How Many Bathrooms in the Typical New Home?

The share of new single-family homes with three or four full bathrooms has increased in the last several years, according to the latest Survey of Construction data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

As National Association of Home Builders economist Carmel Ford reports in a recent Eye on Housing blog post, this trend may reflect the move by builders to focus on higher-end, larger homes in the post-recession period. However, recent data indicate that this trend started to reverse: the median square feet of new homes declined in the second quarter of 2016. Growth in the number of smaller homes, such as townhomes, may emerge going forward in response to first-time buyers returning to the market.

Of new single-family homes started in 2015, 4% have one or less full bathrooms, 59% have two full bathrooms, 27% have three full bathrooms, and 10% have four or more full bathrooms.

The Figure 1 chart below shows that from 2005 to 2015 the share of new homes with two full bathrooms or less edged downward while the percentage of new homes with three or four full bathrooms increased.

View the Eye on Housing blog post for more details.

Voter Registration Information

From the South Carolina Elections Commission:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 6, 2016) - All South Carolina voters will now have more time to return voter registration applications for the 2016 General Election. This will provide additional opportunity for citizens to register who are affected by voter registration office and post office closures related to Hurricane Matthew. Post offices are also closed on Monday, October 10 due to a federal holiday.

The following deadlines apply to all South Carolina voters:

Registration by Mail: Any voter registration by mail application that is postmarked Tuesday, October 11 will be accepted.

Online Voter Registration: Any online voter registration application submitted by Sunday, October 9 will be accepted (application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., October 9).

Applications submitted by fax or email: Any faxed or emailed application received by county voter registration offices by Sunday, October 9 will be accepted (application must be received by 11:59 p.m., October 9).

In-person applications at county voter registration offices: Voters must register in person no later than Saturday, October 8. NOTE: Due to Hurricane Matthew, some county voter registration offices are closed through Saturday.

Click here for NAHB's video on voter registration.

Time Is Running Out--Register Today

The Sales and Marketing Council of the Upstate is hosting a Panel Event for local builders, sales agents, and marketing professionals. Join us at Jeff Lynch Appliance and TV Center on October 13, from 8:30 - 10 a.m. Find out the secrets from industry leaders on how to build lasting relationships with builders, remodelers, and sales agents, and where to find inventory for your client. The discussion will be moderated by Tammie Smoot, MIRM, of Builders Digital Experience. Breakfast is included!

The expert panel includes:

• Brandon Eich, APB- Arthur Rutenberg Homes
• Scott Lynch, APB- Hollison Custom Homes
• Holly May- Realtor, Coldwell Banker Caine
• Haro Setian- The Haro Group, Keller Williams
• Matt Shouse, APB- LS Homes
• Donna Smith- Broker, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Registration is required.

HBA of South Carolina Elections

Six members of the Home Builders Association of Greenville have been nominated for election to positions with the HBA of South Carolina. The election will be held on October 23 at the Home Builders Association of South Carolina Board of Directors meeting in North Charleston. The meeting is held at the end of the State Convention.

HBA of Greenville members who have been nominated are:

Rick Quinn, APB, Quinn-Satterfield, Vice President (President in 2018)
Wayne Moore, APB, Harold Moore Builder, Secretary (President in 2020)
Jon Statom, Palmetto Exterminators, District 4 Associate Director *
Tom Dillard, APB, Dillard-Jones Builders, District 4 Vice President *
Todd Usher, APB, Addison Homes, National Association of Home Builders Director
Richard Powers, Piedmont Natural Gas, National Association of Home Builders Associate Advisory Committee

* these are contested elections because other members have been nominated to these positions.

Congratulations and thank you to these members for agreeing to the opportunity to serve your Home Builders Association as leaders.

If you would like to attend the State Convention at the North Charleston Marriott October 21-23, visit www.hbaofsc.com to register.

How Our Local Governments Cooperate

Did you know that after a natural disaster, our local building officials and other governmental staff assist other communities to assess the damage so that they may qualify for emergency disaster assistance?

The cities of Greenville and Greer, and Greenville County, send staff certified in damage assessment to assist neighboring communities. After the October floods, which occurred one year ago this week, our local officials were in communities like Columbia and Greenwood helping them assess damage. And as Hurricane Matthew approaches, they are again preparing to travel across the state to assist.

We each should be proud of our local governments for the work that they do, and the way that they assist one another, and our fellow South Carolinians, in a time of crisis.

The Competition is Heating Up: Chili Cookoff Scheduled for November 1

Bring your appetite on November 1st at the newly renovated Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting showroom on Woodruff Road for the Annual Chili Cookoff. Clark's Termite and Pest Control will sponsor the oyster roast and Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet will sponsor the beer and wine bar. Take a bite of competition and enter the chili cookoff or dessert contest! Not a talented cook? Come help us judge the tasty entries.
Want to win some prizes? The Professional Women in Building Council will host a balloon pop to raise money for the Political Action Committee. Buy a raffle ticket to pop a balloon and a win a prize, from gift cards to a an olive oil tasting for 20. All members are welcome to this annual event.

REGISTER

Builder Breakfast on October 20

Join us for our quarterly Builder Breakfast at OJ's Diner on Thursday, October 20th from 7:30 - 9 a.m., sponsored by Palmetto Exterminators. The National Association of Home Builders Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer James Rizzo will be the featured speaker at this event.

This event is open to all Builder Members with complimentary admission. Please bring a new or gently used coat to benefit Miracle Hill. Register here.

Elections

To: Home Builders Association Members

From: Joe Hoover, APB, President and Vice Chairman, Leadership Development Committee

   Susan Vernon, APB, Immediate Past President and Chairman, Leadership Development Committee

As we approach the end of another year, your association will hold elections for our 2017 Board of Directors.  Our Annual Meeting is set for Wednesday, October 26, 2016, 11:30 a.m., at the TD Convention Center.  We are excited to have Granger McDonald as our keynote speaker.  Granger is a builder and developer from Kerville, Texas and Chairman Elect of the National Association of Home Builders.

As a member of your Home Builders Association, you are encouraged to exercise your privilege of voting on the slate of officers and directors who have agreed to lead your association in 2017.  To do that, you can attend the annual meeting on October 26, or you can submit a proxy form to our Secretary, Scott Warren, who will cast your vote for you if you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting.

A Nominating Report and proxy card have been mailed to each member in good standing at the mailing address we have on file for you.  Or you may cast a proxy online.  We have set up an elections page on our website for you to vote online.  Simply click this link, read the Nominating Report and follow the instructions to cast your proxy.  Only members in good standing may vote, and only one vote per member may be counted.  If you attend the annual meeting, the vote you cast there will be the vote that is counted.  If you are not able to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote by proxy.

PWB and SMC Social

The Professional Women in Building Council and the Sales and Marketing Council have teamed up for their joint social at Grateful Brew on October 18th. Members of both councils will be there to network and enjoy the local brews provided by Grateful Brew and the good food offered by a local food truck. All members of the HBA are welcome to attend to learn more about the two councils.

October 18. 2016

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Grateful Brew

501 S Pleasantburg Dr

Greenville, SC 29607

PAC Dinner Scheduled for November 10

Every year, Rick Quinn, APB, of Quinn Satterfield, Inc. hosts a dinner to celebrate those who have donated $250 or more to the South Carolina Builders Political Action Committee. Join Rick for a steak dinner at his home on November 10th for food, wine, and great conversation.

If you are interested in attending this event, please contact the Home Builders Association of Greenville office to donate and reserve your space.

Free Webinar: Where to Focus Your Marketing Dollars in 2017

Builders Digital Experience (BDX) presents a free webinar, Budgeting for Builders: Where to Focus Your Marketing Dollars in 2017. Kevin Oakley from Do You Convert will be presenting his strategies and ideas during this webinar on October 11, from 2-3 EST. Learn more and register here.

Member Monday: Richard Bernath of Southern Traditions

Welcome to Member Monday, where we spotlight a member for their accomplishments and share little known facts.

Richard Bernath
Company: Southern Traditions Window Fashions
Richard has been a member of the Home Builders Association of Greenville for 9 years, and serves as the Chair of the Community Service Committee.
This year, Richard is celebrating his eighth consecutive year delivering weekly meals to Greenville residents on the HBA's Meals on Wheels route. Thank you for helping our community, Richard!

Would you or another member you know interested in being featured on Member Monday? Submit the nominee's name, company, recent accomplishment or fun fact, and picture to Abbey at awest@hbaofgreenville.com.