WMA SURVEYS
MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE
WMA Distributor Compensation & Benefit Survey
SURVEY DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2016
The information has been emailed to WMA Distributor members and posted to the Members Only section of the website.
The 2016 Compensation Report will provide a detailed view of compensation and benefit programs.
WMA Distributor Members who participate in the survey may receive the 2016 Distributor Compensation and Benefit Report at no cost.
We encourage all distributor members to participate and take advantage of obtaining a copy of the 2016 Compensation Report for your business!
Make sure you are logged into the WMA website membership portal to access the survey.
HOUSING INDUSTRY NEWS
Federal Open Market Committee
January Meeting – No Change
The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy setting committee, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), concluded its January meeting and released the standard post-meeting statement announcing the widely expected result of no change in the target for the benchmark short-term interest federal funds rate leaving it at 25-50 basis points. The committee recognized continuing progress in the labor market despite slower economic growth in the fourth quarter. Inflation continues to run below the 2% target with energy prices and non-energy import prices the culprits. Inflation is expected remain below target in the near term but return to 2% over the medium term.
Read more at NAHB Eye on Housing
New Home Sales in 2015 Reach 8-Year High
NAHBNow reports that according to newly released data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau sales of new, single-family homes rose 14.5% to 501,000 units in 2015, which is the highest level since 2007. In addition sales in December increased 10.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 544,000 from an upwardly revised November projection.
Read More at NAHB
Energy Star Addresses Questions
About Storm Window Specification
DWM is reporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program recently hosted a webinar to address questions and provide clarifications regarding a product specification for exterior and interior storm panels, which are also called storm windows.
Read more at DWM
CODES & STANDARDS NEWS
9th Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code To Be Issued with Concurrency Period
According to Goulston & Storrs PC, the Massachusetts State Board of Building Regulations and Standards plans to issue the 9th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code sometime during the second quarter of 2016, after the end of the public comment and hearing period. There will be a “concurrency period” of up to six months once the 9th Edition is issued, during this time applications for permits may be filed under either the 8th or 9th Edition. This is a (welcome) change of course from earlier announcements by the State Board, which previously had indicated that a “concurrency period,” which had been a feature of prior transitions to updated versions of the Building Code, was not to be included in the 9th Edition.
Read More at JD Supra Business Advisor
WMA WEBSITE TIP OF THE WEEK
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
WMA members can access their individual profiles and clean up any outdated information. Start the New Year right by updating your phone number, email address, physical address and other information. Don’t miss out on the exciting year ahead of us!
Visit the WMA website, navigate to the “Membership Portal” and enter your login credentials.
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
