Friday, November 18, 2016

Have a legal question? The Legal Hotline Has Your Answer

With educational and networking opportunities, several savings programs, and targeted marketing possibilities, it seems that being a member of the Home Builders Association of Greenville has endless benefits. But have you heard about our Legal Hotline? Submit a question to the legal hotline and receive a quick, confidential answer from a qualified attorney at Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A..

You can access the legal hotline here, or contact your Home Builders Association of Greenville if you have any questions regarding the process at (864) 254-0133.

HBA Legal Counsel Ron Tate addresses the membership regarding the Legal Hotline at a recent general membership meeting.


Housing Starts Jump 25.5% in October

Led by impressive gains in both single-family and multifamily production, nationwide housing starts surged 25.5% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million units, according to newly released data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department. Single-family starts reached their highest level since October 2007 while multifamily production jumped 68.8% from the previous month.

“These robust figures correlate with strong builder optimism in the housing market,” said National Association of Home Builders Chairman Ed Brady. “A firming job market, a growing economy and rising household formations will keep the housing recovery on track into next year.”

“Multifamily production bounced back after an unusually weak reading last month, while single-family starts exhibited unusually strong growth as well,” said National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Though October’s single- and multifamily production rates are clearly unsustainable, we expect continued growth in the housing sector in the months ahead.”

Single-family starts rose 10.7% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 869,000 units while multifamily production climbed 68.8% to 454,000 units.

Combined single- and multifamily starts posted double-digit gains in all four regions in October. The Northeast, Midwest, South and West increased 44.8%, 44.1%, 17.9% and 23.2%, respectively.

Overall permit issuance edged up 0.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.23 million in October. Single-family permits rose 2.7% to a rate of 762,000, while multifamily permits fell 3.3% to 467,000.

Permit issuance increased 12.1% in the Midwest and 7.5% in the West. Meanwhile, the Northeast and South posted respective losses of 21.1% and 2.4%.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Call for Nominations, Year-End Awards

Your Home Builders Association asks that you recommend a member for our annual Builder of the Year Award, Richard A. Ashmore, Sr., Associate of the Year Award, and Remodeler of the Year Award. The awards are given to a member who freely gives of his or her time, efforts and participation in order to make the HBA of Greenville a stronger organization for all of its members. These members serve the industry through participation on HBA Committees and with special projects of the Home Builders Association. Each represents the highest level of integrity and honesty in the home building industry. You can find a full list of winners on our website, but below is a list of recent recipients:

Builder of the Year:
  • Susan Vernon, APB, Dillard-Jones Builders, 2015
  • Gus Rubio, CMB, CGP, APB, Gabriel Builders, 2014
  • Robert Markel, CGR, APB, Hadrian Construction, 2013
  • Wayne Moore, Harold Moore Builder, 2012
  • Thomas Dillard, CGP, Dillard-Jones Builders, 2011
  • Brad Thompson, First Choice Custom Homes, 2010
  • Todd Usher, Master CGP, GMB, Addison Homes, 2009
  • Rick Quinn, Quinn-Satterfield, 2008
  • Ted Smith, Poinsett Homes, 2007
  • Coleman Shouse, Lazarus-Shouse Communities, 2006
  • Ted Smith/Ron Taylor, Poinsett Homes, 2005
  • Keith Smith, Keith Smith Builders, 2004
  • Jim Gregorie, The Gregoria Company, 2003
  • Dan Rawls, Dan Rawls Company, 2002
  • Clyde Rector, Century Remodeling, 2001
  • Bill Fuller, 2000

Richard A. Ashmore, Sr., Associate of the Year:

  • Chuck Childress, BB&T, 2015
  • Ron Tate, Esq., Gallivan, White & Boyd, 2014
  • Bob Barreto, GBS Building Supply, 2013
  • Jon Statom, Palmetto Exterminators, 2012
  • Jason Freeman, J. Freeman and Associates, 2011
  • Scott Presley, Greer State Bank, 2010
  • Eric Hedrick, Cornerstone Contractors, 2009
  • Chuck Childress, BB&T, 2008
  • Tom Ward, Home Team Pest Defense, 2007
  • Scott Presley, Greer State Bank, 2006
  • Lou Hutchings, GBS Lumber, 2005
  • Richard Powers, Piedmont Natural Gas, 2004
  • Sandy Wiygul-Bell, General Shale Brick, 2003
  • Robert Murphy, Advance Central Vacuums, 2002
  • Gary Gilliam, Bank of America, 2001
  • Richard Powers, Piedmont Natural Gas, 2000

Remodeler of the Year:
  • Andrew Woodford, APB, Alan Boone, APR, Advanced Renovations, 2014
  • Mike Freeman, GMB, APB, ACA/Freewood Contractors, 2013
  • Robert Markel, CGR, Hadrian Construction, 2012
  • Clyde Rector, APB, Century Remodeling, 1998
  • Miller Crittendon, 1999

In addition, these awards also may be given to members of the association:
  • Community Service Award
  • Membership Award
  • Spirit of the HBA Award
  • Committee Chairman of the Year Award
  • Rookie of the Year Award 
  • Home Show MVP

These awards may be given to a political or community leader:
  • Distinguished Service Award
  • HBASC Champion of Housing Award 

Award winners will be announced at the Fourth Annual Southern Home and Garden Bridge Awards, presented by GBS Building Supply, on March 30, 2017.  If you know of a member or other person who should receive one of these awards, please send your nomination to Abbey West at awest@hbaofgreenville.com. Your nomination will be confidential.

NAHB: Greenville Housing Market Returns to Normal

Markets in 146 of the approximately 340 metro areas nationwide returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of a combination of economic and housing activity in the second quarter of 2016, according to the National Association of Home Builders' Leading Markets Index (LMI). This represents a year-over-year net gain of 66 markets.

Greater Greenville Reaches Normal
The Greater Greenville area reached normal levels of economic and construction activity for the first time since March 2008. Greater Greenville fell as low as 77 percent of normal in 2011, and has been slowly improving since then. Greenville now stands at 101 percent.

During the second quarter of 2016, permits in Greater Greenville rose to 74 percent of normal. Housing prices continued to rise and now stands at 133 percent of normal. Jobs are at 97 percent of normal.

"The data bears out the condition in our area that a lack of inventory, created by a lack of production for a sustained period of time, is creating a housing affordability problem," Michael Dey Chief Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Greenville, said.

Spartanburg is Normal and Accelerating
Spartanburg reached normal a month before Greenville, and its growth continues to accelerate. At the end of the second quarter, Spartanburg was at 111 percent of normal, but permits have risen to 121 percent. Housing prices in Spartanburg are at a more healthy 116 percent.

"The difference between Greenville and Spartanburg is emblematic of the anti-growth problem in Greenville County," Dey said. "Housing prices prove demand exists, and resistance to development in Greenville County is pushing development to Spartanburg County," he said. "That type of growth pattern is exactly how Sprawl in Atlanta happened."



The Rest of South Carolina
Charleston (117 percent) and Myrtle Beach (110 percent) also have returned to normal. Columbia is nearing normal at 98 percent.

The National Picture
Nationally, all three components of the LMI contributed to the quarter-over-quarter growth in the nationwide score. Permits rose from .46 to .47, prices increased from 1.35 to 1.37, and employment rose from .96 to .97. Over the year, the permits, prices, and employment components expanded by .04, .07, and .02 respectively. Regionally, 79 of the 364 markets, 21 percent, have an LMI Score that is greater than or equal to 1.0 and are considered normal, up from 74 in the second quarter of 2015 and 62 last year.

While most markets do not have an overall LMI score that is greater than or equal to 1.0, a recovery in one or more components has taken place across a number of MSAs. For example, in 26 markets single-family permits have returned to normal. This is unchanged from the second quarter, but 5 more than last year’s total. The number of markets where house prices are considered normal was also unchanged over the quarter at 345, but it is 6 greater than the 339 markets from one year ago. Meanwhile, the number of MSAs where employment has reached or exceeded normal reached 72, up from 64 markets in the second quarter and from 40 markets one year ago.

Of the 364 MSAs included in the LMI, 56 percent saw their score increase over the quarter and 69 percent recorded year-over-year growth. According to the map above, the MSAs with the largest year-over-year increase, those markets where the annual increase in its LMI Score exceeded that of the nation as a whole, were largely located in the West and in the South, and many reside in the former “bubble” states of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. As illustrated by the first map, many of the markets in these states now have an LMI score closer to the middle of the Score distribution, and off the bottom, indicating that the effects of the crisis in these MSAs are disappearing and the recovery in these markets is taking hold.

To read more about the LMI, visit NAHB.org/LMI.

Your HBA Honors Top PAC Donors


On November 10 your HBA honored and thanked our top PAC donors with a dinner in their honor.  The dinner is hosted by Rick and Martha Quinn at their home in Travelers Rest.  Rick Quinn, APB, is Chairman of SC Builders PAC, the organization that facilitates your association's participation in the election process.  Rick also is HBA of Greenville Past President and Treasurer and Legislative Chairman of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina.

The members being honored for their contributions to the PAC in 2016 include:


Capitol Club: $1,000 - $2,500
Bob Barreto, GBS Building Supply
Rick Quinn, APB, Quinn-Satterfield

Gold Hammer: $500 - $999
Hal Dillard, APB, H. Dillard Company
Mike Freeman, APB, ACA/Freewood Contracting
Jason Bergeron, APB, Bergeron Custom Homes
Michael Dey, Home Builders Association

Silver Hammer: $250 - $499
Eric Hedrick, Cornerstone Contractors
Joe Hoover, APB, Hoover Custom Construction
Brian Lazarus, APB, LS Homes
Matt Shouse, APB, LS Homes
Bill Kane, APB, Ryan Homes
Jon Statom, Palmetto Exterminators
Richard Powers, Piedmont Natural Gas
Brittany Bailey, APB, Ryan Homes


Please thank each of these industry leaders for their generous support of the PAC.  Also, please click here for a short one-minute video from Rick Quinn on why you should support the PAC.

It is not too late to make a contribution.  Contact Michael Dey at your Home Builders Association at 864-254-0133 or email him at mdey@hbaofgreenville.com.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

November is Spike Appreciation Month

November is Spike Appreciation Month, a time to recognize the efforts of one of the most active and dedicated groups in the membership. Spike members are those who recruit members from those in the building industry who have yet to experience the benefits of joining the Home Builders Association of Greenville.

Congratulations to our top two spike members, Scott Presley of Greer State Bank with over 160 spikes and Graham Proffit of M.G. Proffitt, Inc. with 194 spikes.

Thank you to all of our 2016 Spikes:
Cole, Lewis 
AAA Supply, Inc.

Northcutt, David 
AAA Upstate Plumbing of Greenville

Freeman, Michael 
ACA/Freewood Contracting Inc.

Shepherd, Jonnathan 
ACA/Freewood Contracting Inc.

Usher, Todd 
Addison Homes, LLC

Murphy, Robert 
Advanced Home Products, Inc.

Boone, Alan 
Advanced Renovations LLC

 Pasquarella, Bruce 
Arthur Rutenberg Homes

Smith, Donna
Berkshire Hathaway, C. Dan Joyner

Vaughn, Matt 
Brand Mortgage

Spears, Brian 
Brian Spears Agency/Nationwide

 Paez, Rolando 
Buena Vista Construction, Inc.

Dixon, Mike 
Builders FirstSource

Cowan, Jerry 
Builders FirstSource

Rush, Susan 
Builders Mutual

Hedrick, Eric 
Cornerstone Contractors, Inc.

Dias, Jimmy 
Dias Home Repair & Renovations, Inc.

Vernon, Susan 
Dillard-Jones Builders, LLC

Dillard, Thomas 
Dillard-Jones Builders, LLC

Rusk, Michael 
Eastwood Homes

Edwards, Rodney
Edwards Builders, Inc.

Thompson, Brad 
First Choice Custom Homes

Pitman, Mike 
Fountain Inn Natural Gas

Rubio, Gus
Gabriel Builders, Inc.

Galloway, Michael 
Galloway Custom Homes, LLC

Bell, Mike 
GBS Building Supply, Inc.

Turner, Allan 
General Shale Brick & Block

Spearman, Lynn 
Greenville News

Yerkes, Bruce 
Greer Commission of Public Works

Presley, Scott 
Greer State Bank

Dillard, Hal
H. Dillard Co., Inc.

Markel, Robert 
Hadrian Construction Company, Inc.

Moore, Wayne
Harold Moore Builder, Inc.

Holt, Phillip 
HBS Foam Insulation

Moseley, Benjamin 
Heirloom Stair & Iron, Inc.

Lynch, Scott 
Hollison Custom Homes

Cox, Michael 
Home Builder Ins., LLC a Palme

Greene, Josh 
HomeTeam Pest Defense

Huffstetler, Todd 
HomeTeam Pest Defense

Hannon, Christie 
J. Freeman & Associates, Inc.

Rankin, Susan 
J. Freeman & Associates, Inc.

Lynch, Mark
Jeff Lynch Appliance & T.V. Center

Smith, Keith 
Keith Smith Builders, LLC

Lovelace, Don 
Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet Cadillac

Lazarus, Brian 
LS Homes

Proffitt, Graham 
M.G. Proffitt, Inc

Marchant, Seabrook 
Marchant Co. Inc., The

Beeson, Jay 
Mark III Properties, Inc.

Fay, Jerry 
Milestone Custom Homes

Smith, Dave 
Mobius Construction, LLC

Doehner, Craig 
Norbord

Statom, Jon 
Palmetto Exterminators, Inc.

Howell, Tim 
Park Sterling Bank

Neal, Nelson 
Peery Construction Company

Powers, Richard 
Piedmont Natural Gas

Long, Deana
PROBuild, East Region

Roy, Todd 
Progress Lighting

Walters, Roy 
ProSource, LLC

Price, Jim 
ProSource, LLC

Quinn, Richard 
Quinn Satterfield, Inc.

Kilgore, Greg 
RSVP Columbia, The Postcard People

Kane, Bill 
Ryan Homes

Sadler, Bob
Sadler Co Inc Of Greenville

Paris, Kevin 
The Sherwin Williams Co.

Huffman, Chad 
Stock Building Supply

Bailey, Chris 
Stoneledge Properties, LLC

Lanxton, Todd 
Superior Walls by Weaver Precast of SC

Cartee, Camille 
The Cook's Station

Childress, Chuck 
BB&T

Raditz, Robert 
UBuildIt

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

PAC Appreciation Dinner

Thank you to those who attended our PAC Dinner last Thursday, November 10. The group, which consisted of $250+ donors to the PAC, enjoyed drinks and steak at Rick Quinn's home.

Attendees included Michael and Karen Dey, Rick and Martha Quinn, Bob and Karen Barreto, Mike and Rhonda Freeman, Brittany and Chris Bailey, Eric and Teresa Hedrick, Matt Shouse, Bill Kane, Richard and Mary Powers, Jon and Jennie Statom, Brian Lazarus, Joe Hoover.


If you would like to donate to the South Carolina Builders Political Action Committee, please contact your Home Builders Association of Greenville at (864) 254-0133.

Monday, November 14, 2016

The PWB Is Offering IBS Travel Grants to Its Members

The Professional Women in Building Council is offering its members a chance to apply for a travel grant to attend the International Builders' Show in January, taking place in Orlando, FL. If you are a member of the Professional Women in Building Council and would like to attend IBS in January, please email Abbey for more details on the program and how to apply for the grant.

Calling All Subcontractors

The SC Department of Commerce has partnered with SLS Construction and Home Inc., who was awarded the disaster recovery contract from South Carolina from the October Floods. They will be undertaking a massive rehab project of residential homes damaged or demolished from the flood. They are seeking tradesmen (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, framers, painters, etc.) to get involved with the project.

Interested? Attend the Subcontractor Outreach Event on Wednesday, December 7, 3 - 5 p.m. at Central Carolina Technical College. Click here for more details and to register.