The Nail, February 2012

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2012 HBAMT MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - COUPON SUBMISSION FORM

YOUR COUPONS NEEDED!

The 2012 HBAMT Membership Drive is gearing up for a strongshowing this spring and your help is needed to fill this year’s New

Member Coupon Book with fantastic offers!The Coupon Book is a strong recruitment tool and will be distributed only to

those members who join during the Membership Drive. WOW them with yourbest deal to quickly make a new contact AND help the Membership Committeereach their recruitment goals for this year’s drive. Using the form below, return

your COUPON offers to the HBAMT today! Deals contingent ONLY upon presenting coupon are preferred (i.e., no “with purchase” qualifiers) and all offers are

subject to approval by the Membership Drive Committee.

Return to: HBAMT - Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee | 9007 Overlook Boulevard | Brentwood, TN 37027Telephone (615) 377-1055 | Fax (615) 377-1077

Yes! I’d like to purchase a 2012 Green Building Council Annual Sponsorship for $1,000.00

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The HBAMT Green Building CouncilHome Builders Association of Middle Tennessee - 9007 Overlook Blvd., Brentwood, TN 37027

(615) 377-1055 Fax: 377-1077

To start taking advantage of this great offer and secure your Annual Sponsorship, complete the form provided below and return it to the HBAMT today.

ERIN RICHARDSON - PresidentSTEVE BERTASSO - Vice-President

STEFAN PETER-CONTESSE - Secretary/Treasurer

Green Building CouncilANNUAL SPONSORSHIPSign up now to sponsor each monthly meeting ofthe Green Building Council in 2012 and save!

Visa or Master Card only

Card Holder Card Holder

“Greening the American Dream inMiddle Tennessee”

RECYCLED PAPER

An HBAMT Green Building Council Annual Sponsorship allows you to promote your company at each council meeting for a fraction of the cost of their monthly rates - in fact, you’ll save over $3,200.00!

GBC ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP = $1,000.00

Annual Sponsors will receive these GREAT BENEFITS in 2012:

Recognition on all GBC marketing materials and at every meeting in 2012.

Opportunity to leave marketing materials with attendees at each meeting.

2012 Annual Sponsorship = SAVE $3,200! (1 month price of $350 x 12 = $4,200).

Sponsor highlight; five (5) minute presentation at one monthly meeting in 2012.

Opportunity to set up a mini-display table during lunch (11:00-11:30 a.m.) ateach meeting. RSVP one (1) week prior to each meeting to confirm table.

4 The NAIL February 2012

The official magazine of Home Builders Association

of Middle Tennessee

PresidentDan Strebel

Vice PresidentJames Franks

Secretary/TreasurerMichael Dillon

Executive Vice PresidentJohn Sheley

Editor and DesignerJim Argo

StaffConnie NicleyPat Newsome

THE NAIL is published monthly by theHome Builders Association of MiddleTennessee, a non-profit trade associationdedicated to promoting the Americandream of homeownership to all residents ofMiddle Tennessee.

SUBMISSIONS: THE NAIL welcomes manuscripts and photos related to theMiddle Tennessee housing industry forpublication. Editor reserves the right to edit due to content and space limitations.

POSTMASTER: Please send addresschanges to: HBAMT, 9007 OverlookBoulevard, Brentwood, TN 37027. Phone: (615) 377-1055.

THE

NNAAIILL

February 2012 The NAIL 5

FEATURES9

Recent court decisions willaffect home builders

BY STEPHEN LUNDTwo recent court cases result in decisions that

will affect home builders.

102012 Home Show returns to

AgEXPOPark in February The 2012 Home Show is set for a 3-day run

beginning Friday, February 24 at theWilliamson County Agricultural Exposition

Park (AgEXPOPark) in Franklin.

12-14Home Show layout and

registration form There’s still time to secure your space at the2012 Home Show. Select from our available

booths* and return your completed registration form, found on page 14, to the

HBAMT today to reserve your exhibit space.*Booth layout as of 01/31/11; booths shownas unsold are not guaranteed to be available

when your registration form is received.

DEPARTMENTS6

News & Information

15SPIKE Club Report

16February Calendar

16Chapters and Councils

ON THE COVER:Find all of your home improvement and decorating

needs at the 2012 Home Show, returning next monthto the AgEXPOPark in Franklin, Tennessee.

Secure your space at the show today by completingthe registration form on page 14 and returning it to

the HBAMT offices. See page 10 for more detailsabout the upcoming show.

CONFERENCEROOMS AVAILABLE

Need space for an upcoming meeting, seminar or special event?

Call the Home Builders Association andreserve one (or both) of the spacious,first-floor conference areas. Located inthe heart of Brentwood at the HBA’sfirst-class office building, each room

makes an ideal venue for both businessand social engagements alike.

BoardroomMembers - $350*Non-members - $600*

ClassroomMembers - $250*Non-members - $500*

Rooms are reserved on a first-come,first-serve basis. Call (615) 377-1055

for availability and reservation information.

*Each room requires a deposit of $100 (refundable) andhalf the amount of the rental fee due prior to date of

occupancy. Boardroom furniture may not be taken fromthe room or rearranged.

The Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee9007 Overlook Blvd., Brentwood, TN 37027 615/377-1055 Fax: 377-1077

6 The NAIL February 2012

NEWS&INFO

From left: Don AAlexander and Brian LLaster fromInfoSource, and John WWhitaker, Metro/NashvilleChapter President. Laster delivered a presentationreviewing the previous year’s building activity at thechapter’s January meeting.

Nationwide production of new single-fam-ily homes rose 4.4 percent to a seasonal-ly adjusted annual rate of 470,000 units

in December, according to newly released figuresfrom the U.S. Commerce Department. Thismarked a third consecutive increase and thefastest pace of single-family housing starts sinceApril of 2010. Meanwhile, the overall number ofhousing starts for the month declined 4.1 percentto a 657,000-unit rate due to a 20.4 percent dip onthe more volatile multifamily side.

“The report adds to the growing evidence thatdemand for new, single-family homes is finallystarting to firm up in an increasing number ofmarkets nationwide,” said Bob Nielsen, chairmanof the National Association of Home Builders(NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev.“This emerging trend is allowing builders to putmore crews back to work, and could be evenstronger if not for the overly tight credit condi-tions that prevail for both builders and buyers, aswell as the continuing foreclosure crisis and the

challenges of obtaining accurate appraisal valueson new homes. Policymakers should be doingeverything possible to alleviate these problemsand nurture the fledgling housing recovery inorder to promote job and economic growth.”

“This report is in keeping with our expecta-tions for slow but steady improvement in the sin-gle-family market, where production hit its low-est yearly rate in over 50 years in 2011,” saidNAHB Chief Economist David Crowe.“Meanwhile, it should be noted that the decline inmultifamily starts in December was coming off adramatic increase from the previous month andsimply brought that sector back closer to trend.Apartment production generally continues togain strength heading into 2012 after posting amore-than 50 percent gain in 2011.” Looking for-ward, NAHB is forecasting gains of approxi-mately 17 percent in both single- and multifami-ly housing production in 2012.

Combined single- and multifamily housingstarts fell 4.1 percent to a 657,000-unit rate inDecember due to the multifamily side retreating20.4 percent from a big gain in the previousmonth, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of187,000 units. However, for the year as a whole,overall housing production (see page 15)

Single family housing starts rise4.4 percent in December

The report adds to the growingevidence that demand for newhomes is starting to firm up.

Remodelers Council President Don MMahone (far left)thanks Mark FFriedman and Tim Ferguson from RegionsMortgage for sponsoring the council’s January meeting.Friedman spoke to the council about how to “expand aremodeling business by using the proper lending.”

The Green Building Council’s 2012 leadership team meetprior to the council’s January meeting at the HBAMT.From left: GBC President Erin RRichardson, All-AmericanPest Control, Stefan PPeter-CContesse, E3 Innovate, andSteve BBertasso, True North Development. At the meet-ing, Peter-Contesse delivered a presentation detailingnew Energy Star requirements for the new year. Specialthanks to John Ganschow and Trus JJoist for their spon-sorship of the council in 2012. If you would like to signon as a GBC annual sponsor for the upcoming year,please complete the form found on page three (3) ofthis issue and return it to the HBAMT.

February 2012 The NAIL 7

By an overwhelming margin, Americanvoters strongly value homeownershipand would oppose efforts to weaken or

eliminate the mortgage interest deduction ordiminish a federal role to help qualified homebuyers obtain affordable 30-year mortgages,according to a new nationwide survey gauginglikely voters’ attitudes towards homeownershipand housing policy issues.

“The American electorate is sending a clearmessage that owning a home remains a corner-stone of the American Dream and preserving afederal commitment to homeownership is essen-tial to maintain a thriving middle class and gethousing and the economy back on track,” saidNeil Newhouse, a partner and co-founder ofPublic Opinion Strategies.

Conducted on Jan. 2-5 on behalf of theNAHB by the Republican and Democraticpolling firms of Public Opinion Strategies inAlexandria, Va., and Lake Research Partners inWashington, D.C., the comprehensive survey of1,500 likely voters includes data from key politi-cal “swing areas,” including National Journalpolitical analyst Charlie Cook’s swing House and

Senate seats and Stuart Rothenberg’s presidentialswing states. The survey, which has a margin oferror of ±2.5 percent, is a follow-up to a similarnational poll conducted last May.

The poll shows that three out of four voters –both owners and renters – believe it is appropri-ate and reasonable for the federal government toprovide tax incentives to promote homeowner-ship. This sentiment cuts across regional andparty lines, with 84 percent of Democrats, 71 per-cent of Republicans and 71 percent ofIndependents agreeing with this statement.

Also, two-thirds of respondents say that thefederal government should help home buyers toafford a long-term or 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage.

Moreover, 73 percent of voters opposeeliminating the mortgage interest deduction.These figures held firm across the politicalspectrum, with 77 percent of Republicans, 71percent of Democrats and 71 percent ofIndependents against doing away with themortgage interest deduction.

Meanwhile, 68 percent would be less likelyto vote for a congressional candidate who pro-posed to abolish the deduction, a figure that

was virtually identical across all party affilia-tions (69 percent of Independents and 68 per-cent of Democrats and Republicans).

A majority of voters are also against propos-als to reduce the mortgage interest deduction,eliminate the deduction for interest paid for a sec-ond home, limit the deduction for those earningmore than $250,000 per year, scale back thededuction for home owners with mortgagesabove $500,000 and do away with the deductionfor interest paid on home equity loans.

“With the 2012 election season in full swing,candidates running for the White House andCongress would be wise to heed the will of theAmerican voters, who have expressed broad sup-port for government policies that encourage home-ownership and oppose efforts to make it more dif-ficult to get a home loan and to tamper with themortgage interest deduction,” said Celinda Lake,president of Lake Research Partners.

Among the poll’s other key findings:• 96 percent of home owners are happy with theirdecision to own and 84 percent who are “under-water” (owe more on their mortgages than theirhome is worth) expressed the same sentiment.• 79 percent of home owners would advise afamily member or close friend just startingout to buy a home, and 69 percent of thosewho are underwater on their mortgage wouldoffer the same advice.• 74 percent said that despite the ups and downsin the housing market, owning a home is the bestlong-term investment they can make.• Homeownership and a retirement savingsprogram are considered by voters to be theirbest long-term investments.• 78 percent of respondents said that owningtheir own home is very important to them.• Nearly seven out of 10 voters who are notcurrently home owners (68 percent) said it wasa goal of theirs to buy a home.

The findings are consistent with the results ofother surveys. In a New York Times/CBS Newspoll conducted in June, 89 percent said that home-ownership is an important part of the AmericanDream and more than 90 percent indicated that itis important for the federal government to contin-ue the mortgage interest deduction.

According to a Pew Research Study conduct-ed last March, 81 percent of respondents agreethat buying a home is the best long-term invest-ment a person can make and 81 percent of renterssurveyed said they would like to buy a house.

“Even in a down housing market, homeown-ership remains a core American value, with thevast majority of citizens who do not currentlyown a home saying they want to buy a home,”said NAHB President Bob Nielsen. “Those run-ning for office in November need to understandthat voters will not look kindly on any candi-dates who seek to dismantle the nation’s long-term commitment to homeownership.”

Poll results can be downloaded atwww.nahb.org/homeownershippoll.

Voters place high value on homeownership

Home builders, developers & REALTORS®, showcase your available properties while supporting the HBAMT’sAnnual Showcase of New Homes! Set for two four-day weekends beginning Thursday, May 9 and endingSunday, May 20, the scatter-site event features homes from all price points across the middle Tennessee area.

DISCOUNTS! Suppliers, lenders, manufacturers, REALTORS® and many more recognize the advantages of promoting their products in big events like the Showcase and will offer discounts to get their products intoyour Showcase home.EFFECTIVE MMARKETING! Because the Showcase is a scattered-site event, you can build or show the type ofhome you specialize in. MODEL HOMES ARE ENCOURAGED.LOW EENTRY FFEES! You can be a Showcase Builder for as low as $1,000! For that low fee you get multi-mediaadvertising by HBAMT, three yard and directional signs and a Showcase page in the Showcase Home BuyersGuide (plan book) which includes a color picture of your house, floor plan, description and directions.

Visit the Showcase of New Homes page at www.hbamt.net/HBAMT_Showcase.htm to download yourregistration forms today! Or call (615) 377-1055 and request the forms via fax.

22001122 SShhoowwccaassee ooff NNeeww HHoommeessShowcase scheduled to return May 9 through May 20 of this year.

8 The NAIL February 2012

NEWS&INFO

Remodeling sentiment rose to the highestlevel in five years, according to theNAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI)

for the fourth quarter of 2011. Released January26, the RMI increased to 46.6 in the fourth quar-ter from 41.7 in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the RMI compo-nent measuring current market condi-tions rose to 48.4 from 43.0 in theprevious quarter. The RMI compo-nent measuring future indicatorsof remodeling business wasalso positive, increasing to44.8 from 40.4 in the previ-ous quarter.

An RMI below 50 indicatesthat more remodelers report mar-ket activity is lower (comparedto the prior quarter) than reportit is higher. The overall RMIaverages ratings of currentremodeling activity with indica-tors of future activity.

“As more consumers remain in their homesrather than move in this economy, remodelersbenefited from a gradual increase in homeimprovement activity, taking us to a five-yearhigh,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman BobPeterson, CGR, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler fromFt. Collins, Colo. “2011 ended on a strong notefor the remodeling industry.”

Current market conditions improved sig-nificantly in all four regions over the thirdquarter of 2011. The RMI reported higher mar-ket activity in two important categories: majoradditions 52.3 (from 45.2) and minor additions50.1 (from 45.7).

Future market indicators in each regionalso experienced gains from the previous

quarter. Two of the indices reported alevel over 50: calls for bids at 50.7

(from 45.4) and appointmentsfor proposals at 50.1 (from43.3), while work committedfor the next three months only

rose to 31.5 (from 29.9).“With several key compo-

nents above 50, the latest RMIprovides reason for guardedoptimism going forward,” saidNAHB Chief Economist DavidCrowe. “The residential remod-eling market has been improv-

ing gradually, mirroring thetrend in other segments of the housing mar-ket. Stringent lending requirements and eco-nomic uncertainty continue to be a drag ondemand, but we expect a modest growth inremodeling activity to continue throughout2012.”

For more information about remodeling, visitwww.nahb.org/remodel.

Remodeling Market Index risesto five-year high

John SSheley presents Don CCrawford with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRF) acheck representing the donation made by the Triton Stone Group Parade of Homes to the agency’s“Wounded Warrior Project.” The TWRF program was the benefitting charity of the 2011 Parade.

February 2012 The NAIL 9

Tennessee law often places stricter stan-dards on residential builders than it doeson commercial contractors. For example,

there are certain implied warranties that apply toresidential construction, but not commercialconstruction. Arbitration clauses in contractsconcerning a residence must be initialed or sep-arately signed by the homeowner, otherwise,they are unenforceable. Not so in commercialcontracts. In the last quarter of 2011, two newcourt decisions came down that affect home-

builders (and probably commercial contractors,too).

Who’s liable for subcontractor’s poor work?The first case deals with who is liable to anowner for a subcontractor’s deficient work.Understandably, the general often takes the posi-tion that the sub is liable to the owner. The

owner usually takes the opposite position. TheTennessee Supreme Court finally resolved theissue, holding that, as a matter of contract law,the general is liable to the owner for any defi-cient work, even if that work was performed bya sub. Further, the general is liable even if thesubcontract specifically states that the sub isexclusively liable for the work.

This new framework does not leave the gen-eral without recourse against the sub, though. Ifthe general pays the owner for the sub’s defec-

tive work, the general can probably recoverfrom the sub the amount paid the general paid tothe owner. The significant difference this newcase makes, though, is that the general mustpursue such payment from the sub rather thanrequiring the owner to pursue the sub. Further,the general can insist on mechanisms to protectit from the sub’s defective work, such as a bond,

making the general an additional insured, or anindemnity agreement.

What damages can be awarded a homeownerfor defective construction?The other recent court decision involved thetypes of damages a homeowner can be awardedfor defective construction. The purpose of dam-ages is to put a homeowner in as close a posi-tion as possible if the home had been properlyconstructed. Thus, a homeowner can normallyobtain the cost to repair or (if repairs are impos-sible) replace defective items. In a recent case,however, the Court of Appeals held that a home-owner was entitled to the cost to replace all ofthe windows, even though some were function-al. The Court so found because the defectivewindows had been discontinued, so the home-owner could not replace the defective windowswith functioning matching windows.

This recent case does not, however, standfor the proposition that a homeowner is alwaysentitled to have matching items (and, there-fore, the replacement of functioning, non-matching items). In this particular case, thehomeowner’s windows all matched when theowners purchased the home. The court foundthat because the owners would have hadmatching windows had the builder properlyconstructed the house, they were entitled toreplace the functioning windows so that thenew windows would match. This result mayoccur with some regularity in future cases, butwill be significantly fact-dependent.

Although neither case drastically alters ahomebuilder’s obligations or rights, the legallandscape is not becoming any friendlier.Carefully drafted contracts can help limit abuilder’s exposure (but not eliminate it). In lightof these recent cases, now is a good opportunityfor builders to revise their contracts.

Stephen A. Lund is an attorney with Tune, Entrekin & White,P.C., who assists clients in commercial disputes, with a particu-lar emphasis on construction and employment-related issues.Steve sends out a monthly email newsletter covering aspects ofconstruction law. If you would like to receive Steve’s newslet-ter, please contact him at [email protected].

RReecceenntt ccoouurrtt ddeecciissiioonnsswwiillll aaffffeecctt bbuuiillddeerrssTwo recent court cases resulted in decisions that will affect home builders.BY STEPHEN A. LUND

10 The NAIL February 2012

HHoommee SShhooww sseett ffoorrrreettuurrnn ttoo AAggEEXXPPOOPPaarrkkHBAMT’s annual 3-day event opens Friday, February 24 at the AgEXPOPark in Franklin, Tennessee.

The HBAMT’s 2012 Home Show isright around the corner! A middleTennessee tradition for over 40 years,the annual 3-day event returns Friday,

February 24 at the Williamson CountyAgricultural Exposition Park (AgEXPOPark) inFranklin, Tennessee. Home Show hours onFriday and Saturday are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,and on Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

See the latest remodeling, building, andredecorating ideas, straight from the expertsand professionals.

Building and RemodelingThe Home Show is your complete resource stopfor information on where to build, what type offloor plan to choose, what designs are most pop-ular, the most cost-effective construction materi-als, and a host of other facts you need to consid-er when building or remodeling your own home.

New Products & TechnologyThe newest and latest in home building materi-als and consumer house wares are always a big

part of The Home Show. This year’s show willfeature the most cutting-edge designs, technolo-gies, products and services in the industry.

SeminarsAs always, The Home Show has more tooffer than just exhibits. Many of ourexhibitors perform instructional demonstra-tions right at their booths and informativeseminars will once again provide attendeesthe chance to glean professional secrets fromthe experts themselves.

“The Home Show is designed to offer con-sumers all sorts of product information for thehome,” says Jennifer Earnest, Home ShowChairman. “That means you don't have to livein a house to benefit.” Earnest goes on toexplain that “those living in houses, apartments,condominiums, or any type of home you canimagine, will get some good ideas at the Show.”

Admission is $10.00 and free for children12 years and under. Parking is free.

WANT TO CONDUCT AHOME SHOW SEMINAR?The 2012 Home Show committee is currentlylooking for topics and speakers to fill out thetheir 3-Day Seminar schedule. Contact Connie Nicley at [email protected] orJennifer Earnest at [email protected] submit your seminar ideas.

HAVE A NEW PRODUCT ORSERVICE TO PROMOTE?The Home Show committee is also looking fornew products and/or services that might beappealing to media outlets or beneficial toadvertising and promotional materials. Contact Connie Nicley at [email protected] orJennifer Earnest at [email protected] submit your new product or service.

The 2012 Home Show opensFebruary 24 at the AgEXPOPark,site of the 2011 show (shown here).

See spread on pages 12-13to locate available booths.Find your commitment formon page fourteen.

14 The NAIL February 2012

Number of booths ___________________ List 3 choices of booth locations: 1st ___________ 2nd ___________ 3rd ___________

Are you a member of the HBAMT? _________________ If you are interested in an HBAMT membership please call (615) 377-1055.

Amount Enclosed ________ Payment: Check Visa/Mastercard

Card Number _________________________ Exp. _________

Name on Card (Please Print) _________________________________ Signature __________________________________________

I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY ALL SHOW RULES AND REGULATIONS

Applicants signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ______________________________________

Will you need to have a truck/van in the building? Yes No

Estimated time you will need to set up your display _________

Your move in time will be sent to you before the show.

PLEASE LIST ALL PRODUCTS & SERVICES YOU WISH TO EXHIBIT

This is mandatory (Please see Rule #1 in Show Regulations)

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Do you have something new to the market? Yes No

Name _____________________________________________

Company __________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________

City ___________________________ St _____ Zip ________

Phone ____________________ Fax _____________________

Mobile ____________________________________________

Email _____________________________________________

Member Rates*First booth (10’ x 10’) ............................................................... $595

Additional booths (10’ x 10’) .................................................. $495

Non-Member RatesFirst booth (10’ x 10’) ............................................................ $1,200

Additional booths (10’ x 10’) ............................................... $1,200

Members and Non-Members: A 50% deposit holds your booth.

Full balance must be paid by January 1, 2012, no exceptions.

Please return completed application with payment to:

Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee9007 Overlook Boulevard, Brentwood, TN 37027

Phone: (615) 377-1055 Fax: (615) 377-1077 -- www.hbamt.net

February 24-26, 2012Williamson County AgEXPOParkExhibitor application & contract for exhibit space

Return this completed form to

the HBAMT to reserve your

space at the 2012 Home Show!

February 2012 The NAIL 15

SPIKE REPORT

What is a SPIKE? SPIKES recruit new members and helpthe association retain members. Here is the latest SPIKEreport as of December 31, 2011.

Top 20 Big Spikes

Jim Ford 908Virgil Ray 809Bill King 776Mitzi Spann 586Jim Fischer 566Terry Cobb 561James Carbine 318Dan Stern 306Bruce Hancock 297Kevin Hale 282Tonya Jones 271Bill Towe 262John Whitaker 257Reese Smith III 256Jennifer Earnest 254Steve Moody 215Sonny Shackelford 207Michael Apple 185Cyril Evers 180Anne McKnight 179

Life Spikes

David Crane 175Jackson Downey 169

Louise Stark 163Jim McLean 162Davis Lamb 154Harry Johnson 146Steve Cates 140C.W. Bartlett 138Bud Wells 125Steve Hewlett 119Tonya Alexander 118Bert Dale 116Tom Kelley 115Tim Ferguson 104Johnny Watson 101Bill Kottas 97Carmen Butner 95Lee Santiago 95Dave McGowan 90Kim Dykes 89B.J. Hanson 79Randy Parker 74Erin Richardson 71Jeff Slusher 69John Baugh 68Bob Pitts 67Duane Vanhook 67Jordan Clark 63Don Bruce 62Jim Ford, Jr. 61Sam Carbine 58Hill McAlister 57Joe Morgan 54Gerald Bucy 53John Broderick 51 Al Davis 47Sheila Rawlings 47Bernie Laine 46Greg Langley 46Beth Sturm 46Benny Sullivan 46

Kim Nichols 45Bryan Edwards 44David Hughes 44Andrew Neuman 44Kay Russell 43Peggy Krebs 37Chuck Clarkson 36Andy Wyatt 35Brad Butler 34Al Hacker 34Wiggs Thompson 33Ray Edwards 32Dan Strebel 32David Lippe 31Steve Wheeley 30Alvin Basel 29John Ganschow 29Matt Burnett 25

SpikesJames Franks 23Ed Bouillet 22Robin Thacker 21Lori Fisk-Connors 20Trey Lewis 20Judith Redd 17Jess Dillon 16Tracy Lomax 13Eric DeBerry 12Liz Cruse 11Marty Maitland 8Frank Tyree 8Kelvey Benward 7Lou Farringer 7Ron Myers 7Pam Smith 7David Jones 6Bridget Thompson 6

(Housing starts rise cont’d) was pegged at606,900 units, which was 3.4 percent better thanthe overall number of starts in 2010.

Regionally, December housing starts rose54.8 percent in the Midwest following a bigdecline in the previous month. The Northeastposted a 41.2 percent decline that offset a biggain in the previous month, while the South andWest also posted declines of 3.0 percent and 17.6percent, respectively.

Permit issuance, which can be an indicator offuture building activity, held virtually flat at a679,000-unit rate in December. Single-familypermits rose for a third consecutive month, by 1.8percent to 444,000 units, while multifamily per-mits declined 3.7 percent to 235,000 units.

Regionally, permits rose 5.8 percent in theMidwest and held unchanged in the West, butdeclined 6.5 percent in the Northeast and 0.6 per-cent in the South in December.

Builder Confidence continues to rise Builder confidence in the market for newly built,single-family homes continued to climb for afourth consecutive month in January, rising fourpoints to 25 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo HousingMarket Index (HMI). This is the highest level theindex has attained since June of 2007.

“Builder confidence has now risen fourmonths in a row, with the latest uptick being uni-versally represented across every index compo-nent and region,” noted Nielsen. “This good

news comes on the heels of several months ofgains in single-family housing starts and sales,and is yet another indication of the gradual butsteady improvement that is beginning to takehold in an increasing number of housing marketsnationwide -- and that has been shown by ourImproving Markets Index. Policymakers mustnow take every precaution to avoid derailing thisnascent recovery.”

“Builders are seeing greater interest amongpotential buyers as employment and consumerconfidence slowly improve in a growing numberof markets, and this has helped to move the con-fidence gauge up from near-historic lows in thefirst half of 2011,” noted Crowe. “That said, cau-tion remains the word of the day as manybuilders continue to voice concerns about poten-tial clients being unable to qualify for an afford-able mortgage, appraisals coming through belowconstruction cost, and the continuing flow offoreclosed properties hitting the market.”

Each of the HMI’s three component indexesregistered a fourth consecutive month ofimprovement in January. The component gaug-ing current sales conditions rose three points to25, which was its highest point since June of2007. The component gauging sales expecta-tions in the next six months also rose threepoints, to 29 -- its highest point since September2009. And the component gauging traffic ofprospective buyers rose three points to 21, itshighest point since June of 2007.

16 The NAIL February 2012

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

CHAPTERS & COUNCILSCHAPTERS

CHEATHAM COUNTY CHAPTER Chapter President - Roy Miles: 615/646-3303Cheatham County Chapter details are currently being planned.Next meeting: Friday, February 24 at the AgEXPOPark inFranklin, Tennessee. Topic: “A Tour of the 2012 Home Show.”Price*: $20 with RSVP; $25 w/o.Chapter RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 310

DICKSON COUNTY CHAPTERChapter President - Mark Denney: 615/446-2873. The Dickson County Chapter meets on the third Monday of themonth, 12:00 p.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dickson. Next meeting: Monday, February 20.Price: free - lunch dutch treat.Chapter RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 307

MAURY COUNTY CHAPTER Maury County Chapter details are currently being planned.Next meeting: Friday, February 24 at the AgEXPOPark inFranklin, Tennessee. Topic: “A Tour of the 2012 Home Show.”Price*: $20 with RSVP; $25 w/o.Chapter RSVP line: 615-377-9651, ext. 312; for callers outsidethe 615 area code, 1-800-571-9995, ext. 312

METRO/NASHVILLE CHAPTERChapter President - John Whitaker: 615/843-3300. The Metro/Nashville Chapter meets on the fourth Monday of themonth, 11:30 a.m. at the HBAMT offices.Next meeting: Friday, February 24 at the AgEXPOPark inFranklin, Tennessee. Topic: “A Tour of the 2012 Home Show.”Price*: $20 with RSVP; $25 w/o.Chapter RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 304

ROBERTSON COUNTY CHAPTERNext meeting: Friday, February 24 at the AgEXPOPark inFranklin, Tennessee. Topic: “A Tour of the 2012 Home Show.”Price*: $20 with RSVP; $25 w/o.Robertson County RSVP line: 615-377-9651, ext. 313.

SUMNER COUNTY CHAPTER The Sumner County Chapter meets on the fourth Tuesday of themonth, 11:30 a.m. at the new Hendersonville Library. Next meeting: Friday, February 24 at the AgEXPOPark inFranklin, Tennessee. Topic: “A Tour of the 2012 Home Show.”Price*: $20 with RSVP; $25 w/o.Chapter RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 306

WILLIAMSON COUNTY CHAPTER Chapter President - BJ Hanson: 615/884-4935. The Williamson County Chapter meets on the third Tuesday of themonth, 11:30 a.m. at the HBAMT offices. Next meeting: Friday, February 24 at the AgEXPOPark inFranklin, Tennessee. Topic: “A Tour of the 2012 Home Show.”Price*: $20 with RSVP; $25 w/o.Chapter RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 305

WILSON COUNTY CHAPTER The Wilson County Chapter meets on the second Thursday of themonth, 11:30 a.m. at the Five Oaks Golf & Country Club in Lebanon.Next meeting: Friday, February 24 at the AgEXPOPark inFranklin, Tennessee. Topic: “A Tour of the 2012 Home Show.”Price*: $20 with RSVP; $25 w/o.Chapter RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 309

*Builders free pending sponsorship.

COUNCILS

CUSTOM BUILDERS COUNCIL Council President - Alan Looney: 615/309-8200.The CBC meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 11:30 a.m. atthe HBAMT offices. Next meeting: to be announced..Price: free pending sponsorship.Council RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 311

GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL Council President - Erin Richardson: 615/883-8526. The Green Building Council meets on the fourth Wednesday of themonth, 11:00 a.m. at the HBAMT offices.Next meeting: Wednesday, February 22.Price: free for Green Building Council members thanks to oursponsors; $20 for non-members with RSVP ($25 w/o).Council RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 308

HBAMT REMODELERS COUNCIL Council President - Don Mahone. The HBAMT Remodelers Council meets on the third Wednesdayof the month, 11:00 a.m. at varying locations.Next meeting: Wednesday, February 15.Location and topic: to be announced.Price: free for RMC members with RSVP; $15 for non-memberswith RSVP ($20 w/o).Council RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 301

MIDDLE TENN SALES & MARKETING COUNCIL Council President - David Lippe. The SMC meets on the first Thursday of the month, 9:00 a.m. atthe HBAMT offices. Next meeting: Thursday, February 2.Topic: “Builders Are From Mars (and we like it that way!).Special Educational Event - Earn 3 CE Credits from TREC.Price: free for SMC members with RSVP ($20 w/o); $20 for non-members with RSVP ($25 w/o).Council RSVP Line: 615/377-9651, ext. 302.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 22Sales & Marketing

Council

3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 1155HBAMT Remodelers

Council

16 17 18

19 2200Dickson County

Chapter

21 2222Green Building Council

23 2244HOME SHOW

AgEXPOPark in Franklin

2255HOME SHOW

AgEXPOPark in Franklin

2266HOME SHOW

AgEXPOPark in Franklin

27 28 29 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11