March 2024 Building Connections

Darien

Wilton

Bethel

New Milford

Your Monthly Newsletter

Building Connections is a monthly digital magazine produced and published by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County. Inside you will find the latest association news, legislative updates, upcoming events, and featured articles about the industry.

Contact Us:

hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com

www.buildfairfieldcounty.com

@hbraffc

(203) 335-7008

Front Cover:

Featuring: CORNERSTONE Contracting

AUTHENTIC TO YOUR DREAM

Andersen ® A-Series windows and doors are based on the style of home you want. Whether it’s a stately Queen Anne, a bold Modernist design or anything in between, you can now create it with the best-performing, most energy-efficient products Andersen has ever offered. Don’t just imagine your dream home, build it with Andersen.

Andersen is proud to support the Home Builders and Remodelers Assn. of Fairfield County and its members.

EXECUTIVE WELCOME LETTER

Spring Forward!

I hope you are all enjoying the start of spring!

We are excited for our spring events, and hope you are as well. On April 3, we will be having our GMM at Interstate in Westport, CT and on May 1 we will have our annual member mixer at Two Roads in Stratford. I hope to see you there!

As you may have already seen, we rolled out a new website. This website is designed to market you and your business! If you are interested in a spotlight or want to write an article, please let me know.

Be sure to keep our online membership directory in mind whenever you are looking for a business: www.buildfairfieldcounty.com/directory. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can do anything for you or your business: kerry@buildfairfieldcounty.com.

Kind Regards,

Kerry Brunn Executive Officer Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County

“ The mission of the HBRA is to help promote, protect & improve the building industry in Fairfield County. Our association is dedicated to promoting, strengthening, and informing our local home building market and those who work within it to ensure that we areindependently and collectively - a viable economic engine of growth now and in the future. ”

Upcoming EventsSave the Date!

Weds. April 3: April GMM

Interstate Design Center, Westport | 6pm-9pm Networking with HBRA members and industry professionals.

Weds. May 1: May GMM & Member Mixer

Two Roads Brewing Company, Stratford | 6pm-9pm Food, local craft beer & wine, and table display opportunities!

Mon. Sept. 16: Annual HBRA Golf Classic

Tashua Knolls Golf Course, Trumbull

Our biggest event of the year. This event sells out fastregistration opening soon!

February 25 - 27: International Builders Show 2025

Las Vegas, NV | Presented by the National Association of Home Builders

Save the date for the 2025 show. More info coming soon!

2024 OFFICERS

Immediate Past President

Kim DiMatteo Cross Insurance

President: John Hertz Hertz Construction

Senior VP: Rob Michaud Michaud Development Group

VP: Brian Kurtz Interstate + Lakeland Lumber

Treasurer: Chris Shea Domus Constructors, LLC

Secretary: Karen Bradbury Closet & Storage Concepts

2024 DIRECTORS

George Pusser Cornerstone Contracting

Kevin Polcer Polcer Home, LLC

Lisa Heldwhite Breakwater Renovation & Design, LLC

Stephanie Rapp

Stephanie Rapp Interiors, LLC

Tori McBrien McBrien Interiors

LIFE DIRECTORS

Joanne Carroll

JMC Resources

Jerry Effren

The Greyrock Companies

Gary Fanali

City Carting

Peter Fusaro

Preferred Builders

Michael Palumbo

ERI Building & Design

Peter Gaboriault

Bear Paw Builders

Terrence Beaty

William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc.

Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders

APRIL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MEETING

Weds. April 3rd - 6pm-9pm Interstate Design Center, Westport

Meet and network with your fellow members, guests, and other industry professionals while enjoying delicious food and open bar beer & wine.

Headshot photographs will be available for all interested attendees for $25 additional per person.

This event sold out last year - register early to make sure you don't miss out!

CLICK HERE to Register for the April GMM

MAY GMM & MEMBER MIXER

Weds. May 1st - 6pm-9pm Two Roads Brewery, Stratford

Enjoy local craft beer and an appetizer spread, and network with the HBRA board of directors, committee members, and the businesses who make up the HBRA of Fairfield County.

Table displays and sponsorships available - this is the only event with table display opportunities - reserve today before they sell out!

High-end. Now in a grass seed.

MEMBER MIXER SPONSORSHIPS

Bar Bites Sponsor - $1300

Bar Bites from Gaetano's Italian Deli to feed the hungry crowd!

Premium signage at the food table

Logo on drink tickets guests will receive upon arrival

5 attendee tickets to the event (for employees or customers)

10 Drink tickets

1 Scavenger Hunt Square

Featured & tagged in Instagram story

Imperial Sponsor - $1000

Premium table display!

Table to display literature and other marketing materials (prime placement)

Scavenger Hunt Square with tagged social media post

Opportunity to speak at the event

Logo on all marketing materials in first level position

Logo on event banner

10 drink tickets to hand out

3 attendees

Top Hop Sponsor - $500

Table Display

Scavenger Hunt Square

Logo on all marketing materials

Logo on event banner

10 drink tickets to give out

2 attendees

A Keg Above the Rest

Sponsor - $150

Logo on event banner

1 attendee

5 drink tickets to give out to prospective customers Membership Raffle

Sponsor - $355

Signage at the event, attendance for one, & have a member of your team draw the winning raffle ticket to announce the lucky winner!

WE ARE RAISING MONEY FOR THE NEXT TWO

Circle of Care

Dream Rooms!

PLATINUM

GOLD SILVER BRONZE $3,500 $1,000 - $3,000 $500 - $1,000 $250 - $500

Platinum Sponsorship pays for one entire dream room. Sponsorships can be donated as monetary or in-kind.

Sponsors will be featured in PWB/HBRA promotions throughout the year.

Grow With the HBRA Website

Our new website layout promotes our HBRA Members more than ever!

• Navigation Focused on Member Directory

• Homepage Builder Spotlights

• Tips & Tools Provided by HBRA Members

• Homepage Logo Placement for New Members

Builder Spotlights

Stand out to Homeowners as a Featured HBRA Builder on Our Homepage

•

Tips & Tools

New Members

Homepage Logo Placement for New Members

2024 Kitchen Appliance Trends

County TV & Appliance has been serving the building community since 1951 and has been witness to many trends throughout the decades. As we continue our journey into 2024, it's clear that the world of household appliances is constantly evolving and improving.

Trend 1

Appliance Expert Luigi Tevolini, from County TV & Appliance, provides kitchen guidance for your next new construction or remodeling project.

Induction Cooktops & Ranges

One trend that is gaining popularity is the use of induction cooktops and ranges. Induction technology has been around for a while, but it's only now that it's starting to become more mainstream. These cooktops and ranges use electromagnetic fields to heat up the cookware, making them faster, more efficient, and safer than traditional gas or electric stovetops.

Trend 3

PANELING APPLIANCES

Trend 2

AIR FRY TECHNOLOGY

Another trend that is on the rise is the inclusion of air fry technology in built-in ovens and ranges. Air fry is a much healthier alternative to deep frying, and by incorporating it into ovens and ranges, homeowners can enjoy crispy, delicious meals without the need for additional appliances. All-in-one washer dryers that only need 110v hook up with no venting are also becoming increasingly popular, especially in smaller living spaces. These appliances combine both the washing and drying functions in one unit, saving homeowners both space and time. Additionally, you can get two of these units, and it's like having two pairs of laundry in your home.

Paneling appliances is another trend that is becoming more popular. This involves creating a seamless look by covering appliances with the same material as the surrounding cabinetry. This way, the appliances blend in seamlessly with the kitchen design, giving it a clean and modern look. Many examples of this can been seen throughout the County TV & Appliance Showroom especially within the displays of luxury appliance brands. Refrigerators with extra zones and multiple ice makers are also becoming more common. These appliances offer more storage capacity while also providing different temperature zones for different types of food items. Multiple ice makers are also useful for large families or those who frequently entertain guests. In summary, the 2024 appliance trends focus on efficiency, functionality, and aesthetics. Induction cooktops and ranges, air fry technology, all-in-one washer dryers, paneling appliances, and refrigerators with extra zones and multiple ice makers are just some of the exciting advancements that we can expect to see in the coming years.

RECAP

2024 International Builders’ Show Attracts Largest Attendance in 15 Years

2024 International Builders’ Show Attracts Largest Attendance in 15 Years

More than 76,000 builders, remodelers, developers and other home building professionals filled the exhibit halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) hosted the 80th NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS), the largest annual light construction show in the world, Feb. 27-29. This milestone attendance, representing more than 100 countries and the highest level since 2009, reflects the bullish outlook of the residential construction industry.

Attendees visited more than 1,800 exhibitors – including 800 new exhibitors – over 678,000 net square feet, exploring innovative building products and technology to advance the industry and enhance new homes. Reflecting the strong growth of the show over its 80-year history, the size of the show floor increased nearly 12% from the 2023 show.

“The energy and enthusiasm of attendees on the exhibit floor matched the positive feedback we received from our exhibitors,” said NAHB Chief Revenue Officer Geoff Cassidy. “To help attendees maximize their experience, we organized this year’s exhibit floor into six distinct product segments. Many IBS attendees told us they wanted floor segmentation, so this was a direct result of us listening to their needs.”

“This has been a great show. I can’t believe how many people are here. They are engaged and excited about our products,” said exhibitor Dane Merriman, sales manager of Schlage.

This year also marked the 11th anniversary of Design & Construction Week® (DCW), the co-location of IBS and the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA’s) Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). DCW drew over 117,000 attendees, and more than 2,400 exhibitors occupied over one million net square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibits.

IBS attendees enhanced their industry knowledge by attending any of more than 120 education sessions led by experts on a wide range of industry topics, including artificial intelligence, building technology, research and trends. Attendees also took advantage of numerous networking events throughout week and visited The New American Home™ that showcased the latest trends and innovations in home building.

“The booths keep getting bigger and [better] each year,” said Matt Bieschke, partner at Alair Homes in Alexandria, Va. “We only wish we had more time because there’s just so much to see and do. Coming to IBS made it super easy for us to have direct access to meet with a variety of national reps, and all of these face-to-face opportunities are really important to building those relationships that benefit our business.”

THE ULTIMATE GARAGE MAKEOVER GUIDE

THE ULTIMATE GARAGE MAKEOVER GUIDE

Ways to Upgrade Your Garage Makeover

10 Ways to Upgrade Your Garage Makeover

usable garage? Something more organized? What about beautiful? How about some custom made options?

Want a more usable garage? Something more organized? What about aesthically beautiful? How about some custom made options?

just one of those improvements! Rich Cunningham of Garage Garage Doors provides you with tips from the pros on how to create beautiful garage that is usable, organized, and custom-made for you...

Don't settle for just one of those improvements! Rich Cunningham of Garage Living & Ed's Garage Doors provides you with tips from the pros on how to create a more beautiful garage that is usable, organized, and custom-made for you... - SO YOU GET THE ULTIMATE GARAGE MAKEOVER!

ULTIMATE GARAGE MAKEOVER!

Rich Cunningham Garage Living & Ed’s Garage Doors

DISCOVER THE POWER OF FENG SHUI

Are you ready to learn the secrets of creating balance and well-being in your home? If so, then my "Feng Shui: The Basics" workshop is perfect for you! I'll teach you a quick history of how this ancient Chinese practice has been used for over 3000 years to bring harmony and happiness to various environments. You'll learn about some of the tools used in Feng Shui so you can incorporate the practical tips and tricks at home to help boost your career, improve your relationships or attract abundance.

This workshop is live and in-person so secure your spot now by registering below and take the first step towards a more joyful, intentional and harmonious life!

MEMBER EVENTS

Moderator: Robin Faller

Ferocious Digital

TRIUMPHS AND CHALLENGES OF BUILDING IN TODAY’S MARKET WITH OUR INDUSTRY EXPERTS

The HBRA of Fairfield County’s fifth annual “Beyond the Blueprint” panel was presented Wednesday, March 6th at the Water’s Edge at Giovanni’s in Darien. A rainy night did not deter over 100 guests from coming to listen to our panel of experts discuss triumphs and challenges building in today’s market.

Moderated by Robin Faller of Ferocious Digital, panelists Robin Caroll (Karp Associates Inc.), Noel Farrell (Guiltec Development), and Chris Steiner (Steiner Inc.) discussed how they are able to stay adaptable and responsive to give their clients the best possible outcome.

Panelist: Noel Farrell Guiltec Development

In particular, the panel spoke on how recent economic trends (including interest rates and inflation) have influenced the housing market, predictions for the housing market coming up in the next few years, generational trends shaping the housing market, how demographic shifts have influenced housing demand, and overall changes when approaching clients.

Panelist: Chris Steiner Steiner Inc.

Panelist: Robin Carroll Karp Associates, Inc.

Thank you to our sponsors Superior Hearth Spas & Leisure and New Perspective Cabinetry & Design for making this great event possible, and thank you again to our panel for sharing their expertise!

Photos: CTC&G and Kirt Washington

Membership Discounts & Deals

Log in at www.nahb.org

Through agreements with more than 20 national companies, NAHB offers exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services that can benefit your business, employees and family. Members save big when they take advantage of these offers.

Steps to Access NAHB Discounts:

Please Note: Your nahb.org login is separate from your buildfairfieldcounty.com login.

If you do not have an NAHB account, select “Register” on the right side of the screen.

You will need the PIN you received when you first joined the HBRA – find yours by logging in to your account at buildfairfieldcounty.com, or contact the HBRA office and we would be happy to let you know!

After you log in, go to www.nahb.org/NAHB-Community/Member-Benefits/Savings

Click on “Learn More” under the discount you want to use and follow the instructions.

See the NAHB "Member Savings Program at a Glance" handout for a full list of available discounts!

Through the HBRA of Fairfield County’s partnership with NPP you can save on products for your business and employees. Membership is free.

Steps to Access NPP Discounts:

Visit www.mynpp.com/association/hbra-of-fairfieldcounty/

If you already have an account, select “Log In” at the top right to log in.

If you do not currently have an NPP account, enter your information on the form on the right and follow the website prompts to create an account.

Click on the discount you would like to sign up for and follow the instructions.

See the NPP handout for a full list of available discounts!

For a full list of all benefits available to members, visit: buildfairfieldcounty.com/membership-benefits-discounts/

Bethel | Branford | Danbury

Darien | Fairfield | Lewisboro | Madison

New Milford | Newtown | Niantic

North Stamford | Norwalk | Orange

Stamford | Stratford | Trumbull

Westport | Wethersfield | Wilton

JOIN THE RING’S END TEAM!

Do you have a positive attitude that contributes to a high company morale? Are you goal-oriented and self-motivated? Can you connect with our customers and build strong relationships? Are you an effective communicator? Do you present yourself professionally? If so, you may be a perfect candidate for a career at Ring’s End!

Ring’s End is a Connecticut-based lumber and building materials retailer serving Connecticut, South County, Rhode Island, and Southern Westchester County, New York. We are a thirdgeneration, family owned and operated business with a rich history dating back to 1902. With 20 retail locations, Ring’s End continues to expand and evolve as an industry leader.

The positions at Ring’s End are as diverse as the employees who hold them. Discover your passionjoin the Ring’s End team today!

Strategic Vision

To

Mission Statement

To

service, and shopping experience. We do this by employing the best team in the industry, ensuring we maintain a diverse, evolved work environment that values cooperation and teamwork. We look for innovation and continuous improvement in everything we do.

• Accountability

• Community

NEW MEMBERS

American Knight Integrated Systems | Simon Wheeldon

We specialize in security systems, access control, fire protection, audio, video, home theaters, automated lighting, and motorized blinds. With both residential and business solutions available, we can work with you on a custom design for your entire home or office and provide a detailed consultation to discover the unique combination of services that will work best for you. Read More

California Closets | Michelle Nemmers

Custom Closets & Storage Systems for Every Room: Experience the Practical Magic™ of our custom designed closets and storage solutions for the whole home. Read More

DTF Rosemount, LLC | Andrew Utschig

Our team offers: Full Home Remodeling Services, Kitchen and Bath Renovations, Home Additions, Construction Management, and Design Services. We also specialize in all forms of Rough and Finish Carpentry, Custom Millwork and Cabinetry, Floor Installation and Refinishing, Sheetrock, and both Interior and Exterior Painting. Read More

Home Media Designs | Chris Barre

Home Media Designs is a Connecticut based home technology integration company specializing in design, sales, programming and installation. We bring creativity and passion to the system design process and work closely with you at every level of the project. Read More

Santini Services, LLC | Chris Santini

Contractor/Remodeling Services. Built on referrals! Read More

New Haven Awning Co. | Elizabeth Leon

New Haven Awning Co. is a full-service, custom design, build awning and canopy manufacturer. From concept, through fabrication and installation, New Haven Awning (NHA) provides a level of product and service unrivaled by its competitors. Read More

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

A subflooring panel with a built-in barrier for jobsite durability.

AdvanTech X-Factor panels are the latest innovation from the subflooring brand builders have trusted for more than 20 years for the FLAT OUT BEST™ start to a quiet, stiff floor. AdvanTech X-Factor is a new class of premium subflooring with a fade-resistant, watershedding surface on a high-performance engineered wood panel. With a built-in protective top layer, it takes the moisture resistance teams expect from an AdvanTech panel to the next level and pairs well with AdvanTech™ subfloor adhesive for a Squeak-Free Guarantee™1

The built-in, water-shedding top layer provides a distinctively smooth, even, premium subfloor surface that is marker friendly and easy to clean.

Weather-Resistive

Enduring Premium Look — Resists

Strength

JOB BANK

AVAILABLE JOBS:

These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings.

SONERICA Capital

JOB TITLE: New Home Builder

SUMMARY: Investor with large land inventory looking for highly experienced New Home Builder. You will be a paid consultant. Your main role is to prepare specs and inspect work. Must have built numerous homes. Intimate hands on experience in all facets of home building including foundation, framing, roofing, siding, sheetrock, interior and exterior trim, floors, HVAC, plumbing, electric, costs, scheduling etc.

CONTACT: Email detailed resume to hbsj7@yahoo.com

Accurate Lock And Hardware

JOB TITLE: Customer Solutions Specialist

SUMMARY: In this role, you will communicate with customers via phone and email, help determine their requirements, process purchase orders, provide quotations, check on order status and expedite orders. You will be part of a team that provides customer service and support for a wide array of products to a network of showroom and contract hardware distributors, OEM accounts, architects, designers and specifiers.

Bear Paw Builders Inc.

JOB TITLE: Part Time Bookkeeper

START DATE: immediately

Salary: $30-$35 per hour

SUMMARY: Experienced bookkeeper experienced in construction job costing with QuickBooks.

CONTACT: peter@bpaw.com

AVAILABLE JOBS: (Continued)

These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings.

Chloe Winston Lighting Design

JOB TITLE: Showroom Coordinator

RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with showroom opening and closing duties, answer phones and make customer appointments, greet customers in showroom and make them feel welcomed, receive deliveries and help with in-store merchandise pick-ups, liaise with showroom, manufacturers, and designers, architects, builders and retail customers, and support sales team.

HOURS: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm

Email resume to hello@chloewinstonlighting.com

Lansing Building Products, LLC

JOB TITLE: Outside Sales - Norwalk, CT (lever.co)

START DATE: immediately

SUMMARY: Full time - secures new business while building and maintaining relationships with customers.

CONTACT: (203) 831-0977 or george.harvey@lansingbp.com

Studio KC LLC

JOB TITLE: Jr Designer/Project Manager

SUMMARY: Studio KC is an emerging high end interior design firm located in Norwalk specializing in full home renovations, kitchens, baths and custom millwork. We are looking for a Junior Designer/Project Manager to join our tight knit team. Our office is a fun, fast paced environment where collaboration and mutual support are encouraged.

JOB BANK

Workplace retirement plans have become mandatory for all Connecticut businesses with 5 or more employees (MyCTSavings Plan)

Fortunately for you the HBRA has you covered with the HBRA Member Retirement Program!

Higher contribution limits, plan design flexibility, and higher income limits are just a few potential reasons why the HBRA Member Retirement Program may make more sense for your business.

You build homes down to every detail of what your customer is looking for, so why not build your own retirement plan the same way!

John V. DiMatteo CFP®, CPFA

NAHB Supports First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Legislation

After President Biden called for a new federal tax credit to support first-time home buyers in his State of the Union Address, the FirstTime Homebuyer Tax Credit Act was introduced in the House and Senate on March 13.

Sponsored by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), the legislation would create a refundable tax credit up to $15,000 for first-time home buyers. Buyers would have the option of claiming the credit at closing through their mortgage lender, which would help alleviate one of the biggest barriers for first-time buyers: accumulating enough savings to cover the initial costs of buying a home.

The credit phases out for those making above 150% of area median income and for those buying a house with a purchase price above 110% of the area median purchase price.

Read More

Powell Reiterates Fed Needs More Confidence on Inflation to Cut

Bloomberg | March 6, 2024

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated to lawmakers that the US central bank is in no rush to cut interest rates until policymakers are convinced they have won their battle over inflation.

In testimony before a House panel Wednesday, the Fed chief said it will likely be appropriate to begin lower borrowing costs...

Read More

Codes Front and Center in NAHB’s Monthly Update

To help members articulate key housing priorities, NAHB’s Monthly Update provides the latest messaging framework for the Federation. An exclusive benefit for NAHB members and local and state association leaders, the Monthly Update provides top-line information on housing economics and the housing priorities for the Federation.

Some highlights within the Monthly Update for March include issue updates and talking points related to:

• Chief Economist Robert Dietz’s forecast for single-family starts in 2024;

• An update on how code mandates could affect housing affordability; and

• An NAHB-supported tax bill that will strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).

•

The Monthly Update is accessible to members, executive officers and HBA staff signed into nahb.org. In addition to the talking points, members can access the Senior Officers’ HBA travel schedule for the next six months.

Read More

Strong Rebound in Single-Family Permits to Start 2024

In January 2024, the total number of single-family permits issued year to date (YTD) nationwide reached 75,906 — an increase of 43.1% over the January 2023 level of 53,062.

Single-family permits were up in all four regions in January. Permit increases spanned from 67% in the West to 19.4% in the Northeast. The South was up by 39.4%, and the Midwest was up by 36.5%. For multifamily permits, the regions were split, with half posting increases and the other posting decreases. The Northeast was up by 64.5%, and the Midwest was up by 13.6%. The South posted a decline of 32.5%, and the West declined by 27.9% in multifamily permits during this time.

Forty-four states posted an increase in single-family permits in January 2024 compared to January 2023. Increases ranged from 128% in Nevada to 2.4% in Mississippi. The 10 states issuing the highest number of single-family permits combined accounted for 67.7% of the total single-family permits issued. .

Read More

Pergolas: The New Essential in Home Building

The allure of outdoor living has never been stronger, with home builders seeking to meld luxury with practicality to cater to a new generation of home owners. At the forefront of this outdoor trend lies the pergola — a structure that effortlessly straddles comfort and sophistication.

Read More

Biden’s Budget Includes Several New Housing Proposals

President Biden today proposed a $7.3 trillion budget for fiscal year 2025, which runs from Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025, that includes several tax hikes as well as many housing provisions designed to increase the housing supply and reduce housing costs.

Biden’s budget would raise taxes for billion-dollar companies from 15% to 21% and hike the broader corporate tax rate to 28%.

It is important to note that no White House budget is ever approved “as is” by Congress. The annual appropriations process determines the levels of federal spending for each of the federal departments and agencies, and all programs within their respective jurisdictions.

Although the president’s budget recommends spending levels for the next fiscal year, it is not legally binding. Congressional appropriators have the final say in program realignment and spending levels.

Read More

How to Hire More Women into Construction Roles

For contractors needing to fill a never-ending labor shortage, the solution may be obvious, though often overlooked: Turn to a huge untapped pool of talented women. After all, women make up about 47% of the U.S. labor force but only 11% of the construction industry, with the number in building trades estimated to be in the low single digits.

Read More

Be Unstoppable with Help from UPS®

The world moves fast – and your NAHB UPS® Savings Program has the tools you need to help your small business move even faster. We’re here to help you push envelopes and ride the edge of what’s possible. We’ll be right by your side with everything you need to keep blazing forward.

Let UPS® help make your business unstoppable. Members enjoy the following savings every time you ship:

• 50% off Domestic Next Day / Deferred

• 30% off Ground Commercial / Residential

• 50% off International Exports & 40% off Imports

• Up to 50% off on additional services.

• Plus, UPS Smart Pickup® service is free.

Don’t Let Shipping Mishaps Slow You Down

A lot can go wrong in shipping – package loss, breakage, porch piracy theft. The good news is that you can mitigate the financial impact of some shipping mishaps with InsureShield® shipping coverage.

Through your NAHB UPS® Savings Program, you have access to insurance that can help keep your business moving despite the everyday risks of shipping.

All you have to do is enter the value of the goods in the declared value* field of your UPS® approved shipping system and you are on your way to better shipping experiences.

Start covering your shipments today: savewithups.com/nahb

Legal Disclaimer:

Insurance coverage is not available in all jurisdictions or on all shipments.

© 2023 United Parcel Service of America, Inc. UPS, UPS Capital, InsureShield,

Inc. All rights reserved.

Single-Family Production Shows Signs of Stirring Across the Nation

Led by larger urban metro markets, single-family growth rates are showing signs of a turnaround as moderating mortgage rates and a lack of existing inventory are contributing to a gradual upward trend, according to the latest findings from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) for the fourth quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, new data on overall production in coastal areas shows that single-family home building is holding steady while multifamily is falling.

“While all urban, rural, metro and county area single-family markets experienced double-digit production declines in the third quarter, construction began to turn the corner in the final quarter of the year,” said NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan. “Four out of the seven markets had declines of less than 5% while one market—small, metro outlying counties—grew at a modest 0.4% rate.

Read More

Podcast: NAHB Chairman Weighs In on SOTU, Goals for 2024

On the latest episode of the NAHB podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by 2024 NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, who was in Washington, D.C., to attend the State of the Union (SOTU) address following an immensely successful International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

Read More

“Gatehouse Partners has been advertising with New England Home Connecticut since 2017. Roberta and the rest of the team have been instrumental in helping to get our brand in front of our target audience: homeowners, architects, and interior designers. Working with the New England Home Connecticut team feels closer to a supportive friendship than a business agreement. We highly recommend them (and their networking events) to everyone in the home industry!”

KRISTEN SULLIVAN, GATEHOUSE PARTNERS

Contact Associate Publisher, Roberta Mancuso to learn how New England Home Connecticut can enhance your marketing efforts. rmancuso@nehomemag.com | 203.530.9593

Proud media sponsor of the HBRA of Fairfield Country

Better, Not Bigger, Homes Among Top Design Trends for 2024

Following a brief uptick in new home sizes in 2021, the average size of a new home continues to inch smaller — dropping from 2,479 square feet in 2022 to 2,411 square feet in 2023, the smallest average size in 13 years — to match home buyer preferences for less square footage. According to NAHB’s latest What Home Buyers Really Want study, home buyers are looking for homes around 2,070 square feet, compared to 2,260 20 years ago.

“It’s related to two factors that are linked,” said Rose Quint, NAHB assistant vice president of survey research.

Read More

NAHB Announces Best of IBS Winners at International Builders’ Show

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) named the winners of its 11th annual Best of IBS™ Awards during the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Las Vegas last week. The awards were presented during a ceremony held on the final day of the show. This year’s Best of IBS Awards received more than 230 entries. Decided by a panel of 36 independent judges made up of industry and media representatives, the awards were given in nine categories, plus the overall Best in Show winner.

Read More

Multifamily Housing Market Will Decline in 2024 while Remodeling Market Will Hold Steady

Multifamily starts are predicted to decline in 2024, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Meanwhile, the remodeling sector remains on solid ground and will hold steady this year.

Multifamily starts totaled 472,000 units in 2023, down 14% compared to the previous year. NAHB is projecting that multifamily starts will fall 20% this year to a 379,000 total.

“Multifamily construction is forecasted to post a large decline in 2024 as the number of units currently under construction — approximately 1 million — is near the highest level since 1973,” said Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB’s assistant vice president for forecasting and analysis, at a press conference held during the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. “Tight lending conditions and the and the high cost of development loans continue to hinder additional multifamily housing production.”

As these new apartment units come online, rent growth will slow, helping to ease inflation, noted Nanayakkara-Skillington. However, this new supply will chill the market before stabilizing in 2025. NAHB is forecasting for 388,000 units in 2025.

In addition to tight lending conditions and the high cost of development loans, a shortage of skilled labor is another headwind facing the multifamily market, as well as the overall housing market. The industry is short more than 400,000 workers, and this challenge will grow worse as building rebounds.

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Single-Family Starts will Rise in 2024 but Supply-Side Challenges Persist

While higher interest rates pushed single-family starts down in 2022 and 2023, production should move on a gradual upward path in 2024 as the Federal Reserve is on track to cut rates during the second half of the year with inflation slowing, according to economists speaking at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas today.

“While the Fed’s fight against inflation is building progress, the lingering inflation challenge is housing inflation,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Shelter inflation—rent and homeownership costs—are still rising at a 5.4% rate, and for the past year, more than half of overall inflation in the economy has been shelter inflation. The only way to tame shelter inflation, and get overall inflation lower, is to build more housing.”

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Home Builders and Remodelers Embrace Greener Practices, Surpassing 2019 Levels

New study reveals surging adoption of water and materials conservation and energy efficiency in building practices

Today, Dodge Construction Network and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) unveiled the latest findings from the Building Sustainably: Green & Resilient Single-Family Homes 2024 SmartMarket Brief.

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