconduct in connection with the mortgage crisis includes a $936.25 million tax windfall for the bank
GBCI to Administer Green Garage Certification Program
GBCI, the certification body for USGBC’s global LEEDgreen building rating system, announced it will now administer the Green Garage Certification Programthrough its acquisition of the Green Parking Council.
High Court accepts PLF “relevant parcel” property rights case
The Supreme Court announced today that it will hear the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) property rights case, Murr v. State of Wisconsin and St. Croix County, which deals with the important question of what constitutes the “relevant parcel” for determining whether a restriction on the use of property violates the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause
Consumers Energy Creates New Training Program to Attract Skilled Managers to Become Field Leaders
Consumers Energy is starting a new program to develop the next generation of field leaders, those who supervise electric and natural gas crews.