Deadline to RSVP for the Bridge Awards is TOMORROW!

 
Join special guest, Kimberly Kelly, as we recognize 2013's best and brightest in Sales and Marketing, Remodeling, and New Homes Thursday, January 30, 2014 at the TD Convention Center.

A cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. will kick-start the evening, followed by dinner and gala. 
Admission is by ticket only and all tickets must be reserved by Friday, January 24 at 12pm.

To reserve your tickets, contact the HBA Office at (864) 254-0133.

FHFA House Price Index Up 0.1 Percent in November

U.S. house prices showed signs of slowing in November, with a slight increase of 0.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from the previous month, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) monthly House Price Index (HPI). The November HPI change marks the twenty-second consecutive monthly price increase in the purchase-only, seasonally adjusted index. The previously reported 0.5 percent increase in October remained unchanged.

The FHFA HPI is calculated using home sales price information from mortgages either sold to or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. From November 2012 to November 2013, house prices were up 7.6 percent. The U.S. index is 8.9 percent below its April 2007 peak and is roughly the same as the April 2005 index level.

For the nine census divisions, seasonally adjusted monthly price changes from October to November ranged from -1.4 percent in the East South Central division to +0.5 percent in the Mountain, West North Central, and East North Central divisions. The 12-month changes ranged from +3.2 percent in the Middle Atlantic division to +15.4 percent in the Pacific division.

Click here to read the complete report at FHFA.gov.

Welcome to the HBA Family, Jacob Brandt Niehaus

Please congratulate Matt Niehaus, Director of Government Affairs at NAHB, and his wife, Kate, on the birth of their son, Jacob Brandt Niehaus. Jacob weighed 7.1 pounds and was 19.5 inches long at birth.

Join SC Builders PAC

Your campaign dollars make a difference for home building in South Carolina. It's never too late to make a difference.

What HBA of South Carolina advocacy does for you:

• STOPPED the passage of the Fire Sprinkler bill, which would have mandated the installation of fire sprinklers in all new homes built beginning in 2011.
  POTENTIAL SAVINGS: More than $100 million annually.
  
• PASSED the Permit Extension bill, which prevents the wholesale abandonment of already-approved projects by extending the term of the permits for a set period of time as the economy improves.
  POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $15 million
  
• PASSED a bill that reversed the S.C. Supreme Court’s ruling on Crossman v. Harleysville Mutual and protects builders from faulty construction claims and provides stability with insurance coverage.
  POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $100 million annually.
  
• Advocated the adoption of a bill that addressed the significant increase in unemployment insurance premiums. The bill reduced the insurance premium to all employers by 25%.
  POTENTIAL SAVINGS: More than $15 million annually.

To a large extent, the climate for the home building industry is determined by state and local political decisions. Joining the SC Builders PAC means you have a hand in who is elected to office and the legislation that will affect your bottom line. Your voice will be heard and you can make a difference! You do not have to be knowledgeable in politics to become a member. If you are concerned about the future of the home building industry in your community and in South Carolina, then you should join the SC Builders PAC.

For more information and/or to join SC Builders PAC, visit http://hbaofsc.com/sc-builders-pac or contact your HBA of Greenville office at (864) 254-0133.

City of Greenville revises enforcement on installation of grounding electrode

For several years the City of Greenville has required that a Grounding Electrode be encased in concrete in the foundation system of a newly-constructed house. In addition to the expense of compliance, theft became a problem as thieves began stealing the 4 gauge copper wire that is fastened to the Grounding Electrode and left protruding from the foundation. Repairs include welding a new portion of wire to the remaining wire if practical, or encasing a new Grounding Electrode in a new section of concrete, in contact with the earth, where at least two inches of concrete covers the Grounding Electrode.

At your Home Builders Association's request, the city reviewed and modified this requirement.

Encasing the Grounding Electrode is now required only when rebar is embedded in the foundation. The code requires that rebar in a foundation be bonded to the earth. If rebar is not present in the foundation, a Grounding Electrode, or more than one when required by the code, may be driven into the earth.

When encasing the Grounding Electrode in the foundation is required, consider these options to protect against theft:

1. Bury and mark the wire after inspection to deter theft.
2. Install a galvanized or other rust-resistant Grounding Electrode so that a portion of the rod protrudes from the foundation, preferably facing the inside of the crawl space or basement, and mechanically fasten the wire later in order to deter theft. Remember however that at least 20 feet of continuous rod, ½-inch in diameter, must be encased by at least 2 inches of concrete. When more than one rod of shorter lengths is used, the rods must be properly connected.

"Thank you" reception planned for those that donated to Martha Childress cause.

The HBA of Greenville is still raising funds to cover the cost of the completed renovations done to Martha's homes. As a small thank you, the family of Martha Childress would like to extend an invitation to a Thank You Reception for those who donated time, services, and funds to her cause. The drop- in reception will be held on January 19th from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Thornblade Club in the Tudor Room.
Please RSVP with your attendance plans to Crystal Yanes at the HBA Office 864-254-0133 or cyanes@hbaofgreenville.com.

Note: There will also be a separate reception at a later date for those that donated time and resources through the HBA of Greenville for Martha's Home renovations.

Check your HBA membership listing before publication.

The HBA of Greenville will be publishing our annual membership directory to go out with the 2013 Southern Home and Garden Bridge Awards as well as the Spring Southern Home and Garden Show publications. These publications will be available not only to the membership but also to consumers. Please log onto our website at HBAofGreenville.com to check your membership listing or you can also call the HBA office at 864-254-0133 for assistance.

Please have any changes into the HBA office by Friday January 17th.