Housing Production on Upswing, Tops 1 Million in July

Fueled by strong single- and multifamily growth, housing starts rose 15.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.093 million units in July, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the highest number since November 2013.

“A return to production levels over one million confirms consumer confidence continues to improve,” said Kevin Kelly. “Propelled by a healthier economy, more and more people are feeling ready to buy a home.”

Single-family housing starts were up 8.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 656,000 units in July, while multifamily production jumped 28.9% to 437,000 units. Multifamily production has not been this high since February 2006.

Regionally in July, combined single- and multifamily housing production rose in the Northeast, South and West, with respective gains of 44 percent, 29 percent and 18.6 percent. Total production fell by 24.8 percent in the Midwest from an unusually high June level.

Issuance of building permits registered an 8.1 percent increase to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.052 million units in July. Multifamily permits rose 21.5 percent to 412,000 units while single-family permits increased by 0.9 percent to 640,000 units.

The Northeast, South and West registered overall permit gains of 18.8 percent, 9.6 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively, while the Midwest posted a 0.6 percent loss.

Greenville Roads Briefing Planned for August 26

A question will be on the ballot in November about whether the county should increase the general sales tax by one cent for eight years.  The proceeds of the tax increase, about $65 million per year, will be spent to improve the county's roads, bridges, and pedestrian facilities infrastructure.

If you are interested in knowing more about the proposal, you will have the opportunity to attend a briefing on Tuesday, August 26, 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., at Embassy Suites on Verdae Boulevard.  Light refreshments will be served.  The briefing will be provided by Citizens for a Better Greenville County, a coalition of business interests that your Home Builders Association has joined to support the referendum question.

You can RSVP to attend the briefing by emailing smoore@completepr.net.

Member Advantage Now Includes Geico

Protecting your assets is very important to you. After all, you have worked your whole life to obtain them. Your HBA membership and GEICO are here to help. GEICO has more than 75 years of industry experience and understands what you need from your insurer.

GEICO and Member Advantage are proud to be working together to offer exceptional insurance products and a great savings opportunity for HBA members. As a member of the Home Builders Association, you could qualify for an exclusive discount on GEICO auto insurance.

When you consider the fact that new GEICO policyholders report average annual savings of over $500, you could be saving a lot of money. But there’s more to GEICO than just great rates. GEICO policyholders receive 24/7, professional, courteous service. When it comes to claim handling, GEICO is able to settle many claims within 48 hours of being reported, and sometimes a check can even be written on the spot. That’s why GEICO customers report a 97% customer satisfaction rate. As a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc, GEICO has the stability of a company you can trust. Savings, service and reliability? They can all be yours.

Visit geico.com/disc/NAHB or call 800-368-2734 and mention NAHB, for a simple, no-obligation rate quote to see how much you could save with your exclusive member discount. GEICO also can help you obtain competitive rates on homeowner’s, condo, motorcycle and more insurance coverage.

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. Discount amount varies in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. Average savings amount based on national GEICO New Policyholder survey data through March 2014. GEICO is the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States according to the 2013 A.M. Best market share report, published April 2014. Customer satisfaction based on an independent study conducted by Alan Newman Research, 2013. Homeowners, condo and renters coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company.

Builder Breakfast sponsored by GBS- Next Week!

GBS is the sponsor of our upcoming Builder Breakfast on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 7:30am. Featuring guest speaker Eric Vinson, AICP, Director of Planning & Codes Enforcement for Greenville County.  Also, enjoy a short presentation on two new products at GBS:  KBRS - Tileable Shower Solutions and Plygem Stone  This event will be held at The Epicurean Restaurant (1455 Woodruff Road, Greenville) This event is for Builder Members only. We look forward to seeing all Builder members there! Please RSVP to the HBA office at 864-254-0133.

Chili and Politics Event- September 11th.

The Home Builders Association of Greenville is holding its Annual Chili Cook-Off & PAC fundraiser on Thursday, September 11th from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Join us at Progress Lighting for some food and fun, we will also have a best dessert contest. Our local and state politicians will be judging the chili and desserts, so you won't want to miss it. If you would like to enter your chili or dessert please contact the HBA office. PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th ALL CHILI SHOULD BE IN A 3-QUART CROCKPOT AND READY TO SERVE. This event is sponsored by:   Presenting Sponsor

Bar Sponsor           Oyster Roast Sponsor

To enter your best Chili or Dessert recipe or to register please contact the HBA office at 864-254-0133 or email Crystal Yanes at cyanes@hbaofgreenville.com.

Your HBA of Greenville attends National ALI conference

Your HBA of Greenville returned home early Saturday morning from a week long conference hosted by NAHB in St. Louis, Missouri. The conference called Association Leadership Institute or ALI was a week long conference designed to bring together all of NAHB's state and local associations for a variety of events, classes, and awards throughout the week. Some of the classes attended had to do with association law, social media optimization, ways to increase membership, and how to make membership better at each individual association. Attendees were also able to meet and brainstorm with leaders from other successful associations to talk about events or services that are benefits to their organization and ways that we can incorporate them into our association here in Greenville. While HBA staff are the majority of attendees HBA members and leaders are also encouraged to attend.  For more information on the highlights of this ALI and information on next years event in Pittsburgh PA click here.  Your HBA of Greenville staff is excited about some of the new ideas at this years conference, so stay tuned!

Three Approved Professional Builders from Greenville Take Home Statewide Honors

Home building industry professionals were awarded the Home Builders Association of South Carolina’s most prestigious awards last week on Hilton Head Island. The twelfth annual Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony was held to honor the recipients of the Pinnacle Awards.

The Pinnacle Award recognizes the craftsmanship of the best home builders and remodelers in South Carolina. Fifteen Pinnacle Awards were given in five categories:

• new home construction
• remodel projects
• energy efficiency
• subdivision/community
• sales & marketing

The 2014 Pinnacle Award winners from Greenville are:

• Fairview Builders, LLC, Steve Hamblen, New Home Construction $1 million to $1.5 million
• Gabriel Builders, Inc., Gus and Belinda Rubio, New Home Construction $5 million or more
• Dillard-Jones Builders, Tom Dillard, Best Website

Also winning Pinnacle Awards from around South Carolina are:

• New Home Construction - $200,000 to $499,999: Saluda River Club – Andy White (HBA of Greater Columbia)
• New Home Construction - $500,000 to $749,999: Reclamation by Design, Ltd. – Ron and Pat Strimpfel (Hilton Head Area HBA)
• New Home Construction - $750,000 to $999,999: Central Signature Homes, LLC – David Gully (HBA of Oconee)
• New Home Construction - $1,500,000 to $1,999,999: Ken Black Builders, Inc. and Chapman Design Group, Inc. – Don Chapman (HBA of Anderson)
• Best Achievement in Energy Efficiency: Central Signature Homes, LLC – David Gully (HBA of Oconee)
• Remodeling Project - $149,999 and less: Gamble Home Services – Tori Stein (Charleston HBA)
• Remodeling Project - $150,000 to $249,999: Gamble Home Services - Tori Stein (Charleston HBA)
• Remodeling Project - $250,000 to $499,999: Gamble Home Services - Tori Stein (Charleston HBA)
• Remodeling Project - $500,000 and more: Icon Construction of SC, LLC and Chapman Design Group, Inc. – Don Chapman (HBA of Anderson)
• Best Subdivision/Community: Saluda River Club – Andy White (HBA of Greater Columbia)
• Best Overall Sales & Marketing: Saluda River Club – Andy White (HBA of Greater Columbia)
• Best Interior Merchandising for a Model Home: Saluda River Club – Andy White (HBA of Greater Columbia)

Pinnacle Award winners will be highlighted in the upcoming S.C. Builder Journal and presented on the S.C. Department of Commerce and the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism websites to emphasize the craftsmanship and quality of S.C. residential builders.

About the Pinnacle Awards
The Pinnacle Awards were created to honor those in the home building industry who have achieved the highest standard of quality craftsmanship, innovative problem solving and customer satisfaction. This competition is a privilege of membership, as well as a means of challenging our members to greater levels of achievement.