Arkansas Home Builders Association

On Tuesday, the Senate failed to secure the 60 votes needed to proceed to consideration of S. 1140, legislation that would have overturned the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rulemaking. But it’s not all bad news. NAHB solidified the support of 58 Senators. Democratic Sens. Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.), along with all 54 Republican senators, voted in support of S. 1140. The Senate then took up the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution disapproving the WOTUS rule, which passed by a majority vote. Passage of the CRA would force the EPA to withdraw the rule. The Federation showed a strong, united front in responding to the call to action. Members ensured that NAHB’s voice was heard on Capitol Hill. Thousands of emails, letters, phone calls and personal appeals were made to Senate offices. “Our members’ efforts were critical to our outreach,” said NAHB Chairman Tom

The House Energy and Commerce Committee today approved NAHB-supported energy legislation that will reform the role of the Department of Energy (DOE) in the development of energy codes and encourage meaningful savings for residential construction that are achievable and cost-effective. Of note to the housing community, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 included a provision that would promote energy efficiency in buildings while ensuring that home builders and home owners are not burdened by unreasonable regulations. Specifically, the provision would: Improve affordability by requiring any DOE-supported code proposal has a payback period of 10 years or less, meaning that these higher costs will be paid back through utility savings. Increase transparency in the development of model building energy codes by ensuring that all DOE code change proposals are made available to the public, including calculations on costs and savings. Ensure prod

NAHB ... Working Hard to Help Grow Our Housing Industry  Associates  Builders and Staff; coming together for one purpose. Home Ownership; the American Dream

NAHB International Builders Show / Kitchen and Bath show will begin in Las Vegas in 117 days!!!!!  But registration and FREE Expo passes only LAST "Six" more days..  So AHBA members let's get Cracking and yes let's log in and get registered.  That part is EASY!!!! (http://www.buildersshow.com/Home/) Builders/Remodelers/Associates/Affiliates Please know this is one of the greatest shows on earth for our industry.  The entry in and out of Las Vegas is easy and travel within is so easy to attend the Big Show.  If you have been before you know what I mean.  If you have not ever been I can simply say it will blow you away what all you can learn about our industry and the new trends in building.  Builder members and Remodelers it is almost a must to attend to learn what your customers might be desiring now and in the future.  Associates, hopefully if I'm successful in arranging some special room rates and hospitality centers a wonderful opportunity will exist for s

September if free registration month for IBS 2016 * But Beware! NAHB notified us of several companies sending out unauthorized solicitations regarding housing during the Builders’ Show, please check the list of housing pirate companies that they are aware of. If you have any questions please contact: Sanetra Payne Marketing & Customer Experience Manager Marketing& Business Development Group National Association of Home Builders 1201 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 D 202 266 8179 F  202 266 8193   T 800 368 5242 x8179 spayne@nahb.org www.nahb.org 2016 NAHB International Builders’ Show ® Discover the Building Universe!   Register now! Everything you need to know about building is @ nahb.org .

When you wonder what the HBA can do for you; why your company should be a member, the answer is simple. Voices of a like industries; as in this example the United Farm Workers, Landowners and the National Home Builders Association come together as one strong voice and make differences. Collectively these groups worked hard to stop a new federal rule on jurisdiction of waterways. Support the industry that supports you. Join your local Home Builders Association today.

Faulkner County Home Builders Association 501.269.9558 fchba10@gmail.com P.O. Box 1228 Conway, AR  72033 www.faulkner countyhomebuilders.com                                                                                                  August 6, 2015 Press Release The Arkansas Dream Center was presented with a $50,000 check today on behalf of the Faulkner County Home Builders Association from the Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund of the National Association of Home Builders to assist in rebuilding homes in Faulkner County for uninsured and underinsured residents whose homes were destroyed in the 2014 tornado that devastated major areas of Vilonia and Mayflower, Arkansas. Thank you so much, Christina Galloway Executive Officer Faulkner County Home Bui

On Tuesday, August 11 th , the HBA-GLR held a Mix and Mingle at the Rockwater Village . The new development sits on the Arkansas River in North Little Rock and boasts amenities such as a private marina, access to The River Trail and has room for a future residential and commercial phase. “We were fortunate to be joined by over 120 members, and attendees were able to enjoy the great food, drinks, and scenery,” said Nathan Cooper, HBA-GLR President. HBA-GLR was fortunate to have several local dignitaries attend the event, including:  Representative French Hill, Alderman Charlie Hight and Alderman Maurice Taylor. We would like to give a big thank you to Jim Jackson and Lisa Ferrell for hosting a wonderful event!

On Thursday, August 6th, the Arkansas Home Builders Association was the guest speaker at the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Greens at North Hills. Ron Harris, AHBA Executive Vice President, spoke on the impact of housing in Central Arkansas as a whole and also broke down the statistics for the Sherwood housing market. Harris shared his personal story and the new vision for the AHBA. The AHBA would like to give a special thank you to our friends at Centennial Bank for sponsoring the Sherwood Chamber Luncheon! To have Ron Harris speak at your next event please contact Ron at: 501-258-2877

The Arkansas Dream Center was presented with a $50,000 check today on behalf of the Faulkner County Home Builders Association from the Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund of the National Association of Home Builders to assist in rebuilding homes in Faulkner County for uninsured and underinsured residents whose homes were destroyed in the 2014 tornado that devastated major areas of Vilonia and Mayflower, Arkansas. Faulkner County Home Builders Association Christina Galloway, Executive Officer P.O. Box 1228 Conway, AR  72033 Faulkner County Home Builders Assn. Board of Directors President, Greek Miller, Greek Miller Construction Vice President, Bruce Hendricks, Hendricks Construction, Inc. Secretary/Treasurer, Kim Tyler, Tyler Group Past-President, Mike Wallace, Mallard Contractors AHBA Representative, Herb Evans, Greenbrier Custom Homes AHBA Representative, Camille Turchi, Ridout Lumber Luke Porter, Luke Porter, Inc. Patrick Moix, Moix and Moix Construction Kevin Watson, Watson

If you have a stake in home building, then you know that every day Congress makes decisions that affect the home building industry and your bottom line. When we reach out to members of Congress, we have an impact on the decisions they make. BuilderLink , NAHB’s national grassroots program, advances the housing industry by connecting members of Congress to the people who matter most – their constituents. Register now to speak up for housing and take action through CapitolConnect™, BuilderLink’s legislative activation tool .

•  Please join me in welcoming Lea Ann Bullington as the new Executive Officer for Cleburne County HBA.  She will be at the helm in that region and also works for FL Davis Lumber in Heber Springs. She has been associated in prior years with AHBA and now is accepting another round of service in our industry. Please give her a warm welcome. •  Save the new date October 30th for AHBA Board meeting and new location this time will be Pulaski Tech Business and Industry Center at 3303 East Roosevelt near Airport. Time and agenda coming later. •  EVP Chatter,  Holy Cow!!!!! after attending the Association Leadership Institute in Pittsburgh I would like to inform our members I am just now settling in realizing the magnitude of housing and the responsibility we have to maintain and grow our membership.  Members thank you for allowing your local EO's that attended. The opportunity allowed for us to attend as many sessions as we could such as: Managing the Membership Experience, Social Med

National Association of Home Builders Urgent: Corps' Memos Put EPA in Hot Water over Clean Water Rules  Date:  July 30, 2015 From: Tom Woods, 2015 NAHB Chairman of the Board To:      NAHB Members NAHB State and Local EOs   This week, we learned that before the Environmental Protection Agency released its final version of the waters of the United States rule, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told EPA it was using flawed technical and scientific analysis to craft the regulation – methods so indefensible that the Corps wanted no part of the critical documents that EPA used to support the rule. This new information is yet another example of how EPA has flaunted the law in completing this rulemak

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2015, - The board of directors of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) elected Emily Rucker of Alma, to be a Life Director at the Association’s 2015 Spring Board of Directors’ Meeting in Washington, DC., on June 6.  “The success and scope of NAHB is largely due to the dedication and hard work of members of its board of directors such as Emily,” said NAHB Third Vice Chairman Randy Noel. “By giving up time with their own businesses and families, NAHB’s Life Directors are instrumental in helping further NAHB’s work to advance housing opportunities for all Americans.”  Emily Rucker is the Owner of Rucker Fine Homes Inc in Alma. She has been a member of NAHB for 17 years, and has served as a voting director for 10 years. In order to be eligible for election as a Life Director, NAHB builder and associate members must have served as a voting director for more than 10 years, have attended at least two board meetings each year, and be recommended by thei

Upcoming Webinar Provides Details on WOTUS Regulations This post was updated with information about NAHB’s comment letter on July 23. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a final rule defining “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The rule contains new regulatory definitions and terms that define the scope of federal jurisdiction and Clean Water Act permitting. As a benefit to members, NAHB is hosting a free informational webinar on July 28 at 2 p.m. EST describing the new rule and how to comply with the Clean Water Act when the regulation becomes effective on Aug. 28. EPA has not yet indicated how it plans to put these new definitions in place, and that’s one reason why NAHB CEO Jerry Howard has asked EPA officials to delay the final rule by at least three months. “To avoid unnecessary unpredictability, inconsistency, increased project costs and delays and ever more

Fayetteville Arkansas The City of Fayetteville 's CDBG Housing Rehab Program manager has approached the Chamber for assistance to help spread the word.  They are inviting contractors to bid on housing rehab projects in Fayetteville . If you or you know someone who may be interested, please call Yolanda Fields at 479-575-8260.

  As the NAHB Fall Board Meeting and the International Builders' Show approach, exhibitors and attendees often receive unauthorized solicitations from hotels or third-party housing agencies which are not affiliated with NAHB. These unaffiliated third parties typically advertise a lower rate than NAHB's official hotel block rates. However, the lower rates may be a reflection of the lower quality of the rooms offered, and/or of significantly less favorable terms that apply to the reservation. For example, cancellation polices imposed on guests who book with such third parties are often harsh and unforgiving. And in other cases, these groups turn out not to have any rooms available on the relevant dates at the low rates they advertise. For these reasons and to support NAHB's efforts to give you the highest quality meeting experience, we strongly encourage you to book your housing accommodations using the reservation tools provided by NAHB. Only Officia

June 25, 2015 — The Home Builders Association of Greater Little Rock (HBAGLR) proudly presented $2,500 to Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski and Lonoke Counties. HBA-GLR named Habitat for Humanity as the beneficiary of the 2nd Annual HBA Trap Shoot that took place on Saturday, April 11th at the Arkansas Game and Fish Shooting Sports Complex in Jacksonville. “With the success of our previous year, the Special Events Committee knew our future shoot could make a significant donation to a charity. As a fellow non-profit and in the home building industry, Habitat for Humanity felt like the right fit for our event beneficiary,” said Bill Ross, the Special Events Committee Chair and Senior Account Representative at ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings. “Steve and his team at Habitat do amazing work in the counties they serve and that really hits home to our organization. The HBA strives daily to improve the home building industry in Central Arkansas and Habitat for Humanity will be able to use o

Congratulations to Dale Lee of Twin Lakes Home Builders Association for 50 years of active participation in our industry and association.  His years of service were honored Tuesday night by current President Bryan Bell during their monthly meeting held at El Chico in Mountain Home.  Just a great group of our industry leaders in North Central Arkansas.  Twin Lakes Home Builders Association is affiliated with the Arkansas Home Builders Association and the National Home Builders Association. Membership with the local HBA also includes membership at the state and national levels. For more information on the organization, please contact our volunteer director, Karen McKee, at North Arkansas Electric Co-op, or by Email .

Closing on your new home is an exciting time — but it also can be an overwhelming process. Home buyers are usually required to sign a seemingly endless pile of documents, most of which are written in terminology that can be difficult to understand. Fortunately, the process is about to get easier. Under new rules required by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, four closing documents will be merged into two new documents: the Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure form. The design of the forms and their terminology will be more consumer-friendly to help home owners better understand this complex process. The existing Good Faith Estimate and Truth in Lending disclosures will be eliminated and combined into a single Loan Estimate form. The Loan Estimate must be delivered to the buyer no later than three business days after receiving the application. In addition, the final Truth in Lending Disclosure and HUD-1 Settlement Statement are being replaced by the Closing Disclosure form. T

AHBA members : Please let it be known a dear friend to us all Max Freeman has lost his battle with Cancer this morning while in Hospice care.   He served as one of our State AHB Association President’s during some really tough times in our housing industry.  His kind heartedness for our members and the home building industry was certainly noticed by many members. Please keep his family in thoughts and prayers.  More details will be forthcoming when made available.

WASHINGTON, May 12 - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today commended the House for passing legislation that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from vastly increasing federal jurisdiction over the nation's waterways and wetlands without going through the proper rulemaking process. "This legislation would prevent a federal land grab that would raise housing costs and harm conservation, water quality, job growth and economic development," said NAHB Chairman Tom Woods, a home builder from Blue Springs, Mo. Approved by a bipartisan vote of 261 to 155, H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, would require EPA and the Corps to withdraw their proposed rule and develop a new plan in consultation with state and local governments and other affected stakeholders, including the small business community. The bill also stipulates that such a plan must be based on sound economic and scientific analy

A Home Builder is: ·        An economic stimulus for local, state, and national communities, ·        A benevolent contributor to others in need, ·        A concerned conservationist, ·        A professional businessperson with licensing requirements and access to a comprehensive continuing education program, ·        A major participant in the free enterprise system, ·        A builder of the American Dream – “The Home”, Having the opportunity to visit our NAHB headquarters in Washington DC along with about 35 other new executive officers across our United States really does drive home to me what you have just read above.  WOW, I have been in the industry for some 20 years and the last four months have been eye opening when one is allowed to carry the torch for housing in Arkansas every day.  Having been associated as a local board member I was not aware of the enormous efforts required of our Executive Officers throughout our state.  Please know

Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate yesterday would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from implementing a proposed rule that could result in millions of acres of private property to be regulated as wetlands under the Clean Water Act. “NAHB strongly supports this legislative fix championed by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) that would prevent the agencies from greatly expanding the federal government’s role in regulating our nation’s waters,” said NAHB Chairman Tom Woods. “If this rulemaking were to go into effect, it would do little to help the environment and lead to a more costly permitting process, drive up the price of housing, infringe on states’ rights and hurt job growth.” EPA and the Corps’ proposal to significantly expand the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act is so broad that it could be interpreted to include almost any water body, such as ditches,

National Association of Home Builders Urgent Message From NAHB Chairman     Urge a "Yes" vote on H.R. 1732 As part of its full throttle effort to prevent an unprecedented federal land grab, NAHB is calling on members to contact their members of Congress and urge a "yes" vote on H.R. 1732.     If the Environmental Protection Agency gets its way, millions of additional acres of land could be regulated as wetlands under the Clean Water Act. H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Protection Act, would prevent this expansion of federal authority. In a videotaped message to members, NAHB Chairman Tom Woods, a home builder from Blue Springs, Mo., notes that the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732) would stop the land grab in its tracks. As he points out, the EPA proposal would expand federal authority to include ditches, man-made canals and even puddles on low-lying land. It also would require even more property owners to ge