Monthly General Membership Meetings

Builders have the opportunity to:

• Meet other builders and/or discuss common problems while enjoying a fine meal or simply cocktails and appetizers.
• Hear nationally recognized speakers on a variety of economic and home building topics.
• Some meetings are purely social, featuring speakers such as Brian Urlacher and Tom Waddle of the Chicago Bears, and other major sports celebrities, as well as political commentators, motivational speakers and political figures.

Educational Offerings

• Each year the Education Committee plans a series of Professional Builders Seminars that focus on ways to build homes more profitably.
• Seminars this year have included Advanced Selling Techniques for Builders and Tips for the First Time Developer.
• Roundtables on a variety of topics are also an option to learn from other building professionals.

Arbitration

• Arbitration is one of the most popular programs available to Builder Members of NIHBA allowing builders and home buyers to settle disputes without the lengthy and expensive process of litigation.
• Arbitration through NIHBA can be done with our without attorneys, depending on the case.
• A group of non-biased professionals inspect the home, hear the arguments, and help settle the dispute in a timely and fair manner.
• Please contact Donna Renzi at the NIHBA office for full details on arbitrations.
• The Rules of Arbitration and the conduct of the arbitration process is in compliance with all requirements of the Illinois Uniform Arbitration Act.

Health and Business Insurance at Special Discounts

• Builder Members of NIHBA may obtain health insurance coverage for their staff and family at discounted rates. Many members have reduced their annual health insurance premiums by far more than the annual membership dues.
• Business insurance coverage (workman's compensation, liability, etc.) is also available to NIHBA members at extremely favorable rates. Members have saved as much as $16,000 per year over what they were paying for company insurance.
• Since these insurance programs were initiated, builder membership has increased dramatically as non-member builders discovered how much they could save on insurance as members of NIHBA.

Government Affairs

• NIHBA is Government Affairs Committee monitors local governments for proposed legislation and pushes the reshaping of proposed ordinances for fair legislation while encouraging a healthy legal climate for builders.
• NIHBA staff and members work with local building officials to ensure municipal building codes do not unnecessarily burden builders and new home buyers with code requirements that increase the cost of new homes without adding significantly to the value or structural integrity of the home.
• NIHBA has led the fight against escalating impact fees charged to new development because we believe new development should not bear the full cost of new capitol improvements in an existing municipality; this cost should be shared.

Membership in NIHBA and the State (HBAI) & National Home Builder Associations (NAHB)

• HBAI and NAHB employ lobbyists to monitor for legislation that would prove harmful to the housing industry and fight legislation that would end or limit the mortgage interest deduction on a familyís home, or increase the cost of home construction without providing additional value to the home or tangible benefit to the home buyer.
• In Springfield each year, the Illinois General Assembly has a wide variety of legislation that affects new home buyers and the housing industry. Proposed legislation that promotes home ownership, housing afford ability and improved construction standards are always supported.
• Builders and developers are willing to pay their fair share of infrastructure improvements due to new development, but are opposed to driving up the cost of new homes with impact fees to fund improvements that should be partially funded by the community at large and not be absorbed only by the builder or home buyer.
• Affiliation with HBAI and NAHB opens the door to a wealth of resources and information. Link to their sites from our home page to learn more.

Northern Illinois Home Builders Realty

• Since 1995 Northern Illinois Home Builders Association has owned and operated a real estate company to list the new construction of its Builder Members. Northern Illinois Home Builders Realty is also a member of the Fox Valley Association of REALTORS.
• NIHB Realty does not charge a commission. Instead it charges a low, one-time flat fee. This allows builder members of NIHBA to obtain MLS exposure without paying a listing commission. The only commission our builders pay is to the selling Realtor who procures a ready, willing and able buyer. If you sell the home without the assistance of a selling Realtor, a commission is not owed.
• NIHB Realty has been one of the most popular programs offered to builders by the Association. Over half of the builders in NIHBA have used NIHB Realty to save thousands of dollars in marketing expense.

Cavalcade of Homes

• The Cavalcade of Homes features the fabulous home designs of NIHBA Builder Members and has become the premier single site home show in the Midwest with more than 30,000 people in attendance every year. In 1999 the Cavalcade was the largest single site show in the Nation with 21 fully decorated and landscaped homes open for public viewing. Our 2002 Show in Naperville was also a huge success.

If you are interested in becoming a member of NIHBA, apply on-line today or print and complete the two page application, and mail it, with a check for membership dues, to NIHBA. The indicated dues include membership to Northern Illinois Home Builders Association, Home Builders Association of Illinois and the National Association of Home Builders.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard and being of assistance in your professional endeavors!

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