HUD Secretary says prices are at the bottom

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan says, "it's very unlikely that we will see a significant further decline" in housing prices. Donovan was quoted in an appearance on CNN. "The real question is when will we start to see sustainable increases. Some think it will be as early as the end of this summer or this fall.'

According to Donovan, home sales have increased in six out of the past nine months and the number of property owners in default is declining. "Housing prices will begin rising as the number of foreclosures declines. In the long run, it’s a good time to buy. It’s so affordable today compared to where it’s been for generations."

Read the entire story at Bloomberg.com by clicking here.

Gallivan White & Boyd named America's Leading Lawyers for Business

Gallivan White & Boyd PA was recently named to “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” for 2011 by Chambers USA.

Read the entire article at SwampFox.ws by clicking here.

South Carolina's Mungo Homes Remains 35th Largest Builder

The Mungo Companies has maintained its ranking as the 35th largest builder in the country according to Builder magazine. Mungo’s ranking is in the annual Builder 100 edition and, based on closings, ranks all public and privately held builders from across the country.

Read the article on Midlandsbiz by clicking here.

View Builder's Top 100 list by clicking here.

The Changing Nature of Home Building Companies

"Builders have remolded their businesses, and the ones left are a bit larger and stronger." David Crowe, Chief Economist, NAHB

According to research conducted by NAHB, the percentage of Builder members listing their primary business as single-family building has dropped to 59 percent in 2010 from 66 percent in 2008. Gaining during that period was Remodeling, up to 27 percent in 2010 from 20 percent in 2008, "confirming that builders sought other revenue avenues close to their expertise" during the downturn, Crowe said.

Source: Builder, June 2011.

2011 Seen as the Turning Point for Home Prices

According to a survey of economists and housing experts conducted by MacroMarkets and published by Inman News Service, 2011 is expected to be the turning point for housing prices nationally. The poll found that the 100 housing experts expect housing prices to hit bottom sometime in 2011 and remain stable through 2015. Read more at Inman News by clicking here.

S.C. Building Codes Council Abandons 2009 IRC

According to the Home Builders Association of South Carolina, the S.C. Building Codes Council has voted not to adopt the 2009 International Residential Code. Instead, the State of South Carolina will begin working immediately to adopt the 2012 IRC. The expected adoption date for the 2012 IRC is July 1, 2014. Until that time, South Carolina will continue to enforce the 2006 IRC, which has been in effect since July 1, 2008.

Association Maximization Part 5: "The Passion of an Industry"

We are not democrats. We are not republicans. We are “housers.” In order for you to fully grasp the benefit of advocacy check your overall political views at the door before you enter. Understanding your legislators political views, and how they mesh with yours, confirms that he or she has your values in their hearts. Think about these next two questions for a few minutes; what if they didn’t have your business, your career, your livelihood in their heart? Suppose you deeply believe in what your incumbent or candidate stands for but you are struggling to keep solvent?

There are quite a few passions one can have but if you are constantly and consistently “looking for business” from your membership, if nothing that was written previously has swayed you, then the one thing you can be passionate about is your job. There is no arguing this point; legislators make law and those laws can alter, redirect or dramatically change the building industry path.

The term “houser” has been utilized quite often to describe a legislator, state or federal, that has the good sense to understand the importance of a healthy home building industry. They don’t always side with the HBA’s point of view but they support the HBA’s position a major portion of the time. These men and women gain our friendship because friends care.

If you’re looking on a return on investment, what better return than business opportunities? Does that bring out the passion in you?

I can tell you one thing’s for certain and that is that the builder members are very passionate about the politics that will either harm or grow their business. Associates who directly do business with builders are just as passionate about “housers.” There are quite a few associates that have services or products that are for both builder and associate use. If it affects builders it will affect associates. If it affects both builder and associate it will affect those “indirect” associates as well. The passion of the building industry is the passion of earning a living; establishing a better way of life and having that living help provide men, women and children with shelter. Food, clothing and shelter are the three most needed necessities in life. The home building and remodeling industry is a noble industry. It builds quality shelter and improves later on that shelter. Most fond memories come from your home, either growing up or later in life. Not only does building create shelter, it helps provide the structure for memories.

If having a career and knowing what you do contributes to providing shelter and the memory making process doesn’t make you feel like you are doing something special, it should. That’s where your personal passion and advocacy passion blend to form the industry passion. Having that passion within you can give you more clarity to how you can maximize your HBA investment.

What steps can you take to become more engaged in the political arena? Start by investing financially in the political process. No, a second mortgage is not needed but something as little as $3 a week can have you investing in the process. Attending a committee that discusses proposed legislation can give you valuable insight to where your state or nation’s capitol may be heading with your income. Attending a legislative day with your HBA is a great way to talk with legislators and let them know how the proposed bill, or bills, may affect you. Politicians understand the power of passion and how that passion can rally potential “obstacles” or “easier path” to becoming elected or re-elected.

I can get into the specifics on how the process structurally works but it would be best for you to speak to your local or state president/executive officer and find the path that they have decided is best.

The only way you can know for sure is by having a little passion for continuing to earn a living in this industry.

Of course once you have checked your personal politics at the door on the way in.

Next week's blog will focus on selling to builders by UTILIZING the HBA.

Submitted by: Michael Kurpiel, CGA, CGP
2011 NAHB Associate Members Committee Chair
Director of Trade Association Relations, ProBuild