Qualified Remodeler Magazine

OCT 2015

Qualified Remodeler helps independent remodeling firms to survive, become more professional and more profitable by providing must-have business information, namely best business practices, new product information and timely design ideas.

Issue link: https://qualifiedremodeler.epubxp.com/i/591570

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 7 of 57

wo drivers of the remodeling market are showing mixed readings heading into 2016. Te Conference Board Consumer Confdence Index, which had increased in August, improved moderately in September. Te Index now stands at 103.0 (1985=100), up from 101.3 in August. Te Present Situation Index increased from 115.8 in August to 121.1 in September, while the Expectations Index edged down to 91.0 from 91.6 in August. "Consumer confdence increased moderately in September, follow- ing August's sharp rebound," said Lynn Franco, director of economic Indicators at Te Conference Board. "Consumers' more positive assess- ment of current conditions fueled this month's increase and drove the Present Situation Index to an eight-year high (Sept. 2007, Index=121.2). Consumers' expectations for the short-term outlook, however, remained relatively fat, although there was a modest improvement in income expectations. Tus, while consumers view current economic condi- tions more favorably, they do not foresee growth accelerating in the months ahead." Pending home sales retreated in August but remained at a healthy level of activity and have now risen year-over-year for 12 consecutive months, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). A modest increase in the West was ofset by declines in all other regions. Te Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, decreased 1.4 percent to 109.4 in August from 110.9 in July but is still 6.1 percent above August 2014 (103.1). Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says even with the modest decline in contract signings, demand continues to outpace housing supply and elevate price growth in numerous markets. "Pending sales have leveled of since midsummer, with buyers being bounded by rising prices and few available and afordable properties within their budget," he said. "Even with existing-housing supply barely budging all summer and no relief coming from new construction, contract activity is still higher than earlier this year and a year ago." According to Yun, sales in the coming months should be able to roughly maintain their current pace. He warns, however, that there are looming speed bumps that have the potential to impact housing. | Pending Home Sales and Consumer Confdence Mixed MARKET PULSE T Continued on page 10 NEWS New Hampshire Remodeler Named NAHB Remodeler of the Year The National Association of Home Builders Remodelers named Greg Rehm, CGR, CAPS, CGP, owner of Liberty Hill Construction in Bedford, N.H., the 2015 NAHB Remodeler of the Year in recog- nition of his professional remodeling achievements. The announcement was made at the NAHB Remodelers' awards presentation on Oct. 1 during the Remodeling Show in Chicago. "Greg Rehm is a star of the remod- eling industry — a leader in commu- nity service, craftsmanship and in all levels of our association," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Robert Criner, GMR, GMB, CAPS, of Newport News, Va. "It is my honor to recognize Greg as the NAHB Remodeler of the Year for the professionalism and charitable contri- butions that his clients, peers and local community know so well." A member of NAHB Remodelers since 2004, Rehm currently serves as the New Hampshire State Representative for NAHB. Active at his state and local home builders associations, he served as the chairman of the Remodelers Council of the New Hampshire Home Builders Association from 2007 to 2010 and as the president of the Greater Manchester/Nashua Area Home Builders & Remodelers Association from 2009 to 2011. Rehm also sits on the Bedford Education Foundation Board and since 2011 has been a member of the Building on Hope Committee which provides a local nonproft a much-needed building renovation. The December issue of Qualifed Remodeler will include a feature story about Rehm and his accomplishments and business practices. Six Winners, People's Choice Announced for Red Diamond Achiever Awards Integrity Windows and Doors announces the winners of the 2015 Red Diamond Achiever (RDA) Awards. The awards allow trade professionals the opportunity to showcase their innovative Integrity proj- ects on a national stage. Six winners were selected by a panel of building industry experts, and one winner was selected as People's Choice by popular vote from all projects entered. From a feld of over 250 entries, the judging panel chose six projects that best exemplify Integrity's commitment to beautiful windows and doors that can be used in a variety of homes and projects. The 2015 RDA winning projects are: • Zen House in Rehoboth Beach, Del., by Shawn Ewbank of Shawn Ewbank Design Collective, LLC IN BRIEF 8 October 2015 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Qualified Remodeler Magazine - OCT 2015