October Reporter

Reporter

NORTH TEXAS HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Volume 4, No. 10

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

Wichita Falls, Texas

October 2011

North Texas Home Builders Association

General Membership Meeting October 6, 2011 11:30 a.m.

SPEAKER: TAB First Vice President David Miller PROGRAM: Installation of Officers & Directors

WELLINGTON BANQUET & CONFERENCE CENTER 5200 Kell Boulevard

Housing Starts Decline, Builder Confidence Still Low September 2011 - This year’s slump in new home sales, which is shaping up to be the worst on record, is pushing the key home-building industry into its fifth year of decline and keeping the U.S. economy from a rebound. Nationwide housing starts declined 5.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 571,000 units in August, according DOUG McCULLOCH President to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department. Single-family housing production edged down 1.4 percent.

Most builders have long ago pulled back on speculative building and are only looking to replenish current levels of depleted inventories of new homes for sale and are otherwise holding off on new projects. Builders want to see solid improvement in consumer demand, greater access to credit for both builders and buyers, and a reduction in the number of foreclosed properties on the market before ramping up new production.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes dipped by a single point to 14 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index(HMI). The index has now held between 13 and 16 for six consecutive months. The fact that the HMI continues to hover within such a narrow, low range reflects builders’ awareness that many consumers are simply unwilling or unable to move forward with a home purchase in today’s uncertain economic climate. As some bright spots are beginning to emerge in about a dozen select metro areas, the near term broader picture remains fairly bleak due to the weak economy and poor job market.

If the recovery is going to come, it is going to be driven by two sectors: manufacturing and construction, and it doesn’t look like there is going to be a big recovery in manufacturing. It is going to have to come in housing; otherwise we are going to limp along as we have been.

In spite of the decrease in production and confidence, Builders can anticipate modest gains in new-home production early next year with greater momentum building into 2013, due primarily to record low interest rates and presumably in anticipation of “change” in our nation’s leadership next Fall.

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

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

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Calendar of Events

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING (Installation of Officers)............................................................. October 6, 2011 • 11:30 AM GOLF TOURNAMENT (River Creek Golf Course).............................................................................. October 7, 2011 • 11:00 AM MEMBERSHIP, MEETINGS & EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING.................................................. October 11,2011 • 10:00 AM PARADE OF HOMES & SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING................................................... October 12, 2011 • 10:00 AM PUBLICATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING...................................................... October 13, 2011 • 10:00 AM BUDGET & BY-LAWS COMMITTEE MEETING................................................................................. October 18, 2011 • 9:15 AM BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING................................................................................................. October 19, 2011 • 11:00 AM

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Comptroller Susan Combs Says Some Fire Recovery Services Are Tax-Exempt (AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Susan Combs says Texans whose homes or businesses have been damaged or destroyed by the devastating wildfires in Texas are not required to pay sales tax on certain fire recovery-related expenses.

Combs also announced that business owners may postpone paying state taxes, if necessary, while they clean up fire damage.

Upon request, a business may be granted extensions of up to 90 days to file state tax returns.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all Texans who have been impacted by the wildfires that have charred tens of thousands of acres,” Combs said. “Many families and businesses face a long road to recovery. The law provides tax breaks to help reduce recovery-related expenses during disasters.”

Below are some of the fire recovery-related expenses that are exempt from state and local sales tax.

• The cost of labor to repair fire damage to non-residential property, including offices, stores and other commercial buildings. The cost of labor must be separately stated on the repair bill.

• Texas never imposes sales tax on labor for residential repairs.

• Services used to restore fire-damaged property, including dry cleaning of clothing and draperies; rug and carpet cleaning; furniture cleaning; and appliance repairs.

• Charges for cutting damaged or dead trees. Charges to haul away trees and limbs are taxable.

• Purchases made with vouchers or debit cards provided by relief organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army are non-taxable. Purchases made with cash or personal funds are subject to sales tax.

The Comptroller has established a Web page containing additional information about wildfire-related tax breaks and other helpful information and resources to assist Texans affected by disastrous fires. Find it atwww.window.state.tx.us/disaster/.

“If you have any questions about paying tax on fire recovery expenses of any kind, or if you need to postpone paying taxes during this difficult time, please check our Web site or call us at 1-800-252-5555 and we’ll be glad to assist you in any way possible,” Combs said.

Reproduced with permission from Texas Comptrollers Susan Combs Office.

HOME BUILDERS HEAR REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE SESSION

By Lee Grace, Classified Writer

Ned Muńoz, Texas Association of He stressed that a National Home Builders Builders vice president of Regulatory Affairs Association study showed that 25 percent of and General Counsel, presented an update the cost of a new home is due to regulations. of the last session of the Texas Legislature He said the next session of the legislature to the September general membership will deal with land use regulations, taxes meeting of the North Texas Home Builders (they are going up), and workers comp.

Association, held Thursday, September 1, “We’re going to have a tax session to discuss at the Wellington Banquet & Conference the franchise tax and sales tax.”

Center.

Muńoz also said he was real excited about Muńoz said more than 6000 bills were the Sunbelt Builders Show coming to Austin filed during the session. “We tracked about NTHBA President Doug McCulloch is shown with Ned Munoz, TAB for the next two years. The Sunbelt Builders 1300 of them,” he said. “The concerns vice president of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, following Show will be held October 20-22, 2011. this session were the budget shortfall and the September membership luncheon of the NTHBA. In other business, the slate of officers redistricting based on the latest census.” that was announced at the last meeting was passed. They are: He added, “We watched licensing within the industry. There president, Stan Mountain; vice president, Steven Hinson; associate were many issues of grave concern to our industry including vice president, Sharon Tucker; treasurer, Barney Brock; secretary, immigration, the mandate for fire sprinklers in new homes, Tim Sawyer; immediate past president, Doug McCulloch. Builder county land use, and mandatory workers comp on the construction directors include Randy Wachsman, John Harmon, Bobby industry. Other issues included property owner association Rowland, and David Bedingfield. Associate directors are Johnny reforms, green energy home mandates, and energy efficiency McClane and Bryan Waggoner. State directors are José Garcia, requirements.”

John Harmon (alternate), and Chuck Dennis - life director. Teri He said that windstorm issues were discussed during the special Gibson is the executive vice president. session. “This was more of a concern for the coastal regions of The association’s golf scramble is set for Friday, October 7 the state.” at River Creek Golf Course outside Burkburnett. The cost for a Muńoz noted, “Our biggest job is educating legislators. They four-person team is $240. That includes range balls, green fees, need feedback from our members. We really rely on you all.” lunch, and cart. The tee off time is 1:00 p.m.

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First-Time Attendees at IBS Save Up to $325!

As a member of North Texas Home Builders Association you already know that success as a builder requires much more than just being able to swing a hammer.

In fact, to move your business ahead, you need to learn about new materials, plan marketing strategies and better connect with customers. Fortunately, that’s exactly what the next International Builders’ Show (IBS) from February 8–11, 2012 in Orlando is designed to help you do.

Now there’s even better news. If you’re a new NAHB member or a first-time attendee at IBS 2012, you can save some serious money! If you meet one of the following conditions, you can see all the exhibits and attend all the education sessions you want for only $125: You only ever registered for the IBS before as a non-member and you are now a member of North Texas Home Builders Association - OR You are currently a member of North Texas Home Builders Association, and you have never previously registered for IBS That’s up to $325 in savings for full access to four days of exhibits and education — and even better, your spouse can attend for only $20!

To take advantage of this special offer, just go to www. buildersshow.com and follow the “member” registration path.

You’ll see the First-Time registration option listed right after you provide your contact and demographic information. Simply select the discounted full registration option and you’re on your way!

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1920 Elmwood North Ave. • Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 720-5200 • (940) 691-3199 Fax Jean Taylor, CESA

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Maggie Johnson

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2801 Midwestern Parkway, Suite 200 Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 940-696-0000 phone • 940-687-1725 fax www.fstbnk.com

Please note that first-time attendee registration forms will be checked against past records. If NAHB’s records indicate that you have previously registered for IBS as a member, you will be charged the full member registration fee.

Thanks for Renewing!

IHR SECURITY.............................................. Kenneth Armstrong BUILDERS LUMBER................................................ Scott Hollars WELLS FARGO BANK............................................ Faruk Saltagic TIMES RECORD NEWS................................................ Kim Holly HALL BUILDING PRODUCTS....................................Ben Shelton TEXOMA COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION.............. Wayne Mansur BREEGLE ABBEY CARPET & FLOOR........................ Tom Nichols WAGGONER CARPET ONE.................................Bryan Waggoner

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Phone (940) 692-5734

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Fax (940) 692-0391

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