The Home Builders Association of Greenville are your neighbors and community leaders providing education and support for building industry professionals. We create jobs, encourage homeownership, and promote responsible growth throughout the upstate of South Carolina.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Did you miss the International Builders Show?
Yes? You don't have to completely miss out. Watch excerpts from IBS TV by clicking here.
Legal Alert: Patent Enforcement UPDATE
Legal Alert:
A group in has received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering a commonly-used process for removing moisture from lumber in unfinished construction. A copy of a patent assertion from this company is linked below.
If you receive a patent assertion from this company, please contact your HBA Office at 865-254-0133 or email info@hbaofgreenville.com. We are working with the HBA of Oregon and NAHB to facilitate a challenge to this patent.
Click here to view a copy of the patent assertion received by an HBA member in Oregon.
UPDATE:
Did you know that NAHB monitors patent applications for residential building designs and subdivision layouts that are pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reduce the likelihood that members will have to pay costly patent infringement fines.
Since 1998, the NAHB Design Committee and NAHB staff have monitored the US Patent and Trademark Office’s issue of the granting of patents to residential building designs and subdivision layouts to better ensure that such patents are properly issued.
Anyone can apply for a patent with an idea, concept or invention that is unique, novel and non-obvious. In addition, anyone can be affected by a patent that was granted for an idea, concept or invention that is not. A patent holder can enforce receipt of royalties and/or can sue for patent infringement if a patented design or plan is already built; therefore, improperly issued patents can involve substantial costs for building industry professionals.
Click here to read the summary reports of patent applications.
A group in has received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering a commonly-used process for removing moisture from lumber in unfinished construction. A copy of a patent assertion from this company is linked below.
If you receive a patent assertion from this company, please contact your HBA Office at 865-254-0133 or email info@hbaofgreenville.com. We are working with the HBA of Oregon and NAHB to facilitate a challenge to this patent.
Click here to view a copy of the patent assertion received by an HBA member in Oregon.
UPDATE:
Did you know that NAHB monitors patent applications for residential building designs and subdivision layouts that are pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reduce the likelihood that members will have to pay costly patent infringement fines.
Since 1998, the NAHB Design Committee and NAHB staff have monitored the US Patent and Trademark Office’s issue of the granting of patents to residential building designs and subdivision layouts to better ensure that such patents are properly issued.
Anyone can apply for a patent with an idea, concept or invention that is unique, novel and non-obvious. In addition, anyone can be affected by a patent that was granted for an idea, concept or invention that is not. A patent holder can enforce receipt of royalties and/or can sue for patent infringement if a patented design or plan is already built; therefore, improperly issued patents can involve substantial costs for building industry professionals.
Click here to read the summary reports of patent applications.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Hard Hat Tour on March 20th sponsored by Dillard Jones Builders with Conservus Group
Mark your calendars for the HBA of Greenville's Hard Hat Tour at the Southern Living Showcase Home. The event is sponsored by Dillard-Jones Builders with Conservus Group, exclusive Sales and Marketing for the The Ridges at Paris Mountain.
The event will start at 10am with muffins and mimosas and will involve a tour and information on how to sell new home construction to potential buyers.
You can also register to win an iPad Mini.
For more information or to register for this event please contact Crystal Yanes at the the HBA office. 864-254-0133 or cyanes@hbaofgreenville.com
The event will start at 10am with muffins and mimosas and will involve a tour and information on how to sell new home construction to potential buyers.
You can also register to win an iPad Mini.
For more information or to register for this event please contact Crystal Yanes at the the HBA office. 864-254-0133 or cyanes@hbaofgreenville.com
HBA of Greenville Members- FREE home show tickets courtesy of PestBan.
PestBan would like to invite all HBA of Greenville members to attend the Spring Southern Home and Garden Show, Presented by Jeff Lynch Appliance and TV Center, March 7-9th. PestBan is the official Trade Day sponsor and will have information on their products and services located at the Southern Home and Garden Show information desk.Click here for show hours and more information.
Community Service committee completes Camp Buckhorn cabin.
The HBA of Greenville's Community Service Committee worked throughout the weekend to complete some much needed cabin renovations at Paris Mountain's Camp Buckhorn. The camp is looking to update the look and efficiency of all the cabins in the camp site over a period of several years. Materials and supplies were provided they just needed help swinging hammers, cutting lumber, and installing insulation and windows. The committee and student volunteers from Clemson University's Construction Science and Management Department completed work on one cabin just in time for opening weekend beginning March 1st.
The camp is a hidden gem in Greenville and is open for rental from the SC Park Service most of the year.
A BIG thanks goes out to those who helped.
Jon Statom and Tim Joner- Palmetto Exterminators and Statom family
Eddie Howard- Howard Custom Builders
Andrew Woodford- ABW Construction
John Wolfrom- Providence Realty and Marketing
Clemson University Construction Science Students
Patrick Dey
The Community Service Committee hopes to help out with another cabin renovation at the end of this year.
For more information on this project or other Community Service Projects please contact Crystal at the HBA office cyanes@hbaofgre
The camp is a hidden gem in Greenville and is open for rental from the SC Park Service most of the year.
A BIG thanks goes out to those who helped.
Jon Statom and Tim Joner- Palmetto Exterminators and Statom family
Eddie Howard- Howard Custom Builders
Andrew Woodford- ABW Construction
John Wolfrom- Providence Realty and Marketing
Clemson University Construction Science Students
Patrick Dey
The Community Service Committee hopes to help out with another cabin renovation at the end of this year.
For more information on this project or other Community Service Projects please contact Crystal at the HBA office cyanes@hbaofgre
FHFA Index Shows Mortgage Interest Rates Increase Slightly in January
National data shows interest rates on mortgages increased in January. Contract mortgage interest rates increased 0.11 percent from December to January, according to an index of new mortgage contracts.
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders index was 4.37 percent for loans closed in late January. The index is calculated using FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey. The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans was 4.36 percent, up 11 basis points from 4.25 in December.
Interest rates are typically locked in 30-45 days before a loan is closed. Consequently, January data reflect market rates from mid-to-late December. The effective interest rate was 4.52 percent, up 12 basis points from 4.40 percent in December. The effective interest rate accounts for the addition of initial fees and charges over the life of the mortgage.
FHFA’s interest rate survey shows the average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $417,000 or less was 4.67 in January, an increase of 13 basis points. The average loan amount for all loans was $284,400 in January up $6,800 from $277,600 in December.
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders index was 4.37 percent for loans closed in late January. The index is calculated using FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey. The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans was 4.36 percent, up 11 basis points from 4.25 in December.
Interest rates are typically locked in 30-45 days before a loan is closed. Consequently, January data reflect market rates from mid-to-late December. The effective interest rate was 4.52 percent, up 12 basis points from 4.40 percent in December. The effective interest rate accounts for the addition of initial fees and charges over the life of the mortgage.
FHFA’s interest rate survey shows the average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $417,000 or less was 4.67 in January, an increase of 13 basis points. The average loan amount for all loans was $284,400 in January up $6,800 from $277,600 in December.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
NAHB: Urge your Representatives to Vote for the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act
Call your Representative at
(866) 924-NAHB (6242)
The House of Representatives will soon be considering the NAHB-supported H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. This bill addresses serious affordability concerns due to dramatic flood insurance premium increases, and if not corrected, will continue to severely impact the construction, remodeling, and sale of homes in many communities across the nation. This bill will provide certainty and financial stability to the National Flood Insurance Program.
H.R. 3370 provides a more affordable rate structure for policyholders, repeals the rate increases from the sale or transfer of homes, restores the substantial improvement threshold to the historic 50%, requires FEMA to create more accurate flood maps, and ensures that consumers can be reimbursed for successful map appeals.
Call to action:
(866) 924-NAHB (6242)
The House of Representatives will soon be considering the NAHB-supported H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. This bill addresses serious affordability concerns due to dramatic flood insurance premium increases, and if not corrected, will continue to severely impact the construction, remodeling, and sale of homes in many communities across the nation. This bill will provide certainty and financial stability to the National Flood Insurance Program.
H.R. 3370 provides a more affordable rate structure for policyholders, repeals the rate increases from the sale or transfer of homes, restores the substantial improvement threshold to the historic 50%, requires FEMA to create more accurate flood maps, and ensures that consumers can be reimbursed for successful map appeals.
Call to action:
- Call your Representative at (866) 924-NAHB (6242)
- Urge your Representative to vote YES on H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act.
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