45th Annual Bird Supper- April 14th

The Bird Supper is April 14th, don't miss out on your opportunity to speak with our elected officials about what is most important to you and our industry. 

 Since 1970, HBASC members and South Carolina’s legislators have been attending the Bird Supper. It’s the longest standing event on the South Carolina legislative calendar. Join us on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 as we gather with our legislators over a delicious dinner of fried quail, grits, green beans, biscuits, and other fine Southern cuisine. 

Tuesday, April 14 2015 6:30 p.m. Seawells Columbia, S.C. Builder’s PAC Cocktail reception prior to Bird Supper for Hammer donors. 

Tickets available through your local HBA office. 

Tickets are $35.00 per person.

The Bird Supper is considered the best attended legislative event year after year, so don't miss out make sure that you have registered by Tuesday, April 7th.

HBA Office Closed Friday, April 3, 2015

The HBA of Greenville office will be closed Friday, April 3rd in observance of the Easter Holiday. The office will reopen on Monday, April 6th.
We hope that each of you enjoy your weekend and the beautiful weather this season brings.

Office Space Available

Your Home Builders Association of Greenville announces the availability of office space in its building at 5 Creekside Park Court, near the interchange of I-385 and Roper Mountain Road.

The office space is a suite, about 1,800 square feet (+/-), fully self contained featuring a kitchenette, two lavatories, and seven offices or meeting rooms ranging in size from approximately 12 feet by 12 feet to 12 feet by 20 feet.

We are requesting $1,350 per month, which includes a common area maintenance fee.  Space is available immediately.

Interested?  Contact Michael Dey at mdey@hbaofgreenville.com or 864-254-0133.

HBA membership reception at the Drive Game- April 13th

Don't miss out! Join us for a private reception with Greenville Drive owner Craig Brown, followed by an evening of action packed baseball as the Greenville Drive take on the Lexington Legends.
Monday, April 13 starting at 5p.m. with the game at 7 p.m. at Fluor Field.
Admission is free for Home Builders Assocation of Greenville members and one guest.

RSVP is required by April 9th if you are planning on attending.

Debunking the Myth that Immigration Harms America

The National Association of Home Builders and a group of 18 other trade associations representing business leaders and millions of employers across the nation today submitted written testimony refuting the myth that immigration hurts American workers and the economy during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing examining this topic.

Separating truth from fiction, the business coalition debunked the following falsehoods:

Myth: Lowering the number of immigrants would free up jobs for American workers.
Fact: Immigration helps create jobs for American workers

Myth: Foreign workers take one in five jobs in America.
Fact: Americans fill more than 91% of all jobs in America.

Myth: Lesser-skilled immigrants take jobs away from Americans without college degrees.
Fact: The data show that immigration does not negatively impact American workers without college degrees. In fact, lesser-skilled immigrants create jobs for Americans and grow crucial sectors of our economy.

Employment projects for 2012-2022 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the construction sector is expected to grow by more than 20%, nearly double the overall national average.

“Indeed, some sectors have seen rising labor shortages, presenting significant industry challenges,” the group’s written testimony stated. “For example, the number of open construction sector jobs as of December 2014 (147,000) stands post-recession highs, and the job open rate exceeds that prior to the housing boom. Lesser-skilled immigrants help to fill labor shortages in these industries, creating jobs for Americans and helping those industries grow.”

As the debate on Capitol Hill continues, your Home Builders Association is urging lawmakers to support comprehensive immigration reform that will:

• Safeguard our borders;
• Establish a fair employment verification system; and
• Create a market-based visa system that will allow more immigrants to legally enter the construction workforce as the housing industry gains momentum and the demand for workers increases.

View the complete written testimony here.

2014 Bridge Awards Gala NEXT Thursday, March 19th (RSVP/ticket required)

The Home Builders Association of Greenville and the Sales & Marketing Council of the Upstate present the Southern Home & Garden Bridge Awards. Join special guest, Kimberly Kelly, and Wirewood as the Home Builders Association of Greenville and SMC of the Upstate recognize 2014's best and brightest in Sales and Marketing, Remodeling, and New Homes. Didn't enter for an award? That's ok, come congratulate your colleagues in the industry and find out who your competition is for next year!
This year's gala will be held at The Poinsett Club on Thursday, March 19th and will start with cocktails and registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. To register for this event click here, registration for this event will close at 5pm on Monday, March 16th.

Kimberly Kelly

Wirewood

Lumber Liquidators and Your Questions

In recent years, the housing industry has seen numerous problems with building products, including fire-retardant treated plywood, polybutelene pipe, certain types of siding, and Chinese drywall, to name a few.

Each case is different, but the experience we gain from each can provide guidance for future problems.

Most recently, builders and remodelers have had many questions about flooring purchased from Lumber Liquidators after a segment on 60 Minutes, the television news magazine, reported that high levels of formaldehyde were found in tested samples of the company’s laminate product. Lumber Liquidators has contested the results of the testing, calling them“false attacks on all fronts.”

NAHB has produced helpful resources for remodelers and builders that include background on the allegations, associated lawsuits, and tips for successful interactions with your buyers worried about whether the issues may affect them. You must sign in to nahb.org with your password to access this information.