The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. While 83 metros held onto their previous places on the IMI and 17 new ones were added to the list in May, 18 metros dropped from the list, for a net loss of one. Metros newly added to the list in May include such geographically diverse places as Phoenix, Ariz.; Bowling Green, Ky.; Bend, Ore.; and Lubbock, Texas.

“The fact that there are 100 markets in 34 states and the District of Columbia represented on the improving list illustrates that all housing markets are local, and that the national headlines often don’t apply to what’s happening in a specific metropolitan area,” said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “In places where employment is firming up along with demand for new homes, the main factors weighing down the housing market continue to be access to credit (for both builders and buyers) and the difficulty of obtaining accurate appraisals on new construction.”

“The overall number of markets on the IMI continued to plateau this month, with more than a quarter of all U.S. metros still showing signs of improvement,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Many of these are relatively small markets in terms of their population and building volume, which is why their improvement is barely registering on the national scale as of yet. Moreover, we are seeing some shifting of markets on and off the list primarily due to small seasonal house price changes in areas that have had flat, stable prices rather than a boom-and-bust cycle.”

“The fact that the number of improving metros continued to hold its own with 100 entries in May shows that there are many places across the country where confidence and consumers are returning to the housing market,” observed Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company.

The IMI is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. The index measures three sets of independent monthly data to get a mark on the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The three indicators that are analyzed are employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau. NAHB uses the latest available data from these sources to generate a list of improving markets. A metropolitan area must see improvement in all three areas for at least six months following their respective troughs before being included on the improving markets list.

A complete list of all 100 metropolitan areas currently on the IMI, and separate breakouts of metros newly added to or dropped from the list in May, is available at www.nahb.org/imi.

The cost of construction materials jumped in March, even as the amount contractors charge to complete projects remained stagnant, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the spike in materials prices continues despite relatively weak overall demand for construction, and cautioned that current market conditions could force some firms out of business.

“Price shocks for a number of key construction materials may have caught contractors by surprise in a period when overall inflation remained very moderate,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Even though the increases are generally small compared to the high levels of last March, contractors have not been able to pass along these new costs, putting firms at risk of insolvency.”

Simonson cited increases in March for diesel fuel, up 3.5 percent for the month after rising 3.0 percent in February; gypsum products such as wallboard, up 2.2 percent after increasing 5.1 percent in February and 5.9 percent in January; and aluminum mill shapes, up 1.2 percent after a 1.9 percent rise the previous month, as particular problems. Overall, the producer price index for construction materials prices increased by 1.4 percent between February and March, following a rise of 0.9 percent from January to February.

Even as materials prices spiked in March, the amount contractors are able to charge for completed projects remained relatively flat, the construction economist added. He noted, for example, that the amount contractors charge for new industrial building construction declined by 0.2 percent between February and March. Meanwhile, the amount contractors charge for new warehouse construction rose by only 0.2 percent, for new school construction rose by 0.1 percent and for new office construction was up by only 0.2 percent.

Association officials said construction firms have been coping with over four years of relatively weak market conditions, driven in particular by declining public sector demand for construction and little demand for new housing construction. They added that conditions were being made more difficult because just as many stimulus and Base Realignment and Closure projects were wrapping up, Congress has failed to enact a number of long-term infrastructure investments programs for highway, transit, airport and water maintenance.

“Contractors are paying peak market prices for construction materials even as they charge bottom market prices to build new structures,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Needless to say, many firms won’t be doing much hiring if they have to continue to cope with higher costs, less income and little demand for work.”

In Oregon this week, heavy rainfall on the order of 1 to 8 inches, coupled with recent snowfall, has caused widespread flooding in the Northwest portion of the state. It has become a one-two punch as conditions are repeating themselves and may cause additional flood damage to the area later this week.

In any case where snowfall is accompanied by rain, the possibility of flooding is increased, and home and business owners, especially those in low lying areas, should be aware of the threat and take steps to protect their properties, as well as have an evacuation plan in place.

If flood waters are expected, all loose or valuable items should be moved to an upper level, especially electrical devices or appliances.

If flooding appears imminent, plans should be in place for evacuation to higher ground. All utilities should be shut off at their source. Each family member should have their own evacuation “go bag” equipped with food, water, clothing, and money for an extended stay away from home.

Because snowfall usually makes travel difficult, and even dangerous, it becomes doubly important to monitor the local weather conditions, and be able to leave before travel becomes impossible.

Of course, proper flood insurance is also vital for protecting any home in the event of a flood. Because flood policies have a 30 day waiting period, it becomes important to obtain the coverage now, especially since the winter season has begun in earnest for many areas of the country.

Based in Cleveland, OH, RestorationLocal.com offers water damage repair and restoration services in more than 30 states, with new providers being added every week. Visit their website for additional information.

My Energy Analyzer, a free tool designed to give customers a closer look at the factors that affect monthly energy costs, will also offer customers solutions for reducing their energy use.

The new Service Appointment Tracker sends customers a confirmation number via text message or email to track the status of their move-in and service reconnection appointments. The service also provides reminder calls to confirm appointments.

“We continue to launch more technology to improve our customers’ experience any time they need to interface with us,” saidGregory Knight, division vice president of Customer Service. “Our customers are very important to us and we are using their feedback to improve the way we serve them.”

My Energy Analyzer gives customers the opportunity to:

• See how their energy dollars are spent
• Learn how their natural gas costs differ from last month or last year
• Compare energy use by appliance
• Explore no-cost or low-cost solutions for lowering their energy use
• Learn how efficiency upgrades can affect their bottom line

Customers walk through a series of questions such as the type of residence, number of rooms, age of home, type of heating/cooling system, home square footage, typical temperature setting and appliances used. They will then receive tailored recommendations about how to make their home more energy efficient and see what results they can expect from implementing these measures.

Listed are some common problems that can lead to leaking roofs and how to think about addressing them.

1. Snow and ice can be a real problem during the winter months. Icicles look beautiful hanging from the side of your roof but they can cause roof leaks, not to mention hazards. Snow and ice can put an enormous amount of weight and pressure on your roof. Frozen water can cause an ice dam, thick ridges of solid ice that build up along an eave. This blockage traps melting snow around the low edge of the roof, which leads to a backup of water that seeps under shingles or slate.

2. Gutters could need to be cleaned, repaired or replaced. Cleaning gutters can be done by homeowners. However, gutter and downspout repair or replacement should be left to professionals.

3. Poor construction or materials. Unfortunately, in order to save time or meet a deadline, contractors will sometimes resort to using poor quality materials or neglect to thoroughly check seals, eaves and flashing on the roof.

4. Aging most residential roofs have a lifespan of 25 years. Some newer roofs can last up to 50 years, but they don’t last forever. It is good to find out the age of your roof.

5. Seals around chimneys, vents, fans and the skylights should be checked on a regular basis. Exposure to wind and rain often can cause sealants to crack, allowing water to seep into your home.

Scheduling a regular roof servicing should keep your roof at top performance and your family dry.

“The launch of our newly redesigned Contractor Web Portal further illustrates ecobee’s commitment to providing our contractors with quality products their customers will love, and valuable tools to help them grow their business,” says Stuart Lombard, President and CEO of ecobee Inc.  He adds, “The improved Contractor Web Portal makes it even easier for contractors to better service their clients, increase their overall efficiency and build their business.”

The new “Alerts” tool was designed to notify contractors the moment an equipment outage has occurred and the Comprehensive HVAC Reports, accessible through the portal, provide the contractor insight into their customers’ HVAC equipment performance. The “Equipment Details” view allows contractors to see the make and model of their customers’ HVAC equipment to ensure they have the right parts and tools for the service call. The “Service Reminder” tool allows contractors to automatically send branded service reminders to their customers according to the contractors preferred service schedule. This means that contractors can balance their work load over the year. Contractors will also now have the ability to communicate specials and promotions to their clients by adding the ecobee login portal to their company’s webpage.  In addition, the new “Map View” tool, sort-able by alert type, service reminder and client, allows contractors to efficiently map out their scheduled routes in advance, saving valuable time and resources.

“We believe that the investment we have made in the redesigned Contractor Web Portal combined with our firm commitment to selling ecobee products through the HVAC channel demonstrates our dedication and loyalty to the partnerships we have with our distributors and contractors,” says Derrick Boyce, Vice President, Sales.

Exhibiting from January 23rd-25th at AHR in Chicago, ecobee will be performing live demonstrations of the redesigned Contractor Web Portal at booth #3520.  The new Contractor Web Portal will go live in February.

ecobee delivers intelligent energy management solutions. Installed in homes and businesses across North America, the ecobee Open Energy Management Platform is the easiest way for residential and commercial customers to understand, manage and reduce their energy consumption. Servicing both the Utility and HVAC markets, ecobee’s line of Wi-Fi enabled thermostats, online web portals and smart phone apps are the products of choice for ease of use, energy efficiency and demand response programs. ecobee has also won significant industry awards which include the ASHRAE/AHR Innovation Award for Building Automation, the Dealer Design Gold and Silver Awards and the Deloitte Green 15, among others. ecobee is supported by a network of over 1,400 quality HVAC contractors and distributors across North America.

The Garth House in Texas, the location of a children’s advocacy non-profit organization, discovered this problem firsthand recently, when moisture was discovered beneath the flooring of the location following an extensive renovation project.

Following the renovation in 2010, employees began to notice cracked tile floors throughout the structure. The moisture problem was discovered when the flooring was torn up. Subsequent investigation revealed that the company responsible for the renovation had failed to properly install windows, as well as neglecting to install a moisture barrier in the walls, and failed to install plywood subflooring or any kind of subfloor ventilation system. The building has since been repaired by other contractors, and a lawsuit has been brought against the company that originally did the work. The case is still pending.

RestorationLocal.com strongly recommends that homeowners do their proper research before allowing anyone to perform work on their property. Hiring the wrong provider can often make serious problems even worse, easily doubling or tripling the repair bills before the problem is properly corrected.

Checking references, work history, the local Better Business Bureau….all should be done before hiring any contractor.

In the event of water damage, the same rules should be followed when selecting a company to repair the damage. Water restoration providers are a dime a dozen, but only industry certified companies should be hired to perform the work. Certification means same day service, industry standard procedures and equipment, as well as a guarantee on all work performed.

“Sears Home Services is a trusted resource for home improvement assistance, with attractive pricing and financing options for our customers,” said Stu Reed, SVP and president of Sears Home Services. “We want to provide our customers with everything they need to improve their homes with high-quality products and exclusive brands—plus the confidence of knowing the work is backed by a Sears warranty.”

To help customers get a fresh start, Sears experts will provide free in-home consultations, working within a specified budget and style to create virtual mock-ups and help identify various brands and options to meet each homeowner’s needs. Whether customers prefer a look that is traditional, contemporary, elegant or luxurious, Sears has the design choices to enhance the style and feel of any home. Sears Home Services consultants offer tips and special offers on a variety of home improvement projects that will help enrich the home.

Bath Remodeling

According to the National Association of Realtors, one of the best investments in a home is bathroom renovation. Remodeling a bathroom that’s more than 25 years old substantially increases the value of your home.[i] Whether it’s updating cabinets, lighting, tiling or countertops, or planning a total bathroom makeover, Sears experts can help with every step of the process. Or, for a few quick fixes that will update the overall look of your bathroom, do-it-yourselfer’s can install new bathroom accessories such as towel bars, the shower-curtain rod, robe hooks and the showerhead.

Kitchen Remodeling

The kitchen is the heart of the home. And kitchen renovations don’t need to be dramatic to be impactful—updates such as new countertops, cabinets, appliances or flooring all can dramatically improve the kitchen. Additionally, these improvements can also help yield increased functionality and space throughout the kitchen. For a simple refresh, homeowners can also give their kitchen a new look by replacing the hardware on cabinets, painting or updating fixtures. Sears experts can help with kitchen cabinet installation or refacing, kitchen countertop installation or a total kitchen makeover.

Flooring Installation

A great way to upgrade an area of your home and pull a room together is to install new floors. Whether it’s carpeting, tile, laminate, porcelain or ceramic tile, vinyl or hardwood flooring installation—Sears has quality home flooring. As always, a Sears project coordinator will help choose the right floors for each homeowner’s needs.

What is a Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator?

A Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator (PVE) uses air pressure to move the car up and down through the floors in a residential home using air pressure, just like the tubes that are in use at banks.

With a simple push of a button, a person can transcend to any level in a home in a sleek, stylish elevator that takes up half the room as a traditional home elevator.

What advantages are there between a traditional residential elevator and a PVE elevator?

Traditional residential elevators require a shaft to be constructed to accommodate the elevator. This generally takes up to 25 sq. feet of space on each floor. A PVE elevator requires no shaft, as it is free standing, and only requires a 30”, 37”, or 52” (depending on model chosen) hole to be cut in your floor to accommodate the elevator. Without having to build a shaft, and only having to cut a hole for the PVE elevator, the homeowner could save anywhere from $18,000 to $34,000 by choosing a PVE elevator over a traditional residential elevator.

A PVE elevator installed by Mobility Lifts can be an affordable and practical solution to gain access to your entire home. The PVE elevator can be installed in virtually any home, and are very eco friendly using power only in the up direction. The entire PVE elevator provides the user with a transparent 360 degree view during the elevator ride. So there is no dark, confining feeling while inside the elevator. The PVE elevators require little maintenance, which could save the homeowner thousands by not needing costly maintenance contracts.

Interested parties can call Mobility Lifts for an in home consultation and design guide. Let Mobility Lifts help design an accessible home by installing a Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator!

#1: FOAM
#2: DOME
#3: DRIP

FOAM: Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts. For as little as $1 per 6’ of insulation, you can stop pipes from freezing and save energy. By keeping your water warmer, you reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water in the cold, winter months.

DOME: Place an insulating dome or other coverings on outdoor faucets and spigots to reduce the likelihood of water pipes freezing, expanding and causing a costly leak.

DRIP: Allow a slow drip from your faucets to reduce the buildup of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, the released pressure in the water system will reduce the likelihood of a rupture. If you are going out of town and suspect the temperature will drop, turn off the water and open all of the taps to drain the water system. This way pipes won’t freeze and you won’t return home to a mess.

Your local home improvement store will have all of the tools and expertise you will need to complete these steps. FOAM, DOME, DRIP your way to a safe winter season free of costly home repairs!

These and other winter preparedness tips are available from the FLASH Great Winter Weather Party, a fun, new family-friendly website and social media campaign, presented by FLASH, aimed at better preparing families and their homes for winter weather hazards. Visithttp://www.greatwinterweatherparty.org for more information.