HGTV PRO News Headlines

Citing a failure of the ICC to provide a fair and open voting process, NAHB has filed an appeal to set aside code changes mandating fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes constructed under the 2009 International Residential Code -- and to consider changes that would restore balance to its voting process.

"If You Can't Sell, Remodel" has become the unofficial slogan for legions of American homeowners convinced that basement remodeling provides a practical alternative to labored attempts to sell homes for profit amid an economic and housing downturn. In the all-new report, Trends and Opportunities in the U.S. Basement Remodeling Market, market research publisher SBI forecasts the basement finishing market to grow 5% in 2008 to $23.3 billion, and subsequently at a steady 7%

The latest employment data released by the U.S. Department of Labor chronicles the bleak conditions that have overwhelmed the country's construction industry. 49,000 construction jobs were lost in October alone.

Pending home sales fell on the heels of a strong gain a month earlier as credit tightened and economic conditions deteriorated, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The Home Depot announced that the company is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran's Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 between November 6 and November 12, 2008, at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center locations.

The fall 2008 Remodeling Sentiment Report, a semi-annual survey of 5,000 U.S. homeowners, reveals how the amount of equity homeowners have in their property affects their remodeling plans.

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) have been approved for inclusion in the 2009 International Building Code and International Residential Code (IBC/IRC). This news, announced during the recent International Code Council Annual Meeting and Final Action Hearings, follows results of a recent exterior cladding study by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Huttig Building Products, Inc., a domestic distributor of millwork, building materials and wood products, said its net sales declined 22 percent in the third quarter to $182.8 million, resulting in a loss of $7.7 million during the period.

ZipRealty, Inc., released the results of its Third Quarter 2008 Housing Market Report, which includes an analysis of actual, not estimated, levels of home inventory and price reductions in nearly 30 U.S. markets as well as a look at "hot and cold" neighborhoods in six major U.S. markets.

The Orchard is the first community in North Carolina's Triangle region where each home includes standard solar energy generation and is Green Building Certified at either the gold or silver level.

Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers is trying a new strategy to move condo units amid the historic housing downturn: it is tempting would-be buyers with a rent-to-own proposition.

Builder Magazine recently unveiled its 2008 Builder's Choice Award Winners, honoring industry pros who set the bar for great, practical design.

Dominion Virginia Power has partnered with EarthCraft House Virginia to deliver a voluntary green building program to serve as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce energy consumption and protect the environment in the Commonwealth.

USG Corporation, a leading building products company, reported third quarter 2008 net sales of $1.2 billion and a net loss of $40 million. For the same period a year ago, the corporation reported net sales of $1.3 billion and net earnings of $7 million.

Appliance maker Whirlpool intends to eliminate 3,000 additional jobs next year, in addition to the 2,000 positions it cut over the past year. The company blames the poor housing market for its decision.

The North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) will hold its annual Annual Convention and Tabletop Business Session November 12-13, 2008 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

The 2008 Sunbelt Builders show will take place November 6-8, 2008 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

JLC LIVE makes a triumphant return to Seattle November 12-15, 2008, setting up shop at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center.

BIS, the official tradeshow of the Building Industry of Southern California, is pleased to announce its 20th anniversary show this year, taking place November 13-14, 2008 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Research by noted real estate economists at both the University of Southern California Lusk Center for Real Estate and the University of California Los Angeles Ziman Center for Real Estate suggests sizeable risks to the U.S. economy from decreased consumer spending caused by a retrenchment in house values. The three-year study, to be published in Regional Science and Urban Economics early next year, closely analyzed the spending habits of homeowners based on their prope