Builders Outlook2017 Issue8 by Ted Escobedo

www.elpasobuilders.com

EL PASO

National, State & Local Building Industry News 2017: Issue 8

BUILDERS A S S O C I AT I O N O F

TAB: Rebuild with Confidence

Harvey hits Texas hard, builders associations on notice EDITOR’S NOTE:

The hurricane of the century hit Texas hard the week of August 23 and as of this writing still is rotating over the Texas Louisiana border. Harvey made landfall in Rockport which was severely damaged with high winds, rain and more rain. Nothing has ever devastated Texas as this hurricane. Our family and friends in the area that stretches from the coast up to past Austin have been affected by high water, continuous rain, tornadoes and loss of property and utilities. With the ongoing situation the Texas Association of Builders has asked all associations in Texas to stand by to get ready for deploying help as needed. Governor Gregg Abbot and President Donald Trump are coordinating relief efforts by their administration. Our thoughts and prayers are for all those affected and the Outlook will present more in next month’s issue.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – On behalf of the building and remodeling industry in Texas, the members of the Texas Association of Builders want to express their heartfelt sympathies to anyone affected by the tropical storm and Hurricane Harvey that hit the Texas Gulf Coast over the weekend. The professional building and remodeling community stands ready to assist our neighbors as we work to rebuild the homes and communities that have been destroyed or damaged. As you begin to assess the damage to your home and property, we would like to help you make an informed decision regarding your contractor choice. Before you hire a contractor, we strongly encourage you to do your homework to ensure that you are hiring a reputable, qualified individual or company to help you rebuild your home or business. Here are a few important guidelines to help you select a competent builder or remodeler: • Make sure the contractor has a permanent business location and a good reputation with a local bank and suppliers. • Find out how long they have been in the building business. You want to know that your contractor will be around after construction is complete to fulfill any warranty obligations. • Check with your local Better

Business Bureau to learn if any complaints have been filed against your contractor. • Some Texas cities require that builders are registered and bonded. Check with your city’s building permits department in this regard. • Ask for and verify references. • Enter into a complete and clearly written contract with your builder or remodeler. • Do not pay for the entire job up front or pay in cash. In fact, state law prohibits contractors in disaster areas from taking up front money unless they have held a physical business address in the county or adjacent county for at least one year. This law, found in Chapter 58 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, provides other valuable protections for those rebuilding in disaster areas. • Be cautious of unusually low-priced bids or a hard-sell to “sign today” for a low price. • Visit the online resources available t. you at www.texasbuilders.org

We also want to remind you that some recovery-related expenses are exempt from state and local taxes. Please keep these in mind as you review any bills or invoices that you receive from your contractor: • Texas never imposes sales tax on

labor for residential repairs. • In a declared disaster area, purchasers may claim an exemption from sales tax on separately stated charges for labor to repair or restore nonresidential real property damaged by the disaster. The materials that are used to perform the repairs are taxable. Taxpayers may claim an exemption from sales tax on charges for labor to repair or restore items damaged by a disaster. The exemption may be claimed on labor to repair furniture, appliances, or other items of tangible personal property. The exemption includes labor costs to launder or dry clean damaged clothes or other property. • Arborists’ services, such as cutting down or cutting up a damaged or dead tree in a declared disaster area, are not taxable. • Hauling away branches, limbs, or trees are waste removal services and are taxable. • Goods and taxable services may be purchased tax free with FEMA, Salvation Army or Red Cross debit cards or vouchers. TAB remains committed to providing support, information and resources to the citizens and home building industry affected by the recent hurricane. As you begin to repair your home, make sure your contractor is an experienced professional.

RESOURCES FOR DISASTER RECOVERY: • Texas Association of Builders http://www.texasbuilders.org/aboutus/consumer-information.html • National Association of Home Builders Disaster Recovery Resources https://www.nahb.org/en/consumers/ho meownership/disaster-recoveryresources.aspx • National Association of Home Builders Disaster Recovery Websites https://www.nahb.org/en/consumers/ho meownership/homeownershiparticles/disaster-recoverywebsites.aspx • Office of Governor Greg Abbott http://gov.texas.gov/news/pressrelease/23464 • Texas Department of Public Safety https://www.dps.texas.gov/dem/stateLo calOrganizations.htm | (512) 424-2138 • Red Cross www.RedCross.org • Salvation Army USA www.SalvationArmyUSA.org • Better Business Bureau www.BBB.org • Federal Emergency Mgt. Agency https://www.fema.gov/ (800) 621-FEMA • If your insurance policy information has been lost, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) can help you locate your agent or insurance company. Call TDI’s Consumer Help Line at (800) 25

Builders Outlook

DESIGN WITH NATURAL GAS IN MIND. Nothing is more attractive to homebuyers than the right mix of comfort and value. You can provide both when you build homes that have natural gas. Natural gas furnaces, water heaters and clothes dryers offer greater efficiency and lower operating costs than their electric counterparts, and natural gas kitchens sell themselves. Let us help you plan for natural gas right from the start. For more information: ElPasoNewBusiness@TXGas.com William Nieves: 915-496-6126 Jorge Sejera: 915-680-7216 Please continue to direct service line and meter set requests to the Texas Gas Service Builder Hotline at slimgas-metroElPaso@onegas.com or 1-866-206-9587.

2017 Issue 8

President’s Message

Builders Outlook Don Rassette

President, El Paso Association of Builders

After successful legislative session our industry turns attention to Houston

How many of us have ever had a speed bump or difficulty in your lives? How many of us are doing well, very blessed and take life for granted? I believe all of us have experienced the above Well; Houston, we have a problem. Hurricane Harvey has devastated our brothers and sisters in the gulf and in eastern Texas. The Federal government, the State of Texas, many pro sports franchises, national/local corporations, national /local companies and associations have pledged time, effort, and monies to help with this devastated area around Houston. What has our association done? What has your company done? What have or are you going to do? BE PREPARED! EPAB will be looking and taking advice from NAHB and TAB, for where we can do the best, what we can commit to and do. Please refer to our various associations websites to learn how and where they are asking for help. Soon, at the appropriate time, I will be asking and/or requesting members to join leadership with

specifics to help this area. Please extend your thoughts, words and prayers to all areas and people affected. Now to the irrelevant news and information. The TAB Staff hit a homerun with this year’s legislative bills and battles. At our EPAB meeting in August, I reviewed the 6 bills which we backed and how we came out in our favor on all 6 bills. In the legislative special session, nothing was done either for or against our industry. Remember, TAB and NAHB exist to defend, battle, improve our industry; in that as individuals and small companies we don’t have the time or resources to fight. And as small and individual companies, we are and can be taken very lightly to others outside our industry. Strength is in the numbers and commitments starting with our local association. What have you done and been involved in lately? The TAB Sunbelt Show and summer meetings were earlier this month in Dallas. For Rassette Homes we had a

“EPAB will be looking and taking advice from NAHB and TAB, for where we can do the best, what we can commit to and do... I will be asking members to join leadership with specifics to help this area. Please extend your thoughts, words and prayers to all areas and people affected.” blast. We renewed many old relationships, had the opportunity to develop new partnerships and was on the cutting edge of some of the new products and designs. AND, Rassette Homes won a “Star Award” for homes in the $250,000$500,000 price range. See the TAB website for details. Thanks Sam for your kind and flattering remarks as I accepted the award for our company. The “el paseo de casas” is in full swing, as seven builders have built houses in the Horizon Hills community. My thanks to Richard

Aguilar, staff and associates at Carefree Homes; Valerie Baquera, staff and associates at Diamond Homes; Gustavo and Laura Loy, staff and associates at Loyalty Homes; Fernando Torres, staff and associates at Metro Homes; JJ Vasquez, staff and associates at Pacifica Homes; Carlos Villalobos, staff and associates at Pointe Homes; and to our fine staff and partners @ Rassette Homes. As we PREPARE TO SUCCEED, and as our lives go on, remember and reach out to those who have suffered recent horrific losses.

Executive’s Message Ray Adauto, Executive Vice President EPAB

Business continues amid personal and professional challenges If you would like to help those affected by the storm, here's what you should keep in mind. You can help right now

The Red Cross said they depend on financial donations to help provide immediate relief. They have already set up a way to donate to victims with a simple text. Text the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also visit redcross.org or call 1- 800-RED CROSS. Americares The United Way has also announced a way to text a donation: Text UWFLOOD to 41444 to donate to the United Way Flood Relief Fund Donations to support The Salvation Army's Hurricane Harvey relief efforts can be made at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Give cash, not supplies Most charities prefer monetary donations. These are more flexible and cause less of a strain on the charity, allowing them to help more, USAID explained. "Unlike material donations, cash involves no transportation costs, shipping delays, or customs fees. It also enables relief organizations to spend more time providing aid by spending less time managing goods," the organization explained on its website.

Volunteer at shelters The American Red Cross in Texas has asked people to volunteer. The office announced on Friday that it would be training volunteers at their shelters through a "fast=track" course. The Salvation Army also announced it would be accepting volunteers to hand out supplies and food at shelters. Check for a local group in your area that is sending volunteers. Volunteer Houston has launched a VIRTUAL Volunteer Reception Center to aid non-profits and agencies in finding and deploying people to hard-site areas.

Builders Outlook

This month has been full of promise and full of sadness. There are no doubt many who are watching the news for word on the horrible effect of hurricane Harvey on our friends and family. So far for me this has been especially concerning because of all the folks who I know in the affected areas. This storm stretches from the coast to past Austin and hundreds of miles east of there. The cell phones have been buzzing and trying to keep up with messages and Facebook, twitter and other means. Surprising the cell phones were connected a marvel of what the cell companies have done to keep them working. There was also some moments of worry because some friends and family Go local Grocery chain H-E-B plans to donate $100,000 toward Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. On Monday, all H-E-B, Central Market and Joe V's Smart Shop stores across Texas launched a statewide tear pad campaign, giving customers an opportunity to support victims through donations of $1, $3, or $5, which can be added to their total grocery bill. The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund set up by Houston's mayor, Sylvester Turner, and administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Houston Food Bank and the Food Bank of Corpus Christi are asking for donations. Carter BloodCare covers hospitals in north, central and east Texas. To donate, call 877-571-1000 or text DONATE4LIFE to 444-999. To help animals suffering from the disaster, visit the Houston Humane Society or the San Antonio Humane Society. The Texas Diaper Bank in San Antonio is asking for diapers and wipes, which can be dropped off in person or mailed to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Tex., 78238.

Check the charity Before you donate to a charity, make sure you know where your aid is going. The Center for International Disaster Information recommends checking with a charity monitoring organization like GiveWell, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or the Better Business Bureau before donating. Make sure your donation is secure by going through an organization's official website or sending a check in the mail. Charity Navigator says you should never donate over the phone, email or unknown social media pages, as these are easier for scammers to target.

Donate Blood AABB, which coordinates a task force to manage blood collection efforts during disasters, put out a call

2017 Issue 8

couldn’t be contacted but as of now my folks are safe. The devastation is unreal they say, even those who got the foot or more of rain and survived it. This storm has the Texas economy in its grip, and that has difficulties no matter what part of Texas you’re in. The event of our year was going on as I write this. El Paseo de Casas opened to a great preview crowd on August 25. The skies cooperated as the clouds overhead held their water. The visitors were welcomed to some beautiful homes by our seven builders. Music was provided by El Paso DJ Services and the liquid refreshments made by 915 Bartending. All in all a really good night with great vibe.

My world was once again hit with the loss of my cousin Tony Conde, Jr. an attorney and avid Cowboys and Longhorn fan. He was just a few months younger than me but so much smarter, a true God fearing family loving man. His life was about his loves including his wife Kathy and his children and grandkid. My heart once again sustained a blow and my thoughts go to my cousins Tony Sr., Yvonne, Ron and Conrad. They own Conde Engineering and are great members and supporters of our association. I can’t understand sometimes why things work out the way they do, but I honor God’s will. Keep up your prayers for the family please.

on Sunday for blood donations in the aftermath of Harvey.

Airbnb is waiving service fees for those affected by the disaster and checking in between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1, and can guide users in creating a listing where their home is offered to victims free.

Those interested in donating blood may contact the following organizations: AABB: 301-907-6977 America's Blood Centers American Red Cross: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) Armed Services Blood Program: 703-681-5979 Online-Only Organizations GoFundMe has created a page with all of its Harvey-related campaigns.

YouCaring has a fund-raising page set up by J. J. Watt of the Houston Texans with a goal of $1 million. GlobalGiving's Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund supports local organizations by helping with "immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products and shelter."

National Builder News

2017 Issue 8

Housing Affordability Inches Lower in Second Quarter

n Rising home prices offset a quarterpoint drop in mortgage interest rates to move housing affordability slightly lower in the second quarter of 2017, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released today. “While builder confidence remains solid and sales and starts are running at a healthy clip above last year’s levels, housing continues to confront persistent headwinds,” said NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald, a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas. “Rising material prices, particularly lumber, along with chronic shortages of buildable lots and skilled labor are putting upward pressure on home prices and impeding a more robust housing recovery.” “The job market continues to gain steam and this is boosting housing demand,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Meanwhile, growing incomes and attractive mortgage rates are helping to keep housing affordable by partially offsetting ongoing home price appreciation. Home prices will continue to rise as inventory remains tight. NAHB expects the housing market will continue to make gradual gains in 2017.” In all, 59.4 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of April and end of June were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $68,000. This is down from the 60.3 percent of homes sold that were affordable to median-income earners in the first quarter. The national median home price rose to $256,000 in the second quarter from $245,000 in the first quarter of 2017. Meanwhile, average mortgage rates fell 25 basis points in the second quarter to 4.08 percent from 4.33 percent in the first quarter. For the third consecutive quarter, Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa., was rated the nation’s most affordable major housing market. There, 93.3 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the second quarter were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $54,600. Meanwhile, Kokomo, Ind., was rated the nation’s most affordable smaller market for the second straight quarter, with 96.9 percent of homes sold in the second quarter being affordable to families earning the median income of $62,500. Rounding out the top five affordable major housing markets in respective order were Syracuse, N.Y.; Dayton, Ohio; Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, N.Y.; and Scranton-Wilkes Barre-Hazleton, Pa. Smaller markets joining Kokomo at the top of the list included Davenport-MolineRock Island, Iowa-Ill.; Glen Falls, N.Y.; Watertown-Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Monroe, Mich. For the 19th consecutive quarter, San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, Calif., was the nation’s least affordable major housing market. There, just 7.6 percent of homes sold in the second quarter were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $113,100. Other major metros at the bottom of the affordability chart were located in California. In descending order, they included Los Angeles-Long BeachGlendale; Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara; and Santa Rosa. All five least affordable small housing

Builders Outlook

markets were also in California. At the very bottom of the affordability chart was Salinas, where 12.4 percent of all new and existing homes sold were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $63,100. In descending order, other small markets at the lowest end of the affordability scale included Santa CruzWatsonville; San Rafael; Napa; and San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande. Please visit www.nahb.org/hoi for tables, historic data and details.“Although

we saw modest gains this month, new home sales have risen nearly 11 percent since the start of 2017,” said Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas. “Our members remain optimistic as the single-family housing market continues to recover.” “The month’s sales report is consistent with our forecast, and we should see further gains throughout the year as the labor market continues to strengthen,”

The national median home price rose to $256,000 in the second quarter from $245,000 in the first quarter of 2017. Meanwhile, average mortgage rates fell 25 basis points in the second quarter to 4.08 percent from 4.33 percent in the first quarter.

said NAHB Senior Economist Michael Neal. “While new home inventory rose slightly in June, it remains tight as builders face lot and labor shortages and increases in building material costs.” The inventory of new home sales for sale was 272,000 in June, which is a 5.4month supply at the current sales pace. Regionally, new home sales increased 12.5 percent in the West and 10 percent in the Midwest. Sales were unchanged in the Northeast and fell 6.1 percent in the South.

Builders Outlook

Issue 8

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2017 Issue 8

Economic Forescast Elliot Eisenberg Economic & Policy Blog

Builders Outlook

Trade and Trade Deficits are not Related, Really! Since the beginning of the 2016 presidential election cycle, President Trump has repeatedly argued that trade deficits with other nations are indicative of unfair trade. His contention is that if we just negotiate better trade deals, deficits would disappear, and economic growth and employment would improve. Regrettably, this view is simplistic; usually deeper economic forces are at work, making trade deficit reduction more difficult. That said, pushing nations with chronically large trade surpluses to reduce them would be good because large trade surpluses are economically destabilizing. A trade deficit is always the result of a nation consuming more than it produces; that gap, or savings deficit, is what produces a trade deficit. By contrast, a trade surplus means a nation saves money by consuming less than it produces. As a result, while protectionism can alter those with whom we run trade deficits and surpluses, it cannot alter the size of our overall trade deficit. Think about it: you run a trade surplus with your employer, but a trade deficit with Costco, Target, and your mortgage company. If Target is unfair to you, you can reduce your trade deficit there by buying less, but you would likely increase your deficit at Walmart. The only way to reduce your deficit with retailers is to buy less stuff, meaning that you save more! A country in recession is likely to run a trade surplus as the population pulls back on spending, allowing exports to

rise, which is equivalent to saving more. Conversely, a nation enjoying an economic boom would normally run a deficit because domestic spending would be very high, causing exports to decline and savings to fall. In the United States, we run chronic trade deficits because we consistently consume more than we produce, but the size of the deficit varies depending on domestic economic conditions. To rid ourselves of our annual trade deficits would require reduced consumption, which means consistently saving more, and absent substantial tax reform, that is unlikely. This is how trade normally works. However, some countries with strong economies run chronic trade surpluses, which requires cheating. Normally, such a country would see its currency rise, pushing down exports as they become costlier in foreign countries. However, between 2000 and 2013, China spent trillions of dollars artificially depressing its currency. That reduced imports, boosted exports, forced savings to rise, and resulted in large trade surpluses. This financial repression should be fought and here’s how: if a nation deliberately intervenes to depress its currency, the US should intervene and strengthen that nation’s currency by selling dollars and buying the currency of the offending nation with the proceeds. Once offenders know what we will do, they will likely stop, preventing nations from running chronic surpluses. Instead, those nations will probably increase their consumption and save less, and,

consequently, see their trade surplus wither. In the process, other nations will export more and see employment gains. Trade surpluses that result from cheating not only deprive workers in other nations of employment in export industries, but also destabilize the global economy. By manipulating their currency, the Chinese destroyed jobs here in the US (and Europe) and weakened our economy. As a result, when the Great Recession hit, it was worse than it would otherwise have been, and the recovery was weaker because we could not increase exports as much as we should have been able to. In short, trade deficits normally result from too little savings. Because the amount saved by an economy changes over the business cycle, deficits and surpluses usually wax and wane and are thus reasonably self-correcting. It is only when a nation cheats and runs a chronic surplus that we should be alarmed, and in those cases, we should fight back. Doing so will discourage cheating and make the global economy more resilient. Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. is President of GraphsandLaughs, LLC and can be reached at Elliot@graphsandlaughs.net. His daily 70-word economics and policy blog can be seen at www.econ70.com. You can subscribe and have the blog delivered directly to your email by visiting the website or by texting the word “BOWTIE” to 22828.

EPAB ON THE SCENE

El Paseo de Casas Preview Party

It finally got here, after all the work, all the planning, all the coordination. It was spectacular. It was grand. It was our Preview Party for el Paseo de Casas. The night of the opening looked a little ominous as clouds closed in but never spit out rain on the site. It was not the case on the westside as flooding took many of our potential visitors out of the party. At the event the night went super well as each participating builder welcomed the VIP’s to their homes. It was a really great night. Preview parties are as much about looking at the homes as it is meeting with friends or making new ones. For some of our builders this was a new event and a new opportunity. Doing a showcase home is not for the faint of heart as it is a real challenge to get the house ready. It was nearly 4 pm before the last of the homes were finally ready for the grand opening at 6. The gates opened and the crowds came as the whole block was electric with talk and hand shaking. “Our first time as a builder in this type event was crazy good, and sometimes just crazy” said Laura Loy with Loyalty Homes. Loyalty Homes had challenges to get things done as they were victimized twice during construction. “We lost some plywood first and then thieves took out the copper wire just as we were ready to drywall,” said Gus Loy. “We finally got it done and it’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he grinned. Yes the house is beautiful as are all of them in the show. “Our challenges were overcome as we found out that this home was coming along well,” said Don Rassette, President and Paseo builder. “Our team came together even when we had unexpected hiccups, like we have on occasion and got through them one by one,” he continued. Franklin Building Materials is the Presenting Partner for el Paseo de Casas. “We felt like this event would allow us to give back to the Association and to help support the builders involved,” said Cristina Sheldon Aguilar, President of Franklin Building Materials. In addition to Franklin four of our other partners welcomed different workforce members to come in free. Military active and retired sponsored by Builders Source Appliance Gallery; First Responders by Loyalty Homes; medical and hospital employees by GECU; and educators, administration, school and university employees by WestStar Home Loans. The el Paseo de Casas will continue through September 10. Our thanks to our builders: Rassette Homes; Diamond Homes; Pointe Homes; Pacifica Homes; Carefree Homes; Metro Homes; and Loyalty Homes. Thanks also to our great volunteer ticket takers. Job well done by Margaret for coordinating them and keeping daily work going on. Out thanks to Ted Escobedo for all his work coordinating marketing and the magazine. Job well done all the way around.

2017 Issue 8

Builders Outlook

2017 Issue 8

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2017 Issue 8

Builders Outlook

Expert Advice

Automation in Retirement Plan by Ruth Rivera, VP Bukaty Financial

A traditional 401(k) plan design, employees must take several steps to begin saving: enroll, review investment options, choose a salary deferral rate, select an allocation mix and more. This is where many find it overwhelming and confusing. Other choose to not save and do nothing. It’s obvious which is easier. Automation plan design flips t the initial decision-making responsibilities back to employers that recognize their central role in workers’ retirement readiness. Automatic features force employees to take action to opt out of a 401(k) instead of in. Aggressive automatic deferral rates and automatic contribution rate escalation (auto escalation) replace standard plan recommendations, and participation longevity is encouraged through generous matches and the opportunity to diversify tax strategies. It can position employees for long-term financial stability — and provide companies an even greater opportunity to succeed.

AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT Automatic enrollment empowers employers to act in their employees’ best interests by setting them up to build retirement savings with pretax employee contributions. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) threw open the door to automatic enrollment, permitting an employer to automatically deduct deferrals from an employee’s wages unless the employee actively elects to cease contributions or contribute a different amount. While auto enrollment was possible prior to PPA, employers were tremendously reluctant to use it until the act addressed liability concerns pertaining to deducting contributions without prior approval and making investment choices without participant direction.

AUTO ESCALATION Auto escalation, annually increasing the automatic deferral rate, is arguably one of the most powerful tools employers have to bolster employee retirement readiness. This plan design feature, can help more employees reach the oft-recommended 10 percent deferral rate within a reasonable amount of time. Plans with automatic escalation report average deferral rates of 8 percent or higher compared to the average deferral rates of 4 percent or less for the majority of plans in America.

Here are some highlights: 1. Low turnover will likely enhance the benefits of automatic features. 2. For most plans, a participation rate below 80 percent means that automatic enrollment will likely result in meaningful increases. 3. Plans with higher participation rates may decide that other automatic features may be more efficient and/or effective in helping employees increase their retirement readiness. 4. Full-time employees are generally more likely to look favorably on plan participation than are other worker groups. Consider whether the benefits of offering auto-features to various employee groups will offset the administrative burdens. 5. Automatic enrollment will likely result in increased plan participation, and therefore may reduce or even eliminate the need for corrective actions. 6. Automatic escalation, preferably at 2 percent a year, could help employees reach their retirement income goals sooner. For a free consultation on automated plan design, please email rrivera@bukaty.com.

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Builders Outlook

EPAB Membership Builder members as of June 1, 2017

AT Architectural Designs Elsa Taracena Accent Homes Mark Dyer Bain Construction Scott Bain Bella Homes Leti Navarrete Bella Vista Custom Homes, Inc. Edgar Garcia BIC Homes Antonio Cervantes

Blue Star Construction, LLC. Carlos Villasana Carefree Homes Richard Aguilar Casas De Leon, LLC Nick Bombach Classic American Homes Priscilla Hernandez Crown Heritage Homes Lydia Mlouhi Cullers & Caldwell Builders John Cullers Cullers Homes Jason R. Cullers Custom Dream Homes Leti & Javier Navarrete D. R. Horton Homes Jaime Gonzalez Dawco Home Builders Walter O. Lujan Deal-2-Deal Homes dba Deal-2-Deal,LLC Delton Deal Del Rio Engineering, Inc. Sal Masoud Diamond Homes, LLC Valerie Baquera Donald Ward Builder, Inc. Donald Ward E. Valencia Land Development LLC Eddie Valencia Edward's Homes, Inc. Eduardo Fernandez EPT Land Communities David Bogas Everest Homes Edmundo Dena, Jr. Fortune Custom Homes Javier Andrade Gaddy Construction Charles Gaddy GMF Custom Homes, LP Frank Torres Guel Construction Rudy Guel Hakes Brothers LLC Chris Hakes Hanson Asset Management, LP Russell Hanson Homes by Design Leslie Driggers Hoard Hunt Communities, LLC Kathy Parry Icon Custom Home Builder, LLC. Carlos Garcia Industrial Realty Group Incorporated Brent D. Harris JER Custom Homes, LLC Jorge E. Rodriguez Kayton Lee Residential, Inc. Brianna Barnes LMJ Construction Co., LLC Mike Lopez Loyalty Homes Gustavo Loy M A Builders & Design, LLC Mustafa Ali Metro Homes, Inc. Fernando Torres, Judith Arrunada, Millennium Homes Dan Ruth New Horizon Builders Georgiana Garcia Pacifica Homes, Inc. Juan Jose Vasquez Palace Homes, Inc. Robert Diaz Palo Verde Homes Edgar Montiel Pointe Homes Carlos Villalobos Porter Homes Albert Porter R.C. Baeza & Associates Robert C. Baeza

2017 Issue 8

Updated every month, here is a list of the 2017 EPAB Membership. Remember to please do buinsess with fellow members.

R.E. Welch Contractor Gordon Welch Rassette Homes, Inc. Donald Rassette Santana Custom Homes Fernando Santana Southwest Land Development Serv. Doug Schwartz The Heritage Group David Bingham Trejo Construction Co. Juan Trejo Tropicana Building Corp. Bobby Bowling IV Tropicana Development Greg Bowling Tropicana Homes Randy Bowling Tropicana Properties Demetrio Jimenez Villagi Homes, LLC Kristi Eddings Will Harvey Development Will S. Harvey Winton/Flair Homes Herschel Stringfield Associate Members as of June 1, 2017

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Michael Elman 84 Lumber Ernie Chavez ABC Supply Co., Inc. Larry Eck Acme Brick Company Vanessa Rocha; Steve Bush Adams Moulding & Lumber Tom Swahlen Area Iron & Steel Works, Inc. Fred L. Edmonston Jr. Atrium Homes Ricardo Bocardo Jr. Bank of Texas Ray Owen Barnett & Bennett Construction Ben Trzyna Baron Supply David Trammell Barragan & Associates Benito Barragan Barrett Airworks Alexandro Castro Beasley, Mitchell & Co., LLP Brad Beasley BMC Select Jaeson Iovinella Boise Cascade Mike Flores Bonded Builders Home Warranty Grp. Bill Deal Border Solar Javier Ruiz Builders Source Appliance Gallery Kathy Rose, Sandra Lucero C. D. Lee/Britton Insurance & Bonding Anthony Landavazo; Lisa Daniels Cabinet Masters Mike Robles Capital Bank, SSB David Ortwein Cardel Design Group Lorraine Huit Casa Ford & Casa Nissan Luke Lowenfield CEA Engineering Group Jorge L. Azcarate Central Texas Metal Roofing Supply Co.,Inc. Ben Garza, III Chaparral Materials, Inc. Kevin Fortin City Bank Texas Bob Kotarski City Lights Thomas Brown Cognent, Inc. Martin Paredes Commercial Insurance Brokers, Inc. Ken Foster Conde, Inc. Conrad Conde CQC Testing and Engineering, LLC Jaime Rojas Dal-Tile Joseph Cepeda Demcon Disposal Management, LLC Maria Elena (Nena) Gomez Dempsey, Cooper & Lane, Llc Richard T. Dempsey

Desert Quest Plumbing Hector Gonzalez Dunn Edwards Paints Nathan Gordon Dorney Security John Dorney DWS Building Supply Sabrina Voorhies E.F. Building Materials, Inc. Efren Fraire Eagle Roofing Products Scott Aguilar El Paso Building Materials Ken Wade El Paso Disposal Irma Parsons El Paso Mortgage Bankers Association Randi Cabrera El Paso Star Ready-Mix Concrete Inc. David Armendariz El Paso Times Jose Molina El Paso Truss Luis Mendiola El Paso Winnelson Rene Goldfien Ferguson Enterprises Inc. Albert Holguin First American Bank Luis Sauceda,

First Light Federal Credit Union Lorenzo Revelez Firth, Johnston, Bunn & Kerr Jay Kerr Foxworth Galbraith Lumber Dan Villarreal Franklin Building Materials Ricardo Aguilar; Cristina Sheldon G2 Ram Electric Luis Cano GCC Sun City Materials, LLC Victor Tito Marquez GECU- Greater El Paso Credit Union Brenda Aguirre Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Richard Dayoub GEPAR-Greater El Paso Assoc. of Realtors Sharron Ramirez Hardware Specialties Jeff R. Paxton Harris Real Estate Group Lane Harris Haskins Electric Charles B. Haskins, Jr. Home of Texas Mark Smiley Home Performance Testing Fernando Garcia/Ray Gonzales HUB International Luis Rosas Insight Mortgage Company Shawn Weeks Interceramic Tile & Stone Gallery David Holguin Inter National Bank Natalie Ojeda J & H Concrete & Post Tension Jorge Herrera James L. Ellis, CPA, PC Jim Ellis Jobe Materials, LP Charlie Tellez Joe Bernal Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. Joe M. Bernal L & P Building Supply Denise McConnell Legacy Real Estate Services /TTi Prop. Management. Patrick Tuttle Lennox Industrie Sharon Horton Lone Star Title Co. of El Paso Sam Trimble Love Engineering, Inc. Montez Love Majestic Realtors Patti Musshorn MAK Roofing & Construction Felix Vizarreta Masco Contract Services dba Gale Insulation Tom Harmon McCoy's Building Supplies Julie Reyes Mechanical Technologies Jaime Zubiate Mingoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Painting & Remodeling Erik Chavarria

Morrison Supply Sam Shallenberger MTI Ready Mix, Inc. Tony Mullen Neeuhome.com LLC Walter Pichardo New American Funding Brenda Trillo New Era Foam George Tollen Passage Supply John Chaney Patriot Mortgage Randy Bowling Pella Windows Jason Bates Performance Glass & Aluminum Hector Hernandez Pioneer Bank Kathy Carrillo Prewire of El Paso, Inc. Steven Drury Post Tension Dennis Moore Powerfoam Insulation: Metlspan NCI Group, Inc. Arnie Pederson RAC Doors Unlimited, Inc. Charles Foxx Randall Smith, CPA Randall Smith Real Estate Weekly Newspaper Riley Stephens Rebath of El Paso/Las Cruces Lisa Walling Remcon Self Storage Will Harvey

Richman Group Affordable Housing Corp. Kevin Hoffman Rocky Mountain Mortgage Company Dean Inniss Roe, Brad Bradley Roe Rudolph Chevrolet Art Smith Saldivar Electric, Inc. Martin A. Saldivar

Sarabias Blue Sanitation Monica Brown Saguaro Corporation dba EP C & D Recycling Sean Gillespie Senercon Javier Ruiz Sherwin Williams Paint Cruz Lopez Sierra Title Company/Lawyers Title Angelique Roman Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. Ken Donham Snappy Publishing, LLC Ted Escobedo Solar Smart Living Larry Perea Southwest DĂŠcor El Paso Corporation Chris Matthews Spectrum Technologies Miled Daou Stewart Title of El Paso Cindy Bilbe StrucSure Home Warranty Scott Whisenant Su Casa Magazine Bob Skolnick Sun City Winnelson Dean Moore Texas Gas Services Mica Short Texas Title Company Steve Raney TFCU Yolie Melendez-Estrada The Dorian Group/Ocean Gallery USA Miguel Angel Mercado The Home Systems Heating & Cooling, Inc. Jesus Chain Trane Residential Solutions Robert Meske/ Kathleen Chacon TRE & Associates Linda Troncoso Trim Team Juan & Kris Hernandez USA General Contractors Javier Olmos Vision Consultants, Inc. Kelly Sorenson WestStar Home Loans Cinco Houghtoni WestStar Bank David Osborn WestStar Title Janette Coon

Association News & Events

2017 Issue 8

UPCOMING EVENTS

If you have an event or meeting that you would like to share with EPAB members, please submit your information to: margaret1@elpasobuilders.com

NEW MEMBERS

OCTOBER 11 BOARD MEETING 11:00 GENERAL MEETING 12:00 TBD

Builders Outlook

G2 RAM ELECTRIC CONTACT: LUIS CANO P.O. BOX 1773 PECOS,TX 79772 915-258-3298

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State & Local Bu ilding Ind ustry New s 2015: Iss ue 10

2016: H ousing Recover y to pick up steam a challeng mid es

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We also staff of David to show estate age els to the public the Outlook s for the first time o and seeing e to the we would then again I kno e to be owe a and to the nts becaus civic cen exhibito . â&#x20AC;&#x153;The El w that this ,â&#x20AC;? have pen market and real e weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re rs who fille debt Builders ter with showed Paso Ass Brian told t up dem year new to the we think goo has thin d the duri d and ocia product help gs prod ng we have and it for the visit tion ed me get this eve other ass ucts and to What imp nt.â&#x20AC;? ociation or to see lots of other gigs of Home and continued. offer the consum a very good s recomm . Our Spr with aisles and ressed many was er,â&#x20AC;? Torr endation,â&#x20AC;? and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m grateful ing 11-13, 201 Garden Show is es for the who has he continu on comforta the amount of roomthe carpeted authored reach pote 6. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this for March ed. 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Fall Hom e and Garden Show attracts thousand

OCTOBER 13-15 HOME AND GARDEN SHOW

Connect to the El Paso Association of Builders:

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The Builders Outlook is the official publication of the El Paso Association of Builders. Our award winning monthly newspaper is the only publication to target El Paso home builders and related businesses.

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Everyone Must Be Prepared For Emergencies Builders Outlook

Hot Topic

By Marcie Roth The importance of preparing ourselves for disasters is universal. Emergencies can happen anywhere - at home or at work and everyone must take action to prepare for emergencies in case something unexpected happens. However, the truth is there's no onesize-fits-all solution to being prepared. In fact, as Director of the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), I'm often asked to talk about preparedness for people with disabilities and people who also have access and functional needs, such as older adults. Through my work at FEMA over the past years, I've listened to many people with disabilities who have been impacted by disasters. After Hurricane Sandy, for example, I heard from people with disabilities who were without power for days and even weeks. Some of them relied on social media for help - connecting with neighbors, friends or family members online for solutions. Others had a harder time. What I've learned from this experience is that everyone must be prepared to be their own "emergency manager." When disaster strikes, you may have to be able to survive on your own for 72 hours or more without access to power, food, or transportation. You also should think about your own situation and what additional needs you might have. Supporting community preparedness is a big part of our mission, and FEMA has done a lot of research and obtained guidance from people with disabilities,

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usually the true experts, to ensure that everyone has the accurate information they need to be prepared. Here are some tips for people with disabilities: Have an emergency supply kit ready. Make sure you have enough water, food and medications for yourself and your service animal (if you have one) to last at least three days. Think about other items you may need as well - extra eyeglasses, batteries for hearing aids, medical supplies, etc. Have an emergency communications plan in place. How will you contact your family members if something happens and you're separated? Share your emergency plan with neighbors, friends and relatives so they know how to contact you if the power goes out. Develop a map of resources around where you live and work so members of your support network who are unfamiliar with your neighborhood can find and get what you need. You may want to include nearby places to buy food and water. Also, include fire, police, other city agencies and local apartment/commercial buildings with their own sources of power should the citywide/town-wide power be out. Consider adding taxi stands/bus stops/subway stations, and parking regulations/parking lots, etc. Ask others about what they will do to support you in an emergency. If you are a person who relies on dialysis, what will your provider do if there is an emergency? If you rely on home care or deliveries, such as Meals on Wheels, ask about emergency notifications and their plan to maintain services. If you use paratransit,

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find out their plans for providing service in an emergency. If you use oxygen or other life-sustaining medical equipment, show friends how to use these devices so they can move you or help you evacuate, if needed. Practice your plan with the people in your personal support network. Keep assistive devices and equipment charged and ready to go. Consider having an extra battery on a trickle charger if you use a power wheelchair or scooter. If available, have a lightweight manual wheelchair for backup and extra chargers and charging cables for all assistive devices. Make sure you have access to important documents. Collect and safeguard critical documents. Store electronic copies of your important documents on a passwordprotected thumb drive and in the "cloud," and if you feel comfortable doing so, give a copy to a trusted relative or friend outside your area. This way, you'll have a

2017 Issue 8

record of critical identification documents; medical information including where and how to get life-saving supplies and medications; financial and legal documents; and insurance information as well as important phone numbers, instructions and email addresses. Keep an updated version in your "go bag." Go to Ready.gov, Be Smart. Protect Your Critical Documents and Valuables or the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit for more information and a checklist. Being prepared is a 365-day-a-year activity. Take charge and take control to be as prepared as possible. Then add your voice to others - with and without disabilities - to be part of the planning process in your community. Citizen Corps Councils are local planning groups that include membership from across the community. Find your nearest council. Participate in America's PrepareAthon! a national, grassroots, year-round campaign for action. National PrepareAthon! Days are held every April 30th and September 30th. Find How to Prepare Guides, Playbooks and other resources for multiple hazards. Survival during a disaster should not depend solely on individual initiative, but rather collective commitment and planning by and for everyone. People with disabilities, often accustomed to thinking outside the box to accomplish daily tasks, may be master problem solvers with much expertise to offer as their communities plan for future disasters. For more information, go to Ready.gov.

Builders Outlook

2017 Issue 8

6046 Surety Dr. El Paso, TX 79905 915-778-5387 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 915-772-3038

â&#x2013; ExECuTiVE OFFiCERS PRESiDENT Don Rassette ViCE PRESiDENT Edmundoâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Dena SECRETARY/TREASuRER Sergioâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Cuartas ASSOCiATES ViCEâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;PRESiDENT Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Shallenberger ExECuTiVE ViCE PRESiDENT Ray Adauto PAST PRESiDENT Carlos Villalobos

â&#x2013; TABâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;STATE DiRECTORS Randy Bowling - Life Director Sam Shallenberger Edmundo Dena

Honorary Life Members Mark Dyer Wayne Grinnell Don Henderson Anna Gill Brad Roe Rudy Guel

Finance Committee Kathy Carrillo Henry Tinajero

Past Presidents Committed to Serve Edmundo Dena Edgar Montiel Frank Torres Frank Arroyos Greg Bowling Randy Bowling Bobby Bowling Iv Doug Schwartz John Cullers Robert Baeza Mark Dyer Kelly Sorenson Rudy Guel Brad Roe Herschel Stringfield Bob Bowling Iii Pat Woods

â&#x2013; ADViSORYâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;TOâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;THEâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;BOARD Jay Kerr, Firth, Johnston, Bunn & Kerr â&#x2013; BOARDâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;OFâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;DiRECTORS

Metro Homes West Star Bank Firth, Johnston,Bunn & Kerr Employer Benefits Ep Passage Supply Dorney Security Pioneer Bank Hunt Companies Bella Homes/Custom Dream TRE & Associates Homes By Design Southwest Land Dev. Services Dawco Builders Bella Vista Custom Homes Cullers Homes Icon Custom Homes DRE Development Snappy Publishing Legacy Real Estate Services Lone Star Title Hub International Deal -2-Deal Homes Pacifica Homes

2016 Builder Member Of The Year Carlos Villalobos Pointe Homes â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;

â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;

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â&#x2013; NATiONAL DiRECTORS Bobby Bowling, IV Demetrio Jimenez Leslie Driggers Hoard -Alternate Antonio Cervantes - Alternate

â&#x2013; COMMiTTEE CHAiRS Membership Ted Escobedo Patrick Tuttle

Fernando Torres Henry Tinajero Jay Kerr Joe Bernal John Chaney John Dorney Kathy Carrillo Kathy Parry Leti Navarette Linda Troncoso Leslie Driggers-Hoard Robert Foster Walter Lujan Edgar Garcia Jason Cullers Samira Gonzaelz Sal Masoud Ted Escobedo Patrick Tuttle Sam Trimble Luis Rosas Delton Deal J. J. Vasquez

El Paso Disposal

â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;

EPAB Mission Statement: The El Paso Association of Builders is a federated professional organization representing the home building industry, committed to enhancing the quality of life in our community by providing affordable homes of excellence and value. The El Paso Association of Builders is a 501C(6) trade organization. ÂŠ 2017 Builderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Outlook is published and distributed for the El Paso Association of Builders by Ted Escobedo, Snappy Publishing, LLC ted@snappypublishing.com El Paso â&#x20AC;˘ Texas â&#x20AC;˘ 915-820-2800

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