JCBIA builder members are invited to join a Green Home Builders of the Triangle (GHBT) meeting hosted by Stock, at no cost to you, to learn more about GHBT and the benefits of joining GHBT.   The National Leader in NAHB/Home Innovation Research Labs NGBC provides Green Certifications as well as the leading advisor to this NGBD HIRL program.  GHBT just completed its extremely popular annual Green Home tour of the Triangle. The Green Home Builders of the Triangle is a joint program of the HBA of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties and the HBA of Raleigh-Wake County and open to other local HBA members as well.  GHBT’s green building program was launched in 2006 with the primary purpose of promoting building techniques and materials that produce homes which consume less energy and other resources, facilitate better indoor air quality, and provide a more durable product requiring less maintenance. We certify homes to the rigorous requirements of the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) – the only residential green building rating system approved by ANSI as an American National Standard. The NGBS provides practices for the design and construction of all types of green residential buildings, renovations, and land developments.

JCBIA member, Paragon Building Group, selected to join the Southern Living Custom Builder Program. The Southern Living Custom Builder Program is a network of more than 100 of the South’s top custom home builders brought together by the magazine. This invitation-only program selects custom builders acclaimed for their detailed craftsmanship, excellence in customer service, financial stability, and use of quality building materials in their homes. Before members are selected, southern Living checks homeowner and business references, and conducts a site visit to ensure they are selecting a builder that will deliver a quality custom home, and the customer service you expect.

The one constant in the home building industry is change.  New products, changing technology, and evolving legal and building code laws are just a few of the industry’s elements that require constant vigilance and training.

The NC Builder Institute (NCBI) is here to provide you with the tools you will need to stay ahead of your competition.  With flexible course hours, up-to-date materials and cutting edge technology, we are here to help you succeed in your business.

Congratulations! to long time member, Jarman Homes, on celebrating 15 years in business!  Neil and Joy Jarman started in the building industry in 2000 building their first house in the Tralee Subdivision.  Over the years they have built specs and custom homes in subdivisions throughout Johnston County.  They are multi-year Parade of Homes Awards winners, and are still going strong today.  During Neil's term on the Board of Directors, he has been honored with Member of The Year, Builder of The Year and also served as JCBIA President in 2010.  In 2015 Jarman Homes was awarded the Best of Houzz Award in Design!!  Neil and Joy Jarman reside in Clayton with their 3 growing boys.

Members like Jarman Homes bring character and integrity to the JCBIA and lend stability to the Industry. Their unwavering support over the years has helped make the JCBIA the Association it is today!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Christmas Dinner.   It was a fun time and gave us the opportunity to catch up with those we don‘t see often.

We have many exciting projects coming up in 2016.  As a member of the JCBIA we hope you will take the time to participate in these projects.  Most of the time work is involved, but we manage to squeeze in some good times.

I was going through emails the other week and came upon another of the many surveys put out by Hanley Wood Products or the NAHB Research Center.  I’m sure many of you see and perhaps participate in these surveys.  If you don’t, some of them send you $10 or $20 for your time.  The survey of particular interest was inquiring about a builders’ familiarity with building a home to “fortified standards”.  I only made it about 5 questions in when the survey stated that my responses led to the end of the survey.  Apparently, I concluded, that I didn’t have enough knowledge about a “fortified” home or good enough answers about how I was going to up sell this system to my homeowners at a varying cost depending on the level of protection.  So I decided to do a little research.

Four years ago, Kelly Dowless wasn’t too concerned when her legs grew weak. At age 31, the schoolteacher was puzzled, but the pain was minimal.
“I thought they’d give me some medication and I’d go home,” she said. The diagnosis, however, was serious. A rare neurological disorder called transverse myelitis was damaging her spinal cord. Her condition began to worsen almost by the minute. By that same afternoon, Dowless was paralyzed from the chest down.

Todd & Scarboro Insurance Agency has been a member for several years and has always been a great supporter of the JCBIA!  I want to thank them for throwing another successful and well-attended Oyster Roast!  The oysters and shrimp were enjoyed by all!!

My name is Michael Gay and I am with Wasteaway, Inc. and this is my first year on the Board of Directors for the Johnston County Building Industry Association.  Each director is responsible for a committee so for 2015 I chaired our annual golf committee.  This is one of our biggest fundraisers during the year and is great time to network and meet other builders and associates that are a part of this great Association.  Its a fun day on the golf course with colleagues and friends where breakfast and lunch is provided and awards are given out to the top two teams in each flight along with longest drive and closest to pin.

The North Carolina Home Builders Association (NCHBA) received notice last week that the association ranks as the TOP association governmental affairs program in North Carolina in Southern Political Report Magazine. See: North Carolina's top Governmental Affairs Association Award.

The ranking was based on a survey conducted of other lobbyists and reviewed for accuracy by "top lawyers and lobbyists." The rankings also included those of associations in the 13 Southern states and no other state home builders association was among the 5 associations ranked in each of those states.

"This is a fitting tribute to our current legislative team and the record of excellence which NCHBA has built over the past 26 years," said Mike Carpenter, NCHBA Executive Vice President & General Counsel.

We know that in today’s competitive marketplace, customers have many choices. Our continued reputation as one of the top flooring and remodeling retailers rests with each and every customer and our commitment after the sale. When you choose us to serve you then you can rest assured that you made the best choice.  We stand behind our quality service and we want to let you know that we are here if you need us. -  Adam Raynor

As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, you know the season will soon change.  Kids are back in school and the housing industry is booming!  It's been an awesome summer!!  Since Fall is just around the corner, why not go ahead and make plans to get your house ready for the 22nd Annual Parade of Homes.  It will be here before you know it.

Judging for the 2016 Parade of Homes will be Thursday April 7th and you will want to be ready.  Open House Weekends will be April 16,23,30.  Go ahead and mark your calendars NOW!!!  We look forward to seeing your entry in the Spring!

Heather Hall
JCBIA Secretary
Parade of Homes Committee Chair

Hold on to your hat, the mortgage market is about to experience a huge change.  Effective October 1, some of the regulations related to how consumers are informed of the expenses related to mortgage loans are about to have big revision.

The challenges, but more importantly, the opportunities, and how we can work to strengthen our local construction sector.  Since the Johnston County Building Industry Association (JCBIA) is filled with our construction industry’s finest, I thought a construction analogy would be fitting.
 
All projects begin with a blueprint.  For the Construction Industry, our blueprints are our Strategies.  It begins with planning and details, all of which make a difference in the end result.  The JCBIA is working to build our economy at the grassroots level to foster an environment of entrepreneurship and improving supports to the Construction businesses.

The Johnston County BIA established an annual scholarship to support students who have demonstrated a commitment to completing their education. It is intended to help students reach their educational goals and can be applied toward any education-related costs, including textbooks, and any other fees associated with their studies.

This year’s recipient is our next generation in building!  He comes from a family of contractors and architects that have owned their own business dating back 5 generations.  His dream is to one day own his own building company. 

He is attending NCSU and finished last year on the Deans List with a 3.598 GPA.  He is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, and class representative on Poole College of Management Student Council, and attended Summer Internship for Sumner Construction.

This future Building Industry Professional is the son of Shannon and Mike Hunsaker –   Congratulations!!   Mr. Blake Hunsaker!!!

I remember the first time I heard the term “building green” used. The article showed pictures of a house in the desert built out of used car tires and empty bottles all held in place with mortar. It was REALLY ugly and that image stuck with me for a long time. Fortunately today the meaning of green building has evolved, but still has room for interpretation. So what does Green Building mean to you? Does it mean….

Legislative Update
BREAKING:  Governor Pat McCrory signs SB 25 (Zoning/Design & Aesthetic Controls) into Law on 6/19/2015 at 10:30 a.m.

After a busy budget preparation week, the Senate passed its version of HB 97 (2015 Appropriations Act) early on Thursday setting forth its priorities for state spending for the next two years.  As expected, the final vote tally fell mostly along party lines. The two chambers will now attempt to hash out their differences and reach agreement on the roughly $21.5 billion dollar plan.  This process could take weeks or even months.  There is currently a difference of $750 million dollars between the respective spending plans, as well as various tax provisions that were not included in the House plan.  Arriving at a budget deal involves a lot of moving parts, including attracting enough votes to pass a compromise budget within each chamber and gaining the support of the Governor.  This will all play out over what is already proving to be a long, hot summer in Raleigh.

Presented by the largest Home Builders Association in the country this FIRST CLASS expo has something for everyone.  By attending the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference, you are guaranteed the opportunity to become more successful in your business.

Membership is possibly the most important tool in your tool belt!  Thank you for renewing your membership:

The NCHBA Build-Pac Trustees have designated June as NC BUILD-PAC month, to coordinate with our annual Legislative Reception, also held in June this year.  The emphasis this year is to broaden participation.  We are simply asking $10 from each member in order to reach our goal of 100% participation.  We have until June 30th to reach our goal of $2300.