News You Can Use - Trends and Numbers

Homeowners Turning to Phased Remodeling Due to Down Market, Says NARI
Residential remodels are no longer those once-in-a-lifetime projects that keep homeowners dreaming years on end before they ever pick up a hammer. Instead, many homeowners opt to do a series of remodels as their schedules, budgets and lifestyles evolve over time, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

In fact, according to a recent Consumer Reports poll on home remodeling, 36% of homeowners who plan to remodel plan to do so in phases. Read more.

Builders Ask Congress To Extend and Enhance Home Buyer Tax Credit
To help create jobs and set the stage for a strong recovery, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today called on Congress to extend and enhance the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit due to expire on December 1.

Specifically, NAHB is asking Congress to extend the home buyer tax credit program through November 30, 2010 and make it available to all buyers of principal residences. Read more.

Consumer Satisfaction With Windows and Patio Doors Declines, According to Latest J.D. Power and Associates Report
As economic difficulties lead homeowners to curtail remodeling projects, overall satisfaction among consumers with windows and patio doors has declined in 2009, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction Study(SM) released today. Read more.

AIA Study Estimates up To 270,000 Construction Industry Jobs Could be Created if American Clean Energy Security Act is Passed
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) conducted a study to determine how many jobs in the design and construction industry could be created if the American Clean Energy Security Act (H.R. 2454; also known as the Waxman-Markey Bill) is enacted. The study analyzes two provisions included in the House-passed Act, the State Energy and Environment Development (SEED) program and the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) program. Using studies that measure the extent of job creation in the building industry, the findings estimate that as many as 270,000 jobs could be created or saved if the building-related provisions in H.R. 2454 become law. Read more.