Recovering Housing Market Boosts Job Creation

David Crowe, Chief Economist for the National Association of Home Builders, released an analysis of the housing market's impact on job creation in the overall economy.

His report points out that as the housing market recovers, the demand for labor in the housing industry grows. This increased demand for labor will boost a slowly recovering national economy.

The overall economic indicators are mixed but the news for the housing market remains positive. According to Crowe, March data showed the count of home builders and residential contractors grew by almost 15,000. In the last six months job growth in this sector increased by almost 74,000.  In addition to these positive numbers, there are over 100,000 unfilled positions in the construction sector - bringing this figure back to a post-Great Recession high.

For the full report from Crowe on the many factors contributing to the current economic outlook visit the NAHB's website at the following link. http://eyeonhousing.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/eye-on-the-economy-as-housing-improves-job-creation-follows/

SC Markets Included in Improving Markets Index

The National Association of Home Builders along with First American tracks housing markets throughout the country that show signs of economic improvement. This index is based on three monthly measures: employment growth, house price growth and single-family housing growth.

The Improving Markets Index (IMI) has increased dramatically and as of this month contains 273 housing metro areas.

Included on this list are the following South Carolina markets:

• Anderson
• Charleston
• Columbia
• Florence
• Greenville
• Spartanburg

This continues to be a positive indicator for the housing industry as a whole and South Carolina in particular. The full article from the NAHB can be found here along with links to the list of all included housing markets.

Don't Sleep Through the Good Times!

You my not have noticed it....yet, but the housing industry is awakening, and doesn't it feel refreshing! Many builders were perplexed when the market tanked and didn't have a plan to react to the changes. We have been under building demand for several years now and household formations are also below norms, so the positive news regarding housing prices and demand are welcomed changes.

It seems like everyday new positive information comes out. Don't let the change pass you by, now is the time to anticipate and plan for a "new normal" market. Things are changing, but they aren't changing at the same pace all across the country, just like they didn't turn down consistently.

Get ready. It may be faster or slower where you are, but it sure looks like the worst is behind us. That's something to smile about.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/business/economy/in-us-surprise-housing-demand-catches-industry-off-guard.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

Southern Regional Science Association

Dr. Joseph Von Nessen will present an overview of South Carolina’s economy this week at the Southern Regional Science Association conference - http://www.srsa.org

The website includes a schedule of this year’s events as well as information on the regional science journal Review of Regional Studies.

Southern Regional Science Association Meetings (SRSA) in Washington, DC. This annual conference brings together regional economists from major universities throughout the southeastern United States to discuss current economic conditions and economic projections for the upcoming year. Dr. Von Nessen will also participate in various SRSA seminars on new research in housing economics and the latest developments in economic forecasting methodologies. You can visit the official website of the SRSA here:

Mortgage Interest Rates Turn Up in February

The Federal Housing Finance Agency released figures today showing a slight increase in mortgage interest rates in February. I recall the good old days when an upward tick in the rates would stimulate buyers to come out to avoid the anticipated price adjustments resulting from another increase. It would appear that, just as spring heralds its arrival with new growth, the housing market is also seeing signs of rebirth. It may be minimal, it may be slow, but it sure is welcomed!

Here's a link to the full report.

http://www.fhfa.gov/webfiles/25069/MIRS%20March%202013%20final.pdf

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who attended the awards ceremony this past week at the International Builders Show!

Hal Von Nessen accepting the award for 2012 Sales and Marketing Educator of the Year

One of our own!

Hal Von Nessen, IRM Fellow, Named 2012 Sales and Marketing Educator of the Year By NAHB

http://midlandsbiz.com/articles/13129/

Jan 16, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC - January 16, 2013 -Institute of Residential Marketing Fellow Hal Von Nessen has been named the 2012 Sales and Marketing Educator of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in recognition of his successful efforts to educate builders and other industry professionals about new home sales and marketing. Based in Columbia, S.C., Von Nessen has been involved in new home sales and marketing for more than three decades.
In 1979, Von Nessen founded RESH Marketing Consultants, a full-service advertising and marketing firm that has served builders and developers as well as tourism and other industries.  Prior to starting his own company, Von Nessen enjoyed a successful career in radio and television broadcasting.
Von Nessen has been actively involved in NAHB, serving on the boards for the National Sales and Marketing Council and the Institute of Residential Marketing (IRM). He was a founding member of the Columbia Sales and Marketing Council. Von Nessen has won numerous local, state and national awards, including NAHB’s prestigious Trina Ripley Award for Excellence in Education and the Bill Molster Award. He holds the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified New Home Marketing Professional (CMP) and Master in Residential Marketing (MIRM) designations and, in 2011, was honored as an IRM Fellow for his long-standing contributions to the Institute.
In addition, Von Nessen has been a staunch advocate for NAHB education. As an NAHB approved instructor for 16 courses, Von Nessen has taught hundreds of classes on a wide range of sales and marketing topics. He also contributed to and authored several IRM courses. Von Nessen also has been a presenter at the International Builders’ Show as well as local, state and national trade shows.
“Hal is a legendary instructor and is directly responsible for helping hundreds of students to become MIRMs or earn other IRM designation,” said Brian Flook, CMP, MIRM, chairman for the IRM Board of Governors and a marketing professional in Hagerstown, Md. “After taking one of his classes, these sales and marketing specialists are motivated to reach the next stage in their professional development.”
“New home sales and marketing is constantly evolving, but Hal stays on top of emerging trends and has helped NAHB’s designations remain relevant,” said Gaye Orr, CMP, MIRM, chair of the NAHB Education Committee and a sales and marketing professional from Raleigh, N.C. “Hal is widely respected and his students, peers and others in the building industry have benefited from his knowledge and professionalism.”
Von Nessen and other leading industry professionals will be recognized at the 2013 International Builders’ Show on Jan. 21 in Las Vegas. For information about all NAHB educational designations, visit www.nahb.org/designations.

About NAHB
The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/NAHBMedia.