ATTENTION WMA DISTRIBUTOR MEMBERS
   
Are You Looking To Retain or Attract Employees?

See how your company matches up against other distribution companies by taking part in the WMA Compensation & Benefit Survey.

There is NO COST to participate in the survey and WMA distributor members who participate in the survey will be able to access the results at no cost.   WMA members who do not participate in the survey may purchase the report for $750.  Any non-members of WMA may purchase the report for $2000.

WMA encourages your participation!   This report will be a vital tool for you to use in determining fair and adequate compensation & benefit packages for yourself and your employees.

Log in to the WMA Membership Portal to access the survey.

The deadline for submission is February 15, 2016.

 

CODES & STANDARDS NEWS
                                            
Online Training Now Allowed for Re-certification
Under the Lead Paint Rule

NAHB recently reported in its NAHBNow news blog that remodelers certified under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) rule can now complete required refresher training online.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cleared the final rule  permitting the online option on January 21st.  According to NAHB, this decision was made less than two weeks after the 2015 NAHB Remodelers Chair, Robert Criner, met again with White House officials to advocate for a simplified recertification process for NAHB members and others who do work in homes that may have lead paint.  The rule will apply in those states where EPA administers the LRRP rule, but not in the 14 states that administer their own programs.  Finalization and publication of the final rule is now pending.

Read more at NAHB

HOUSING INDUSTRY NEWS
 
Winners and Losers: The New Housing Trends by Market

It’s remarkable how a housing market that was the epitome of distress can come back to life with a vengeance, and also how a market that is runnin’ and gunnin’ one year, can run out of gas the next. The latest study of housing markets nationwide by Metrostudy shows that markets can be divided with descriptors such as “winners” and “losers,” and some of these have switched places in the last 12 months.

Read more at BUILDER

Construction Spending Rises in December

NAHB analysis of Census construction spending data shows that total private residential construction spending for December increased to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $430 billion. On a month-over-month basis, private single-family spending was $231 billion, up by 1% over the revised November estimate. Private multifamily spending also increased to $53 billion, up by 2.66%. Over the same period, private construction spending on home improvements increased 0.12%.  Annually, the pace of multifamily is up 12% from the November 2014 estimate, and spending on single-family construction was 9% higher. Over the same period private construction spending on home improvements increased 5.9%.

Read more at NAHB Eye On Housing

Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market
Ends Year on a Positive Note

Builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market remains strong in the fourth quarter of 2015 with a reading of 61, up one point from the previous quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. This is the seventh consecutive quarter with a reading above 50.

Read more at NAHB

Market Trend:  Mortgage Rate Update

Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed mortgages fell this week, with the current rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow at 3.50 percent, down 11 basis points from last week.

Read more at ZILLOW

WMA WEBSITE TIP OF THE WEEK
 
What is your plan
for developing better skilled,
educated and successful employees?
 
WMA’s Learning Management System
Offers Over 40 Online Education Modules

  • Principles and Professional Selling – Beginner or Pro, advance your sales skills and improve sales efficiency
  • Business Practices – Fundamentals of business operations and transactions that are part of the dynamics of selling – an essential for wholesale distribution and retail trades
  • Workplace Safety Courses
  • Millwork Principles and Practices – Most popular sold in the millwork and building industry (also available in Spanish)

Visit WMA Online Education to get started.

For login information to the Membership Portal or assistance setting up your profile, contact Caterina Byrd at 727.372.3665 or email: cbyrd@worldmillworkalliance.com