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Comparing how similar-sized builders across the country fared during the market upheaval of 2008 can help builders benchmark their own businesses and plan for the future. During the upcoming NAHB “Building Conversations” webinar, “Cost of Doing Business,” one of the authors of NAHB’s biannual “Cost of Doing Business Study,” and other panelists will discuss the most recent study’s results and explain how builders can benefit from comparing their own financial results against the industry as a whole. The webinar will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 9. The study illustrates how builders of different types and sizes weathered the economic turmoil of 2008 and will enable builders to compare their operations against those of like-sized peers. Topics to be discussed during the webinar include: ■Highlights of the results of the 2010 edition of NAHB’s “Cost of Doing Business Study” ■How builders can use the survey results to gauge the health and efficiency of their business ■The importance of benchmarking ■What the survey’s results mean for the home building industry Panelists include: ■Chuck Shinn, principal of the Shinn Group of Companies: Builder Partnerships, Shinn Consulting and the Shinn Group. For more than 35 years, Shinn has provided management consulting services and educational seminars exclusively to the housing industry. Through Shinn Consulting, he and his team work with builder clients to help them realize greater profits and efficiencies. Shinn has also spent 35 years working with manufacturers through NAHB's National Council of the Housing Industry — The Leading Suppliers of NAHBI. He has been co-chair of the organization and also chaired its education committee. ■Rose Quint, NAHB assistant vice president for survey research. Quint’s responsibilities include planning and conducting industry surveys, specifically in the areas of builder sentiment, remodeling, housing affordability and acquisition, development and construction financing issues. She is also responsible for special research projects, such as studies on builders’ profitability, consumer preferences, construction costs and membership census. The webinar is presented by the NAHB Business Management and Information Technology committee and NAHB BuilderBooks. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/buildingconversations; or e-mail Mary Knowles at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8057.

NAHB’s upcoming webinar, "Take It to the Limit: 2010 Income Limits and the Impacts on LIHTC Projects," can help multifamily professionals better understand the impact that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) recently released income limits for 2010 and a notice ending the "hold harmless" policy in calculating Section 8 income limits will have on their projects. The webinar — from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 14 and presented by the NAHB Housing Credit Group (HCG) and Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) designation program — will provide the information multifamily professionals need to successfully navigate the changes. During the webinar, panelists will discuss: ■County vs. project-based application of the limits ■The three dates impacting the income limits for a project ■Impact of the income limits on multiple subsidy projects ■What happens when incorrect rents are applied ■How Project-Based Income Limits will affect future projects ■The gross rent floor election ■Using a flow-chart to determine income limits The panelists include: ■Brian Carnahan, HCCP, the director of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency's Office of Program Compliance ■Paul Emrath, NAHB vice president of survey and housing policy research ■George Littlejohn, a partner in the Austin, Texas office of Novogradac & Company LLP, which specializes in commercial real estate development, with an emphasis in affordable housing and community development. Attendees can earn one hour of continuing education credit toward their NAHB designation. Attendees should e-mail questions for the panelists to Jeff Jenkins at NAHB by Friday, Sept. 10. To register for the webinar, and for more information, visit www.nahb.org/HCCPwebinar.

The NAHB 50+ Housing Council and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage will be conducting the webinar, “50+ Economic and Market Forecast,” from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 15. During the webinar, NAHB economist Paul Emrath will provide an overview of the economic conditions affecting the 50+ market and present the latest short- and long-term forecasts. In addition, nationally recognized market researcher Tim Sullivan, of John Burns Real Estate Consulting, will provide an in-depth analysis of the 50+ market, identifying emerging trends and prospects for the future. Participants also will learn about: ■What is happening in the housing industry today and how the 50+ segment is currently performing vs. other market segments and product types ■Economic factors that directly impact the 50+ market ■Emerging trends and how they will impact the future development of 50+ lifestyle communities The webinar is free to NAHB 50+ Housing Council members, $69 for NAHB members and $100 for non-members Webinar participants can receive one hour of continuing education credit for CAASH and other NAHB professional designations. For more information, visit NAHB 50+ E-learning; or e-mail Jeff Jenkins at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8292.