I received a release this morning from the California Building Industry Association calling for members to voice their concern of a new proposed law by the California Resources Air Board. This new law would put a new cap on emission gasses which the CBIA says would put a greater burden on the housing industry. The CBIA expresses urgency and emotion in the release. 

California does have a reputation of having strict building/housing codes. But does this new law go too far? Will it really affect the housing market as harshly as the release implies?

For California builders, what is your opinion of this new change happening in your state?

Check out the release here. The release also includes a link to a page for voicing your concern of the new law.  

~Maureen

The Dow was down again yesterday which seems to be a weekly occurrence. But despite the issues on Wall Street, the American Institute of Architects released its compensation survey at the beginning of November with promising results. According to the release, “… a nearly six percent annual increase in average compensation for architecture positions between 2005 and 2008, the strongest period of growth since AIA began collecting compensation information in 1990.” This sounds like positive news! Especially with all the negative news we hear about the housing market. Click here to view the complete report.

So, are the survey results realistic with what residential architects and designers are experiencing in the custom home industry? Has your compensation increased?