News You Can Use

Remodeler-Focused Dealer Rises From Ply Mart's Ashes
Georgia's Mahaffey brothers are back in business with PMC Building Materials
Source: PROSALES Information ServicePublication date: May 13, 2009
By Andy Carlo
Have you wondered what ever happened to Randy and Rich Mahaffey, the Georgia brothers who led Ply Mart when it became ProSales' Dealer of the Year in January 2007 and were pretty much out of business 18 months later? Like Atlanta's symbol, the phoenix, the Mahaffeys have returned to the construction supply business as the force behind PMC Building Materials in Marietta, Ga. Read more.

Slide in U.S. Home Prices Slows in March
Integrated Asset Services, LLC, a leading provider of end-to-end mortgage services solutions, today released its latest IAS360™ House Price Index. Based on the timeliest and most granular data available in the industry, the benchmark index showed national house prices falling another 1.0% in March.

The March numbers come on top of a 3.0% drop in February and a 3.5% plunge in January, the index's worst single-month decline ever. On a year-over-year basis, U.S. house prices are now down 13.9%, with a full 10.7% coming since September when the economy began unwinding. IAS360 reports prices down 17.7 % from the height of the real estate bubble in 2006. Read more.

Evidence piling up that worst of recession is over
Source: Associated Press/AP OnlinePublication date: May 8, 2009
By JEANNINE AVERSA

Evidence is piling up that the worst part of the recession has ended. But that doesn't mean the pain is over.

A better-than-expected unemployment report Friday - job losses declined to the lowest level in six months - capped a week of encouraging news, including firmer home sales, a revival in consumer spending and fresh optimism about the biggest U.S. banks. Read more.

Professional Remodelers Key To Earning Energy-Efficiency Tax Credits
Homeowners now can claim up to $1,500 in expanded energy-efficiency tax credits for remodeling their principal residence to reduce energy consumption. Available until the end of 2010, the revamped Existing Home Retrofit Tax Credit (25C) tax credit helps consumers save two ways: on their costs and on their ultilty bills.

"Remodelers can help find the best methods of saving energy in your home with an assessment, like a home energy audit," explained NAHB Remodelers Chairman Greg Miedema, CGR, CGB, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler from Tucson, Ariz. "Tightening the house to reduce air leakage by adding insulation, fixing ducts, and installing a more efficient heating and air conditioning system can help save on energy bills today while also reducing next year's tax bill." Read more.

There will be wind: Hurricane forecast sees increase in 2009
The upcoming 2009 hurricane season is expected to be more active than average, according to an expert forecast.

The number of named storms from June 1 to Nov. 30 -- the official hurricane season -- is expected to be 12, compared with the average of 9.6. The findings were announced at the Honeywell Generator booth (#33334) during the National Hardware Show.

Of six major measurements of hurricane activity, four are expected to surpass historic averages. The only metric where a decline in activity is forecast is "intense hurricanes," which is forecast at 2, down from 2.3. Read more.

National Geographic Debuts Line Of Energy-Efficient Hybrid Outdoor Lighting
National Geographic has introduced a new line of energy-efficient outdoor lighting, called the Preserve Our Planet Hybrid Lighting Collection. The collection is available exclusively at LAMPS PLUS, the nation's largest specialty lighting retailer. With green features that enhance the quality of the lamps, the collection offers an eco-friendly solution to outdoor lighting, as it promotes energy conservation, home safety and cost-efficiency. Read more.

LP Recalls Composite Decking
Source: PROSALES Information ServicePublication date: May 13, 2009
By Craig Webb

Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (LP) has launched a voluntary recall of 48 million linear feet of composite decking that can deteriorate prematurely and unexpectedly break, the federal Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today. Read more.