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The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) reported a 46.6% jump in activity in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with the third quarter, marking its highest level in five years. 

In the fourth quarter, the RMI component measuring current market conditions rose to 48.4 from 43.0 in the previous quarter. Future indicators of remodeling business were also positive, increasing to 44.8 from 40.4 in the third quarter.

The city of Glendale, Calif., has began enforcing a prohibition on synthetic turf for front lawns, according to an article in the Glendale News Press. 

The Glendale ban has been in place for three months, according to the article, but code enforcement officers have recently issued six violation notices to property owners who refused to remove the artificial turf from their front yards. Faux grass in the backyard is permitted, however.

The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) reported a drop to 41.7 in the third quarter from 43.9 in the second quarter, after posting a four-year high of 46.5 in the first quarter. An RMI below 50 indicates that more remodelers report that market activity is declining than report that it is increasing.

American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) members have offered opinions about the federal budget as part of the group's Industry Confidence Index survey.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which serves as the purchasing arm of the U.S. government, has announced new standards for all broadloom (wall-to-wall) carpet and carpet tile purchased through the GSA. Current GSA carpet suppliers have until Jan. 1, 2012, to certify their products to NSF/ANSI 140 Gold Level in order for their carpets to be considered for purchase.

Home Depot's collection of Chinese stores has dwindled to seven, with the closing of a store in Beijing in January -- the fifth closing in a little more than two years. 

The moves reflect the retailer's strategy to adjust its focus on key markets, rather than scatter its attention around the country. The Atlanta-based retail giant operates seven stores in three Chinese cities -- four in Tianjin, two in Xi'an and a smaller, 50,000-sq.-ft. format pilot store in Zheng Zhou.