Thank You to Participants of New Member Orientation

Thank you to all who attended today's New Member Orientation Presented by Piedmont Natural Gas:

• Michael Freeman, ACA/Freewood Contracting, Inc.
• Janice Zellner, Acopia Home Loans
• Martha Pettinato, Better Business Bureau of the Upstate
• Carol Pyfrom, Carol Pyfrom Realty
• Richard Powers, Piedmont Natural Gas
• Les Pritchard, Pritchard Enterprises
• Richard Everett, Richard A. Everett, NCARB (a prospective member)

To learn more about how to become a member, visit us at www.hbaofgreenville.com or email us at info@hbaofgreenville.com.

Congress by the numbers

The most active Congress, as measured by the number of bills passed into law, excluding private bills, was the 84th (1955-1956) which passed 1,028 bills. Eisenhower (R) was President; Lyndon Johnson (D) was Senate Majority Leader and Sam Rayburn (D) Speaker of the House. The least active was the 112th (2011-2012) which passed 238 bills. The current 113th Congress is on a pace to pass just 70!

Source: Elliot F. Eisenberg, Ph.D.
GraphsandLaughs, LLC
www.econ70.com

Education Forum: Zoning, Look Before You Leap

Your HBA of Greenville is pleased to announce that HBA of Greenville members are invited to participate in an upcoming education course at the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors:

• Zoning: Look Before You Leap
• Friday, September 6
• 10 a.m. until 12 noon
• GGAR Office, 50 Airpark Court

The course is presented by Kelli McCormick of Greenville County.  The class will focus on zoning and why it is important to use GIS, the zoning ordinance, and other resources at Greenville County before buying, selling, leasing, developing, and listing real property.  McCormick will teach members about some little known tricks of the GIS system and ways to speed up your due diligence process.

To register, click here.

Your HBA staff thanks the GGAR members and staff for making this opportunity available to HBA members.

GSA Business: Commerce Department says SC economy is slowing

The S.C. Department of Commerce reports that the state's economy is slowing.  The department's SC Leading Index dropped in July for the second consecutive month to 100.75 from 100.99.  The index fell .12 in June.

According to the department, an index of 100 forecasts improving conditions.

Read the full report at GSA Business by clicking here.

Thank you to HBA Members for PAC Contributions

While each member has the option to support SC BuildersPAC through your dues, your HBA of Greenville would like to thank several members who have recently donated additional money to the PAC:

• Rick Quinn, $250
• Eric Hedrick, $250
• Teri Coulson, $250
• Matt Vaughn, $250
• Bob Barreto, $250
• John Statum, $250
• Chuck Childress, $100
• Michael Dey, $100
• Joe Hoover, $100
• Deanna Long, $100
• Chris Bailey, $100

If you would like to support the PAC, please visit HBAofGreenville.com.

NAHB Construction Forecast is October 2

NAHB's semi-annual Construction Forecast Conference is just a month away.  Details are:

• Wednesday, October 2, 2013
• 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
• View webinar for $29.95 at your own office by clicking here or
• Watch it free at the HBA Office by clicking here

 The conference will feature presentations by NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe, Moody Analytic's Chief Economist Mark Zandi, and NAHB Forecasting Economist Robert Denk.  If you join us at the HBA Office you will have the opportunity to enjoy beer and wings with your fellow members.  There is no charge for HBA members.  Nonmembers will be charged $25.

Below is a sampling of Dr. Crowe's recent projections:

For the Greenville MSA, housing starts history and projects:

(000s)          2012          2013          2014
Total            2.4             2.9             3.4
SF                2.2             2.7             3.2
MF               0.2             0.2             0.2

Dr. Crowe will update his projections for the conference on October 2.

In addition, Dr. Crowe provided the following analysis at the NAHB Legislative Conference in June in Washington DC:

• Since the fourth quarter of 2011, housing has led the economic recovery and Crowe notes that housing really needs other sectors of the economy to begin recovering in order for a full recovery to take hold.
• For the last two quarters housing employment is growing faster than other industry sectors.
• Multi-family and remodeler confidence now exceeds 50, but single family remains below 50 and suffers from momentum issues caused by credit, labor, and land availability. (Note that SF confidence is now at 58.)
• Remodeling activity is being held back by slow resales. Resales have slowed because of lack of inventory, which has helped put upward pressure on new home starts. However, remodeling is closely tied to resales, so remodeling is going to continue to experience slow growth, but growth none-the-less.
• Since the downturn, renters have outpaced owners in terms of household formation. In fact many households have converted from owning to renting. However, Crowe did state that the industry is getting close to answering pent up demand for multifamily. He suggested that current levels of construction will answer demand for multifamily and much more growth in volume will result in over building.
• Single family still lags behind and is below 50 percent of normal, nationally. He stated that headwinds (credit, land, and labor availability) plus damage to the industry from the recession (lack of a supply chain, labor) will continue to hold single family back for a while. In addition, buyers are still measured in their desire to jump back into homeownership or a move up.
• Check the slide on Buyer Credit Squeeze. Anyone who tells you that credit standards have not increased is not looking at the data.
• Crowe stated that labor availability seems to be a bigger problem for production builders than other builders and remodelers.
• Materials prices have returned to pre-recession levels.

And while you are thinking about economics, mark you calendar for November 5 when Dr. Joseph Von Nessen of the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business will present the Upstate Housing Market Forecast.

Upcoming NAHB Webinars: Of Profits and Non-profits

With topics such as risk management and getting your projects involved in your community, September offers webinars that will provide profits to your business and conscious. Learn how managing risk, creating a successful business plan, getting involved in your community and getting rid of pests (figuratively and literally) can all lead to a more profitable business.


Doing Well by Doing Good: Building Strategic Partnerships Through Community Action
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Presented by NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council

Giving back solidifies your reputation in the community, but did you know that your charitable efforts can also be used to form strategic partnerships, gain positive public relations and increase your brand awareness? Our experts say yes and will show you how in this in this how-to webinar. Register for this webinar.


Builders Need Their Tools Back: Fixing the 2015 Codes
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Presented by NAHB Construction, Codes and Standards

Construction Codes and Standards staff will discuss important changes proposed for the 2015 editions of the International Code Council family of model building codes, including significant energy code changes that will fix the mistakes made during the 2012 code cycle. Register for this webinar.


Risk Management Fundamentals for Home Builders and Contractors
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Presented by NAHB Business Management

Risk management is a critical part to every company and encompasses a wide variety of business practices. It's more than looking at safety issues; it includes insurance, contracts, and regulatory compliance. This webinar is a discussion about the basics of risk management. Register for this webinar.


Planning for Profits in Your Remodeling Business
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Presented by NAHB Remodelers

Not making as much as you'd like? In this webinar, remodelers will learn how to create a successful business plan and annual operating budget for their business. Participants will get help troubleshooting common roadblocks on the road to profitability. Register for this webinar.


Keep Bedbugs from Infesting Your Company's Bottom Line
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Presented by NAHB LIHTC and Multifamily

In this special Thursday webinar, an NAHB attorney will outline the legal obligations of owners and managers who find themselves in such situations, or who want to proactively avoid liability issues. Since prevention is the first line of defense, an experience entomologist will discuss strategies for keeping your buildings pest-free, and will describe the various approaches to recognizing and solving the problem once it appears. Register for this webinar.

Learn more about Webinar Wednesdays.

FHFA Index Shows Mortgage Interest Rates Rose Sharply in July

National data show interest rates on mortgages continued their upward trend. Contract mortgage interest rates increased 0.45 percent from June to July, according to an index of new mortgage contracts.

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders index was 4.01 percent for loans closed in late June. The index is calculated using FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey. The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans was 4.00 percent, up 45 basis points from 3.55 in June.

Interest rates are typically locked in 30-45 days before a loan is closed. Consequently, July data reflect market rates from mid-to-late June. The effective interest rate was 4.12 percent, up 45 basis points from 3.67 percent in June. The effective interest rate accounts for the addition of initial fees and charges over the life of the mortgage.

FHFA’s interest rate survey shows the average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $417,000 or less was 4.27 in July, an increase of 51 basis points. The average loan amount for all loans was $278,200 in July down $4,200 from $282,400 in June.

HBA of Charleston is looking for Judges

HBA of Charleston is holding their 2013 Prism Awards this fall.  Judging will take place September 26 - 27. They are looking for a few judges to come to Charleston and judge their entries. Hotel accommodations and dinner will be provided. For more information on how you can participate, please contact Phillip Ford.

Upcoming Webinars from NAHB

Upcoming Webinars: Strategic Partnerships and Risk Management

Doing Well by Doing Good: Building Strategic Partnerships Through Community Action 
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Everyone involved in the home building industry understands the importance of giving back to their communities. Whether it’s giving in-kind gifts, raising money on behalf of beloved local charities, or forming a charitable arm of your organization, your commitment to fostering the idea of “community” is evident. Giving back definitely solidifies your reputation in the community, but did you know that your charitable efforts can also be used to form strategic partnerships, gain positive public relations and increase your brand awareness? Our experts say yes and will show you how. Please note, there is a fee to participate in this webinar. Click here for more information and to register.

---

Risk Management Fundamentals for Home Builders and Contractors
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Risk management is a critical issue for every company and encompasses a wide variety of business practices. It’s more than looking at safety issues; it includes insurance, contracts, and regulatory compliance. This webinar is a discussion about the basics of risk management. Please note, there is a fee to participate in this webinar.
Click here for more information and to register.