Advice to builders: Don't hold back when providing information to appraisers

Homebuilders should demand that lenders use qualified, designated appraisers who are experienced in their local area, and who understand new construction and green building values, according to a new NAHB document offering helpful advice on how homebuilders can obtain more accurate appraisals. Among other tips, the two-page document from NAHB advises builders to meet with the appraiser on the actual home site and to provide direct support for the price with whatever relevant information is available. Click here to read the article in Nation's Building News that includes tips for obtaining more accurate appraisals.

Nov. 10: HBA of Greenville Annual Meeting will feature Rob Leinbach, CEO, Walton International

HBA of Greenville's Annual Meeting and Associate Appreciation Night will be held Thursday, November 10, at TD Convention Center.

The evening begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception, followed by dinner featuring Anderson native Rob Leinbach, CEO of Seatlle-based Walton International. Rob will speak on 'Trends in Real Estate Development'. 

HBA associate members may attend the meeting at no charge, compliments of builder members Addison Homes LLC, Advanced Renovations, Dillard-Jones Builders LLC, Hollison Custom Homes, Quinn Satterfield Inc., and Sadler Company. 

The meeting will include election of 2012 HBA of Greenville officers and directors and recognition of Spike members and volunteers. The meeting also features a special presentation to honor a wounded warrior on Veterans Day.  

Click here to RSVP for the Annual Meeting and Associate Appreciation Night.

Mayors in Simpsonville, Mauldin defeated

Mayor Dennis Waldrop of Simpsonville and Mayor Don Godbey of Mauldin were both defeated in yesterday's elections.  Both defeats were decisive.  Dennis Waldrop is a Past President of the association.

The Mayor Elect of Mauldin is Dennis Raines, Administrator of First Baptist Church of Mauldin.

Perry Eichor, who received 47 percent of the vote in yesterday's election, will face Tammy Bagwell in a run off election on November 22 for Mayor of Simpsonville.  Eichor is a retired law enforcement officer and U.S. Air Force captain.  Bagwell is a mortgage originator and former Simpsonville City Councilwoman.

Top 10 ways to use video to sell new homes

You’ve seen the stats -- online video can be a powerful way to capture consumer attention and keep online visitors engaged. In fact, according to comScore, last month over 85% of the US Internet audience viewed online video. Here are some ideas that you can use to make video work for your business.

1. Build Trust: Video is a great way to put a face on your company and show potential new homebuyers all the reasons you would be the perfect partner to help make their dreams come true. Use video to showcase your experience and let your executives speak directly to consumers.
2. Build Confidence: Today’s homebuyers need to know that buying a new home is possible. Video can help spread the message about available financing options, and also provide encouragement from outside sources.
3. Differentiate: Chances are, your potential homebuyers are considering several builders in the area. What makes you different? Video is the perfect way to show all the reasons that your company stands out.
4. Display Products: Video is a great way to help potential new home buyers visualize themselves in your homes, living in your communities, using amenities, etc...
5. Path To Action: Give new homebuyers a visual, step-by-step look at what they can expect from the home buying process.
6. Special initiative or Campaign: Video can help draw attention to a special campaign or incentive that you are promoting. As you are creating your marketing plans for these initiatives, be sure to consider how video can fit into the mix.
7. Testimonials: There is nothing more powerful than hearing a testimonial from a satisfied customer. Put these stories front and center in your marketing materials with videos of your satisfied clients.
8. Webisodes: Get creative with your video ideas. Create episodic web videos about your communities or go viral with comedy!
9. TV Commercials and TV Shows: Sometimes you need to think big to make an impact. Today’s technology makes high-end video work for TV within your budget.
10. Sales Materials: Don’t forget about incorporating video into your sales center loops, mailable DVD’s and eflyers. This is a way to cut through the clutter and help your message stand out.

Source: New Home Source

November 16: Builder After Hours at GBS Building Supply

The final HBA of Greenville Builder After Hours of 2011 is at GBS Building Supply.

• Builder After Hours
• GBS Building Supply, 103 Old Mill Road, Mauldin, SC
• Wednesday, November 16, 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
• Sponsor: GBS Building Supply

The Builder After Hours is a strictly social gathering. No business is conducted. The host and sponsor will make a few brief remarks, as will the HBA of Greenville president.

Bob Barretto, CEO of GBS Building Supply, would like to invite all members of the HBA of Greenville to visit GBS' newly remodeled showroom.

Don't miss this great evening of networking and fellowship, and delicious food.

Click here to register for the Builder After Hours at GBS Building Supply.

Call to action: contact your member of Congress about lowered loan limits

The National Association of Home Builders issued a call to action today asking HBA members to contact their members of Congress and seek their support for extending the conforming loan limits for Federally-backed home mortgages.

If you and your customers want to continue to receive the types of mortgages you have become used to getting, the ones with the best interest rates, lower fees, a lower down payment requirement, and less stringent credit requirements, you need to tell your U.S. Representative to extend the conforming loan limits for home mortgages backed by the Federal government.

"Conforming Loans" are those mortgage loan amounts that qualify to be backed by the Federal government under programs run by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).  On September 30 Congress allowed the maximum limits for loans backed by the Federal government to expire, and the average loan limit fell by about 10 percent.

For the Upstate, the conforming loan limits did not change for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  The limits did change, however, for FHA-backed mortgages.  The limit dropped 8 percent to $271,050 on a home with a maximum price of $280,881 in Greenville, Pickens, and Laurens counties.  According to NAHB, 2.24 percent of Greenville County's owner-occupied housing stock no longer qualifies for an FHA mortgage.  In Pickens County, 1.61 percent of owner-occupied homes no longer qualify, and in Laurens County 1.82 percent no longer qualify.

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA guarantee most traditional mortgages in America today. What are the consequences of these changes?  The next time you, your family, or your customers seek a mortgage that are higher than these lowered limits, you will be required to seek what is called a Jumbo Mortgage. These mortgages come with higher rates, higher fees, higher down payment requirements, and stricter credit requirements.

To have your voice heard on this issue, contact your member of Congress by clicking here.

NewGeography report finds that more Americans are moving to detached housing

Conventional wisdom, the national media, and planning professionals would have you believe that Americans are moving to attached housing (apartments and condominiums) in droves.  A report by NewGeography finds reality defies that conventional wisdom.

NewGeography analyzed the top 51 housing markets (over 1 million population) and compared Census data from 2000 and 2010.  The results of their findings include:

• Single-Family Detached housing attracted 79.2 percent of new households
• Multi-Family Attached housing attracted 11.8 percent of new households
• Two-Unit Attached housing attracted 11.3 percent of new households
• Other housing, like mobile homes and boats, declined by 2.3 percent

A total of 4 million new new single family homes were added in the 51 markets, while apartments and condominiums added 590,000 units and attached houses added 570,000 units.

Planners argue that condominiums tend to be more attractive in larger housing markets due to higher land costs.  However, planners and demographers do anticipate a slight shift in preference to attached housing in the coming decades as Generation Y enters the housing market.

Read the entire report at newgeography.com by clicking here.