BANN Bulletin - July 2020

BANN BULLETIN

July 2020

Upcoming Events

August 28th -

Presidents Cup Golf Tournament 2020

SPONSORSHIP'S AVAILABLE

Full List of Events

*COVID-19 INDUSTRY UPDATES

STAY UPDATED WITH OUR COVID-19 INFO PAGE:

http://www.thebuilders.com/reports.html

NAHB COMMUNITY

CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE

CLICK HERE FOR THE NAHB COVID RESOURCE PAGE

https://www.nahb.org/Advocacy/Industry-Issues/Emergency-Preparedness-and-Response/Coronavirus-Preparedness

Member Only Area

Have you logged into the MEMBERS ONLY area on our websit e yet? You can manage your membership, pay bills, register for events, and more! There’s even an app for your phone!

Contact our office for more info or help

RFP/Bid Area Members Only

The BANN members only area got a new feature!

You can now browse and post bid solicitations viewable to other members.

Builders looking for subcontractor pricing for a new job?
Subcontractors looking for other subcontractor pricing for a project?
Marketing, event, and other pricing needs?

New Home Sales Jump in May as Housing Continues Rebound

Article by NAHB

In another sign that the housing market is rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 16.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 units in May, according to newly released data from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. However, the April data was downwardly revised to a 580,000 pace, likely marking the low point of sales for the current recession. The April pace was 25% lower than the peak, pre-recession rate set in January. Sales were likely supported by price incentive use in April, with NAHB data indicating that two out of 10 builders used such business strategies. However, the use of price incentives eased in May, as median new home prices increased to $317,900, a gain of almost 2%, year-over-year. A new home sale occurs when a sales contract is signed or a deposit is accepted.

The home can be in any stage of the construction process: not yet started, under construction or completed. Regionally, new home sales were up in all four regions: 6.8% in the Northeast, 9.5% in the Midwest, 0.3% in the South, and 1.4% in the West. The gains for new home sales are consistent with the NAHB forecast that housing will lead any economic recovery

Office Reopening Guidance

Article by NAHB

OSHA has issued guidance to assist employers reopening business offices and their employees returning to work during the evolving coronavirus pandemic. The guidance provides general principles for easing restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus through the use of phased reopenings. During each phase of the process, employers should continue to focus on strategies for basic hygiene, social distancing, identification and isolation of sick employees, work- place controls and flexibilities, and employee training. NAHB members are reminded to check with their state and local officials on occupancy and other restrictions. OSHA notes that all local and state orders should be followed before reopening begins.

A Win on Infectious Disease Guidance

Article by NAHB

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a petition by labor unions, led by the AFL-CIO, to compel OSHA to issue an “emergency temporary standard” to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The court agreed with OSHA’s position that the agency should determine if a standard is necessary and that OSHA’s decision to issue nonbinding, industry- specific guidance rather than an enforceable rule to protect workers from COVID-19 was sufficient. NAHB had filed an amicus brief supporting OSHA's position.

NEC Code Adoption Kits Now Available

Article by NAHB

The National Fire Protection Association last year issued its most recent edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). States are now in the process of adopting this most recent set of electrical codes. NAHB staff has reviewed the code changes and has made available the 2020 National Electrical Code Adoption Kit that identifies the significant changes that would most impact the home building industry.

Charlie Cook Previews Election

Article by NAHB

The race for the White House centers on President Trump, political pundit Charlie Cook told NAHB's Leadership Council during its spring meeting. “An incumbent president is a referendum election,” said Cook. “Do we want to renew his contract for four years? Yes or no. Usually the challenger has nothing to do with it.” Cook, who worked in NAHB’s political shop in the early 1980s and is editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report, said that more than three-quarters of Americans strongly approve or disapprove of Trump and “there is just not a lot of ambivalence in between.”