Wednesday, July 28, 2010

View Free NAHB Appraisal Webinar at HBA on Wednesday, August 4


Builder Guide to Appraisals: Obtaining Accurate Valuations on New Homes

View at HBA Office – Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1pm – 2 pm
RSVP by calling the office at 881-3711

Major changes have occurred in appraisal standards and practices in the wake of housing and financial market turmoil. These shifts present major challenges to home builders in financing and selling their homes. On Wednesday, August 4, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., a panel of home builder and appraisal practitioners will inform builders on the new appraisal rules and provide advice on what builders can do to improve the accuracy of home valuations.

The program will cover:

Recent changes in appraisal standards and practices.
Requirements for appraisals of new homes.
Communications with lenders and appraisers.
Key information to provide on subject properties.
Tips for dealing with appraisals in distressed markets.
Process for addressing appraisal errors and pursuing reconsideration of values.
Moderator:

Joe Robson, Founder/President, The Robson Companies, NAHB Immediate Past President, Broken Arrow, OK

Panelists:

Marty Mitchell, Mitchell & Best Homebuilders, Rockville, MD
Allen Gardiner, Jackson Claborn, Inc., Plano, TX

This program is brought to you by the Business Management and Information Technology and Housing Finance committees of NAHB, and is sponsored by the generous support of Builder Partnerships.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Check Out OTC's Social Media Courses for Small Businesses


Find out why it's important to be social in today's business world. Discover how tweets, likes and RSS feeds are going to be critical to the future success of your company. We've developed a series of social media classes geared toward small business marketing. Learn how to use Facebook, Twitter and Blogs as marketing tools. The classes are very reasonably priced ranging from $35 to $49.

The video, Social Revolution Refresh, provides some incredible statistics and many reasons why businesses should be using these tools to connect with their customer base.

OTC has recruited experienced social media professionals to share their expertise. Amy Pope, Multimedia Sales Manager at the News-Leader Media Group, will lead the Facebook Marketing classes. Sarah Austin, principal at Austin Creative and head of the Springfield Bloggers Association, will be teaching the Twitter and Blogging for Business classes. For class schedule and registration information, click here. Missed the one you wanted to attend? Similar courses will be offered later this fall -- call 447.8888 for more information.

Rescheduled - Online Green Building Scoring Tool Course


The HBA's Green Building Subcommittee has reformatted and rescheduled the Green Building Online Scoring Tool Course -- it has been condensed into one day and we will also have some expert instructional assistance from Green Building verifiers from St. Louis, as well. Participants will learn to use the online green building scoring tool using a real house plan, plus get familiar with the various requirements and documentation necessary for verification.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 30 at the HBA for the full day educational program. The course is open to builders, remodelers and associates. Lunch will be included. If you wish to take the course and receive a copy of the NAHB Green Building Standard, the cost is $30. If you already have a copy of the standard, the cost is only $20. Call the HBA office at 881.3711 to register.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Greening Midwest Communities Conference Set for October 19-20 in Jefferson City




October 19-20, 2010 
Capitol Plaza Hotel
Jefferson City, MO
Registration is NOW open! 
Early Registration Rates Available for a Limited Time! 


Please visit the website at

Join in an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate and learn with building, development, and storm water professionalsacross the Midwest.  This 2-day conference brings together industry, municipal, county, code and agency professionals working in many aspects of community development and energy-efficient/green home building and remodeling. University of Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers (SBTDC) Program will be onsite to engage interested attendees in the services offered by this statewide network of business development assistance. 

Learn:
  • * what it means to "build green" 
  • * how developing, building and remodeling green can sustain and grow the homebuilding and community development industries
  • * where to go to find the latest in stormwater and national water quality regulations and the tools to help your business comply
  • * why developing, building and remodeling green can offer increased market share AND financial benefits to your business
  • * who your next buyer is likely to be 

Lodging:

A block of rooms is being held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City,Missouri. Conference participants are responsible for making their own room reservations by calling Capitol Plaza Hotel. To make reservations call (800) 338-8088 or (573) 635-1234. Reservations are guaranteed if made by September 18, 2010, then on a space-available basis until the conference date. The special conference room rate will be $79 plus tax per night, and up to four may share a room. Be sure to identify yourself as a participant in the Greening Midwest Communities Conference.

Expo Space Available!

Take advantage of this opportunity to reach out to home building and remodeling, development, and storm water professionals from throughout the Midwest. Join us and reserve your space today!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

POSTPONED - ONLINE GREEN BUILDING SCORING TOOL CLASS


After receiving feedback about challenges with the schedule and format, the Green Building Committee is postponing the educational series for builders and remodelers entitled: Green Building for Verification - You're Already Doing It. The Committee is in the process of re-tooling the course into a one-day format for the fall. Stay tuned!