The Home Builders Association of Greenville are your neighbors and community leaders providing education and support for building industry professionals. We create jobs, encourage homeownership, and promote responsible growth throughout the upstate of South Carolina.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Residential remodeling is poised for a recovery
Residential remodeing is poised for a recovery starting after this year's first quarter, according to economists speaking at last month's International Builders' Show in Las Vegas. Read More.
Friday, January 15, 2010
REMINDER: Property Tax Relief Deadline Nears
Last year the HBA passed a bill (H.3018) that would allow builders with completed, but unoccupied, new homes to avoid paying property tax for up to five years on the real estate improvement (house) until the house is sold/occupied, or remains on the market for five years. During the time the house is unoccupied, services provided by the local government are minimal. This piece of legislation proved to be a business saver for many home builders in 2009.
January 31, 2010 is a VERY IMPORTANT date. The property tax exemption deadline for re-certifying unoccupied homes that got property tax relief in 2009, and for any newly constructed homes, or older homes that have not been enrolled in the program for the 2010 property tax year, is January 31. Those who fail to re-certified or signed up with their county assessor by January 31 will have no recourse and there will be no exceptions and no tax relief. If you think you might be eligible, contact your county assessor. When in doubt, call your assessor. There are significant savings to be had by participating in this property tax relief program.
DETAILS OF LAW:
1. Effective date: July 1, 2009
2. Homes Covered by Law: Newly constructed unoccupied detached single-family homes built in 2007 or later.
3. Extent of Tax Relief: Provides property tax relief only for real estate improvement (new home), but builder/developer still pays property tax on the unimproved land.
4. First Eligible Tax Year: 2009 property tax year. No refunds will be available for the 2007 and 2008 tax years. Exemption application must be in by September 30, 2009
5. Duration of Eligibility: Until the house is sold, occupied, or it has reached the property tax year ending the sixth December 31(five years) from the date Certificate of Occupancy (CO), if required, was issued, whichever comes first.
6. Recertification: After the initial application, the builder will be required to re-certify homes with Certificate of Occupancy (CO) annually by January 31 every eligible year that the house remains unoccupied.
7. Homes with No CO: Homes without a certificate of occupancy (if required) are not habitable, therefore they can’t be occupied. This means that they can’t be added to the tax rolls until both the CO is issued (if required) and the house is occupied (ALJ Judge Decision).
8. Change in Occupancy: Builders are required to notify the assessor, if the house is rented or is occupied by the builder. The house permanently loses its tax exemption with the notification. If the house is sold, the assessor will pick up the change in tax status when property deed is recorded.
9. Legal Reference: Section 12-37-220(B) of state code of law. Bill – H. 3018, Ratification- R88, Act- 76
10. Obtaining Exemption: Homes Receiving CO in 2007- 2008 – Builder should file exemption form with county assessor by January 31, 2010 for 2010 tax year exemption. Homes Receiving CO in 2009 or later, notify assessor within 30 days of receiving a CO, or by January 31, that the house is unoccupied.
If house sale is not pending, it would seem prudent to file the exemption form when the CO is issued just to be safe. Each county has a form to claim the exemption. However, the form may vary slightly from county to county. To protect your legal rights the application must be notarized.
January 31, 2010 is a VERY IMPORTANT date. The property tax exemption deadline for re-certifying unoccupied homes that got property tax relief in 2009, and for any newly constructed homes, or older homes that have not been enrolled in the program for the 2010 property tax year, is January 31. Those who fail to re-certified or signed up with their county assessor by January 31 will have no recourse and there will be no exceptions and no tax relief. If you think you might be eligible, contact your county assessor. When in doubt, call your assessor. There are significant savings to be had by participating in this property tax relief program.
DETAILS OF LAW:
1. Effective date: July 1, 2009
2. Homes Covered by Law: Newly constructed unoccupied detached single-family homes built in 2007 or later.
3. Extent of Tax Relief: Provides property tax relief only for real estate improvement (new home), but builder/developer still pays property tax on the unimproved land.
4. First Eligible Tax Year: 2009 property tax year. No refunds will be available for the 2007 and 2008 tax years. Exemption application must be in by September 30, 2009
5. Duration of Eligibility: Until the house is sold, occupied, or it has reached the property tax year ending the sixth December 31(five years) from the date Certificate of Occupancy (CO), if required, was issued, whichever comes first.
6. Recertification: After the initial application, the builder will be required to re-certify homes with Certificate of Occupancy (CO) annually by January 31 every eligible year that the house remains unoccupied.
7. Homes with No CO: Homes without a certificate of occupancy (if required) are not habitable, therefore they can’t be occupied. This means that they can’t be added to the tax rolls until both the CO is issued (if required) and the house is occupied (ALJ Judge Decision).
8. Change in Occupancy: Builders are required to notify the assessor, if the house is rented or is occupied by the builder. The house permanently loses its tax exemption with the notification. If the house is sold, the assessor will pick up the change in tax status when property deed is recorded.
9. Legal Reference: Section 12-37-220(B) of state code of law. Bill – H. 3018, Ratification- R88, Act- 76
10. Obtaining Exemption: Homes Receiving CO in 2007- 2008 – Builder should file exemption form with county assessor by January 31, 2010 for 2010 tax year exemption. Homes Receiving CO in 2009 or later, notify assessor within 30 days of receiving a CO, or by January 31, that the house is unoccupied.
If house sale is not pending, it would seem prudent to file the exemption form when the CO is issued just to be safe. Each county has a form to claim the exemption. However, the form may vary slightly from county to county. To protect your legal rights the application must be notarized.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
HBA of Greenville Holiday Hours
Your HBA of Greenville offices will be closed December 24 and 25 for the Christmas holiday, and December 31 and January 1 for the New Years holiday.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
New Greenville County Summary Plat Procedure
With the participation and input of your Home Builders Association of Greenville Legislative Committee, Greenville County has revised its Summary Plat Procedure effective November 12.
- Subdivision plats creating only one new lot will be exempt from the summary plat review process, provided that the purpose of the new lot is not for immediate development.
- All other subdivisions will continue to be submitted and reviewed as either a summary plat or preliminary plat subdivision.
- The combination or recombination of portions of previously platted lots where the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to the standards of the Land Development Regulations and/or Zoning Ordinance
- The division of land into parcels of five acres or more where no new street is involved.
Temporary Lead-In Signs
The Greenville County Code of Ordinances, as well as those of the various municipalities in the county, limit the location and time that temporary lead-in signs may be used to advertise real estate for sale.
Under the rules, directional signs may not:
Under the rules, directional signs may not:
- be placed in the right-of-way or within 15 feet of the right-of-way
- create a visual obstruction for motorists
- be fastened to trees or utility poles in the right-of-way
- be placed on private property without the property owner's permission
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Energy Efficiency Certificate Now Available for Download
Your Home Builders Association of Greenville, in cooperation with the Home Builders Association of South Carolina, has developed a model certificate for members to download and use to comply with the new Energy Efficiency Conservation Code (IECC).
The IECC, which was effective July 1, 2009, requires that the home builder place a label in the electrical service panel of all new homes stating the efficiency details of the new home. The label can be downloaded in the Library area of the Members-Only section of www.hbaofgreenville.com. The label is set up to use Avery Label 6876, which can be purchased from any office supply store.
This is an exclusive benefit of membership of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina and the Home Builders Association of Greenville.
Download the label by clicking here.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Model New Construction Sales Contract Now Available
Your Home Builders Association of Greenville, in cooperation with the Home Builders Association of South Carolina, has made available exclusively to members a model sales contract for new homes.
The new contract addresses many deficiencies in the previous contract which has been in use for nearly 10 years. The contract was developed by a committee led by Attorney Ken Ormand. HBA of Greenville Director Brian Lazarus, CMB, of Lazarus-Shouse Communities was a member of the committee that developed the contract.
Members can download the contract at the Library Section of www.hbaofgreenville.com, a section viewable only in the the Member-Only area of the website.
To download the new contract, click here.
The new contract addresses many deficiencies in the previous contract which has been in use for nearly 10 years. The contract was developed by a committee led by Attorney Ken Ormand. HBA of Greenville Director Brian Lazarus, CMB, of Lazarus-Shouse Communities was a member of the committee that developed the contract.
Members can download the contract at the Library Section of www.hbaofgreenville.com, a section viewable only in the the Member-Only area of the website.
To download the new contract, click here.
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