BISMARCK-MANDAN HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION JULY 2020 || WWW.BMHBA.COM
BUILDING Building Buzz is a publication of the Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association.
Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association 2600 Gateway Ave, Ste 1 Bismarck, ND 58503 Phone: 701.222.2400 Fax: 701.250.9730
www.facebook.com/bmhba PROFESSIONALS BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH
PROMOTION OF
SINCE 1958.
PRESIDENT Sattler Homes 701-255-7628 jeff@bismarckbuilder.com VICE PRESIDENT Aspire Homes 701-426-8583 greg@daretoaspire.com 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Triton Homes 701-223-3030 jamie.schmidt@investcore.com
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Northern Plains Plumbing, Heating & Air 701-222-2155 greg@northernplains.net
www.bmhba.com Townsquare Media 701-250-6602 bill.schmid@townsquaremedia.com Stoneshire Builders 701-471-6935 brian@stoneshirebuilders.com Hallmark Homes 701-471-7634 hallmarkhomes@outlook.com
TREASURER Boulder Homes 701-400-5554 boulderhomesnd@gmail.com Great Plains Rehab 701-400-0676 rtank@primecare.org
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Dakota OutdoorScapes 701-214-1255 mckenzie@ndscapes.com
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Joe Vetter Construction 701-258-9394 joevetterjvc@gmail.com
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Apex Builders 701-527-7899 amy@apexbuildersnd.com
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Dawn Watson dawn@bmhba.com Office: 701-222-2400 Cell: 701-390-5049
Simone Marchus simone@bmhba.com Office: 701-222-2400 Cell: 701-527-7230
Elysha Head
Representing the diversity of the building industry, the BMHBA consists of building specialists from every section of the construction field and associated industries. Your membership strengthens our voice in Bismarck-Mandan construction sector as well as at a state and national level. Please renew your membership by July 31st, 2020.
Steve Austin
Kristin Oban
Paula Haider
Jamie Stephens
Nancy Deichert
Kristin Eisenzimmer
Sue Blair
Josh Kuntz
Joel Kostelecky
Randy Tank
Dave Prindiville
DeLayna Allen
Kris Heidelberger
Lindsey Matter
Mike Emmel
Gerry Rudnick
Beth Dinneen
Chad Dietrich
J.D. Dolezal
Dennis Kraft
Ruth Stewart
Steve Shepherd
Kevin Fischer
Brandon Wistisen
Curtis Peterson
Doug Doerr
Kurt Steiner
Cindy Klym
Jon Zabolotny
Rachelle Johnson
Levi Miller
John Nelson
Brian Dauenhauer
Lynn Klein
Marc Taylor
Steve Delap
2020 Summer has officially arrived! The temperatures are warm, and we’re as busy as ever. I hope all of you are enjoying the new season to the fullest extent and spending as much time as possible with family and friends. The BMHBA staff have been busy preparing for the upcoming golf tournament at Hawktree Golf Club. This event will be held on July 14, and I’m anticipating it being the best tournament to date. I highly encourage you to sign up for the golf tournament, or the upcoming clay shoot on August 20th. Both events will be very exciting, and are prime opportunities to meet Dawn Watson, the new Executive Officer.
well as all land developers and multifamily property owners are ineligible for the PPP. This is resulting in dire consequences for the home building industry. I requested that the necessary legislative changes be made to provide a waiver from eligibility restrictions in the existing 7(a) loan program to allow home builders, land developers, multifamily property owners and 501(c)(6) organizations access to the PPP.
Before we know it, the Fall Mixer and Board Elections will be here. If you have ever been inclined to join the BMHBA’s Board of Directors, I encourage you to run. We always appreciate a fresh and unique perspective. The Fall Mixer and Elections will be held on October 15 at the Ramada in Bismarck. There will be two available builder On June 22nd and 23rd, the North Dakota Association of seats, and one open associate seat on the Board. If you Builders hosted congressional meetings with government have any questions on how to run for a position, please officials in North Dakota. In lieu of meeting in person, the call the office at 222-2400. meetings were held via video conference. During the meeting, I addressed the need for eligibility expansion for Happy Fourth of July, BMHBA members! May you all the Paycheck Protection Program. Under the existing have a safe and festive holiday. rules of the program, many small home building firms as
Regards,
2020 PRESIDENT :: BMHBA
MONTH
YEAR
‘15 ‘16 ‘17 ‘18 ‘19 ‘20
‘15 ‘16 ‘17 ‘18
‘19 ‘20
‘15 ‘16 ‘17 ‘18
‘19 ‘20
‘15 ‘16 ‘17
‘18
‘19 ‘20
‘15 ‘16 ‘17
‘18
‘19 ‘20
0
9
1
0
10
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
FEBRUARY
3
4
5
2
0
10
0
0
0
1
1
2
6
5
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
2
1
1
0
0
0
3
MARCH
21 22 14
2
9
32
2
2
1
4
11
6
4
8
2
8
0
3
0
0
0
1
9
9
4
2
4
12
APRIL
52 29 40
27
26
23
4
3
6
8
14 12
8
16
11
5
18
2
4
0
6
1
14
5
11
11
14
4
MAY
31 46 29
16
28
23
5
6
4
9
26 13 11
15
11
4
17
2
5
5
0
2
14 16
7
20
10
5
JUNE
31 43 48
24
18
10
2
2
21 20 13
13
4
1
6
3
1
1
8
11
4
4
6
JULY
40 16 60
22
17
3
3
2
9
13
6
11
12
0
5
1
5
1
13
9
4
3
11
AUGUST
20 48 16
27
19
6
1
7
17
7
13
20
10
8
2
9
4
5
8
9
6
8
5
SEPTEMBER
28 44 26
22
23
8
3
10
16 14 26
11
10
3
3
4
5
2
9
9
9
6
5
OCTOBER
54 14 22
15
36
4
7
3
9
29 20
9
9
17
10
7
5
3
4
7
3
7
1
NOVEMBER
16 11
9
11
14
3
0
1
7
7
7
6
2
2
5
0
0
0
3
4
1
0
2
DECEMBER
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
4
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
45
27
36
13
132 123 114 116
40
37
28
20
4
83
80
51
61
60
20
27
36
13
132 123 114 116
40
37
28
20
4
83
80
51
61
60
20
-4% -36% 20%
-2%
0
TOTAL
297 286 270 169 201
67
YTD TOTAL
297 286 270 169 201
67
YTD Total
0
-4% -6% -37% 19%
BISMARCK SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BOULDER HOMES BOULDER HOMES BOULDER HOMES BOULDER HOMES BOULDER HOMES J.E. HOMES J.E. HOMES J.E. HOMES JOE VETTER CONST. JOE VETTER CONST. K&L HOMES K&L HOMES
Data not collected for the ETA in 2015 and 2016.
JANUARY
3909 SILVER BLVD 3905 SILVER BLVD 5201 GOLD DRIVE 202 RUTLAND DRIVE 208 RUTLAND DRIVE 5304 GOLD DRIVE 5308 GOLD DRIVE 5214 GOLD DRIVE 3817 COGBURN ROAD 3915 COGBURN ROAD 1411 COMMUNITY LOOP 5801 CRESTED BUTTE ROAD
0
45
-40% 33%
K&L HOMES K&L HOMES K&L HOMES SATTLER HOMES SATTLER HOMES STONESHIRE BUILDERS STONESHIRE BUILDERS STONESHIRE BUILDERS STONESHIRE BUILDERS VERITY HOMES
BISMARCK ETA ASPIRE HOMES
-7% -7% 2%
71
13
67
71
13
67
-39%
5933 VALLEY VISTA LN 1116 LIMITED LANE 1206 COMMUNITY LOOP 4808 MALTBY STREET 2617 PEACH TREE DR. 4114 SILVER BLVD 4116 SILVER BLVD 4118 SILVER BLVD 4120 SILVER BLVD 218 HURON DRIVE
4511 FERNWOOD DR.
-40% -8% -24% -29%
ASPIRE HOMES J.E. HOMES JOE VETTER CONST.
6619 SELLAND LOOP 3722 BOGEY DRIVE 8230 NICKLAUS DR.
MANDAN SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING J.E. HOMES J.E. HOMES J.E. HOMES J.E. HOMES VERITY HOMES VERITY HOMES VERITY HOMES
3814 AMARI LOOP NW 1014 CHIPPEWA AVE NW 3813 AMARI LOOP NW 3817 AMARI LOOP NW 3713 GALE CICLE SE 3717 GALE CIRCLE SE 708 KEIDEL TRAIL SW
The Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association is proud to be part of an industry that keeps Americans thriving. On this Fourth of July, we hope you put your work aside for the day and celebrate the nation that we’re able to proudly call our own. Afterall, you deserve it. The home building industry lays the foundation for which this country is built on. This industry has a profound economic impact on our country and creates millions of jobs. In 2018, 11.2 million people worked in the construction industry. Our industry persevered during a pandemic and continued to build infrastructure to keep our communities housed and safe. That is something to celebrate. Thank you to the hard working people that keep the American Dream alive.
Grab your guns, we’re going to Capital City Sporting Clays! On August 20th, the Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association will host its 13th Annual Clay Shoot. This will be the first year that the event will be held in conjunction with the Bismarck-Mandan Board of REALTORS®. Attendees can expect the same ticket price from previous years, but a much livelier event. Event details will be shared via email, Facebook and the BMHBA website. If you are interested in either attending or sponsoring this event, please call 222-2400.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission (Commission) has awarded $500,000 in Renewable Energy Program matching funds to the Energy & Environmental Research Center, for work toward the development of the first integrated North Dakota ethanol and carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility. The proposed research will use the Red Trail Energy ethanol facility near Richardton, ND, as a case study, building on the successful outcomes of three phases of work since 2016. A CO2 Storage Facility Permitting Guidance Document will be compiled as part of the project to serve as a resource for other North Dakota renewable energy or biofuel producers interested in pursuing utilization of CCS technology. In a joint statement the Commission said, “This project continues to help maximize the marketability of North Dakota ethanol through evolving CCS incentive programs.” The North Dakota Industrial Commission, consisting of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees the Renewable Energy Program. The Legislature established the program in 2007 to provide funding for research, development, marketing and education to foster growth of renewable energy including wind, biofuels, biomass, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and hydrogen. The next application deadline for the program is August 1, 2020. For more information on approved projects or the program, contact Jonathan Russo (701-328-5347) or Andrea Pfennig (701-328-3786).
The Industrial Commission of North Dakota approved $166,174 in Outdoor Heritage Fund matching grants for five conservation and recreation projects benefiting North Dakotans across the state. The funding, generated from oil and gas production tax revenue, supports projects such as access to public and private lands for sportsmen, farming and ranching stewardship practices, fish and wildlife habitat preservation, and outdoor recreation areas. The projects approved include: •
•
•
•
•
$8,000 – City of Columbus: Develop the old Columbus High School lot into a new community park called Cougar Park. Funds will be used to purchase playground equipment, prepare the lot, and safely install equipment. $60,000 – Cass County Soil Conservation District: Provide financial and technical assistance for establishing conservation cover crops in Cass County. $6,597 – City of Turtle Lake: Replace the existing ground cover under the community’s playground equipment with new ground cover in accordance with First District Health Unit’s requirements. $50,000 – Devils Lake Park Board: Install a floating dock, boat slips, gangway, and suspended walkway on the east side of Creel Bay next to the Creel Bay Golf Course Clubhouse to increase the public’s ability to dock boats.
$41,577 – Sargent County Water Resource District: To alleviate the safety concerns of water seepage through the embankment of Silver Lake Dam, protect the available recreational and natural resources, and provide flood protection for properties along the Wild Rice River.
The Industrial Commission of North Dakota, which oversees the Outdoor Heritage Fund, consists of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.
The next submission deadline for grant applications from state agencies, tribal governments, political subdivisions and non-profit organizations is Sept. 1, 2020. For more information, contact Bob Kuylen at 701-677-4115.
The U.S. Census Bureau released new population estimates for cities on May 21. Mandan and Morton County are among areas in North Dakota that are gaining. Mandan’s population is estimated at 22,752 as of July 1, 2019.
The bureau again adjusted estimates going back to 2011. The new estimate indicates 1% growth from 2018 to 2019 and a 24% increase since 2010. Mandan remains North Dakota’s eighth largest city. Morton County’s 2019 population is estimated to be 31,364, up 1% from 31,058 in 2018.The Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan statistical area (communities with populations of 50,000 or more) is home to an estimated 128,949 people, up 17% since 2010.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission announced the program is competitive with the top-scoring projects today that the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency receiving the awards. (NDHFA) has made more than $1.8 million in conditional “The dollars available during this funding round were due funding commitments through the state’s Housing Incentive to a turn back of assistance from a developer who was no Fund (HIF) to two new affordable housing projects. longer able to move a project forward,” said Dave Flohr, “Focusing the state’s development resources on senior NDHFA’s executive director. The agency received three housing helps to ensure older North Dakotans are able to applications for the available funds. live safely and comfortably,” said members of the Since HIF’s 2011 inception, more $97 million has been Commission in a joint statement. The Industrial allocated to 88 projects, leveraging more than $492 million Commission, consisting of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, in construction financing to support the development or Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney rehabilitation of 2,790 housing units statewide. Affordable General Wayne Stenehjem, oversees NDHFA. housing development programs administered by NDHFA NDHFA awarded $1,289,527 to Lakeland Court have allocation plans that are reviewed annually to ensure Apartments II for the new construction of a 24-unit senior that the projects that receive financial awards address North housing project. The Devils Lake, ND, project is expected to Dakota’s greatest housing needs. begin construction this summer. Each applicant must provide evidence that there is a Prairie Ridge Residences was awarded $549,667 to need for the type of housing proposed, that the community support the new construction of a 120-unit senior project. supports the project, and that construction costs are The Fargo, ND, project will need to secure additional reasonable. financing before construction begins. More information about HIF or other development HIF strengthens communities by supporting the programs administered by NDHFA and the projects awarded development or preservation of rental housing for low- to assistance is available online at www.ndhfa.org. moderate-income households. The application process for
What is an interesting fact about your business that most people don’t know? When I get a phone call from a new customer or talk with anyone in general, they are surprised to hear that we are as busy as we are with installing pools. Most people don’t expect a pool company in North Dakota to be in high demand, but we are crazy busy. This really is a family business, my wife (Denise), brother in-law (Lance), dad/grandpa (Kevin), nephew (Aidan), my son (Perry) and daughter (Emily) all work here. My dad retired from the coal industry as an equipment operator and helps us out part time, grandma (Audrey) helps out with watching our kids a day or two a week so Denise can get office time in. We also employ other father/son/uncle combinations. Many of us that work here are also veterans. Do you have any advice for someone just entering this industry? Training, training, training. My advice is for them to learn how a pool needs to be installed in the north where we get frost levels ranging from four to seven feet or more. Use proper techniques for installing, use good quality products and take the time to be fussy with levels and straight walls. Take care of your customers and fix your mistakes. What is a typical day like for you? Most days begin with laying out the workload and tasks for the day before my crews come into work and customers begin calling in. Once the crews head out, I respond to emails, messages and order needed material and supplies for upcoming projects. I will typically visit each work site and assist the crew Forman, answer questions they may have, make job site corrections and visit with the customer. If time allows, I head back up to the office and play catch up on estimates, messages and laying out up coming projects. I try to spend most evenings with my wife and four children until the kids go to bed and then back to the office to burn the midnight oil. If I weren’t working in this industry, I’d be a…Power lineman, power dispatcher or politician. What do you hope to see Kerner Construction & Pools accomplish in the coming years? Expand our customer service base, services offered and implement customer management programs. What inspired you to enter this industry? I have been in the building industry since my early teens, pools came later in life after wanting a pool for my own family. Started researching pools and stumbled on fiberglass pools. After educating myself on pools and researching fiberglass, my wife and I decided that was the only type of pool we wanted. Fiberglass pools are lower maintenance and offer many other benefits that traditional pools lack. After installing our own and discovering how incredible it was to have that backyard family getaway, we decided to purchase a single booth space at the Bis-Man Home Builders show and market them. I was still working for MDU as a Power Dispatcher at the time and doing general construction on the side to stay busy as a way to cope with PTSD from being deployed with the national guard in Iraq. After our first show we had alot of interest and a number of contracts (three) for new pool installs. Our first season we ended up installing six pools and I was happy with that; it was just enough on the side work to keep me busy. Soon that list began to grow from six to ten to 14 pools in one summer. With four children and a demand for our services I left my 20-year career with MDU to venture into the swimming pool business full time. My wife left her nursing career to take on a major role in the business “The office” she is the accountant, human resources, secretary, mom and etc. After several years of continued growth with the business the office has gotten crazy to the point where it was not manageable for one person to do everything or at least have a life outside of the office. Denise loves nursing and was missing the enjoyment she got from it, so with some tough decision making she has gone back to her nursing career and we are now in the process of transitioning some of her roles to other people including myself. I love challenges and this business offers allot of them. What is your favorite part of your job? Hearing customer comments on enjoying their pools with family and friends. Challenges in creating unique pools and the winter trips to warmer states for training and collaboration. www.kernerconstructionandpools.com
@kernerconstruction
Fireworks, time at the lakes, barbeques and celebrating the United States are all things that come to mind when we think of Independence Day or 4th of July. We want to wish each and everyone of you a very safe and fun holiday.
2020 NDAB PRESIDENT NATE APPLEGREN
NDAB CEO · KIM SCHNEIDER
July brings a month of sun and fun. Many of you are busy during our summer months and we hope you continue to practice safe distancing and CDC recommendations. Should you need any further information on healthy worksite practices or information on opioid use, please let us know or check out www.ndbuild.com or www.nahb.org. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), people who work in construction are significantly more likely to become addicted to opioids, like prescription painkillers, than other workers in the general population and are six times more likely to die as a result of overdose. In addition to the health and well-being of the employee, the impact on a business can be significant and includes loss of productivity, healthcare expenses, absenteeism, turnover and much more. During these uncertain times, mental health and wellbeing has been challenged more than ever and we encourage each of you to check in on your employees. NDAB and NAHB have both changed how we hold meetings and have gone virtual. While it isn’t the same as meeting our colleagues in person, it does still give us an opportunity to conduct business and connect with each other. NDAB held our summer Board of Directors meeting virtually in early June and hosted guests from NAHB along with members from around the state. Interested in learning more about what we do at the state level? You are always welcome to join in our meeting or ask us for our meeting minutes. We always welcome new members to help us conduct business and shape the future! NAHB changed their summer legislative meetings to be held virtually as well. With that, NDAB members were able to connect with our national delegation virtually as well. We thank Senator Hoeven, Senator Cramer, and Congressman Armstrong for making the time to meet with our members, discuss issues and update us on what is happening at the Nation’s capital. Happy 4th of July to you and your loved ones! We hope you have a great day celebrating our wonderful nation and independence!
Stay informed, stay physically distant, stay healthy: Nate Applegren, NDAB President Kim Schneider, NDAB Chief Executive Officer
Built within the densely populated Winter Park community of Orlando, The New American Home® 2021 will showcase many of the latest building designs and techniques for industry pros. It also features one of the most sought-after amenities of today’s home buyers — a prime location. The 2021 home stands in contrast to previous editions of The New American Home that were constructed on large lots in lessurban regions. Built on a 0.12-acre lot, the latest New American Home earns high scores on the walkability scale, located just a short distance from numerous retail shops, parks and dining options. “It’s really targeted for those who want all of the amenities of a walkable community and still have all of the luxuries of a beautiful, An aerial view shows the progress on TNAH 2021. new home,” said Phil The project is on schedule and slated for Kean, the home’s completion in October. builder and designer, and principal of Phil Kean Design Group. “I love the tall, loft-like feel of the top floor. That’s going to be the architectural jewel [of the 2021 home].” The unique design of the 2021 home maximizes the relatively small lot with three expansive levels totaling 4,397 square feet of living space. It features a three-car garage, two guest bedrooms, an elevator, exercise room, entertainment room, large master suite, tall ceilings, abundant natural light and two terraces with scenic views. Despite the industry-wide challenges because of COVID-19, the exhibition home remains on schedule with an expected completion in late October 2020. The official unveiling will take place during the 2021 NAHB International Builders’ Show®, Feb. 9-11.
In a surprisingly positive reading for the labor market, recent jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate in May declined to 13.3%. The true unemployment rate is likely closer to 16% due to many who reported being “employed but absent from work” but who were most likely unemployed. However, even with this technical adjustment, the jobless rate came in well below the 20% rate (or higher) some analysts had forecasted. (NAHB’s forecast called for a 17.8% rate for the second quarter.) This forecasting miss by those predicting a much higher level of unemployment appears to have been based on somewhat unreliable state-level jobless claims data. The unemployment rate for construction workers is currently 15.2%. Moreover, a job gain of 2.5 million was reported for May; a striking contrast to what many analysts had predicted of a job loss of up to 8 million. Residential construction was among the top sectors in terms of the May turnaround. After posting a job loss of 422,000 in April, home builders and remodelers added 226,000 jobs last month, as housing demand improved. The reopening of the economy in most states has led to a rapid reversal for the jobs outlook and the prospects for the beginning of a recovery in the third quarter. Housing data indicates the industry will lead the way in such a rebound. Historically low interest rates and a more rapid than expected improvement in the labor market should set the stage for a V-shaped recovery for housing, which in turn will provide support for the overall economy as a rebound takes shape in the second half of the year.
At the conclusion of last Friday’s Spring Leadership Meetings, NAHB Chairman Dean Mon informed the Board of Directors that he would be unable to complete the remainder of his term due to personal reasons and was resigning his chairmanship. Mon will continue to be an active member of the Federation, providing guidance to both NAHB leadership and members going forward. His leadership this year during the COVID-19 pandemic helped position the housing industry as an essential business that allowed our members to continue working, providing for their families and building homes during this critical time. Effective immediately, NAHB First Vice Chairman Chuck Fowke, a custom home builder from Tampa, Fla., will take on the duties of chairman. His chairmanship will continue through the 2022 International Builders’ Show, Feb. 8-10 in Orlando. Immediate Past Chairman Greg Ugalde will continue his duties as past chair during this same time period. Jerry Konter, of Savannah, Ga., will remain Second Vice Chair and Alicia Huey, of Birmingham, Ala., Third Vice Chair until the next senior officer election takes place at the 2021 Builders’ Show in Orlando on Feb. 11, 2021.
Citing job losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump has issued a proclamation extending his existing ban on immigrant visas and further suspending work visas through the end of the year, including H-2B visas used by employers in the construction industry. H-2B visas allow employers to hire foreign workers to come temporarily to the United States and perform temporary non-agricultural services or labor — including construction work — on a onetime, seasonal, peakload or intermittent basis. These visas are limited to 66,000 annually and available to a broad swath of industries, leading to fierce competition. Some builders or subcontractors can successfully qualify for the H-2B program if they need to hire additional people to perform peak seasonal work, but most construction industry jobs that need filling are for year-round work.
As a result of the president’s executive order, if NAHB members were expecting an H-2B worker and that person does not have a travel document and has not yet arrived in the U.S., they will no longer be able to come here through Dec. 31. “While we understand why the president is taking this action, it also underscores the need to create a year-round market-based guest worker program for the construction sector that expands and contracts with the economy that NAHB has long been advocating,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke. “So when the economy is up, more visas are available because jobs are in demand, and when the economy is down, fewer visas are available.” For more information, contact Alexis Moch at 1-800-368-5242 x8407.
What types of high-performing green products and systems are customers requesting? The 2020 Green Single Family and Multifamily Homes SmartMarket Brief surveyed and analyzed responses from builders and remodelers before the onset of COVID-19, but these results can still serve as a benchmark to help building professionals finetune their business models. NAHB anticipates that customers, who have spent months in their homes, have developed a heightened awareness of what efficient, comfortable and healthy means to them, and builders and remodelers need to be ready to meet these needs.
as the green-building landscape, provides a jumping off point for building professionals when discussing what customers want in a new home or remodel. Having that conversation in a way that speaks to consumers’ hot buttons of efficiency, comfort and health may help make that next high-performance home sale.
The 2020 SmartMarket Brief — the latest in a series of studies conducted by Dodge Data & Analysis, in partnership with NAHB — also contains results on builders’ perspectives on greenbuilding According to the study, consumers are most interested in market products and systems that directly impact utility bills and activity, indoor environmental quality. More than half (57%) of costs and builders and remodelers rank products/systems related to trends, energy efficiency as the primary request they receive from marketing home owners, and most (84%) rank it in their top three. green About half of respondents rank products/systems impacting homes an indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and conserving water, as drivers well as renewable energy systems, in their top three. and Roughly a quarter ranked material and resource conserving obstacles products/systems in their top three, with only 1% ranking for green them first. building. The full report is available for free download at Understanding trends in both the overall market, as well www.nahb.org/smr.
The Internal Revenue Service has released a draft regulation to define a like-kind property that is held for investment, trade or business purposes under Section 1031 of the tax code (governing like-kind exchanges). The IRS will accept comments through Aug. 11. A like-kind exchange under U.S. tax law is a tax-deferred transaction that allows for the disposal of an asset and the acquisition of another similar asset without generating tax
liability from the sale of the disposed asset. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Section 1031 was limited to real property. Existing statute and regulations do not define real property for purposes of Section 1031. Determination of real property is instead accomplished using definitions obtained elsewhere in the tax code. NAHB will continue to analyze the proposed regulations and plans to submit comments after a careful review.
The “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” (NWPR), which is the Trump Administration’s new definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), becomes effective on June 22, in every state except Colorado. Implementation begins after Judge Joseph Seeborg of the Northern District of California denied a request on June 19 from 17 states, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the District of Columbia, and the City of New York to issue a preliminary injunction and block the rule nationwide. Hours later, a district court judge in Colorado issued a preliminary injunction solely in the state of Colorado, which is considering establishing its own wetland permitting program. NAHB had moved to intervene in both of these cases before the decisions were issued. The NWPR will provide several benefits to builders and developers while continuing to protect important water bodies. For example, it encompasses traditional navigable waters and territorial seas, which Congress clearly intended for federal oversight. However, it also narrows the extent of federal jurisdiction by excluding isolated water bodies, “ephemeral” waters that form only in response to rain, and most ditches. As a result, fewer residential construction projects will trigger federal permitting requirements.
As the rule becomes effective, NAHB is working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that builders and developers realize its potential benefits. On June 19, NAHB and other industry trade associations met virtually with EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Dave Ross, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Ryan Fisher, and other senior political and career agency employees to discuss issues related to the rule implementation. The discussion covered issues such as how to distinguish an excluded ephemeral feature from a jurisdictional intermittent feature, identify adjacent wetlands, and apply the new definition of “uplands” that applies to features lacking all three wetland factors (i.e., plants, soils, hydrology). The meeting marked the beginning of an ongoing dialogue. Visit nahb.org/wotus for updated resources, including an analysis of the new rule, a video on its implementation, and a PowerPoint presentation that describes its key features and changes compared to prior rules. NAHB staff is available for presentations or technical assistance. For more information, please contact Evan Branosky at ebranosky@nahb.org or 800-368-5242 x8662.
2600 Gateway Ave, Ste 1 Bismarck, ND 58503
JULY 14, 2020 AT HAWKTREE GOLF CLUB $175 REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES
Breakfast, 18-Holes of Golf, Golf Cart, Range Balls, and Lunch PLUS you’re automatically entered into the skins team contest, helicopter drop and a chance at door prizes and hole-in-one contests! Prizes for hole-in-one contests are sponsored by Bismarck Title and Puklich Chevrolet. Win a chance at $25,000 cash, two round-trip airline tickets, a set of Callaway Golf Clubs, an opportunity to win two $500 gift cards from Hawktree Golf Club and a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500! The winners of the following contests will receive: Skins Team Contest - $1,000 cash prize Helicopter Drop - $650 cash prize to golf ball closest to the target and $350 cash prize to golf ball farthest away All golfers have the opportunity to enter and participate in the Putting Contest. Mulligan's will be sold the day of the golf tournament! To register for the golf tournament, please contact Simone Marchus at (701) 222-2400 or simone@bmhba.com
REGISTER ONLINE AT https://bit.ly/368x1BS