The HBA will hold its next General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, August 15th, 2017. The meeting will be held at BJ's Carolina Cafe in Jarvisburg and will begin at 6:30 pm. Special guest speaker Bill Newns, CFM, Chief Building Inspector for Currituck County will give an update on the automated permitting system and will be available to answer questions. Dinner is provided for all members. Non-members will be charged $20. To reserve your seat call 252-453-6668 or email hbaofnenc@gmail.com.
Pictured: President Lauren Hill (l) presents HBA member Waverly Sawyer with his 50D SPIKE pin.
Skyline High
August 2017
Board of Directors President: Lauren Hill-Spruill Vice President: Ken Corbo Treasurer: Wink Foster Secretary: Berry Payne Immedia te Past President: Troy Meads Gary Eure Norma James Randy Krainiak Mack Nixon
Bill Newns of Currituck County Permits & Inspections Guest Speaker on August 15th
LEADERSHIP
Recruitment of new members is vital to the strength and continued growth of our local building industry. In recognition of our members who actively recruit members to the association NAHB established the SPIKE Awards. A "SPIKE" earns credits for the number of members they bring to the association and are recognized at various stages for their accomplishments.
Waverly Sawyer Awarded "Green SPIKE"
EPA announced in July that it is withdrawing long-delayed federal regulations that would require all developers to install stormwater management devices. In response to NAHB comments, EPA tabled the rule in 2014 that would have required additional “post-construction” controls for stormwater discharges. That rule would have required all builders to retain a certain volume of stormwater onsite, regardless of underlying soils or rainfall patterns. EPA’s existing rules simply require regulated cities to address post-construction flows to the “maximum extent practicable.” Since 2014, the shelved rule has sat on the agency’s “long-term action” list – not a priority, but eligible to be revisited at a future date. On July 27, EPA, along with all other federal agencies, published an updated rulemaking agenda for 2017. EPA announced that it has officially withdrawn its would-be national post-construction rule.
Register for IBS and Enjoy August Discounts
Some single-family home builders are experiencing shortages of framing lumber, according to a recent NAHB survey of members. In answer to questions on the May 2017 survey for the NAHB/ Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, 21% of single-family builders reported a shortage of framing lumber. This marks clear movement on the building materials front since 2014, when no products or materials were cited as being in short supply by more than 15% of builders.
The 2018 NAHB International Builders’ Show® returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 9-11 and will again co-locate with the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show for the 5th annual Design & Construction Week®. During August, IBS registrants can take advantage of several big discounts. For more information, visit BuildersShow.com/august. The two shows are expected to host more than 2,000 exhibiting brands spanning more than a million square feet of exhibit space: the largest annual gathering of the residential design and construction industry. Register at BuildersShow.com.
EPA Rescinds Post-Construction Stormwater Rule
Builders Reporting Shortages of Lumber
DHS to Add 15,000 H-2B Guest Worker Visas
Volunteer to Serve on a Committee
The HBA offers many opportunities for our members to meet other members and make connections. One of those ways is through serving on a Committee. With more than eight standing committees you can be sure to find one where you can make a long lasting impact in your HBA and in your building community! Sound interesting? For more information contact the office at 252-453-6668 or go to our website at www.hbanenc.org
The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor announced in July that they will allow an additional 15,000 H-2B temporary worker visas to be issued during this fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30. The H-2B program allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers for seasonal, non-agricultural positions. In past years, roughly half of the visas have gone to landscaping businesses. The two departments published the final rule increasing the numerical limit for H-2B nonimmigrant visas on July 19.
Although tear-downs can be flashpoints for public opinion, there is scant statistical evidence of their real impact on the new homes market. The Census Bureau doesn’t specifically track new homes constructed on sites where a previous residence was torn down or where there is evidence of a previous residential structure. To fill the data void, NAHB polled members earlier this year about tear-downs via its monthly NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey. Based on those responses, NAHB economists estimate that about 10.2% of single-family starts in 2016 — about 79,300 homes — were tear-downs. That is significantly higher than the 55,200 tear-downs that NAHB reported in 2015 when they accounted for about 7.7% of single-family production. That increase mirrors the continued recovery of the single-family housing market, which recorded about a 10% increase in single-family starts in 2016. It may also reflect a shortage of developed lots which builders are facing in many markets. More than 40% of the tear-downs last year — 33,400 homes — were in the West. About 30%, or 23,800 homes, were in the South. The Northeast accounted for 9,800 homes, or about 12% of the total. About 15% of all tear-downs, or 12,300, were recorded in the Midwest. Read the full report in NAHB’s Eye on Housing blog.
Employers Must Use New I-9 Form
Almost 80,000 Starts in 2016 Were Tear-Downs
Storage Ideas for Older Home Buyers
Finding accessible storage space can be tricky for 55+ home buyers who have spent their whole life accumulating stuff and can have a tough time navigating stairs. An article in a recent issue of NAHB’s 55+ Housing magazine, Living It Up while Moving Down: Storage, Storage, and More Storage, has great tips for builders on creating more room. The “Florida basement” — pull-down steps to storage above the garage — is perfect for occasionally used items like holiday decorations. Hallway recesses can provide storage for wine bottles and glasses to save 55+ buyers a trip down to the wine cellar and, more important, let them show off their collection. To accommodate occasional overnight guests, try pull-down wall beds in a study or den instead of creating a separate guest bedroom.
The Department of Labor has issued a request for information on the Obama administration’s overtime rule, and NAHB will submit comments independently and as a member of the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity coalition. The Obama administration last year issued a proposed rule that was set to take effect Dec. 1, 2016, that would double the salary threshold to receive overtime pay from $23,660 to $47,476. Working with Congress and members of our business coalition, NAHB led the effort to mitigate the effects of the rule. Moreover, NAHB joined other business groups in filing a lawsuit to challenge the overtime rule. As a result of these efforts, the rule was never implemented because a judge issued a preliminary injunction against it. The Department of Labor is providing the public with the opportunity to offer input as the agency mulls its next steps. NAHB will provide detailed comments by the September 2017 deadline.
The Home Builders Association of Northeastern North Carolina is in the process of updating its annual Membership & Builder Directory for 2018. New this year, all member information including optional enhanced listings will be included on the HBA on-line searchable directory. The HBA Directory contains over 150 listings that include builders, suppliers, tradesmen and other building related listings. No other publication provides this depth of resources and contact information in our area for the building industry! Advertising opportunities are now available, and information can be found at hbanenc.org or by contacting Sheryl Lovitt at hbaofnenc@gmail.com. Advertising in the annual Directory is a great way to reach potential customers interested in your products or services. Directories will be distributed to all members, local building suppliers, real estate companies, banks and local Chambers of Commerce. Premium Ads are offered on a first come first serve basis so be sure to act quickly and get your ad space secured! All HBA members will be listed alphbetically and in two categories of their choice - A FREE MEMBER BENEFIT! Additional categories may be purchased along with premium ad space and/or enhanced listings! Watch your mailbox! Advertising information will be mailed next week and a member of the Directory Committee will be contacting each member in the coming weeks so get those advertising dollars ready! Can't wait? Click HERE to access the Advertising & Update form. (Please make sure that all of your company information is accurate and your listing categories are correct. All information provided will be used in both the print Directory and in the on-line directory.)
Tuesday - August 15th General Membership Meeting Location: BJ's Carolina Cafe 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 General Membership Meeting Location: Kempsville Building Materials in Elizabeth City 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 17th, 2017 General Membership Meeting Location: Piedmont Natural Gas Co. in Elizabeth City 6:30 p.m.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2018 HBA Directory Advertising Now Available!
DOL Considering Next Steps on Overtime Rule
HBA of NENC SPIKES Thank you to the following SPIKES for their outstanding achievements in member recruitment and retention. Life Spikes (A minimum of (25) Credits required) Mike Barkley------------------------------44.50 Kenneth Corbo---------------------------113 Gary Eure----------------------------------92 Wink Foster------------------------------203.50 Lauren Hill-Spruill-------------------------43 Janie King--------------------------------128 John King---------------------------------177 Marshall Knight---------------------------165 Troy Meads-------------------------------152 Ed Morgan--------------------------------41.50 Robin Newhouse--------------------------129 Kenny Pekrun---------------------------30.50 Waverly Sawyer---------------------------51 David Twiddy------------------------------30 Suzette Ward----------------------------240.50 Bill Waters---------------------------------37 Ed Winslow----------------------------418.50 David Wright-----------------------------54.50 Spikes (A minimum of (6) Credits required) Mike Brusko ------------------------------10.50 Spike Candidates (1 -5.5 Credits) Greg Biggs & Ricky Perry------------------5.50 Billy Gregory & Randy Krainiak-----------5.00 Mike Albertson-----------------------------4.50 Sherry Castillo & Julian Nixon-------------3.00 Robbie Creech & Van Keane---------------2.00 Roy Watson---------------------------------1.00 Michael Raper--------------------------.50
-Recruit Affiliate Member or Council Member = .5 Points Members who renew first year prior to their anniversary date = 1 Point
NAHB Spike Party - a Spike must have a minimum of six credits and must earn one new member recruitment credit between Nov 1 -Oct 31 to qualify for tickets. *(Members in Red qualify) November is Spike Appreciation Month!
Club Levels Spike Candidates 1-5.5 Credits Blue Spike Silver Spike Lapel Pin, Rider & Certificate ············· 6 Credits Life Spikes Gold Life Spike Lapel Pin & 25d Rider ··············· 25 Credits Green Spike 50d Lapel Pin Rider ······································ 50 Credits 75d Lapel Pin Rider ······································ 75 Credits Red Spike 100d Lapel Pin Rider ·································· 100 Credits Royal Spike 150d Lapel Pin Rider ··································· 150 Credits 200d Lapel Pin Rider ··································· 200 Credits Super Spike 250d Lapel Pin Rider ·································· 250 Credits 300d Lapel Pin Rider ··································· 300 Credits 400d Lapel Pin Rider ··································· 400 Credits Statesman Spike 500d Lapel Pin Rider ·································· 500 Credits 750d Lapel Pin Rider ··································· 750 Credits Grand Spike 1000d Lapel Pin Rider ·································1000 Credits All -Time Big Spike 1500d Lapel Pin Rider ·································1500 Credits (The notation “d” in each level is Greek for penny, as in a four penny or six penny nail, and is found on each award pin rider.)
How Do I Earn Spike Credits? – -Recruit new Builder or Associate Member = 1 Point All other renewals = .5 Points