News & Updates

Flooding from Florence

With hurricane season in full swing and other severe winter weather around the corner, home owners may find it necessary to call in professionals to help repair damage to their homes. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that after a natural or man-made disaster, there are people who will try to profit from a community’s misfortune.

But a fly-by-night contractor is one disaster you can prevent if you follow a few steps to ensure you hire a reputable professional.

For most Americans, like me, home ownership is the epitome of the American dream. Even before those days prior to the writing of the United States Constitution, home ownership was revered as a luxury, held by only a select few.  Home ownership also bore the testimony of man’s ability to provide shelter to his family, protection from often feared wildlife, and a safe refuge for raising strong children. “Home sweet home” is more than just a colloquial expression in today’s world, it is reality, transcending from the days of old. In fact, “at times [the framers of the Constitution] insisted that the right to acquire and possess private property was in some ways the most important of individual rights,” says David Upham, University of Dallas.

TOP NORTH CAROLINA HOME BUILDERS AND MARKETING
PROFESSIONALS HONORED AT STARS AWARDS

The North Carolina Home Builders Association (NCHBA) recognized the outstanding performance of home building professionals throughout the state at the annual STARS Awards Gala on Wednesday, September 14, at the Omni Charlotte Hotel.  Held in conjunction with the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference, the STARS Awards saluted builders, associates, realtors, media and advertising professionals for their excellence and contributions to the home building industry.

Best HBA Parade of Homes Marketing Effort
Small/Medium HBA:
Johnston County BIA
Executive Officer: Sherry Pinney Phillips
Local President: Ashley Lee

Most contractors have experienced a code change cycle at some point during their career. Code cycle occurs and “the way we’ve done it for 30 years” is no longer acceptable. So, contractors adapt to the new code only to experience a code change again 3 years later. Sometimes code changes back to the way it was in the prior cycle. Subsequently and effective in June 2013 the NC General Assembly approved a bill that would allow a 6 year cycle, drastically slashing the number of cycles during the average 30 year career by half. Excited about that? Before you celebrate, take time to review the 200+ pages of amendments to the current 2012 NC codes. Electricians aren’t so fortunate, the 2014 Electrical code became effective April 1, 2016 and is still on a 3 year cycle.

On May 24th the 2nd Annual Trivia Night - Builders vs Realtors - competition was held and $2,945 was raised for the Boys and Girls Club of Johnston County!  Great fun and friendly competition was had by all!!  Oh - and the JCBIA is the current champs!!! 

The Boys and Girls Club of Johnston County is a community-based organization that provides young people with a fun, safe and constructive after-school environment. Clubs offer programs and services to build character and strengthen life skills. Clubs are open to all youth ages 6-18 and have a special focus on children and teens from challenging or disadvantaged circumstances.  Clubs reach out to children in need, giving them support, guidance and hope for the future. Dues are kept low and the do not turn kids away because of an inability to pay.

There will be a rematch in 2017 so start brushing up on your trivia!!

Sherry

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.

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!!

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 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!!!

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.

The Trivia Night numbers are in!  JCBIA together with JCAR raise $4,239 for Wounded Warrior Project.  Today Tracy O'Dowd, April Stephens, Dana Wooten and I went to Fayetteville to deliver the check!  Thank you to all those who participated in Trivia Night and for those who donated ALL your winnings back!!

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families. On that date, America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers. Many warriors note a sense of duty to volunteer for the military following these tragic events.

The Johnston County Building Industry Association and the Johnston County Association of Realtors put their brains in action last night!  The inaugural Trivia Night was a great success!  $3800 was raised for The Wounded Warrior Project!

What would you think if you could get a rebate for your loyalty to many of the nation’s leading housing industry Manufacturers? Well, now you can regardless of your volume!

The JCBIA is happy to help promote the NCHBA Member Rebate Program, a free member benefit, aimed at increasing your bottom line. For the minimal effort of informing them about the products you use, and telling them when you close on a home or project, you’ll be putting money back in your pocket. When you participate in the NCHBA Member Rebate Program, every home you build can earn you rebate checks! Remember, both Builders AND Remodelers qualify for the NCHBA Member Rebate Program.

Over 70% of the Builders & Remodelers who participated last year received back in rebates more than they paid in annual dues to the Association!  Click Here to Read More!