NORTH TEXAS HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION
Volume 10, No. 2 • February 2017
4410 Fairway Boulevard Wichita Falls, TX 76308
P: 940.692.2211 F: 940.692.2214
www.nthba.com
From the President
While Washington D.C. begins with a new president, the 85th legislative session is underway in Texas. Now is a great time to really see how your membership works for you. Below you will find the TAB Legislative Priorities for the 85th Legislative Session.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 85TH Legislative Session Preventive burdensome fees that affect affordable housing Local government imposed fees on housing impedes the overall cost of living for Texas Homebuyers. In fact for every $1,000 increase in the cost of a median priced home, approximately 20,000 Texas households are priced out. In order to maintain access to an affordable housing market for our state’s growing population, TAB’s focus is to prevent, reduce and eliminate taxes, fees and costs on housing. Support reasonable improvements to the mechanic’s lien statute The Texas Mechanic’s Lien Statute (Property Code Ch.53) affects the home building industry as well as several partner industries such as the mortgage lending, banking, multifamily building, and title insurance industries. The current system established in statute works efficiently for most owners, lenders, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and title companies. TAB supports adjustments to the lien law to improve certain compliance provisions; however, cautions against wholesale changes that result in negative consequences to our healthy construction industry. Provide a seller notice of military bases to home buyers In order to provide home buyers with adequate information regarding the purchase of a new home, TAB supports legislation that would require home buyers to be notified if their selection home is adjacent to a military base. Continues on Page 3
Special Thanks to our 2017 NTHBA Partners: Diamond Atmos Energy Platinum Union Square Credit Union Gold First National Bank of Wichita Falls
What’s
INSIDE • Calendar of Events • NTHBA Privileged to Hear Article • Rally Day Article • Young Professional Poker Tournament
General Membership Meeting February 2, 2017 11:30 AM at the Kemp Center for the Arts 1300 Lamar Street.
Guest Speaker: Keith Gauthier Superintendent/State Park Police Lake Arrowhead State Park
February Birthdays
Bobby Diltz.....................................................................................8 Doug McCulloch.......................................................................8 John Thompson.........................................................................11 Dennis Probst..............................................................................15 Debra West..................................................................................19 Harold Newton..........................................................................20 Barney Brock..............................................................................22 Steven Klasse.............................................................................23
Welcome New Members
Shawn Bates...............................................................................27 Happy Birthday!
Hooper Construction ............................ Chet Hooper First National Bank ................................ Lindsey Sheppard Turner Appraisal Company ................. Stephen Turner Union Square Credit ............................. Jessica Lyons Union Square Credit .............................. Delinda Dodd Welcome!
Renewals
2017 Calendar of Events February 2nd........................................................General Membership Meeting 11:30AM February 8th.................................Publications & Communications Committee Meeting 11AM February 15th.............................................................Budget & By-Laws Committee Meeting 10:15 AM
Atmos Energy ................................................... Sharon Tucker Feruary 15th...........................................Board of Directors Meeting Atmos Energy ................................................... Randy West Atmos Energy ................................................... Debbie West Atmos Energy ................................................... Kelly Coats First National Bank .......................................... Kathie Davis Union Square Credit ...................................... Scott Flinn Thanks for Renewing!
2
February 17th.........................................................Young Professionals Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament 6PM February 22nd..................................................Rally Day – Austin, TX. February 23rd & 24th...................TAB Winter Committee & Board Meetings – Austin, TX. February 25th & 26.......................................... Home & Garden Show
Continued from page 1
Protect existing code process by ensuring structures are built to quality standards In Texas, we have established codes that are in statute and that work. It is imperative that we make sure new construction is built to code in all areas of the state. Streamline processes for multifamily and low income tax credit developers TAB supports legislation that would remove onerous obligations that prevent the development of housing for lower income citizens, such as removing the requirement for state representative letters in the Texas Department of Housing Qualified Application Plan (QAP) application process. In addition, TAB recognizes the burdensome legal hurdles faced by low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) developers as a result of misunderstanding and false application of the property appraisal process. TAB supports legislation that would clarify the property appraisal process guidelines specifically for low income housing tax credit developments, which unlike common properties must observe to federally-restricted rental amounts. Ensure the Texas title system continues to effectively protect property owners Texas has one of the most comprehensive title systems in the nation, which lends itself to well-being of our state’s home building and real estate industries. Since the existing Texas title insurance regulatory system works well for consumers in Texas, TAB would oppose changes to the Texas land title system that would increase total costs to the housing industry or decrease the security to home buyers and property owners. Recover attorney’s fees for vested rights Clarify that attorney fees are recovered in vested rights actions, by mirroring such language found in the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act. Protect reasonable releases from Certificates of Conveniences and Necessity (CCN) CCN’s give a holder the exclusive right to provide retail water and/or sewer utility service to an identified geographic area. However, circumstances arise whereby a land owner should be released from a CCN in order to effectively develop property. TAB will oppose changes that would create lengthy requirements and barriers before land owners can be granted releases from CCN’s.
Garage Doors and Openers Windows, Brick, Entry Doors
Hall Hall Building Building Products Products
(940) 696-5900
www.hallbuildingproducts.com
The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) represents nearly 10,000 home builder, remodeler, developer, and associated trade members across Texas. TAB is committed to creating a positive business environment for the housing industry by addressing the housing issues of the people of Texas. NOTE: while these are priorities, there are thousands of bills that our Government Relations Team along with our lobbyist have to be vigilant of in order to monitor those that may have a detrimental effect on the housing industry. Your membership not only makes TAB almost 10000 voices strong but gives you a personal advocate to do the time consuming studies to keep you in business. This not only gives you a great reason to renew your membership each year but should encourage you to continue supporting the TAB HOMEPAC Fund.
Serving Archer, Clay and Wichita Counties &MNXPPE /PSUI "WF t 8JDIJUB 'BMMT 5FYBT t 'BY
3
NTHBA Privileged to Hear Motivation Speech by Talented Local Speaker Writen By Teri Gibson
WINDOWS, DOORS AND MORE!
522 Beverly Drive Wichita Falls, Texas 76309
723-1436
Ever heard the saying, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know? Well the NTHBA just happened to know the right person to hook us up Always Remember to do Business with Association Members! with Mark Lukert as our guest speaker for our January 5th General Membership Meeting. Mark Lukert is a talented motivational speaker BRYAN WAGGONER known by many in the North Texas area and beyond. Several know him from his long list of accomplishments, State 3907 Kell BoulevarE t WJDIJUB 'BMMT t Texas 76308 President of Texas Elementary Principal’s and Supervisor’s Association (2003), TEPSA Executive Committee (10 years), Texas Representative for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (6 years), State President for Texas Association for the Improvement of Reading (2 years), District IX TEPSA President, President of Wichita Falls Elementary Principals Organization, Special Education Advisory Board, Wichita Falls ISD, Protégé Advisory Board, Wichita Falls ISD, Total Quality School District Trainer, Wichita Falls ISD, Extra Mile Award, Coppell ISD, PTA Life Member, Wichita Falls Family of the Year (1993), many due to his long history with the WFISD as well as his community involvement. Mark opened the program with somewhat of an ice breaker by NTHBA Member since 1972 talking about his family. Mark teased, saying he doesn’t always get to talk about his family so now that he had a captive audience he was going to do so. Mark mentioned he had married his childhood sweetheart, Debbie in 1976 and together they had 4 wonderful children: Kris, Kolter, Kaleb and Katy as well as numerous grandchildren. Mark talked about how proud he was of his family. This set the tone for what he was going to talk about, relationships. Mark quoted from Zig Ziglar: The foundation – Stones for a balance between success, honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty. He mentioned as business owners it was important to build a foundation with our employees in order to build relationships with our clients. Several factors go into a relationship.
Helping Build Our Community Since 1907
Trust – When you build a relationship, you are building trust. Perception – powerful personal reality distorted. Many times people are totally off base with their perception of someone. They may make a determination by the way a person is dressed, look, speak or carry themselves. In many cases you are better off if you listen and learn. Sometimes all people need is for someone to listen. Overall it is important to realize everyone has a story. People will forget what you say or do but not how you made them feel. Impression – The impression a person gets from a business when they walk in is what they remember. Front line people are the key to business. People can tell the climate of a business as soon as they walk in. If they see a happy face they feel they are walking into a happy place. If you are that front line person and you’re having a bad day, you need to fake it until you make it. People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Mark said we as leaders should still put customer service at the top of our list. We should be totally committed to customer experience. He said, “Think positive, be positive and positive things will happen. Even today, a smile does go a long way.” In closing Mark mentioned not all relationships are easy to build but in the long run they are worth it.
4
Member FDIC
Rally Day TAB’s Rally Day is an advocacy event hosted at the Texas State Capitol. Rally Day is a valuable opportunity for association members to visit Austin, Texas and to talk with their local legislators and key policy staff face-to-face. TAB will provide briefing materials on legislative issues and pending legislation that is important to the Texas residential construction, remodeling and development industry. The day’s events include a Welcome Ceremony with a keynote speaker, scheduled meetings with your local legislators and a Legislative Reception at the historic Driskill Hotel. Rally Day is conducted every other year when the Texas Legislature is in session. This event won’t take place again until 2019.
When?
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017
Why Attend Rally Day?
Your attendance is important. By attending Rally Day, you serve as the strongest representation of the Texas residential construction, remodeling and development industry. ► Meet with your elected officials and their leading policy staff ► Be the face of the Texas home building industry ► Share your knowledge of the industry in order to protect it ► Learn about legislative policy proposals that may impact the industry ► Collaborate and network with other industry leaders
How Much?
Rally Day is FREE to attend. Parking Capitol Visitors Parking Garage located at 1202 San Jacinto, between Trinity and San Jacinto Streets, at 12th and 13th Streets. Schedule at a Glance Event Registration opens at 9 a.m. inside the TAB office. The Welcome Ceremony will commence at 10:30 a.m. on the Capitol south steps. The Legislative Reception will be hosted at The Driskill Hotel from 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Kathy Gregory 940.249.5293
Jerry Phillips 940.249.5288
Nicki Bomer 940.249.5291
Karen Anderson 940.249.5292
4245 KEMP BLVD., STE. 420 • WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS 76308
5
BEST ELECTRIC COMPANY
&RPPHUFLDO ‡ ,QGXVWULDO 5HVLGHQWLDO ‡ %XFNHW 7UXFN ³$IWHU +RXUV´ (PHUJHQF\ 6HUYLFHV /LFHQVHG %RQGHG
DON WRIGHT - President Cell: (940) 636-5641 2606 GRANT STREET WICHITA FALLS, TX 76309 Tel: (940) 696-2758 fax: (940) 691-3757
Let Us Check Your Shorts
Commercial/Residential Plumbing, Builder Sales, Appliances, Lighting
1300 Hatton Road Wichita Falls, TX 76301 Phone: (940) 767-2506
Fax: (940) 761-5563 (888) 266-1387 www.ferguson.com
7+(
The Ember Shop
Wood Burning & Gas Fireplaces, Outdoor Kitchens and Supplies
Featuring Fireplaces by
There were 5 New Home Permits pulled in the City of Wichita Falls in January. There have been 3 Permits pulled from NTHBA Builder Members and 2 from non-members. This is the total for the begining of the new year
;WURUGLQDLU ‡ 'D9LQFFL ‡ /RSL ‡ $YDORQ
Service and Installation
JOHNNY McCLANE 0F1LHO $YHQXH :LFKLWD )DOOV 7; WKHHPEHUVKRS#ZI QHW We also carry fireplaces by: Superior, Golden Blount, Isokern, & Stone Age
Serving Texas & Oklahoma since 1971
www.TheEmberShop.com
American National Bank
Mortgage Loans
Home Loans From Your Home Town Bank
anbhomeloan.com
397-2333
(940)
940-766-3418 2012 Kell Blvd.
2801 Kell East
Phone (940) 692-5734
Wichita Falls
Fax (940) 692-0391
Texas 76308
6
Lane Landes, Owner
tco@wf.net
Commercial Services
3301 Kell Blvd., Wichita Falls, TX 76308
John Thompson Mike Sharp Robert Masters 940-447-9050
Ready to Play Some Cards!
Prizes will be awarded as follows $300.00 First Place $150.00 Second Place $50.00 Third Place
The North Texas Home Builders Association Young Professionals are hosting a Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament When: February 17, 2017 Where: PPG ERA Building – on Bacon Switch Rd. just up from Howmet Time: 6:00 PM Cost: $50.00 buy-in Finger Food and Non-alcohol drinks will be provided. This is a BYOB Event – Everyone is welcome You do not have to be a member to attend so grab your friends and make plans to support the Young Professionals
If you plan to attend please contac Teri at 940-692-2211 or email nthba.teri@gmail.com this will help us to in preparing for the event. If you are a NTHBA Member you can request to be invoiced.
LET UNION SQUARE WELCOME YOU HOME! CALL US TODAY AT 940.720.8100 OR VISIT WWW.UNIONSQUARE.ORG.
Proceeds are used to send Young Professionals to represent the association and take an active part in State meetings as well as have networking events to encourage membership.
MORE LIKE FAMILY.
7
Save Money. Lower Your Energy Bill. Right now is the best time to upgrade your home or business. Atmos Energy customers in Central and North Texas* can take advantage of valuable financial incentives by purchasing high-efficiency natural gas appliances for their home or business.
R E C E I V E U P TO A
R E C E I V E U P TO A
$500
rebate for a natural gas high-efficiency furnace
$300
RECEIVE A
$200
rebate for a natural gas high-efficiency tankless water heater
rebate for a natural gas clothes dryer Visit atmosenergy.com/texasrebates or call 888.286.6200 for details. *Rebates do not apply to customers in the City of Dallas.
8
Join the conversation about natural gas at:
R E C E I V E U P TO A
$200
rebate for a natural gas high-efficiency tank water heater
Buyers Prefer Amenities over Size in New Homes, Survey Shows
overwhelmingly prefer a smaller house with more features and amenities over sheer size. “More than two-thirds are willing to trade size for high-quality products and features,� Quint said. New research from Better Homes & Gardens targets a subset of these home owners: “First Millennials,� those between the ages of 22-39 who have purchased their first home.
The average size of newly built homes decreased in 2016 – a sign that the home building industry is preparing for the coming wave of first-time buyers as millennials begin to dip their toes into the market, according to research and survey results released today by NAHB. Continues on Page 10 In 2015, the typical new home had 2,689 square feet. In 2016, it dropped to 2,634, U.S. Census data show. That’s the first drop in size since 2009, said Rose Quint, NAHB’s assistant vice president for survey research. “The data on new home characteristics show a pattern,� she said. “2016 marked the end of an era that began in 2009 when homes got bigger and bigger with more amenities. I expect the size of homes to ACME BRICK COMPANY continue to decline as demand increases from first-time buyers.� (940) 691-9679 office These homes must include specific (940) 691-2560 office Harold Newton 6701 Seymour Hwy. (940) 691-9678 fax amenities: Just as in 2015, a separate Branch Manager Wichita Falls, TX 76310 hnewton@acmebrick.com laundry room tops the list of must-haves across all income groups. Energy-efficient features like low-E windows, Energy Always Remember to do Business with Association Members! Star-rated appliances, ceiling fans and programmable thermostats are also at the BRYAN WAGGONER top of buyers’ wish lists. Home buyers also 3907 Kell BoulevarG ‡ WLFKLWD )DOOV ‡ Texas 76308 want their homes to include a patio, exterior (940) 691-3641 lighting and a full bath on the main level. )D[ ‡ Not as popular among buyers in 2017: E-Mail bryanl@waggonercarpetone.com cork flooring and solar and geothermal energy, as well as features such as pet-washing stations, outdoor kitchens and sunrooms. “Builders are not going to include them in the average home,� Quint said. A majority of home buyers prefer a new home to an existing one, and 65% want that home to be in the suburbs. Size preference goes up as income goes up, with buyers in the $150,000-plus income bracket preferring homes just under 2,500 square feet. No matter what the income, buyers
9
Continued from Page 9
These buyers generally purchase older housing stock in need of fixing up, said executive editor Jill Waage, which means “88% of them are very interested in learning about home improvement and repair.� They don’t want to spend too much money, and they are willing to compromise on high-quality products and finishes, saving them for their next home. “They’re scarred,� from the recent economic downturn, “but they aren’t scared.� Surrounded by a culture that watches home improvement reality shows and how-to videos on social media – and remembering their parents’ experiences in the Great Recession – First Millennials overwhelmingly prefer do-it-yourself projects, said Waage, even if they ultimately have to turn it over to a professional to complete. Watching these shows, seeing what’s shared on social media and learning from the experiences of their friends and neighbors working on similar fixer-uppers inspires these young families to get out not only their paint brushes and hammers but even their miter saws and other specialty equipment – and to work on these projects together. And they aren’t just making home improvements, Waage said. “They’re creating a style, a statement – decorating and remodeling at the same time.�
Amenities for outside living continue to be popular and increasingly include “she sheds,� stand-alone buildings from a kit or built onsite to be used for outdoor entertaining, crafting, reading or just to get away, Waage said. “Seventy-five percent of millennials want relaxing outdoor spaces,� and vegetable gardens, fences and decks top their list of projects. But it’s all about value, as this group thinks ahead to building equity to enable them to purchase their next home. And when that happens, they aren’t looking for oversized master suites or over-the-top finishes. They want mud rooms, that important separate laundry room, and plenty of gathering space. “This generation likes being together. They don’t want to be separate,� Waage said. The NAHB Home Buyer Preferences survey is available from BuilderBooks.
LANDMARK
TITLE COMPANY Your title needs handled promptly (XUHND &LUOFH ‡ :LFKLWD )DOOV 7; Commercial/Residential Sales, Service, Installation
The Original Since 1921
OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY OF WICHITA FALLS 601 Central Freeway East Wichita Falls, Texas 76302
Phone (940) 767-7788 Fax (940) 687-3677
RWP SERVICES
While elaborate outdoor rooms are beyond most millennials’ means, this gorgeous BALA award-winning space is one to aspire to. Photography by Tim Burleson.
10
OCE of Texas &HUWLÂżHG &RQVWUXFWLRQ (OHYDWLRQ 6XUYH\
Fencing
Custom Gates Randy Pebworth 2 ) ‡ ‡ UZSHE #JPDLO FRP Landscaping
703 E. Scott Wichita Falls, TX 76308
2525 Kell Blvd., Suite 100 Wichita Falls, TX 76308 940.763.2100 (main line) 940.763.2101 (fax) lcannedy@fidelitybankwf.com
Lance Cannedy
11
Benefiting the Arts Council of Wichita Falls through the Kemp Center for the Arts & The Forum
SATURDAY * FEBRUARY 25 * 9 AM to 6 PM SUNDAY * FEBRUARY 26 * 11 AM to 5 PM
☛ Sunday, February 26th, 11 A.M til 1 P.M. tickets $6.00 at the door ☛ Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall 1000 5th Street, Wichita Falls $8 per Person * $6 Active Military $6 In Advance (Children 12 and under admitted free and must be accompanied by adult) (Advance ticket sales end at the close of business; Friday, February 24)
Free Trolley Transportation Available
Saturday 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. from the parking lot for all guests.