Friday, September 8, 2017

Southern Home and Garden Show

Appeal for volunteers
Member tickets are at Will-Call


Appeal for volunteers:
The Southern Home and Garden Show needs you!  Twice a year, the Home Builders Association of Greenville interacts with the public, face-to-face, as producer of the Southern Home and Garden Show.  We need your help to make the Home Show a success.

Volunteers are needed to work at the Approved Professional Builder booth, the lobby Exhibitor Registration and Will-Call area, and to help us keep the Exhibitor Lounge stocked with snacks and water.

We are seeking volunteers for two-hour shifts on the show days of Friday, September 15, Saturday, September 16, and Sunday, September 17.

You can register to volunteer by clicking here.

Member tickets:
HBA of Greenville members receive two tickets to the Southern Home and Garden Show compliments of the Home Show Committee members.  Simply go to the Will-Call counter outside the show entrance.  Your tickets will be waiting for you. 

Volunteer with your HBA and Rebuild Upstate partner to help a 78-year old widow





Your Home Builders Association and Rebuild Upstate will team up later this month to repair a deck that is the primary entrance for a 78-year-old widow in Easley.  Please consider volunteering.

Needed are 8-10 volunteers to perform the work.  Andrew Woodford of ABW Construction will supervise the project.

  • Saturday, September 30
  • 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and dress appropriately to perform construction work.  The HBA will provide lunch and have water and sodas on hand.

To volunteer and for additional details, simply email Michael Dey at mdey@hbaofgreenville.com.  

Governor McMaster proclaims October Careers in Construction Month


Governor Henry McMaster
Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed October Careers in Construction Month.  In his proclamation, Governor McMaster states:
  • South Carolina has nearly 60,000 vacancies in construction jobs
  • South Carolina has los 26.8 percent of residential construction jobs
  • 82 percent of construction companies regularly have jobs they are unable to fill
  • 24,000 new construction workers are needed to meet South Carolina's current building needs

U.S. house prices rise 1.6 percent in second quarter

U.S. house prices rose 1.6 percent in the second quarter of 2017 according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index (HPI). House prices rose 6.6 percent from the second quarter of 2016 to the second quarter of 2017. FHFA's seasonally adjusted monthly index for June was up 0.1 percent from May.

The HPI is calculated using home sales price information from mortgages sold to, or guaranteed by, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. FHFA has produced a video of highlights for this quarter.

"U.S. house prices rose in most states during the second quarter," said FHFA Senior Economist William Doerner. "New home sales are climbing but, relative to the overall population, they still remain low from a historical perspective. The tight inventory is a major explanation for why house prices have been increasing every quarter over the last six years."

Significant Findings
  • Home prices rose in 48 states and the District of Columbia between the second quarter of 2016 and the second quarter of 2017. The top five states in annual appreciation were: 1) Washington 12.4 percent; 2) Colorado 10.4 percent; 3) Idaho 10.3 percent; 4) Florida 9.4 percent; and 5) Utah 9.2 percent.
  • Among the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., annual price increases were greatest in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA (MSAD), where prices increased by 15.7 percent. Prices were weakest in New Haven-Milford, CT, where they rose by 0.1 percent.
  • Of the nine census divisions, the Pacific division experienced the strongest increase in the second quarter, posting a 2.6 percent quarterly increase and a 8.9 percent increase since the second quarter of last year. House price appreciation was weakest in the Middle Atlantic division, where prices rose 0.8 percent from the last quarter. 
In South Carolina, house prices rose 6.3 percent year-over-year.  In Greenville, prices rose 4.7 percent, but fell 1 percent from the first quarter to the second quarter.

Thank a Framer Event September 28








Norbord and Builders First Source will host a "Thank a Framer" event later this month.  Here are the details:
  • Thursday, September 28
  • 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  • Lunch is provided
  • at Builders First Source, 259 Access Road, Spartanburg
You will also learn how Norbord and Home Builders Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders, have teamed up to train more skilled workers in the construction trades.

#ThankAFramer
ThankAFramer.com

The Headlines September 8, 2017

Ten Home Building industry stories we have read recently:
  • US home prices surge in June, led by Seattle.  AP.
  • A temporary Band-Aid on labor shortages.  NAHBNow.
  • Ditching Digital Distractions.  REALTORMag.
  • HUD report shows housing affordability crisis is worsening.  NAHBNow.
  • The housing collapse hit minorities hardest — and the impact is still being felt across America.  Business Insider.
  • Almost 80,000 starts last year were tear-downs (23,800 in the South).  NAHBNow.
  • Diverse millennial population could change housing as we know it.  Housingwire.
  • Four major U.S. cities ring housing bubble alarm.  CNBC.
  • High prices and student loans put housing out of reach, readers say.  Los Angles Times.
  • Builders report labor shortages on the rise.  NAHBNow.
September 8, 2017.

Last call, final deadline to complete claims for HBA Rebates



HBA Members:

The deadline to submit your claims for rebates from manufacturers through HBA Rebates is September 13.  Don't miss this important deadline to recoup money you have already spent on your recent projects.

Submit your claims by clicking here.

Congress extends flood insurance program for three months

With a September 30 deadline looming, Congress has approved a broad package that will keep the government funded until December 8, provide roughly $15 billion in disaster relief from Hurricane Harvey, and raise the debt ceiling, which sets a limit on the amount of money the federal government can borrow.

The government funding package also means that the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which was set to expire on September 30, will be extended until December 8.

The National Association of Home Builders continues to work with Congress to achieve a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP that will keep the program fiscally sound and let builders provide safe and affordable housing.

Congratulations Roger Liska

Roger Liska
Your Home Builders Association would like to wish Roger Liska, Chair and Professor of the Department of Construction Science and Management, a happy and fruitful retirement.  Dr. Liska has been a member of the faculty at Clemson University since 1983.

NAHB to hold briefings on Federal tax reform

Dear HBA Member:

The prospect of tax reform is becoming a reality, and I expect legislative action to begin in earnest this fall. Given the importance of tax reform to the NAHB membership, we want to make certain we accurately represent your concerns in this debate.

Please participate in an online discussion with your NAHB Leadership on what tax reform means to our industry. Bring your questions and concerns: We will cover business taxes, including the deduction for business interest, homeownership incentives such as the mortgage interest deduction, multifamily tax issues including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and provisions affecting remodelers.

We will hold three "Tax Reform and the Housing Industry" web briefings on Monday, Sept. 18. The three 60-minute briefings each cover the same information, so you only need to attend one session. The briefings will take place at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m, ET.

You must pre-register for this member-only event. Please make certain you are logged into nahb.org as this is members only content.

If you are unable to participate in the live webcasts, the recordings and staff contacts for more information will be posted to nahb.org after the sessions conclude.

This is an important time for the housing industry. Tax reform will shape the course of our livelihoods for the next several decades. We must get it right. Join me at one of the briefings on Sept. 18.

Granger MacDonald, Chairman, National Association of Home Builders

Thursday, September 7, 2017

2017 Fall Southern Home & Garden Show Set for September 15-17


The Home Builders Association of Greenville’s fall Southern Home & Garden Show will be held at the TD Convention Center in Greenville, S.C., from Friday, September 15 through Sunday, September 17. The show will be open to the public and tickets will be available for purchase at the event. Admission will be $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (55+) and free for children 12 and under. Learn more at SouthernHomeandGardenShow.com.

“We’re excited to continue the 56-year tradition of producing South Carolina’s largest home and garden show with a variety of exhibits and updates, making it a must-attend event,” Bob Barreto, HBA of Greenville’s Board of Directors’ President, said. “This year we’ll be featuring a wide array of exhibitors and resources for everything from small DIY projects to full home renovations.”

The 2017 fall Southern Home & Garden Show is sponsored by Approved Professional Builder, Davis Services, Ingles, All About Flooring, Progress Lighting, The Home Depot, Ultimate Gutter Guard and American HomePride.

The show will feature the following exhibitions:

Approved Professional Builder Program
HBA of Greenville has developed an Approved Professional Builder Program that consists of reliable and vetted building professionals that homeowners can choose from when they are in need of service. APB representatives will be available for consultation at the event and builders interested in recognition may apply.

Ultimate Garage: I Want That! | Sponsored by Davis Services
Davis Services partners with fellow exhibitors to show event attendees how to create the ultimate garage. Demonstrations will occur throughout the show.

The Chef’s Kitchen | Sponsored by Ingles
Ingles’ celebrity chefs will showcase signature recipes and cooking techniques for show attendees. Cooking demonstrations will take place every hour, and include table setting and décor.

Kid’s Corner | Sponsored by The Home Depot
Kid’s workshops will teach children how to work with age-appropriate tools and how to build their own projects.

About the Home Builders Association of Greenville

The Home Builders Association of Greenville was founded on January 16, 1960. The association was officially organized and chartered as an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders on that date in 1960. The association was formed so home builders and other professionals in the home building industry could work together and cooperate in promoting the industry, new homes, home remodeling, repairs and improvements, and other areas of interest to the home building industry. The association began with a few dedicated members and has grown to 350-member firms today. For more information, please call 864-254-0133, or visit http://www.hbaofgreenville.com.

Preparing for Hurricane Irma





Your Home Builders Association is closely monitoring the path of the approaching storm and the potential effects on our state and our members.


In an effort to provide you members with information on securing job sites throughout the state and protecting your families, friends, pets and personal property prior to any potential weather threat due to Hurricane Irma, the HBA of South Carolina has prepared the checklist and other resources below.

Your HBA is here to provide any assistance that we can in order to keep you safe.

CHECKLIST

1. Check with local building departments
Many local building inspection departments office hours/inspections schedules may have changed significantly relative to Hurricane Irma. Check to make sure you know their hours of operation and any amended inspections schedule.

2. Secure job site materials
Once it looks like a storm will be passing close enough to a project, it is time for job site personnel to perform critical tasks like securing materials, trash, tools or other debris that can take flight in heavy winds, including items like dumpsters and portable bathrooms. Please reduce your liability by securing any construction equipment and materials that can be thrown around in a heavy windstorm.
  • Prepare to shut down all operations at least 36 hours prior to the storm's intended landfall
  • Notify your subcontractors that you are calling a temporary halt to all work
  • Store all construction equipment and supplies inside buildings if possible
  • Tie down or band together all equipment, tools, supplies, and materials that cannot be secured indoors
  • Secure construction debris
  • Secure all signage safely indoors if possible or tie it down if it cannot be moved easily
  • Take a few moments to double check that all heavy-duty equipment and scaffolding supplies are properly secured to withstand the conditions a hurricane or strong storm will bring
  • Turn off the access points for all utilities.
  • Make sure that the documentation for your valuables is securely locked awayConsider taking pictures on your phone for additional proof that you have certain possessions
3. Plan for water removal
Planning for water removal also is key. Consider placing pumps in excavations or basements in advance of the storm so that pumping can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Getting rid of excess water is not only important for project cleanup but also to protect adjacent properties.

4. Ensure the security of the structure
Now that the items on the periphery of the project are secure, it is time to safeguard the structure itself. If the work is a renovation, or if work has progressed on a new building to a point where water can significantly damage the interior, crews should board up any openings and accessible windows and place sandbags around the perimeter.

5. Post Storm Assessment
When the storm has passed and local authorities have given the go-ahead, it is time to return to the project site to assess damage and start to clean up. It is important to use caution when navigating every area of the project site, especially those with standing water, because sharp or jagged debris could pose a danger. It is also essential to use the same care when entering a building after a storm because, depending on the extent of the damage, some structural elements could be compromised.

Be sure to have your insurance agents contact information on hand.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any help. Our prayers go out to each one of you and your families. Be safe!

Mark Nix, Executive Director, HBASC - 803-917-4846 (m) - mnix@hbaofsc.com
Marc Ellis - HBASC Disaster Preparedness Committe Chairman

You also may contact Michael Dey, HBA of Greenville CEO - mdey@hbaofgreenville.com - 803-917-1701 (m)