SEBC Presents Lifeline for Survival
In the most challenging economic environment in two decades, the Florida Home Builders Association-sponsored Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) & Green Building Show extended a lifeline of ideas and inspiration to more than 5,000 industry survivors during its July event in Orlando.
BUILD-PAC Champagne Brunch Invitation and Registration Form
United States Senate candidate Marco Rubio will be the featured guest at a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) BUILD-PAC Champagne Brunch on Thursday, July 22, 2010 immediately following the opening ceremonies of the 32nd annual Southeast Building Conference & Green Building Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Participants will make a $200 investment in BUILD-PAC and the event is free to new Gold Key members. Gold Keys donate $1,000 annually to BUILD-PAC. "Supporting BUILD-PAC is paramount for our industry at this critical time," says Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) President and BUILD-PAC Trustee John C. "Chuck" Fowke of Tampa. "In many ways, our industry's survival hinges on sending people to Washington who know that a strong housing industry is the key to a strong America." The deadline to reserve your place at the event is July 9, 2010. Click here to access the invitation and registration form.
The Lender/Builder Cooperative
A New Way for Builders to Find Financing
Available at the 2010 Southeast Building Conference
The Florida Home Builder’s Association in association with Apogee Partners, LLC is proud to announce the addition of the Lender/Builder Cooperative to the Southeast Building Conference in Orlando July 22-24, 2010. Due to the continued lack of available credit from traditional banking institutions, growing numbers of acquisition, building and development projects are financed by private funding sources. At the Cooperative, builders and developers will have the opportunity to meet with established private equity groups interested in real estate based opportunities in the Southeast region.
Training Video for Florida Contractors
Its hurricane season. Are your mitigation skills ready for the challenge? Do you need to beef up your building code compliance knowledge? Click the below link for a FREE Building Code and Hurricane Mitigation training video.
David Hart Leaves FHBA for Florida Chamber
With deep regret, the Florida Home Builders Association has accepted the resignation of Vice President of Legislative/Governmental Affairs David Hart, who will join the Florida Chamber of Commerce as its Executive Vice President for Governmental Affairs on July 1, 2010.
Free Webinar on Chinese Drywall on March 11
During a free webinar by NAHB and the insurance broker and risk advisor, Marsh, home builders can obtain up-to-date information on testing and remediation protocols for corrosive drywall and learn about the insurance ramifications if they built homes with the product.
Florida Parade of Homes Dates & Locations
Time Running Out for Housing Tax Credit
Over the past year and half, the federal government has enacted a number of special short-term incentives to buy a home. The $8,000 first-time home buyer and $6,500 repeat buyer tax credits have inspired millions of Americans to buy homes. But the window of opportunity to take advantage of those tax credits is quickly running out—they expire on April 30, 2010.
HUD and CPSC Issue Guidance on Indentifying Problem Drywall in Homes
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on January 28, 2010, issued guidance on how to identify the presence of metal corrosion, as well as other indicators of problem drywall in homes. The guidance takes into account visual signs of metal corrosion, evidence of drywall installation in the relevant time period, and the identification of other corroborating evidence or characteristics.
Help for Drywall Displaced Homeowners
As cases of Chinese drywall surface, builders will want to be prepared with resources to help if remedial work is necessary. Rectifying the situation will require, in most cases, that the homeowners and their household goods be displaced.
New FHA Policy Addresses Risk Management
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner David Stevens recently announced a set of policy changes to strengthen the FHA's capital reserves, while enabling the agency to continue to fulfill its mission to provide access to homeownership for underserved communities. The changes announced are the latest in a series enacted in order to better position the FHA to manage its risk while continuing to support the nation's housing market recovery.
Promote Tax Credit Extension/Expansion
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has produced a comprehensive set of resources to help members spread the word about the extended $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, and the $6,500 tax credit for qualified repeat home buyers.
Builders Applaud Tax Credit Extension
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauds Congress for passing legislation that will extend and expand the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit – a much-needed boost to the fragile housing market and economy.
Winter Conference & Board of Directors Meeting
FHBA Sets Winter Conference & Board of Directors Meeting
Florida Home Builders Association Chuck Fowke invites members to attend the association’s Winter Conference and FHBA Board of Directors meeting on December 3-4, 2009 in Orlando.
Congress Urged to Extend, Expand Tax Credit
Three builder members of the Florida Home Builders Association led a teleconferenced panel discussion for the media on October 7, 2009 and reinforced the building industry’s most important initiative: urging Congress to act immediately to extend the $8,000 tax credit for new home buyers (defined as those who have not owned a home in the past three years).
Builders, Designers Receive Prestigious Award
The nationally recognized Aurora Awards were presented recently to builders and designers from throughout the Southeast – honoring the best in new-home construction and design. The awards were presented during an industry gala in conjunction with the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC)/Green Building Conference held recently in Orlando, FL.
CPSC Releases Chinese Drywall Report
The Consumer Product Safety Commission released a status report advising that it will be at least two more months before they can conclude if Chinese drywall contains any potential health risks. A preliminary health-risk assessment is expected to be done in mid- to late September, after the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory completes initial testing of those air samples.
FHBA Summer Builders Conference Leadership Information
Dear FHBA Leaders:
Now more than ever, we need your leadership at the Florida Home Builders Association.
And, today, that means participating in FHBA’s Summer Builders Conference, which is held on July 29-August 2 as part of the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC)/Green Building Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program (Tax Credit Monetization)
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation has released guidelines on how the $30 million Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program will operate.
Answers Needed with Chinese Drywall
By Jay Carlson
By now, we have all heard about the problem with Chinese drywall.
It begins with an acrid odor. Next, the physical damage is discovered, from blackened electrical and plumbing components to broken air conditioning units. Then alarm sets in as the homeowner wonders how the problem can be fixed, who will pay, whether the home’s value will be affected, and even if it is safe to live in the home.
Senate Holds Fact Finding Hearing
In the first Congressional hearing devoted exclusively to Chinese drywall, a U.S. Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over product safety last week heard from Federal health officials that said symptoms experienced by homeowners could be tied to gases being emitted from the tainted drywall.
Free Seminar Gives You The Tools For Success
As a FREE service to members and Florida’s construction professionals, the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and its 27 local Home Builder Associations (HBA) are conducting the Road to Recovery Road Show in 17 cities throughout Florida.
Big Wins for Move-Up Buyers
Potential home buyers who aren't eligible for the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit because they currently own a home actually have what could be an even bigger advantage -- the opportunity to buy a new home that is bigger and better than they could have just a year or two before.
Increased Affordability Helps Homeownership
By Jay Carlson, President
Florida Home Builders Association
Nationwide, housing affordability is at the highest level in at least five years. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimates that 55 million American households have the ability to make their dream of homeownership a reality today — up from 38 million two years ago.
Meeting Industry Insurance Needs
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA), the Florida Home Builder Insurance, Inc. is committed to providing to providing FHBA members access to quality insurance programs.
First-time Home Buyers Enticed
Federal tax credit could tip consumers into buying mode
By Charles J. Kovaleski
If orange juice wasn’t on your shopping list when you went to the grocery store, a good sale may tempt you to buy. If on top of that you were offered a rebate, there might not be anything to stop you reaching for your wallet.
Florida Department of Health Releases Study Results
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) last week held a briefing to discuss preliminary results of their initial study concerning Chinese drywall. Dr. David Krause, DOH principal investigator and a state toxicologist led the briefing.
Home Improvement Benefits Increase
Home owners looking to save money on heating and cooling costs with energy-efficient improvements to their home can also benefit from a newly expanded federal tax credit.
FHBA Applauds State Investigation of Chinese Drywall
The Florida Home Builders Association commends the state attorney general’s decision to investigate complaints about Chinese-made drywall in homes built since 2005, and has pledged its support of efforts to determine the source of the problem and potential impacts.
Understand & Promote Tax Credit
Tax Credit Gives Consumers 8,000 Reasons to Buy
The new economic stimulus legislation signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17 contains several provisions that will be beneficial for members – and help stimulate demand for housing.
Home Buyer Tax Credit Will Create 255,000 Jobs
The $15,000 home buyer tax credit, which is an integral part of the economic stimulus legislation adopted this week by the Senate, will result in nearly 500,000 additional home sales and create 255,000 new jobs in the year ahead, according to research conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Tax Credits Finds America’s Support
Two-thirds of Americans support a $15,000 home buyer tax credit now being considered by Congress as part of its economic stimulus package and believe it will be effective in stimulating home sales, according to results from a new nationwide survey.
Help Make the Economic Stimulus Better for Home Buyers
Home Builders Staging In-District Visits at Congressional Offices across the Country
Contact your Local Home Builders Association to Learn How You Can Join a Visit in Your Community and Help Stick Up for the American Home Buyer
Thank you to everyone who has placed calls through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) legislative hotline to advocate for targeted incentives that would build upon the $7,500 first-time home buyer tax credit passed by Congress last year. NAHB seeks your continued support as we work together for a more robust housing tax credit.
Buyers Shying Away From Market
Prospective home buyers are staying out of the market primarily because they cannot sell their existing homes and because of concerns about employment and the economy, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Florida Builder Elected to Leadership
Barry Rutenberg, a Gainesville-based home builder, was elected as the 2009 Third Vice Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the association's International Builders' Show in Las Vegas.
Builders Hammer Low Appraisals Concerns
The ongoing turmoil affecting the housing and credit markets has brought greater focus to the importance of fair and accurate appraisals.
Builders Converge on Nation’s Capitol
Less than 24 hours after members of the 111th Congress were sworn into office, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) launched an all-out effort to make housing a centerpiece of the massive economic stimulus package that lawmakers are expected to complete by mid-February.
Support Rutenberg for NAHB Leadership
During the 2009 International Builders Show (IBS) slated for January 20-23, voting members of the NAHB Board of Directors will cast their vote for the next Third Vice Chairman (Vice President/Secretary).
Fix the Economy by Fixing Housing
Housing Stimulus Package Needed to Turn Around American Economy
By Jay Carlson, President
Florida Home Builders Association
The statistics are startling: more than half a million jobs were lost in November, with nearly 1.9 million jobs lost year-to-date. One of the hardest-hit segments is the housing industry and related businesses, where it is estimated that three million Americans have lost their jobs in the past few years.
FHBA to Set 2009 Legislative Priorities
The Florida Home Builders Association’s Governmental Affairs Committee will establish the association’s top priorities for the 2009 Legislative Session during a meeting this Friday in Orlando.
Learning Today, Building Tomorrow
Make Your End-of-the-Year Donation
Are you looking for just the right nonprofit organization to make an end-of-the-year donation to? Want to build a worthwhile financial contribution into your 2009 budget?
DBPR Secretary Addresses FHBA Members
By Charles W. Drago, Secretary
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
As Florida Home Builders Association President Jay Carlson shared several weeks ago in FHBAction News, this economic downturn requires innovative and creative solutions from state and local government. As the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, I have a role in helping support the economy by removing burdensome, unnecessary regulation and expediting the licensure of Florida’s professionals—without jeopardizing public safety. I also have an integral role in protecting our licensed professionals from the damages caused by unlicensed activity.
Crowe Replaces Seiders As NAHB Chief Economist
David Crowe, who has been the Senior Staff Vice President for Regulatory and Housing Policy at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) since 2002, has been named the association's Chief Economist, effective November 17. He replaces David Seiders, who recently announced his retirement after serving as NAHB's Chief Economist for more than 20 years.
FHBA's Reed Resigns; Thompson Succeeds
Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) President Jay Carlson announced today that J. Emmett Reed, CAE, has resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President effective January 1, 2009, and will be succeeded by longtime executive Paul M. Thompson, CAE. The change was ratified by the Executive Committee of the 15,894-corporate-member organization.
FHBA Fall Conference Honors Members
By Edie Ousley
Home building professionals from throughout Florida gathered in Orlando in October for the Florida Home Builders Association’s (FHBA) Fall Leadership Conference.
ICC Mandates Residential Fire Sprinklers
By Edie Ousley
During the September 20 & 21 final hearing of the International Code Council, members voted to require all new one- and two-family homes and townhouses be constructed with fire sprinkler systems.
J.D. Power Survey Shows Buyers Satisfied
While the overall housing industry is experiencing a slump, new home buyer satisfaction spiked in 2008.
According to the “2008 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction StudySM” by J.D. Power and Associates, “many home builders are succeeding in significantly improving overall customer satisfaction in 2008, compared with 2007.”
How Does the Housing Tax Credit Work For You?
By Robert Parrish
The President of the United States has signed a bill into law that will give many home shoppers the extra push they need to get off the fence and into a home of their own. If you are a first-time home buyer, you should definitely investigate the possibilities.
Tax Credit to Help Stimulate Housing Market
The nation's home builders are confident that a new temporary $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers included in a landmark housing bill enacted into law last week will get buyers back into the marketplace and help end the current cyclical downturn in the housing industry.
President Signs Housing Stimulus Package
Landmark housing legislation signed into law last week by President Bush is aimed at ending the current cyclical downturn in the housing industry, helping home buyers and strapped borrowers and strengthening the housing finance system, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Knowledge Is Power at 30th Annual SEBC
By Edie Ousley
Power-up your professional knowledge this week at the 30th annual Southeast Building Conference/GreenTrends tradeshow at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. This premier construction industry tradeshow and education conference is the place to be to see the best and latest in building products and services and to learn from some of the country’s top industry professionals.
Green Events Highlight 2008 SEBC/GreenTrends
The tools and techniques to tap into the green building movement are at your fingertips when you attend the 30th annual Southeast Building Conference (SEBC)/Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) GreenTrends event July 30 – August 2 in Orlando.
The 1,000-exhibit exposition features a special section of GreenTrends booths – a record-setting 72 booths – displaying the products and services your "green" clients are demanding.
NAHB Assails Attacks on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) struck back late last week against Administration and Congressional critics of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored entities that support the housing industry by packaging mortgages into investment instruments.
Governor Signs All Priority Bills Into Law
By Edie Ousley
When Governor Charlie Crist signed the Florida Forever extension bill into law last week, he had officially approved the last remaining Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) member-identified legislative priority for 2008.
Toolkit Offers Resources for Challenging Market
The housing market has changed. What was once expected to be a relatively mild slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn.
FHBA Garners Major Insurance Case Victory
By Keith Hetrick
The Florida Supreme Court recently made a surprising about face on a Motion for Rehearing and Clarification, and handed the Florida Home Builders Association an outright victory in the Pozzi insurance case
FBA Students Attending Summer Camp
By Gigi Bouraad
The 5th Annual Future Builders of America Summer Leadership Camp kicks-off this week and more than 75 students from across Florida are expected to attend this intensive three-day event. Hands-on construction training, classroom-style leadership programs, and team-building activities top the agenda for the June 12-14 camp being held in Bartow, FL.
Housing Stimulus Package Helps All Americans
By Robert Parrish
President, Florida Home Builders Association
The faltering economy is hurting hard-working families across our community. Soaring gas and food prices are pinching pocketbooks and the mortgage crisis is hitting consumers and the housing industry very hard.
Building Code Legislation Poised for Passage
By Gigi Bouraad
Important building code legislation – one of the Florida Home Builders Association’s member-identified priority issues – is poised for final passage this week as lawmakers count down to Friday’s official end of the 2008 Legislative Session.
Florida Forever and Affordable Housing Take Center Stage
By Edie Ousley
The Florida Home Builders Association scored a major victory last week when the Florida Senate passed an amendment onto the Florida Forever successor bill that will allow relocation of threatened wildlife species to state conservation lands from development sites.
FHBA Hosts Successful Spring Conference
By Jennifer Wittstock
Home builders flooded Tallahassee last week for the Florida Home Builders Association’s (FHBA) 2008 Spring Legislative Conference where they received a personal update on housing-related legislation being debated this Legislative Session.
Leaders Break Ground on Camp Harper
Florida’s home builders broke ground on Saturday on the nation’s first-ever Future Builders of America (FBA) Leadership Training Camp for youth interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry.
Tax & Fee Cap Plan Poised for Vote
Call-to-Action: Cast Your Support
By Edie Ousley
A proposed Constitutional Amendment that would put a broad cap on local and state government revenues is poised for a key vote this week in Tallahassee.
Onsite Wastewater Bill Gets Favorable Hearing
Builder Broadcast Highlights Legislative Activity
By Edie Ousley
The Florida Legislature has just completed its third week of the 2008 Legislative Session, and already many of the Florida Home Builders Association’s member-identified priority issues have moved into the spotlight.
Dynamic Lobbying Team Bolsters FHBA Members
By Edie Ousley
One of the greatest strengths the Florida Home Builders Association provides is our ability to help ensure the state’s regulatory environment does not impede our members’ ability to do business. Aggressive, yet methodical legislative and governmental affairs efforts help us accomplish this goal.
FBA Camp Groundbreaking Set
By Gigi Bouraad
During the upcoming 2008 Spring Legislative Conference scheduled April 5 – 8 in Tallahassee, the Florida Home Builders Foundation will make groundbreaking history – literally.
FHBA Debuts Builder Broadcast News Program
By Edie Ousley
This week marks the debut of Builder Broadcast…the Florida Home Builders Association’s newest member communications tool. Like tuning to your favorite television or web-based news program, Builder Broadcast allows viewers to get an inside view of FHBA activities, events and news from the convenience of your computer.
FHBA Leaders Meet House Speaker
By Robert Parrish
Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with House Speaker Marco Rubio to talk about some of the issues near and dear to you – property tax reform and stimulating Florida’s economy.
Lawmakers Crack Down on Copper & Metal Thefts
By Gigi Bouraad
Last week Rep. Baxter Troutman (R–Winter Haven) and Attorney General Bill McCollum joined Sen. Victor Crist (R-Tampa) and Sen. Lee Constantine (R–Altamonte Springs) in unveiling legislation for the 2008 Legislative Session designed to put an end to secondary metal theft, a surging crime trend plaguing residents and businesses across Florida.
Governor Creates Foreclosure Prevention Task Force
Governor Charlie Crist Wednesday created the Florida Home Ownership Promotes the Economy (HOPE) Task Force by Executive Order to develop an action plan to address Florida’s escalating foreclosure rate.
Parrish Pushes for Housing Stimulus
By Gigi Bouraad
Last week, Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) President Robert Parrish testified before the House Economic Expansion & Infrastructure Council, sharing insight into Florida’s current housing market conditions and offering ways to help stimulate Florida’s housing industry and the economy.
FHBA Welcomes BUILD Class of 2008
By Gigi Bouraad
The Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) is pleased to welcome 11 exceptional students from our local associations into the BUILD: Building University for Individual Leadership Development Class of 2008.
Hometown Democracy Doesn’t Make Ballot
Florida’s home building industry won a huge victory last week when the Florida Division of Elections announced that Hometown Democracy fell 65,000 valid signatures short to place the “vote on everything” amendment on the 2008 ballot.
Voters Say Yes to Amendment 1
By Edie Ousley
Floridians desperate for property tax relief said “yes” on Tuesday to Amendment 1.
Thanks to strong encouragement from Florida Governor Charlie Crist and many state business organizations, Floridians approved property tax relief measures that will hopefully jump start the state’s economy and provide a much-needed economic boost to Florida’s real estate and home building industry.
IBS: Home Builders Return to Orlando
Thousands of home builders and their colleagues from across the housing industry will be returning to Orlando for the 2008 International Builders' Show (IBS) at the Orange County Convention Center on Feb. 13-16.
FHBA Targets Metal Theft Epidemic
All across Florida, and the rest of the nation, residents and businesses are being targeted by a growing group of criminals… metal thieves and resellers. The Florida Home Builders Association is doing its part to help put a stop to secondary metal theft.