San Antonio Building Savvy February 2022

February 2022

San Antonio’s Homebuilding Industry Publication

GRUENE VISTA CONSTRUCTION

Booming Boutique Builders Shayne and Stephanie Anderson SHIP BOOSTS URBAN DEVELOPMENT Jim Leonard

REMODELING TRENDS FOR 2022 10 THINGS TO ASK YOUR CONSTRUCTION LOAN LENDER

PHOTO BY JASON ROBERTS

Customer Review Rating

Photo by Fossum Studios

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Building Savvy

SAVVY’S A-LIST A-LIST SAVVY’S Air Conditioning Architectural Photographer Classic Services AC Jason Roberts And Associates 830.358.1499 210.789.2033 www.classicairconditioningandwww.jasonroberts.biz heating.com Builder Financing

Architectural Photographer AmCap Home Loans Jason Roberts and Associates 210.422.2114 210.789.2033 www.jasonroberts.biz Building Materials Guido Companies

Building Materials 210.344.8321 BMC www.guidoco.com 512.977.7400 www.buildwithbmc.com MG Building Materials 210.623.4770

Guido Companies 210.344.8321 Doors www.guidoconstruction.com The Front Door Company 210.340.3141 www.thefrontdoorco.com

Doors Drywall The Front Door Company R. Hernandez Drywall 210.340.3141 210.733.6437 www.thefrontdoorco.com

Flooring Garage Doors Sunn Carpets and Flooring Hollywood-Crawford 210.349.7866 210.494.3434 www.sunncarpets.com

Mortgage Company Luxury Iron Doors and Interiors

Electrician Electrician Balcones Creek Electric JPI Electric 210.368.6057 210.233.6638 www.jpielectric.com

Garage Doors Hollywood-Crawford Granite Countertops 210.494.3434 Venetian Marble & Granite www.hollywoodcrawford.com 210.695.3505

PestBuilder Control Pool

210.392.2517 Elevators www.wilbertspower.com Home Elevator of Texas 210.340.5702 Elevators www.homeelevator.com

Home Warranties Centricity Home Warranties 727.385.7599

www.hollywoodcrawford.com

Wilbert’s Power

https://venetiancountertops.com

StrucSure

Home Elevator of Texas

Insulation

Flooring

Insulation Klar Insulation Klar Insulation 210.296.5499 210.296.5499

Sunn Carpets and Flooring 210.349.7866 www.sunncarpets.com

www.accuratepest.net

www.infinitypoolstx.com

Plumbing Diamond Plumbing Roofer 210.967.6100 Kendall County Roofing 830.331.2650

www.kendallcountyroofing.com

Roofer Kendall County Roofing 830.331.2650 Smart Home Technology www.kendallcountyroofing.com 210.233.6638

Specialty Electronics and

Hotchkiss Insurance

210.248.2556

210.495.0499 210.460.1580

JPI Electric

Foam One-One Insurance 830.228.5040 Hotchkiss Insurance 210.581.0420 www.hiallc.com Insurance

25 Years in Business • Specialize in level 5 finish

Accurate Pest Control Infinity Pools of Texas

www.dptexas.com

830-624-4450 StrucSure 830-624-4450 www.strucsure.com www.strucsure.com

210.340.5702 Fireplace Installations www.homeelevator.com Integrity Fireplace Installations 210.294.1383

Aligned Mortgage 210.874.1630 210.366.0490 www.alignedmortgage.com AMS Group

www.jpielectric.com Appliances

HomeWerks 210.499.5760 Specialty Electronics and Appliances www.sanantoniocentralvac.com HomeWerks

210.499.5760 Specialty Glass and Mirror

Lumber and Millwork 210.581.0420 Roddis Lumber www.hiallc.com 210.226.1426 www.roddislumber.com

B&T Glass www.sanantoniocentralvac.com

Lumber and Millwork

Title Company B&T Glass

Luxury Iron Doors and Roddis Lumber Interiors 210.226.1426 AMS Group www.roddislumber.com 210.366.0490

First American Title 210.656.8507

210.656.8507 www.btglassandmirror.com Specialty Glass and Mirror

817.918.2323 www.btglassandmirror.com www.firstam.com

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily re ect the views of N2 Publishing but

Serving Bexar County and Nearby Areas

remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Building Savvy magazine are not endorsed or recommended by N2 Publishing or the publisher. Therefore, neither N2 Publishing nor the publisher

R . H E R N A N D E Z D RY WA L L 210-733-6437 | Ralph Hernandez, Owner

may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies. NOTE: When community events take place, photographers may be present to take photos for that event and they may be used in this publication.

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TERRY KEMMY

“ Te r r y i s s o c o rr ei ga itni vael when it comes to advertising properties in i n n o v a t i v e w a y s . We l o v e his creative thinking.”

TERRY KEMMY

Realtor ® terry0372@kw.com 210.844.1542

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[From The Publisher]

BUSY IN 2022?

WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 2032?

If you’re reading this publication, I know you are one of the builders who looks at building codes as a minimum standard for safety and habitability of a structure, but YOUR own standard far surpasses those baselines. You understand how to communicate with your buyers and clients and have been around the block enough to know that this crazy industry cycles up and down.

While the analysts for the most part predict 2022 will be almost as frenzied as 2021 no matter what happens with interest rates and inflation. We are, after all, in Texas—where so many people continue to move. But it’s easy to use being busy as a reason for neglecting to communicate clearly and often with your clients. Be sure they understand why you do the particular things you do, whether that is due to meeting the future code requirement now or to meet your own bar for quality. Tell them often how much you appreciate their patience and how much you look forward to their project.

Though there may seem to be an endless pipeline of clients waiting for you to catch up and get to their job, things can turn on a dime.

Make a conscious effort to value every customer the same way you would in the slowest of times that we’ve experienced before, and never neglect the time needed to deliver work that you are proud to put your name on every time.

Do this, and you’ll still be here in 2032! That is, unless you’re enjoying retirement and resting on a beach somewhere, reflecting about how your business was so successfully passed down to the next generation.

Terry Kemmy Publisher 210.844.1542

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[Industry News]

ST RATEGIC HOUSING IM P LEMENTATION P L A N TO PROV IDE 3 BIL LION IN URB AN DEV EL OPM ENT FUNDING

By Jim Leonard President, Greenboro Homes

San Antonio City Council passed a sweeping affordable housing plan in December that will impact thousands of residents over the next ten years. The city looks to improve the quality of housing stock as well as the people who will be living in those homes.

The SHIP is a ten-year plan that will provide $3 billion in funds for housing over a ten-year period. The funds will come from Federal Housing and Urban Development financing as well as the 2022 and 2027 bond programs. The city council will approve $150 million in the 2022 bond election to be voted on in May by citizens. An as yet undecided amount will be part of the 2027 bond plan.

The SHIP is a follow up to the Housing Policy framework that Mayor Nirenberg spearheaded three years ago. That plan was to provide

T

a compassionate plan for housing. The plan would include the preservation of existing housing as well as the construction of new he groundwork for this new initiative goes back

units. At that time, the city created several citizen committees to look

several years as the city has tinkered with ways to

at housing issues and roadblocks to achieving affordable housing.

incentivize the construction of new homes. From

Through the work of those committees came a working document

granting fee waivers, to providing cash incentives

that was praised by council and city leaders. One of the steps

to builders to reduce the cost of a new home, San Antonio has

mentioned was to appoint a housing director for the city to oversee the

had mild success in addressing the affordable housing situation.

implementation of the new plan. Mark Carmona, former CEO of Haven

But the new Strategic Housing Implementation Plan or SHIP,

for Hope, was chosen for the position. With his background in working

promises to add fuel to the crisis and bring forth thousands of

with the homeless population, he will craft the framework for the new

new housing units.

SHIP plan.

8

The goal of the SHIP plan is to provide 28,000 housing units over

For sale housing will also be part of the plan with income limits on those

the next ten years. This will consist of preservation of existing

families at 120% of AMI or about $80,000 per year for a family of three.

homes and rental units, and the construction of new homes and

In past programs, the purchasers had to provide proof to the city that

rental units. The city will work to prioritize most of the money

they met that income requirement and a covenant would be placed in

to those families and individuals at the greatest risk in our city-

the deed records that if they sold the home within a certain number of

those earning below 30% of the area median income (AMI).

years the new purchaser would have to qualify under the same terms,

For a family of three, 30% AMI equates to an annual income of $20,010. In this income category, spending more than 30% of

guaranteeing that the home would remain in the hands of families needing affordable housing.

income on housing creates issues with having enough money left

The city estimates that 1950 new for sale housing units would be built

over for food, transportation, and clothing. For this income level,

under this plan, with thousands more rehabbed to meet the demand.

most if not all of the contemplated housing will be rental units.

The city feels that by rehabbing existing housing stock, more homes

The city plans to address homelessness by earmarking funds to

can be upgraded than building a smaller number of new homes. It is

provide housing to this group as well. It cannot be emphasized

estimated over 100,000 families could benefit under this plan over the

enough the importance of housing in the lives of those who are

next ten years.

the most vulnerable in our city.

Everyone in the housing industry should be in support of this program.

Children perform better in school when they are not stressed

More information will be coming over the next few months as we draw

about where they will sleep or if there will be food for a meal at

closer to May elections. The goal is that upon passage of the plan,

night. They depend on some form of stability in their life and that

construction will be ready to begin as soon as possible.

starts with a dignified home to live in.

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[Focus Section]

STRUCTURE—KNOW THE MINIMUMS BUT GO BEYOND THEM!

B

uilding codes are the minimum standard for safety and habitability of a structure, but not the standard for savvy builders who build quality structures.

Solid structural design requires an understanding of the complex of forces that a structural

By Beverly Smirnis

assembly must be designed to resist. Beams, columns and walls carry each load down to the ground. Acting as a unit instead of a collection of isolated components that the wind can pick off one by one,these various systems interacting together are necessary to keep a building upright and make it stronger. Lumber sizes, the diameter and length of nails and structural screws, and other bracing requirements are determined by the structural demands of the building.

Structure nears completion on the Building Savvy Idea Home in Dallas’ Midway Hollow.

10

Plywood and OSB panels are recognized by the building code for their strength and performance in wall construction and their code-compliant nail base for attaching brick ties, siding and trim.

Combining advanced framing methods and the use of raisedheel trusses with continuous wood panel sheathing provides increased structural support and multiple other advantages.

Much of the focus by building codes and building code inspectors is on preventing water from penetrating a home to cause structural damage and a potentially toxic indoor air environment. Exterior cladding is essentially the first line of defense against water penetration and should be designed to work in tandem with underlying vapor-permeable water-resistive barrier (WRB) materials that repel and drain water to keep the structure dry and while allowing any water that does get in from rain or condensation to effectively dry. Installation requirements and vital air spaces are specified either via manufacturer’s instructions or building code.

Wall and roof connection joints are the weakest link of any building.

Applying WRBs from the bottom up allows subsequent layers

Chapter 15 of the IRC provides standards for roof assemblies including

to overlap the layer below to create a proper drainage plan. To

nailing requirements for attachment of the roof. Connectors, often

maintain continuity of the barrier, metal or adhesive flashings

referred to as “hurricane clips” or “hurricane straps” are required by

must also be properly overlapped or sealed around wall

code in some areas and used as a best practice in others to attach roof

openings and over adjacent enclosures and should divert water

framing members to the supporting wall top plates. Weather-protection

away from the wall or toward a WRB-protected area.

includes ice barrier membrane requirements under eaves, valleys and

Foam sheathing products which are foil-faced with rigid polyisocyanurate are another process for creating the drainage plane when used in conjunction with the proper tape to seal the joints. Some experts recommend applying the foam with

crickets. Some of the membranes are coated with felt paper or synthetic underlayment, serving as a bond break for the shingles. The minimum required overlap for shingles, to prevent water from wicking underneath and fasteners from corroding, sometimes varies with the slope of the roof.

shiplap joints at the vertical seams and a black poly strip as a

Framing structures, cladding and roof shingles are regulated not only

Z-flashing at horizontal joints.

by building codes that ensure structural integrity but also those related

While pre-formed flashing can be an efficient choice, metal coil flashing which is malleable is used to form-fit spaces around window sills, fascia and door casings. Once again, the order and process of applying the flashing is important; install first to the underside of a window sill or door then to the sides so that both sides overlap the bottom. Pan flashing on top of the drainage plane further assures against leakage within the factory-built window assembly itself. W flashing for inside corners and J flashing where siding meets trim or stone are the norm.

to the control and integration of fire safe design and fire prevention. The IRC requires that residential floors be covered with a 1/2-inch gypsum wallboard membrane, a 5/8-inch wood structural panel membrane or the equivalent on the underside of the floor framing member. In response, truss manufacturers now feature a proprietary coating that enhances the joist’s fire resistance and enables the floor assembly to meet the new membrane requirements. Roof shingles may also be required to meet a Class A or B fire rating classification per local building codes.

The Bottom Line: Framing inspectors look at the plans and check the work completed, often considering not only if the structure complies with the building code but also if it follows current best practices.

Beverly Smirnis is the co-founder of Building Savvy magazine and publishes its flagship Dallas/Fort Worth edition. She and her business partner and husband, Steve Smirnis, have served as judges for the International Builders’ Show Best of IBS Awards and judged numerous homes for builders association parade events across the country.

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[Mortgage News]

By Jen Guidry

P

eople get overwhelmed when it comes to the construction loan process.

Most believe that it is cumbersome and ultra-difficult to get one. Many want-to-be custom home clients believe that they have to put 20% down or sell their house first. People also make assumptions that all the lenders and banks have the same process and guidelines as each other.

If you venture to the web for answers, there is a lot of misinformation out there. I believe that choosing the right lender for your construction loan is just as important as selecting your builder. Picking the wrong lender could end up costing you thousands,

TOP 10 THINGS TO ASK YOUR

plus a lot of aggravation.

Ask your friends and colleagues who have recently constructed a home who they used and what their experience was like. If the same name pops up over and over, that is usually the best place to start. Gather those names and start making phone calls.

Before you call though, you should have the following information ready: lot value, how

CONSTRUCTION

much is owed on the lot and approximate build costs. You should also let them know whether or not you plan on selling your existing house before or after the new house is built (if this is applicable to you). A smart lender will ask you about these things, as

LOAN LENDER

it will be an important part of the process of discerning the parameters of the loan you are interested in.

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underwriting. Be sure to also ask about the costs for the draws

You will then want to ask your potential lender about the different

and any other lender fees. Really, the only fees you should care

types of construction loan programs they have. These should be

about are the lender fees because everything else is pretty

your Top 10 things you ask:

much the same no matter who you go with.

7.

1.

Do you offer both a one-time close and a two-time close? Have

a cost? What is the maximum amount of time allowed? What

them explain the differences and the pros and cons of each.

happens if that time still isn’t enough?

If they only have one or the other, or both – your future lender should be able to give you enough ammo to decipher what

8.

might be best for you and your family.

2.

construction loan. With the volatility of the materials, it might

What is the maximum loan to value that you offer? Everyone is

be in your best interest to work with someone that can get your loan done quickly.

value and some that are capped at 80%. Based on the amount of cash that you would ideally want to put down, the answer to

9.

this important question will help narrow down your search.

with that person for roughly a year in some capacity. You will

What happens if I go over budget? Also, an integral question.

definitely want to pick someone who you feel will continue to answer your questions throughout the course of your build.

changed their mind on something, causing a budget over- run. It is a good idea to find out what the lending company’s guidelines

10. Did the Loan Officer I spoke with know what he/she was

are regarding this issue.

talking about? You also want to have confidence in your lender’s knowledge of the construction process. There are a lot

What happens if I end up under budget (yeah, right!!)? I

of intricate and moving parts to these loans, so you definitely

laughed at this when I wrote it, but decided to keep it here

want to feel comfortable with the knowledge level of the loan

because, hey, miracles do happen! Ask your potential lender

officer you choose to work with.

what happens to your construction loan if all of the funds don’t get used.

5.

Once you have recorded the answers to those questions, it is time to narrow it down and complete an application that is the best fit for

What types of terms do you offer on your loans? 30 year

you and your situation.

terms? 15? 10? Again, everyone is different.

•

Did I get along with the person that I spoke to? A construction loan is not like a home purchase loan. You will be working

In all of the construction loans I have done, most everyone has

4.

How long does it take to close on a construction loan? Some lenders take 35 days and some as long as 120 days to close a

different. There are some places that go up to 90% - 95% loan to

3.

What happens if I go over the allotted build time? With supply chain issues, this issue is popping up more and more. Is there

Building a custom home is an exciting time! Picking the right builder

Are they fixed, ARMS etc.? This is another arena where there

and the right lender can help to make a dynamic time also a very

are tons of disparities between lenders. Some have been fixed,

smooth one.

some partial fixed and some with balloons. Your preference will be determined by your risk level or long-term plans. Again, an astute lender should be able to speak to you regarding how each of these would affect what your goals are.

•

Jen Guidry (NMLS # 323935) has been the No.1 Loan Officer in San

What are the interest rates currently? If you do a two-time

Antonio for the past three years. Additionally she is ranked in the Top

close loan, those rates will most always be higher than the

25 Women Originators and Top 200 Loan Officers out of over 500,000

current market, just FYI. So, quoting final loan interest rates on

nationwide. She is also a host of Financing the American Dream

a two-time close will always be a guess because no one knows

television program, featured on Fox Business, Bloomberg, CNBC,

what the rates will do in the future. However, one-time close

Travel Channel, ROKU, and Amazon Prime. Jen is also a regular on San

construction loans lock in the rate ahead of time. Lenders vary

Antonio’s “Mortgage Monday and Motivational Monday,” on KABB Fox

greatly here also. Always ask about the current interest rates.

6.

29 and WOAI. For more information go to SALending.com .

Do you charge points or extra fees? Another big one. Ask if they charge origination points, discount points, processing and

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210.494.3434

[Savvy Finance]

MOVING FROM FAMILY-OWNED TO EMPLOYEE-OWNED

W

By Steven Bankler, CPA

hen your business is nearing the end

Alterman, Inc., one of San Antonio’s oldest

of its family legacy, you may not need

and largest electrical contractors, is a great

to sell to an outside bidder. Sharing the

example. The family-owned company began

reins with your loyal employees could be an option,

in 1923. By about 1972, it was passed down

and it may come with tax benefits, too.

from father to son. And by 1984, a big decision needed to be made: It was time for the owner to retire, but the company’s family lineage stopped there.

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“As long as employees hold the ESOP account or roll funds

‘‘

from an ESOP account into another retirement vehicle (such as an IRA), they avoid taxes. It is only when employees withdraw funds—hopefully when they are retired, so they can

It became a great opportunity for employees to buy into the company,” Chris Thiel, CMA, the current Executive Vice President, CFO, of Alterman, Inc., recently explained to XPX San Antonio Summit 2021 attendees. “That’s usually where

‘‘

we find [employee ownership] most effective. It’s when the transition to family members isn’t there anymore.

maximize this benefit—that they are taxed,” says the ESOP Association.

Company leadership may realize a flurry of benefits, too.

ESOPs encourage staff retention for both financial reasons and the sense of ownership it gives employees. A hike in capital gains taxes could make an ESOP formation even more ideal for a retiring business owner.

“If the owner opts to cash out by selling their shares to another private buyer, they’re subject to paying a capital

An ESOP, which Alterman currently operates as, is just one model of employee ownership. Others include worker cooperatives, employee stock option plans, or other forms of profit sharing. But, according to The ESOP Association, ESOPs are usually the only plan that requires no out-of-pocket investment from employees. Typically, the company pays for the shares and holds them in trust on behalf of the employees.

Most ESOPs are with small, privately held companies with less than 100 participant employees. In fact, the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) says, in most cases, 15 employees is a reasonable starting point.

ESOPs are popular among S-corporations and C-corporations alike, and 13% are formed by companies in the construction industry.

gains tax. But if they sell to an ESOP that’s registered as a C-corporation, they aren’t liable for any capital gains taxes, provided that a couple of additional requirements are met,” explains Forbes. It’s certainly a consideration for family business owners who are nearing the sale of their business.

Steven Bankler has more than 45 years of experience in the accounting industry. Steven’s expertise lies in consulting, planning, tax, and asset protection as well as exit strategy services for closely held businesses. He also provides litigation support (both as a testifying expert witness and a consulting

And the tax benefits? An ESOP is essentially a retirement plan. The funds

expert), business negotiations and estate planning. Visit www.

or profits aren’t immediately taxed as they could be through other stock

bankler.com for additional tax strategy tips and to learn more

options and profit-sharing models. Even cooperative members can incur

about Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd.

annual taxes on the amounts allocated to their funds.

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[Savvy Builder]

G RU E N E V I S TA

CONSTRUCTION

S

Shayne, like many other builders, grew up in a construction

hayne and Stephanie Anderson are not only

family. His father was an electrician and his uncle ran a concrete

life partners as husband and wife, they are the

foundation business. But Anderson as a young man saw himself

founders of Gruene Vista Construction, a boutique

more as an outdoorsman and majored in Range Wildlife &

custom home building enterprise nestled in the

Fisheries Science at Texas Tech University. It was at Tech where

growing outskirts of New Braunfels.

he met Stephanie, who was studying merchandising.

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“We are laser-focused on creating an exceptional experience for our clients,” says Stephanie. “Homebuilding is very stressful and moving is hard. We know – we’ve built four custom homes for ourselves and moved 12 times in 20 years of marriage.

We understand the challenges well and work to make the entire process as simple as possible for our clients. We are not trying to be the biggest builder – we call ourselves a boutique builder because focusing on a few projects for amazing clients is where we thrive.”

“Stephanie’s career started with DeWalt Power Tools as a marketing rep, which began her love of all things construction,” says Anderson.

“I just loved the outdoors so much, hunting and fishing, not wearing a suit, and I thought eventually I’d become a Game Warden. But because most of my family was involved in the building industry I decided to go into building and work for a production builder in 2000.”

With a few years under his belt, Anderson was ready for a new challenge and went to work with his uncle in the concrete business. Learning the subcontractor side of the business has been vital to his success in understanding the needs of trade partners.

A few years later Shayne had an opportunity to partner up with a college friend, Jeff Jenkins.

For 12 years Anderson-Jenkins built over 400 custom homes in the local area and established themselves as top quality builders in residential construction. Jenkins was then presented an opportunity with an international firm and the team went their own ways.

After carefully evaluating next steps, Shayne and Stephanie launched Gruene Vista Construction.

The team wanted to create a smaller, boutiquestyle building company where they were both hands on, active and involved every day. The emphasis from day one was creating and developing great relationships with trade partners, vendors, business leaders and clients.

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Here’s what some of them said: “He runs his business like I run mine, very hands on. Shayne is at the jobsite all the time. He’s a godsend for me!”

Mike Smylie – Elite Irrigation “They do a great job at communicating, and coordinating his trades. We’ve had a long term relationship with Shayne. He’s got a good eye for quality, and they are easy to work with.”

Trey Hampton – The Front Door “Shayne and I have kids in some of the same activities. He’s not just a great builder I completely trust; he’s a good friend. There’s not many like him.”

Wes Zunker – Level 7 Roofing Describing her ideal clients Stephanie says

“Nothing

but

solid

praise

for

the

they are fair, fluid and fun! “They have an

Andersons. They are one of the most organized builders we work with. Great

idea of what they want, a realistic budget

attention to detail. Shayne does a great

and want to be a team player in the project.”

job!”

The Andersons use construction industry

Travis Krug – South Texas Woodworks

software (Buildertrend) to stay in constant communication with their clients. “This is such a great tool for keeping all parties on

“Working with Gruene Vista is like working

the same page… us as the builders, our subs

with family. They completely understand

and partners, and most importantly the home

and trust their trade partners. And they

buyers,” she adds. “They have access to all documents, selections, changes and build schedule.

aren’t afraid to spend more on quality

We have set meetings and walks throughout the build but are also a message away if questions

products to better serve their buyers.”

arise along the way.”

Frank Jimenez – Hollywood Crawford

“We have construction standards that we will not compromise on,” Shayne adds. “But we

Garage Doors

discuss pros and cons of products with clients prior to contract. Our clients know exactly what they are getting when we give them a price and understand the quality they have chosen. It’s

“I’ve known Shayne for years. He’s just a

our one-on-one attention that provides a unique, personal experience. When we’re finished if we

great guy and a helluva builder!”

can’t hang out on the back porch with a glass of wine or a cold beer and laugh as friends then

Scott Whisenant – StrucSure Home

we haven’t done our job.”

Warranty

Subcontractors and suppliers can truly make or break any building business. Over the last two decades of building in the Texas Hill Country, Anderson has formed solid relationships with people he trusts to take care of their clients. Together with their trade partners, Gruene Vista strives to create a one-of-a-kind project for each client – a masterpiece that the entire team can all be proud of for years to come.

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Your customer wants a home built for the world of today – and tomorrow.

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[Savvy Special Report]

REMODELING SUCCESS BEYOND 2022: STAY ON TOP OF TRENDS AND THE MARKET; COMMUNICATE, DELIVER QUALITY The Remodeling Futures Program at

Here’s what’s driving the projected 2022 remodeling trends:

the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University predicts that the rapid expansion of owners’ equity is likely to fuel demand for more and larger remodeling projects in 2022.

Working-From-Home The turning of a sitting room, guest room, dining room or breakfast room into a home office will continue to be a boon for home remodelers. The backdrop for Zoom calls needs to step up, say designers. With increased awareness of how the layout and aesthetics of a room can affect energy and productivity, people are putting more focus on the design of their workspaces. Plenty of built-ins with wiring stations and high-tech wiring to support all the plugged-in devices plus reliable wifi services are must-haves.

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Working-Out From-Home

But Can You Handle the Demand?

Plan plenty of room not only for the in-home gym equipment but also “classroom space,”

While famine is obviously a bad time for the

where the homeowner can follow all those virtual yoga and fitness classes. Be sure to

remodeling industry, feast can be almost as

add mirrored walls and barres. Incorporate some of these things into the floorplan by

challenging. Just like new home builders, remodelers

adding onto the master bath to create a spa-like experience.

continue to be challenged by the labor shortage and supply chain issues. The expectation that

Outdoor Entertainment

these issues will last into 2022 makes every project

You’ll have to look twice at some of the pictures to determine whether that pretty picture on Pinterest is indoors or out. Stylish and durable outdoor furniture and décor has come a long way in recent years. Homeowners are also using some of their accumulated home equity to fund outdoor living projects which may include pools, water features, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and outdoor showers. Bigger window and door openings on the back of the house capitalize on their enjoyment of these areas and bring in more natural light. Mudroom areas providing a transition from outdoors back inside should have plenty of “drop zones” for shoes and coats, maybe even a dog-washing station.

challenging from a time and budget standpoint.

With long lead times and backlogs already, some remodelers find themselves having to tell a client, “I’m happy to start your project, but can’t get to it for six months.” As inflation and interest rates rise, delivering the message, “We’re going to need to recalculate the budget for your project now” isn’t going to make a remodeler popular with his or her

Desire for Texture and Color

customers either.

Flat finish drywall, white paint and cool tone accents are out! Faux finished walls

Communicating clearly and often with your clients in

mimicking the look of Venetian plaster, concrete and marble are the rage, some designers are reporting. Many are talking about textured fabrics and wallpaper. Bold colors including pinks, burnt oranges , greens and peacock blues and Pantone’s Color of the Year, Veri Peri, are paired with wood, rattan, clay or stone to provide a “vacation at home” vibe. Color contrasts between the kitchen countertops and backsplash or the main cabinets and the island are on the rise again. Metal finishes and paneling are some of the tactile materials people are craving.

Very Peri, Pantone’s 2002 Color of the Year is described as “a warm and friendly blue hue with a carefree confidence and joyful attitude, emboldens uninhibited expression and experimentation.”

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your current pipeline and those waiting in the wings is most important. Value every customer the same way you would in a time of famine and take the time needed to deliver your best work every time, and you’ll continue to enjoy the fruits from the feast far beyond today’s frenzy.

[Savvy Trucks & Toys]

WHEN SMALL IS RIGHT-SIZED, THE OPTIONS ARE PLENTIFUL IN SUVS

By Beverly & Steve Smirnis

« The Lexus UX 250h is an entry point to the luxury brand. »

The competition among the small SUV segment is fierce, with each automaker striving to stand apart by its subtle differences.

Like all Jeeps, the Compass is set apart by its off-

city/30 hwy. Our Limited AWD nine-speed

road capabilities. Jeep’s 2022 Compass got a host

automatic tester is second in trim level

of updates include a new exterior design and more

only to the Trailhawk. With a base price of

refined interior and tech upgrades inspired by the

$32,195, the test car sported Velvet Red Pearl

brand’s luxury-level line-up. All Compasses come

paint, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a

with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine good for

premium Alpine® speaker system, putting it

177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque getting 22

at $36,280 delivered.

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« Ford Escape is available as a plug-in hybrid. »

Ford’s commitment to electric vehicle production includes the 2022 Ford Escape. Our tester was the SE, one step up from the base, with the optional 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid powertrain. Together, that makes a 221 total system horsepower. It is paired to a continuously variable automatic front wheel drive transmission (CVT). The battery is good for 37 miles of electric-only driving. With gas only, it ranks at 40 MPG. Ford packs every Escape with a healthy amount of included safety features. When choosing the hybrid powertrain, you also get the bonus of dual-zone automatic climate control and an upgraded instrument cluster display. MSRP including $985 in options that added 18” machined ebony aluminum wheels and upgraded tires, a convenience package, power liftgate, leather-wrapped steering wheel and power driver seat, put its price tag at $35,305.

It you’re looking for entry level luxury in the small SUV segment, the Lexus UX 250h starts with an attractive base price of $35,200 and lots of standard features.

Its exterior is sporty, and the interior satisfies our high expectations from Lexus. UX represents one of the few luxury automakers that offer a hybrid powertrain in a compact SUV. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and hybrid system with CTV get 181 horsepower and deliver a 42 mpg combined rating. Every UX 250h comes with the Lexus Safety System+2.0 package. The Premium package on our tester added automatic wipers, a moon roof and heated and ventilated front seats, (another rarity in this class) for $1,175. It can be loaded up for about another $5,600 with a nav package, hands-free liftgate, auto-leveling headlights, heated steering wheel, wireless

« Jeep Compass is superior in its off-road capabilities. »

charging pad, head-up display, and parking sensors were options, which would make the price close to $42K.

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here are going to make your list if you’re looking for sports performance; that would include the QX50 with turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT. Like others with CVTs, shifting tends to be rough and handling is lackluster. But the good news is that while both engine and the transmission on the QX55 are the same as on the QX50, they’ve both been retuned for better performance (268 hp) with a fuel economy rating of 22 MPG. This positions QX55 in closer competition with the Audi SQ5, BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe it aims to compete with. It also comes with a price entry point similar to these rivals. We drove a mid-trim level Essential model which added $5,100 for AWD, leather upholstery, a Bose premium sound system and some additional comfort and safety feature add-ons to the entry level Luxe model starting at $46,500.

An $800 Pro-Assist add-on with more safety features, plus destination charge, put our tester at $53,425. « Infiniti’s QX55 is a newcomer to the segment with impressive horsepower. »

Beverly & Steve Smirnis are members of the Texas Auto Writers Infiniti adds a new SUV for 2022 to compete in the small luxury level

Association and the Texas Motor Press Association, reviewing

SUV segment. The QX55 is essentially a QX50 with a sportier profile

vehicles and casting their votes at driving events where the Truck

including a sloped roofline giving it a coupe-life appearance and

of Texas, Car of Texas and Off-Road Truck of Texas are some of the

standard 20-inch wheels with short tire sidewalls. All-wheel drive is also

titles awarded. Follow their automotive blog on TheSavvyList.com/

standard on the newcomer. Little was changed on its interior, which

TheSavvyDriver

was already top rated in the class. None of the contenders reviewed

Courtesy of G. Morris Homes

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[Training Tomorrow’s Workforce]

Career Coaching, Job Placement Entities Seek Solutions to the Construction Labor Crisis

B

uilding Talent Foundation (BTF), a non-profit organization founded by 20 of the largest residential construction companies in the United States, has announced a strategic collaboration with M.T. Copeland

Technologies Inc. The goal is to advance career opportunities for individuals in residential construction by leveraging the combination of BTF’s career coaching and job placement assistance and M.T. Copeland’s online courses.

M.T. Copeland offers affordable, online training courses taught by practicing craftspeople to help those in the skilled trades become efficient, well-qualified tradespeople. Students can learn a variety of skills from their online library ranging from subjects on carpentry to plumbing basics to construction fundamentals, watch at their own pace, earn certificates of completion, and receive supplementary educational downloads.

Through the partnership, M.T. Copeland will introduce their students to BTF’s resources including the JobsToBuild.com residential construction careers platform and BTF Engagement Managers, to help them plan their professional journeys and provide career coaching and job placement assistance. In turn, BTF will introduce job seekers to M.T. Copeland training courses, helping candidates upskill and better position themselves for the most sought-after careers in residential construction.

BTF has also collaborated with Lennar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Lennar Corp. Lennar has pledged $2 million over two years to empower BTF to empower unemployed youth at risk and adults with barriers to employment to acquire soughtafter job skills and career opportunities in the construction industry.

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Jordan Smith is the CEO and Founder of Smith House Company, a design+build firm based in Austin, Texas, whose M.T. Copeland classes include How to Read Blueprints, Construction Math, Introduction to Hand Tools, How House Framing Works, Introduction to Wood Materials, Fasteners & Adhesives, and How to Succeed on the Job. Photo by Chris Bourke; Westfolk Film Company

M.T. Copeland instructor Lydia Crowder is one of several female business owners in construction trades on its teaching staff.

According to an NAHB analysis, women currently make up only 10.9% of the construction workforce. Crowder, owner of Trinity Drywall in Bozeman, Montana, teaches how to achieve a level-3 drywall finishing job, from pre-filling to taping to boxing. Photo, John Sweeney Photo.

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www.jasonroberts.biz Featured image photographed for LLB Interiors at the 2021 Parade of Homes in Belle Oaks.

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