600+ Members Strong! But who was No. 600?

 

Barbara Hurst the owner of Total Design Source!  With 15 years of experience, Total Design Source has created a great one-stop shop for the builder wanting to save time and money. For their Homebuyers, it is a one-stop shop to select all of their colors, finishes and options.  For the Builder, it is not only a resource and showroom to send your customers, but also a vendor/supplier/installer for many those categories selected.  Total Design Source supplies cabinets, flooring (wood, carpet, tile, marble), bathroom tile,  closets and window coverings, and will coordinate the add-ons accompanying those installs.




Snapshot from Membership BBOTR.
Click for more pics from this event.

Shout out to Membership Committee

Thank you to our committee who helped plan the drive, kept us motivated and steered us toward success!

 

 

Heather Jaxheimer-Mills Membership Chair
Andrea Johnson	JC Gatlin
Claudette Kelsey	Marie Polo
Leah Turner	Mario Polo
Gayla Lees	Susan Geyer
Bill Lee	Shannon Boylan
Ryan Shears	Felix Menendez
Frank Scimica	Shawn Eckley
Mike Finley	Bill Croce

Round of Applause to Our May Recruiters
Hats off to our members who recruited new TBBA members by donating their time and sharing the value of TBBA Membership.

Recruiter	No. Recruited		Recruiter	No. Recruited
Ryan Shears	31		Bill Croce	1
Joseph Fontana	12		Everett Morrow	1
Peter Winter	10		Felix Menendez	1
Bob Gibbons	5		JC Gatlin	1
Brian Seeger	5		Joseph Gibbons	1
Kristie Huddleston	5		Judy James	1
Andrea Johnson	3		Kathie McDaniel	1
Joe Nuccio	3		Kathy Curatolo	1
Michael Lawrence	3		Laura Kennedy	1
Frank Scimeca	2		Lester Gonzalez	1
Guy Ross	2		Marshall Gray	1
Jason Starling	2		Michelle Campbell	1
Ali Hasbini	1		Robert Lang	1
Anthony Crudup	1		Ron Donalson	1
			Sergio Terzado	1
			Steve McAuliffe	1

 

 

104 New Members from May Membership Drive!

Company	New Member	Member Type
84 Lumber	Mark Ingersoll	Associate
A-1 Southern Plumbing	Roger J. Kielty	Associate
A-1 Superior, Inc.	Richard Walters	Associate
Adams Enterprises	Todd Adams	Associate
Alliance Pavers, LLC	Jeffery Lane	Associate
Alpha EMC	Tyler Gidden	Associate
Alpine Plumbing Inc.	Kyle MacCullough	Associate
American Countertop, Inc.	Jim Duval	Associate
American Countertop, Inc.	Sherry Crawford	Affiliate
American Custom Guttering	Mike Rogers	Associate
Associates Insurance Agency	Michael Wayne Rogers	Associate
Ayala's Painting, LLC	Daniel Ayala	Associate
Barner Lighting	David Barner	Associate
Bonded Builders Warranty Group	Ken Ward	Associate
C. Sterling Quality Roofing, Inc.	James Sterling	Associate
Cemex	David J. Leonard	Associate
Central Florida Testing Laboratories	George C. Sinn, Jr.	Associate
Chacon Painting	Luis Chacon	Associate
Classic Glass	Bob Cayavac	Associate
Contracting Solutions Group, Inc.	Lester Gonzalez	Associate
Creative Concrete & Excavating, Inc.	Joe Verilla	Associate
Creative Mailbox & Sign Designs	Keith McGinnis	Associate
Cura Sod Corporation	David Cura	Associate
D J Gocal Inc.	David Gocal	Associate
DEGA Advertising	Louis DeGasperis	Associate
Digital Map Products	Lynda McNally	Associate
Dririte of Hillsborough County	Donna Campbell	Associate
Dynamark Security & Sound	Chris Deluca	Affiliate
Dynamark Security & Sound	Jeff Robinson	Affiliate
Elite Plumbing Designs	Brent Stull	Associate
Envirotec Air Inc	Karl Handley-White	Associate
Etree Builder Services	Kathie McDaniel	Associate
Ferguson	Nathan Parker	Associate
George F. Young, Inc	Alfonso Belluccia	Associate
Global Protection Products Enterprises	David Clarke	Associate
Greenwave Construction	Merrill Stanley	Builder
Guardian Home Technologies	Lejla Mehicic	Associate
Heritage Propane	Lee Prince	Associate
Holiday Painting Services, LLC	Barbara Lueth	Associate
Holiday Pools of West Florida Inc.	Taylor McLeod	Associate
HomeBanc	Greg Walker	Associate
Image Painting of Florida, Inc.	Leonard Solt	Associate
Innnerflow Lawn Sprinklers	Larry Santangelo	Associate
International Granite and Stone	Michael Williams	Associate
JMA Aluminum Inc.	Jim McAlees	Associate
K & R Plumbing	Rhonda Touchton	Associate
MAB; stucco	Mike Burgess	Associate
McConnie Fence Co.	Andreas McConnie	Builder
Niagara Spinklers	Peter Politis	Associate
Onsite Safety, Inc.	Nathan Cunningham	Associate
Peacock's Professional Cleaning, LLC	Shannon Peacock	Associate
Platinum Bank	Bill Williams	Associate
Rizzetta and Company, Inc.	Pete Williams	Associate
Robert Lang Custom Homes, Inc.	Robert Lang	Associate
Ryan Homes	Ben Wilson	Affiliate
Ryland Homes	Andrea Gizell	Affiliate
Ryland Homes	Bob Sipple	Affiliate
Ryland Homes	Connie Holt	Affiliate
Ryland Homes	Jane Carlton	Affiliate
Ryland Homes	John Woodman	Affiliate
Ryland Homes	Kevin Huff	Affiliate
Ryland Homes	Kim Nedeau	Affiliate
Ryland Homes	Lauren Bucci	Affiliate
Schmitt, Inc.	Daniel K. Schmitt	Associate
SkyeTec	Ryan McCracken	Associate
SolarCity	Ben Millar	Associate
Southeast Stucco, Inc.	Edward Eady	Associate
Standard Pacific Homes	Barbara Hunt	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Brooke Sword	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Gary Keating	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Julie Hart	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Karen Larsen	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Liz Hoch	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Russ Lavender	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Ryan Dougherty	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Sandra Mosley	Affiliate
Standard Pacific Homes	Steve Appel	Affiliate
Sun-Rock Inc.	Chris Nordstrom	Associate
Suntrust Mortgage	Tony Umholtz	Associate
T Foster, INC	Todd D. Foster	Associate
Taylor Morrison	Bob Thorne	Affiliate
Taylor Morrison	Brad W. Mesner	Affiliate
Taylor Morrison	Justin Laurie	Affiliate
Taylor Morrison	Matthew McGirr	Affiliate
Taylor Morrison	Mike Mansfield	Affiliate
The Builders Choice Cleaning	Cathy Heatwole	Associate
The Kearney Companies	Amanda Bowers	Affiliate
The Kearney Companies	Billy Agner	Affiliate
The Kearney Companies	Bing Kearney	Dual Builder
The Kearney Companies	Brandon Dandrow	Affiliate
The Kearney Companies	Chase Kearney	Affiliate
The Kearney Companies	Travis Jenkins	Affiliate
Timberlake Cabinetry	Mindy Pearson	Affiliate
Total Design Source	Barbara Hurst	Associate
Tropical Pools	Ronnie Larson	Associate
Universal Land Title	Michelle Lawson	Affiliate
Valiente Tile	Ralph Valiente	Associate
Walter Resource Associates	Clint Cuffle	Affiliate
Walter Resource Associates	Joe Cimino	Affiliate
Walter Resource Associates	Mark D. Farrell	Associate
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage	Beverly Matter	Affiliate
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage	Tari Rojas	Affiliate
Whirlpool	George Howard, IIII	Associate
Zwrap of Florida	Natalie Zuniga	Associate

What’s going on with your permit?

If you are building in Hillsborough or Pasco County right now, you know that TBBA is working hard to ensure your projects are not being delayed. In Hillsborough, you can expect to get a single family building permit in less than 10 days.  A “new policy” enacted by Hillsborough County last month eliminates your ability to call for time specific inspections – we know how that affects you and are we are working with Hillsborough to address the problem and remove this policy. Our goal is to help ensure the level of service is maintained, not reduced.

In Pasco, rollovers of inspections are of top concern and permits are trickling out at a pace of 30 days. We understand that overtime has been authorized and hope this helps the flow of permits and inspections as we expect activity to continue to rise throughout the year.

Please know that the staff in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties are working hard to help you get through the process quickly and efficiently. Do your part, help all of us by ensuring your permit applications are complete when submitted and your work is ready to be inspected. Having trouble or have questions? Email Jennifer Doerfel at jennifer@tbba.net. 

TBBA Leaders Advocate in Tallahassee

TBBA GA visiting TAllahassee on Industry Issues

Each year around this time, the Florida Homes Builders Association (FHBA) calls its members to Tallahassee to talk about issues affecting us with legislators as they decide what becomes law. Somewhere in the bustle of committee meetings and language revisions, legislators around the Tampa Bay region took time to meet with us last month. We enjoyed having meaningful conversations with Senators Brandes, Latvala and Lee on topics like building codes, growth management and funding for the Future Builders of America (FBA). During the trip, we also had the opportunity to sit down with NAHB CEO Jerry Howard and discuss a myriad of issues they are actively working on including GSE Reform, Immigration and consumer access to credit. We were also treated by Rep. Rayburn and Rep. Grant to a private, guided tour of the Senate Chamber!

It was a great couple of days. If you didn’t have a chance to come with us, hope you can make the trip next year.

TBBA Advocacy Program: Industry Issues

Housing costs would likely be significantly higher if there weren’t an association in place to engage the regulatory agencies at the state and local levels. In our last two issues, we discussed the importance of Governmental Affairs and Political Action Committees (PAC). In this issue of The Building Barometer, we look at the third prong of the advocacy program, the Industry Issues Fund, and how the association works to communicate our perspective to the members as well as the general public.

The Industry Issues Fund helps ensure we are able to address issues of concern and proactively engage the community for the betterment of the industry. The Association’s purpose is to identify the issues and the opportunities where we can tell our story. Examples of this include: working with an entity to do a study on growth and how it impacts the industry, forming a campaign to bring public awareness to the industry, getting involved in transportation issues, a comprehensive plan or a constitutional amendment. The Industry Issues Fund was created to provide a financial mechanism to address activities that impact the building industry such as legislative, constitutional and policy changes. It was created in response to special interest groups that have raised money to fund efforts to both make regulations more costly and to stop growth.

Voluntary contributions by TBBA members to the Industry Issues Fund help to underwrite the cost of legal challenges to regulatory issues, impact fees, building moratoria, as well as data research to counter activist propaganda, and public relations campaigns to tell our side of the story. Rather than any kind of assessment, dues increase, or a percent of value of business, the TBBA Board of Directors knew that members would prefer a fair-share, voluntary approach to funding the effort. Although the issues directly affect builders and developers, all subcontractors, suppliers and service companies are affected and encouraged to participate. Contributions are made on a voluntary basis in the amount of $100.00 or more.

Myers Barnes & Mike Lyon bring "Maximum Download" to Tampa

Maximum Download:  New Home Sales

The TBBA Sales & Marketing Council presents Myers Barnes & Mike Lyon in Maximum Download. You are invited to take part in the New Home Sales Seminar that will propel you to prosperity by giving you the tools to increase new home sales.

The event is from 9 AM to Noon at Keiser University on Waters Avenue. A complimentary management event will immediately follow the event. Everyone will be there and you'll want to be there too.

Join us by registering on the TBBA calendar. $45 for TBBA/ SMC Members, $55 for Prospective TBBA/ SMC Members. Boundless opportunity. 

Event Flyer.  Click to Enlarge.

2013 Parade of Homes Banquet

If you missed the 43^rd Annual Spring Parade of Homes banquet, you missed a wonderful event and a lot of good fellowship. The banquet was held at Emerald Greens Golf and Country Club on April 10^th, with over 220 people in attendance. The food and the atmosphere were excellent. It was good to see many people coming out to celebrate the accomplishments and conquered obstacles from the past several years.

This year’s Parade featured 115 model homes by 33 home builders and included more than 75 Bay Area communities in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Hernando Counties. Entries for this year’s new-home showcase increased by 30 percent from last year and helped to make this year’s Parade the biggest one in several years. Visitors to the homes increased by 38 percent this year as well.

Judges considered site plan, design and materials, curb appeal, outdoor living spaces, attention to details and workmanship before deciding on the award winners. The new Best in Class Awards honor builder models in five judging categories. Best Curb Appeal, Best Floor Plan, Best Kitchen, Best Master Suite, and Best Architectural Detailing. Additionally, the model home with the most points in those five categories earned the Parade of Homes’ top honor, the Grand Diamond Award, and was awarded to Homes By WestBay’s Capri at Forest Glen.

A big congratulations to all of the winners, and a thank you to everyone who helped make the event such a success. We look forward to next year’s Parade and wish everyone much success until then.

To view a winner's list, click below.

    

Lauren's Corner: Membership Updates & Website

Members of the TBBA,

3rd Largest HBA in Florida - Good news has been abundant lately and I have more to share! According to the February month end report, TBBA is now the 3^rd largest Home Builder Association in the state of Florida. We’re pleased to welcome new members and welcome back some members too.

Click to view larger.

Pinnacle Builder Award Program - In efforts to rebuild the association’s membership, the Membership Committee has announced the Pinnacle Builder Award Program that will honor and recognize Builder Members that do business with Associate Members. The Pinnacle Builder Award Program has been historically effective at other HBA’s across Florida by adding value to the associate membership and increasing membership for the association. 

New TBBA Website - We have launched the TBBA’s new website this month and have received wonderful feedback about the design and ease of navigation. Did you know that the Sales and Marketing Council and the Remodelers Council have added value to their membership by providing an online Membership Directory that is updated by the minute? Please jump on the website and take a look around! www.tbba.net

2013 Membership Directory - The 2013 Membership Directory is off to the press! They will be available at the Parade of Homes Banquet on April 10^th. Thank you to all the members who sponsored the Membership Directory by advertising your business and services. You can also visit our online Membership Directory. 

Click to view larger.

Membership Drive - BIG NEWS! The Spring Membership Drive will earn you TRIPLE SPIKE CREDITS this year! Don’t get left out of the game. Please play in the TBBA/SMC/RMC Membership Drive by joining a team to attend the  “MLB Draft Party” at Ryland Homes on April 24^th. 

Thank you,

Lauren Morgan

TBBA Advocacy Program: Political Committees

This is the second article in a three part series.

The TBBA’s Advocacy Program is a three-pronged approach to help ensure that your voice is heard with regards to relevant governmental affairs, political action, and building industry issues. This issue of the Building Barometer discusses political committees and how they work for our members.

TBBA’s political committees are organized to permit the accumulation of contributions from consenting members’ dues to be used to fund contributions to candidates and related political activities. Each of our committees is organized as a corporation controlled by TBBA’s Board of Directors, files reports with the state elections division as a Committee of Continuous Existence (CCE), and is considered by the Internal Revenue Service to be a 527 political organization. They are corporations for basic business liability purposes, file as CCEs in order to avoid reporting all members’ contributions from dues individually, and are 527 organizations the same as every form of political committee. Our political committees are for state and local candidates only, not for federal candidates which are considered by NAHB. Our committees are also set up to make contributions to candidates only, not to conduct direct campaigns for or against candidates or issues.  As with individuals or organizations, our contributions are limited to $500, although there is state legislation pending this year to increase this amount as well as to abolish the CCEs used by organizations like TBBA.

The TBBA has 3 political committees, one each in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. The goal of these political committees is to identify and support candidates that support the legislative or executive goals of the building industry, or support those that are “pro-housing”. These future decision makers must understand our perspective and how, if elected, their decisions affect our industry and community. Not every candidate values housing or what this industry means to the local economy. Because some candidates are anti-growth, we have a responsibility to educate our members on who we believe are the pro-growth, pro-housing candidates, and our political committees helps us achieve these goals.

During an election year, our political committees will spend hours interviewing potential candidates, both to get to know them and to educate them about our industry. We look both for the candidates who support the builder community, and also look for electability. Though many qualified and well-intentioned candidates vie for these positions of leadership, only a few have the public appeal and the support to win on Election Day.  Once our political committee selects candidates, we can not only make a contribution to their campaign, but also publicize our endorsement and even begin to go to work with them on their campaigns. At best, we can establish win-win relationships that will last for years to come, and continue discussions with our winning candidates at Governmental Affairs forums and issue-specific meetings.

What Do Home Buyers Want in Their Next Home?

New Homes Month in April is a great time to think about what you want in your next new home. We’ve all seen a stunning hillside mansion and dreamed what it would be like to raise our families there. Or envied the amazing renovation makeovers depicted on television shows that give the home owners a sense of pride and accomplishment. But how does your dream home compare to what home buyers across the country are looking for in their new home?

A recent study from the National Association of Homes Builders, What Home Buyers Really Want, shared the results of a survey of the preferences of thousands of home buyers. On average, home buyers are looking for a home that is 17 percent larger than their current home, a median of 2,226 square feet. But, likely as a result of the ongoing challenges of the economic downturn, that size is 13 percent smaller than the average size of homes started in 2012.

The layout of the home is more important than the location to most buyers. Living space and number of rooms was ranked the most influential characteristic by 65 percent of buyers, while only 33 percent ranked proximity to locations they need to go as tops. A sense of open space continues to be popular, with about three-quarters of home buyers wanting a kitchen that is open to the family room, and nearly two-thirds looking for ceilings on the first floor that are 9 feet or more tall.

Some of the most wanted features in a home involve saving energy. Energy Star-rated appliances were rated as essential or desirable by 94 percent of respondents, and 91 percent wanted an Energy Star rating for the whole home. In fact, nine out of ten buyers would rather buy a home with energy-efficient features and permanently lower utility bills than one without those features that costs 2 percent to 3 percent less.

Convenient organization and storage is another home buyer favorite. More than 80 percent of the respondents said they wanted walk-in pantries and pull-out shelves in the kitchen, a laundry room and storage in the garage.

Today’s home buyers want the latest technology. While only 15 percent of home owners currently have a wireless home security system, 50 percent want one. Similar gaps in “have” versus “want” occur with security cameras, lighting control and wireless audio systems, and multi-zone HVACs.

The most unwanted home features include elevators, a location in a golf course, high density or gated community, and having only a shower stall and no tub in the master bath.

So whether you’re planning or dreaming about what your next new home will look like, or you’re making renovations to your current home so that it will appeal to its next owner, keep these home buyer preferences in mind!

SEBC Set for July 11-13 in Orlando

ORLANDO – With its popular showcase home in place and an impressive line-up of exhibitors, seminars and speakers, the Florida Home Builders Association-sponsored Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) is prepared to celebrate its 35^th anniversary in style.

The annual trade show and educational conference will be held July 11-13, 2013 at the Orange County Convention Center – South Hall B1, while the New Southern Home, built by Nathan Cross of NWC Construction, Inc., will be on display to the public on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13. The $699,000 home is located just south of Orlando in the City of Belle Isle and will be a model for Green building and energy-efficiency.

SEBC’s trade show component will feature a wide range of products and services for the new home builder and professional remodeler, including specialty pavilions featuring Hurricane Alley, Green Building, and Masonry. The Florida Department of Emergency Management sponsors the hurricane-mitigation displays while the Florida Masonry Association presents exhibits and show floor demonstrations as part of its co-location partnership with SEBC.

In addition to offering all 14 hours of state-required continuing education for Florida contractors, the educational lineup includes complete tracks of education on management, sales/marketing, Green Building, design/architecture, and technology… all presented by industry experts such as Christine Hamilton and John Palumbo.

New in 2013 is our partnership with the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) and the Houses that Work educational session, which will be presented on Wednesday and Thursday. These programs are designated programs and offer up to 6.5 of continuing education for NAHB Designations, Engineers, Architects and Realtors. 

SEBC is also home to the Aurora Awards, the premier building industry design competition in the Southeast, which will honor its winners on Saturday evening, July 13, 2013, at the Rosen Centre’ Hotel.

For more on SEBC and the Aurora Awards, visit www.sebcshow.com and www.theauroras.com. 

Time to Buy: Tampa Housing Market Shows Consistent Improvement

For anyone in the Tampa Bay area waiting on the sidelines for the housing market to show signs of recovery before buying a new home, that time has come. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), economic indicators show that Tampa Bay has been steadily improving for at least six months. 

 

According to the study, permits, home prices and employment have all been steadily increasing and are projected to continue to rise. “The economic indicators have been and will continue to look very favorable,” said Jennifer Doerfel, Executive Vice President of the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA). “We are finally beginning to feel more secure in the market, and the association will continue to do all that we can to support our members as we look into a very bright future.”

The IMI is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. It measures three sets of independent monthly data—employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau—to get a mark on the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas. 

While tough conditions continue to prevail across much of the country, momentum is building in areas such as Tampa Bay that are showing consistent, measurable improvements in economic conditions.

These steadily improving economic indicators should give potential home buyers more confidence, but they are far from the only reason to buy a home. 

Owning a home is the foundation of the American Dream. The emotional benefits should be considered just as much, if not more than, the potential financial advantages. A home is a place to create family memories and build a sense of stability, pride and accomplishment. At the same time, it serves as a long-term investment that can provide for children’s education and a home owner’s retirement. 

Not even the most well-connected, smartest economic experts can time the market to make sure they buy at the lowest point and sell at the top. Tampa Bay is on the upswing. With competitive prices, interest rates at record low levels, and plenty of banks willing to make loans to qualified borrowers, if you’ve been thinking about making a move, now is the time. 

To find out more, contact TBBA at www.tbba.net or call the office at 813-571-8222.