January Reporter

Reporter

NORTH TEXAS HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Volume 4, No. 1

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WICHITA FALLS, TX PERMIT NO. 491 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

4410 Fairway Boulevard • Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 Phone (940) 692-2211 • Fax (940) 692-2214

Wichita Falls, Texas

January 2011

North Texas Home Builders Association GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING January 6, 2011 • 11:30 A.M.

Happy ! r a e Y w e N

COYOTE RANCH RESORT

14145 US Hwy 287 • Take Stephen Ranch Road Exit off 287

GUEST SPEAKER: Assistant City Administrator – Kevin Hugman PROGRAM: Code Enforcement & Adopting International Building Codes

BUILDER CONFIDENCE REMAINS FLAT IN DECEMBER December 2010 – Nationally builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes remained unchanged in December from November, as reported by National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).

“Builders are bracing themselves for a slow holiday season as a number of DOUG McCULLOCH factors continue to cause uncertainty President among consumers and builders alike,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. “While the HMI is adjusted for seasonal factors, the typical cold-weather slowdown in sales activity is being accentuated by ongoing weakness in the job market, the rising number of foreclosures and shortsales, and very challenging credit conditions for both builders and buyers.”

“The steady but low level of the HMI reflects the fact that builders and consumers have yet to see consistent signs that the economy is improving,” noted NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “The good news is the index and its subcomponents remain above recent lows from the early fall. NAHB expects an improving job market this spring will help prospective buyers feel more confident and propel more sales activity in 2011. However, the continued problems builders face in obtaining construction 2801 Kell East

Phone (940) 692-5734

Wichita Falls

Fax (940) 692-0391

Texas 76308

Lane Landes, Owner

tco@wf.net

credit and accurate appraisal values could significantly slow the onset of a housing recovery.”

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for more than 20 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores from each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

Two out of three components of December’s HMI remained unchanged from the previous month, including the component gauging current sales conditions (which remained at 16) and the component gauging sales expectations in the next six months (which was flat at 25). The component gauging traffic of prospective buyers fell a single point, to 11.

Regionally, HMI scores declined four points in the Midwest and West, to 13 and 11, respectively, and one point in the South, to 17. The Northeast, which can display greater monthto-month volatility due to its smaller survey sample, posted a 12-point gain to 24 in December.

HMI tables can be accessed online at: www.nahb.org/hmi.

More information on housing statistics is also available at: www.housingeconomics.com.

CHRIS• DOCKMAN • COMPANY 2071 FM 171 Wichita Falls, Texas 76305 Phone & Fax (940) 767-9710 Cell (940) 704-3471 Jerry Fillmon, Owner/Manager

BRYAN WAGGONER 3907 Kell Boulevard • Wichita Falls • Texas 76308 (940) 691-3641 Fax (940) 691-3643 • (800) 466-3642 E-Mail bryanl@waggonercarpetone.com

McKIE HONORED BY ASSOCIATION AT CHRISTMAS PARTY

By Lee Grace

Mary McKie retired at the end of December as executive vice president of the North Texas Home Builders Association. This is her second retirement from the association (and she hopes this one will last)! Mary was honored with a plaque and a check at the annual Christmas Dinner held Thursday, December 16, at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.

Mary worked for the association as executive vice president from 1980 through 1996. Following the discovery of missing funds in 2007, she was asked by the board of directors to re-join the association and help straighten out the association’s finances.

She agreed to come back for one year.

Besides day-to-day affairs, much of her duties included working with the officers and directors in the task of putting the association’s records back in order. Her dedication to the association allowed her to increase that oneyear commitment to four years.

With the association’s financial situation much improved, this summer she told the board of directors that she really needed to retire again and devote more time to her husband, James. Following a long process and many applications and interviews, Teri Gibson was hired to replace Mary.

Bobby Rowland, Bill Rowland, Wayne Pharries, Sharon Tucker, and Dennis Probst all spoke to the gathering about the joy of working with Mary. Pharries described Mary as “hard working and dedicated in every facet of her life.”

Bill Rowland said, “This association is blessed that we have a lady like Mary who did what she did. She worked real hard for this association.”

Tucker described Mary as “dependable, dedicated, and someone you can trust.”

Summing up everyone’s feelings, Probst said, “It has been a pleasure to know and work with Mary these last few years.”

Association President Doug McCulloch presented Mary with a check for $2,500 as a small token of the appreciation of the membership for her hard work and long hours in helping restore the association to operating health.

Chuck Dennis read the proclamation that is found on the plaque presented to Mary in thanks for her commitment to the North Texas Home Builders Association. It reads: WHEREAS, Mary McKie served the home building industry for over two decades with outstanding leadership and dedication; and WHEREAS, The members of the North Texas Home Builders Association, the Texas Association of Builders, and the National Association of Home Builders have all benefited from Mrs. McKie’s unselfish devotion and commitment to the advancement and improvement of the home building industry; and WHEREAS, She gave unsparingly of her energy, ability, and friendship to all builders and associates in pursuing this excellent goal; and WHEREAS, Mary McKie served with distinction as the Executive Vice President of the North Texas Home Builders Association from 1980 thru 1996 and from 2007 thru 2010; and WHEREAS, She was ever faithful in attending to the business of the Association and is recognized as a leader among the members of the Association and her

Doug McCulloch and Chuck Dennis are shown with retiring Executive Vice President Mary McKie after they presented her with a plaque at the annual Christmas Party.

contemporaries across the State of Texas; and WHEREAS, Mrs. McKie came out of retirement to help the Association recover from a devastating employee embezzlement and through her efforts and insights the Association grew to be strong financially and in membership growth ; and WHEREAS, Mrs. McKie is truly an outstanding Association Executive Officer, dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the North Texas Home Builders Association hereby recognizes Mary McKie for her dedication, professionalism, and service above self as the Executive Vice President of the North Texas Home Builders Association and a genuine friend to the housing industry.

Unanimously adopted the 15th day of December, 2010.

Calendar of Events

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING...................................................................................... January 6, 2011 • 11:30 a.m.

PARADE OF HOMES & SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING........................................ January 11, 2011 • 10:00 a.m.

BUDGET & BY-LAWS COMMITTEE MEETING...................................................................... January 18, 2011 • 9:15 a.m.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING...................................................................................... January 6, 2011 • 11:00 a.m.

HOME BUILDERS HEAR MESSAGE FROM KAY YEAGER Former Mayor Discusses Role of SAFB’s Military Affairs Committee

By Lee Grace

Former Wichita Falls Mayor Kay Yeager was the featured speaker at the annual Christmas Dinner of the North Texas Home Builders Association held Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.

Association President Doug McCulloch presided over the evening’s festivities that also included presenting children’s toys to Wichita Falls Fire Fighter Rusty Sheppard representing Operation Santa Claus. More than 100 toys were brought by association members for Operation Santa Claus to brighten the Christmas for needy area children.

Started 12 years ago by members of the Wichita Falls Fire Department, Operation Santa Claus helps more than 1,000 families provide toys and gifts to their children each Christmas. Sheppard said all 150 members of the fire department work on the project. “Seeing the faces and smiles of the children is priceless,” he added.

Additionally, Chuck Dennis presented outgoing Executive Vice President Mary Association President Doug McCulloch is shown with guest speaker Kay Yeager McKie with a plaque in honor of her many years of service to the association. at the North Texas Home Builders Association Christmas Dinner.

President Doug McCulloch also presented Mary with a check from the membership to use in her retirement.

Following Yeager’s speech and Mary McKie’s retirement presentation, a fun “Chinese” Christmas present drawing rounded out the evening’s entertainment.

In her presentation, Yeager discussed the role of the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee that was founded following the 2005 BRAC closings that moved the 882nd Basic Medical Training from Sheppard Air Force Base to San Antonio.

“The sole purpose of the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee is to take care of Sheppard Air Force Base and work to prevent any future reductions or closings at the base,” said Yeager.

Funds for the committee come from individual contributions and from the Wichita Falls 4A Board, the Burkburnett 4B Board, the Iowa Park 4B Board, and the Electra North Texas Home Builders Association President Doug McCulloch is shown with Operation Santa Claus representatives Rusty Sheppard, Kerry Sheppard, Jared 4A Board.

Burchett, and Cary Richie. The association members donated more than 100 toys for “We need to support Sheppard Air Force Base financially, morally, and physically,” the program that gives needy children Christmas gifts. explained Yeager. “Twenty percent of our Texoma economic base comes from Sheppard. The base and its personnel lend so much to our lives.”

She added, “When the 882nd Basic Medical Training moved to San Antonio, the base lost 2500 people. As a result, the Burkburnett Independent School District had to lay off several teachers.”

Yeager also noted that defense spending is going to be cut in future years.

“Presently, defense spending is the lowest portion in percentage of gross national product that it has been since the end of World War II. “We need to rally around Sheppard Air Force Base. It is the largest technical training base in the United States Air Force.”

She added that what really bothers her is that the Air Force is flying a fleet of planes that is old and getting older. The tankers are from the 1950s. The primary fighters — the F15 and F16 — are 20 to 30 years old. “They’ve been in combat in the Middle East and Southeast Asia since the 1990s and those Former Wichita Falls Mayor Kay Yeager speaks about the role of the Sheppard Military planes have endured a lot of stress.”

Affairs Committee to the members of the North Texas Home Builders Association at their In closing Yeager thanked the association for annual Christmas Dinner held Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. its support of the Adopt-A-Squadron program.

“Sheppard’s program is the premier program of its kind in the entire United States Armed Forces.”

She also noted that Congressman Mac Thornberry has been named vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee for the upcoming Congress.

5828 Ashleyanne Circle, Suite B

by JAM

(940) 691-4212 8AM TO 5PM MON-FRI

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JANUARY Birthdays Randy Garza ................................................................ 1 Alan Hinson................................................................. 1 Chuck Vergauwen ......................................................... 1 Johnny McClane ...........................................................4 John Ahearn................................................................ 11 Randy Schaffner ..........................................................12 Gene Grogan ..............................................................13 Larry Walter ................................................................15 Charles Barr............................................................... 18 Don Wright ...............................................................27 Bobby Rowland ..........................................................30 Charles Vergauwen ......................................................31

940-723-0944 Serving This Area Since 1946

Parade Of Homes 2011 The 2011 Parade of Homes has been scheduled for June 4 through 12, 2011. Registration for homes will begin January 15.

Deadline for entry is April 1, 2011. Deadline for payment will be May 1, 2011.

Please be thinking about the advertisement you will want to put in the Parade of Homes Housing Guide. We will be getting started on that very soon. We will have the advertising order forms on the web site for you convenience no later than the January 31.

Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation!

NTHBA REPORTER MONTHLY ADVERTISING RATES

AD SIZE RATE PER MONTH FULL PAGE AD .......................$300.00 HALF PAGE AD ......................$150.00 3 ½ x 3 ................................. $ 50.00 3 ½ x 2 ½ .............................. $ 45.00 3 ½ x 2 ................................. $ 40.00 3 ½ x 1 ¾ .............................. $ 30.00 3 ½ x 1 .................................. $ 20.00 1 ¾ x 1 .................................. $ 15.00

Always Remember to do Business with Association Members!

Ralph Dunkelberg III Vice President Mortgage Services

1401 Holliday • Wichita Falls, TX 76301 940-720-8054 • Cell 940-704-1789 Fax 940-720-8071 Email ralph.dunkelberg@usfcu.us

NTHBA Awarding Scholarships in 2011 DON’T FORGET THE NTHBA WILL BE AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS AGAIN THIS YEAR. Participants may be new graduates, persons already attending accredited colleges or tech schools or any one that has an acceptance to an accredited college or tech school. The participants must be entering a qualifying field that pertains to the building or finance industry. Applications and complete qualifications for the scholarship are available at www.nthba.com. Please be sure to make all your sub-contractors and employees aware of these available scholarships. If you have any questions you may contact the NTHBA office at (940) 692-2211.

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LEGISLATIVE RALLY DAY • Build relationships with your Texas State Senators and Representatives • Lobby important issues crucial to the housing industry • Show your support for the association that speaks on your behalf • Take a stand on issues that affect your business and our state Rally Day 2011 will be Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

We are looking forward to yet another successful event and are hoping to have more than 1,500 Texas home builders, remodelers, developers and our invaluable associate members ascend those steps at the beautiful State Capitol building on Wednesday, February 23.

The purpose of Rally Day is to deliver our legislative agenda right to the door of our State Representatives and Senators. As an industry, we must proactively inform elected officials of the consequences of passing over-reaching legislation that can have an overly burdensome and costly effect on Texas home builders and home buyers. Your state association leadership and staff are confident about the upcoming 82nd Session, but without your strong support and grassroots action, the Texas Association of Builders will not be able to accomplish our goals.

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We need your help to continue to protect our entire industry, and ask that you make the commitment to travel to AUSTIN on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 for RALLY DAY 2011 to be a part of this special—and effective—legislative event.

Stay tuned for more information on TAB Rally Day 2011!

Thanks for Renewing!

CITY CONCRETE........................................................ Tim Foley CLASSIC BUILDERS................................................Gary Broyles DOORS, WINDOWS & MILLWORKS BY JAM .......... Chris Gravitt FIRST NATIONAL BANK ..................................... Wayne Pharries HARMON & HOLCOMB HOMES............................ John Harmon ROWLAND & DONNELL HOMES ............................Bill Rowland SERVICEMASTER OF WICHITA FALLS.......................... Don Irby STATE NATIONAL BANK...........................................Sallie Ford STEVE LANE CONSTRUCTION ..................................Steve Lane THE

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