Your HBA membership saved you $61,580*! *Estimated savings per licensed S.C. homebuilder due to efforts made by the HBA.

In 2012, the home builders associations’
(HBA) efforts saved the home building
industry more than $615.8 million. For
every $1 invested in HBA dues, members
received more than a $2,500 return!
Your HBA influences government on all
levels. Our goal is to protect affordable
housing and to stop needless regulatory
costs, which ultimately trickles down and
effects everyone who works in the home
building industry and every homebuyer.
If you know of someone who makes their
living in the construction industry, but
is not a member ask them why. Keep our
industry strong and ask that they join the
HBA today to make sure they have a job
tomorrow! To find an HBA in your area,
visit www.hbaofsc.com or call
803-771-7408 you can reach the HBA of Greenville at 864-254-0133

Here are some recent examples!

Multiple-lot Property Tax Discount:  $5.8 million  saved!
The new law gives a temporary three-year extension (2012-14
tax years) on the multi-lot discount, plus any remaining time left
on the original five years, to qualified residential developers.  For
builders who had the one-year builder discount in 2009, 2010, or
2011, they will get an additional three years. In addition, during
the three year “timeout” period, qualified builders and developers
can sell lots to other builders or developers and the discount will
transfer with the lot.  The bill makes permanent changes in the
law to end annual recertification, and provides that subdivisions
platted after May 1 of each year may still get the discount in that
year by paying a very low late application fee ($100).
                                            
Mandatory Fire Sprinklers:  $100+ million saved!
The SC Building Code Council voted to adopt the 2012
IRC including a mandatory fire sprinkler provision, but the
HBA was able to have the mandate excluded.

Water Flow Requirements: $500+ million saved!
To support mandatory residential fire sprinklers (IFC 2012) 
the SC Building Codes Council voted to increase   water
flow requirements across the state. The HBA and its allies
were able to remove this modification to the benefit of
every citizen in the state. The building codes will now go to
the General Assembly for approval with implementation as
early as July 2013.  

HBA of Greenville recognizes the Political Action Committee (PAC) Donations

With the elections around the corner and all hype surrounding it. The HBA of Greenville would like to thank the members who contributed at the donor level and higher to the Political Action Committee. Silver Hammer donors are Graham Proffitt and Rick Quinn. Bronze Hammer donors are Joseph Hoover and Lou Hutchings. Please keep in mind that with out your dollars going to the PAC some of the National, State, County, and City regulations could have been more harmful to the building industry.
Some of the things your local SC Builders PAC has done for you include:

• Construction GL insurance- supported a bill that protects against faulty construction claims.
• Fire Sprinkler Bill- stopped the mandate of residential fire sprinklers
• Permit Extension Bill- Passed a bill that temporarily extends the term of permits.

Keep in mind that these "wins" have saved the housing industry millions of dollars and please remember that the HBA of Greenville does have a Government affairs Committee, email Michael Dey at MDey@hbaofgreenville.com for more information or if you would like to become involved.

FREE three day exhibit hall admission for the 2012 Remodelling Show

The annual Remodeling Show is a national trade show, educational conference, and networking event. This year the event is held October 9th-12th at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The show will feature installation clinics, interactive workshops, and exhibitor led product presentations among hundreds of exhibit booths and is hosted side by side with Deck Expo.
The show kicks off with Business Skills Boot Camps for small to mid-sized remodeling firms and will hold a Remodelers Gala held on October 11th from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
For complete details on classes and many other social functions at the show visit the show website by clicking here and remember to use code NAHB for a free three day exhibit hall admission.

FREE Webinar through BDX 10/10/2012 and 10/22/2012

The Builders Digital Experience or BDX is hosting free webinars this month to help you build your business through their research and advertising strategies. This months topics include Innovative Builder Advertising Strategies For 2013 and Home Buyer Insights- The latest research,trends,and learning.
Listed below is the information on how to register and the system requirements for your pc to get the most out of the webinar.

Join us for a Webinar on October 10

As you plan your marketing initiatives for 2013, you won't want to miss this informative webinar on the trends and latest technologies in online advertising. Our expert, Thane Tennison will walk you through:

• Key elements for banner ads that are proven to work -- from creative design to ad placement – we’ll make sure you’re armed with the best information.
• Ad Retargeting: How can you capture those shoppers who are actively searching for new homes.
• Video Ads: Stand out online with your most engaging content.
• Mobile Advertising: The world is going mobile... is your advertising following? AND MORE!

Title: FREE WEBINAR: Innovative Builder Advertising Strategies For 2013
Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Mac®-based attendees 
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer 

Mobile attendees 
Required: iPhone®/iPad®/Android™ smartphone or tablet

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/330987296

AND on October 22 Join Hanley Wood's Jonathan Smoke and BDX’s Tim Costello as they unveil the results of a recently completed, comprehensive survey of home buyers.  As you plan  for 2013, you will want to hear about:  :: What home buyers are looking for in a new home -- floor plans, amenities and more.  :: How to position your homes -- what messages resonate.  :: What events trigger a buyer to purchase a new home.  :: How changes to the home buying timeline will affect your marketing.  :: Our plans to invest millions of dollars to promote new home advantages with a new “Don’t Buy A To-Do. Buy New.” campaign. Title: FREE WEBINAR: Home Buyer Insights -- The latest research, trends and learning. Date: Monday, October 22, 2012 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Mac®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer Mobile attendees Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/888113128

NAHB publishes survey on the cost of constructing a single family home

Every home builders gets the question.  So does their HBA.  "How much per square foot does is cost to build a house?"  The answer is in a report by NAHB: $80 per square foot plus the cost of the land, and other non-construction expenses.

According to NAHB's report, the average price of a new single-family home in 2011 was $310,619, down from $377,624 in 2009.  The cost of construction accounted for 60 percent of the final sales price, and the cost of the finished lot accounted for 22 percent of the final sale price.  The average size of a new single-family home in 2011 was 2,311, down from 2,716 in 2009.

Think home builders are making a lot of money building homes?  The average profit per house was 6.8 percent of the final sales price in 2011.

Read the entire report at Eye One Housing by clicking here.

Michelle Usher named one of Greenville's "25 Most Beautiful Women"

Michelle Usher

TALK magazine named Michelle Usher, Vice President of Marketing of Addison Homes, one of Greenville's "25 Most Beautiful Women."  Talk Magazine is published by the Greenville News. 

TALK magazine compiles the list every October and honors women for both their outward appearance and their dedication to making Greenville a lovelier, livelier place.

Usher was named for her efforts on behalf of the environment, women, and children.

The Cottage Group LLC Opens, Announces 'All American' Southern Living Showcase Cottage Opening Spring 2012

GREER, SC – Tom Dillard and his team have opened The Cottage Group, LLC, a new residential construction company serving the buyer than desires a quality custom home with a smaller footprint.

A sister company of Dillard-Jones Builders, The Cottage Group offers a growing collection of house plans that includes the company’s own Cottage Group portfolio along with some of the most popular Southern Living house plans ranging from 2,000 square feet to 3,500 square feet. Many of the company’s plans will be for sale from the Southern Living House Plans website.

A member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program, The Cottage Group will present an All American Southern Living Showcase Cottage in Spring 2013 in Greenville, with a goal that 95% of the products used in construction of the home be made in the U.S.A.

The 2,400-square-foot home will feature ample outdoor living space including a wrap around sitting porch on the front, with a screened porch and second sitting porch on the rear of the home. The three-bedroom home features a master suite on the main level, with two upper level bedrooms separated by a loft overlooking the lower level living room. The exterior will be Hardie siding on a brick foundation.

“We believe homebuyers can have a quality custom home the hassles of the typical custom home build process,” said Tom Dillard, president of The Cottage Group, LLC. “The Cottage Group was formed to serve sophisticated buyers who want a high quality home, but do not need or want the extra square footage.”

The Cottage Group is dedicated to building smaller footprint homes that are defined by thoughtful design and attention to detail. Homes will feature quality craftsmanship and materials primarily found in larger homes such as brick, stone and Hardie exteriors, and inside features such as granite countertops and stainless appliances. Floor plans are flexible, giving buyers the opportunity to have a unique home that reflects where they live and the way they live.

For more information, call (864) 640-0111 or visit www.thecottagegroupllc.com.

ABOUT THE COTTAGE GROUP, LLC 
The Cottage Group, LLC is a sister company of Dillard-Jones Builders, which specializes in custom residential construction ranging from the $500,000’s to more than $2 million. The Cottage Group LLC is a member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program, an invitation-only network of approximately100 custom homebuilders throughout the South. A member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program since 2007, Dillard-Jones Builders was named Southern Living’s Builder Member of the Year in 2009 and 2011, the only two-time winner of the prestigious national award.

ABOUT SOUTHERN LIVING
Southern Living, a premier lifestyle and entertainment magazine of the South, is among the largest monthly consumer magazine in the United States, reaching nearly 16 million readers each month with a circulation of about 2.8 million. The magazine’s website, SouthernLiving.com, is the leading online resource for people who love the Southern lifestyle, created by a team of experts on Southern food, gardens, home design, travel, and healthy living.