Codes + Standards New mortgage rules hindering borrowing, says Mortgage Bankers Association executive Numbers decreased significantly from a net gain in the fourth quarter of 2013 to a net loss
Housing Zone* UNPUBLISHED USGBC report shows growth in green home demand According to the report, 150,000 homes are LEED certified.
Codes + Standards Growth of home solar power leads Barclays bank to downgrade utility bonds Barclays anticipates status quo switch to renewable energy caused by declining cost trends
Market Data + Trends Housing production falls 6.5 percent in May Declines in both single- and multifamily starts pushed nationwide housing production down 6.5 percent in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of just over 1 million units.
Market Data + Trends Builder confidence rises four points in June Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose four points in to reach a level of 49 on the Housing Market Index (HMI).
Codes + Standards U.S. infrastructure quality ranks only 19th in the world The American Society for Civil Engineers estimates $3.6 trillion in upgrades needed by 2020
Codes + Standards NAHB economist asks Congress for more favorable regulatory climate to keep industry healthy Suggestions from the group include protection of the mortgage interest deduction and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit.
Codes + Standards Study of homes in Gainesville, Fla., quantifies impact of codes on energy efficiency Code improvements have led to a 4 percent decrease in electricity consumption, and a 6 percent drop in natural gas.
Codes + Standards Marketing of green homes needs improvement RE/MAX chief of energy solutions says builders need to make the benefits abundantly clear to homeowners
Codes + Standards Insurance giant sues nearly 200 Illinois communities for failing to prepare for climate change Even if the lawsuit fails, experts say it could push cities toward better disaster prevention measures.
