Money Saving Tip from Rick Quinn

Occasionally our members share money-saving tips with one another. This one is from Rick Quinn, Quinn Satterfield, regarding the inclusion of trash and sewer fees on bills for temporary water service from the City of Greenville.

The water bill comes from the Greenville Water system for both city and county water meters so the sewer bill is there either way. ReWa will discount the bill by the amount of the sewer for three quarters while the house is under construction but the builder has to call ReWa and they have access to the water system’s billing and can toggle it off. If you don’t have the meter set, or have it removed the bills will end also.

The trash fees can also be toggled off by calling Ed Marr at the city public works department at 467-4335 or by calling Arissa Gaines at the water system’s billing department (she will need to verify with the city that the house is under construction).

After the C.O. has been issued the trash fees will not be avoidable but the sewer and water can be avoided by having the water meter removed.

Holding Together

When one of our builder members was asked why he was a part of the HBA, he answered with this analogy:

“I always liked the story of the father giving his son a stick saying ‘Try to break it,’ and he did. Then he gave him ten sticks with a string around them. The father said, ‘Now try to break them.’ The son tried but he could not, and this is the way our association works. As one we are not very strong, but as many we hold together, even in tough times.”

How true this is, and each of us can be grateful that we are a part of a bigger group that exists to represent our needs and fight for our work and industry. Builders, remodelers, flooring providers, electrical contractors, insurance agencies – we all benefit from the stronger voice that our association brings to the table, whether it be with greater buying power to give us valuable discounts or greater political power to give us favorable regulations. But do you realize that most of our association is made up of associate members, not builders?

Our associates – vendors, subcontractors, and supporting businesses – comprise 2/3 of our association membership. The HBA would not be nearly as strong without the membership and support of these companies. Many of them join because they hope that by being members and getting involved, they can earn the respect, relationship, and ideally business partnership with our builders and other members. I am writing now to remind all of us of the importance of honoring their commitment to our industry and association by doing business with a member when possible.

I know that competition is fierce right now, and we make our business decisions based on what’s best for our customers and our bottom line. Many of us are loyal to trade partners that we’ve been with for years, and that is commendable. But where do you look when you’re ready to consider selecting a new subcontractor or vendor? I hope that you – like many of our builders – choose to peruse our HBA Member Directory first. After all, that is the list of companies who have made a significant investment in your industry, in their professional development, and in your business.

HBA members provide each of our companies with part of the string that ties us all together, making us unbreakable when by ourselves we could be snapped much more easily. That is why I’m grateful for every one of our members who have made or will make that investment in the HBA this year. Their dues, if even in a small way, help to all of us to stand with strength against whatever forces may strike.

Builders, it is vital for the survival and sake of our association that we give our fellow members the chance to earn our business by taking the time to occasionally come out to events, meet with them and your peers, and use the Directory as your buying guide. I have enjoyed building many new relationships with associate members over my years as a volunteer leader in the HBA, and my business is more enriched because of it.

Associates, a word to the wise about making the most of your opportunities: come out to events, get to know your fellow members and builders, but remember that, especially around here, it’s all about the relationship. Please, don’t try to sell every builder you meet on your product or service at each function; instead, build a professional friendship with them, and show your support by making yourself a regular presence in their industry circle. Not only will you gain new allies, but you will likely be at the top of their minds when they’re looking for someone who provides your services.

And for all of us, let’s just remember that what we get out of our membership is what we put into it. Being a HBA member doesn’t obligate you to come to every event and be involved in committees and councils, but you may likely find it to be much more rewarding – professionally and personally - if you do use your membership to forge new connections at our events and committee activities. Because those connections make for a stronger membership base, a stronger membership base makes for a stronger association, and a stronger association makes for a stronger industry!

Michael Dey, Executive Vice President

To Whom are You Giving Your Business?

Most of our member’s businesses, and that probably includes yours, are struggling during this down economic cycle. They are working harder than ever and some have been forced to think outside the box and develop new markets as old market opportunities disappear. We are all looking for new customers. If it’s any comfort, we know we’re not alone but it should also remind us to think of the other people that are in the same situation. A new contract or the next sale could influence the future of their business too.

Imagine if all 500 of our members agreed that they would buy only from other HBA members. It seems to me that it would create instant prosperity for us all. Whether you need a new deck, a roof, a vehicle, home remodel, car insurance, or a new driveway, it’s all in your Membership Directory. And it would mean more business for you too.

We’ve tossed around the “Do business with members” catch phrase long enough. Today there is every reason to give your business to a member. Take a look at your vendor list and move your business from non-members to members. Look in your Membership Directory before you give your business away. Your business could depend on it.

Stacie Byrd, Membership Specialist

U.S. Monthly House Price Index Increases .7 percent

U.S. house prices rose 0.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from September to October, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s monthly House Price Index. The previously reported 0.7 percent decrease in September was revised downward to a 1.2 percent decrease. For the 12 months ending in October, U.S. prices fell 3.4 percent. The U.S. index is 14.5 percent below its April 2007 peak.

The FHFA monthly index is calculated using purchase prices of houses backing mortgages that have been sold to or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. For the nine Census Divisions, seasonally adjusted monthly price changes from September to October ranged from -2.3 percent in the East South Central Division to +2.1 percent in the East North Central Division.

Monthly index values and appreciation rate estimates for recent periods are provided in the table and graphs on the following pages. Click here for complete historical data.

For detailed information concerning the monthly HPI, please see the HPI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The next release will be on Jan. 25, 2011 and will include data for November.

$20,470

That is the estimated savings for each home built in South Carolina due to the efforts of the Government Affairs Team of the HBA of South Carolina during the 2010 legislative session.

The Home Builders Association influences government on all levels. Our goal is to protect affordable housing and needless regulatory costs, which ultimately trickles down and effects everyone who works in the home building industry. Below are just a
few of the bills we influenced:

Fire Sprinkler Bill. Stopped the passage of the fire sprinkler bill, which would have mandated the installation of fire sprinklers in all new homes built beginning in 2011.
Annual Benefit: More than $100 million

Permit Extension Bill. Passed the permit extension bill, which prevents the wholesale abandonment of already-approved projects
by extending the term of the permits for a set period of time as the economy improves.
Annual Benefit: $15 million

Home Buyer Tax Credit. Supported the home buyer tax credit bill, which helped to reduce housing inventories, stabilize home values, and increased housing demand.
Annual Benefit: $146 million

The estimated savings for each home built in South Carolina due to the efforts of the government affairs team during the 2010 legislative session: $20,470

HBA of South Carolina is in Business to Keep You in Business.

South Carolina to gain one additional seat in Congress

The U.S. Census Bureau released state-by-state population data from the 2010 census. South Carolina will add one seat in Congress beginning in 2012, bringing its total representation to nine—seven in the House of Representatives, two in the Senate.

South Carolina's population grew by 612,000, to 4,625,364, between 2000 and 2010, at 15.3 percent growth rate.

Read the entire report at GSA Business by clicking here.

Swamp Rabbit Trail Needs Community Help to Seek Grant

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a biking and walking path built along a former railroad corridor with the support of the Greenville Hospital System. The trail runs from the north end to the south end of the county and may someday become a part of a larger trail network.

The trail is applying for a grant from the Pepsi Foundation to fund development of trail crossing safety devices.

Community support is needed to qualify for the $250,000 grant. Voting ends December 31. Currently the trail is in 76th place. You can help put the trail in first place. Take 10 seconds to vote, and vote every day.

Click here to vote online.

Businesses and families from around the world are attracted to the Upstate and Greenville because of the quality of life and outdoor activities our community offer. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is an important component of our community's quality of life.