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George Goudreau, Jr.
Chairman - NCBC
Earl Sharp
Vice Chairman - NCBC
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Commercial Builders Council talks change
The National Commercial Builders Council wrapped up a productive Fall Board meeting on September 19. Read on to learn what you missed in Boston.
The NCBC Board of Trustees of the National Commercial Builders Council held two meetings during NAHB Fall Board in Boston. Here are a few of the highlights from the meetings:
- The new look of Commercial Builder magazine with improved and even more compelling content on important issues affecting light commercial builders.
- Trustees were challenged to begin a “Founders Circle” and raise $20,000 in 2004 and to develop other non-dues revenue projects.
- All Trustees were urged to showcase the Council at their Area Caucus meetings and raise visibility in hopes that, if more NAHB members are aware of the Council, membership will increase.
- The Trustees proposed that an in-depth white paper be developed as a member benefit on Homeland Security, focusing on how commercial builders can bid for jobs in the public sector and also work with private developers on new and refit projects. Other suggestions for later papers include air quality and mold in commercial construction, community re-development and adaptive re-use, and using the 1031 and 1033 exchange with a focus on 1031 tax incentives versus capital gains reductions.
- NAHB’s Marketing and Sales staff spoke to the Trustees and presented the newly revised media kit (advertising media kit and sponsorship media kit). By Fall 2004, they would like to see Commercial Builder magazine circulated to 7,500 builders. Greater circulation is needed to increase ad sales.
- BUILD PAC Chairman spoke about the way that NCBC can acquire a BUILD PAC Trustee. The Council must raise $35,000; $7,000 of this must be new money. The event where the money is raised can be a meeting, reception, tournament, etc. Payments received up to three months before or after the event will be credited to this program.
- At the NCBC Strategic Planning meeting, the Board of Trustees discussed changes to be made to the Strategic Plan to improve member benefits and member recruitment. Their goal is to retain and increase membership, improve educational opportunities for members, and develop a stronger marketing campaign for the council.
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I do not like green mold & spam: NAHB news
- Manic Mold! Just when doctors and personal injury lawyers across the country began salivating over the "new asbestos," a panel of experts convened by NAHB has reported that mold can cause allergic reactions in sensitized individuals but there is scant evidence that it is linked to many other health problems. Read the full story and discover that "toxic mold" might just be media hype.
- Are you tired of spam flooding your inbox and overshadowing important E-mails? Check out this recent NBN article on ways to reduce the amount of spam cluttering your inbox, clogging your server, and costing you time and money.
- Take full advantage of your NAHB membership! For quick, general answers to legal questions, why not Ask The Lawyer? This new regular feature in Nation's Building News Online will address popular and wide-ranging legal issues in the housing industry. If you need more specific information, NAHB's Legal Research Service team is always available at 800-368-5242 x8491.
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A sneak peak — the "NEW" CB magazine
Commercial Builder now has an exciting, contemporary, and business-oriented design. Plus, we’re also pleased to offer you improved and even more compelling content on important issues affecting the light commercial builder. Starting with this issue arriving soon to your mailbox, Commercial Builder will feature a builder profile (in this issue, read about Duane Bickett and how he’s survived and thrived the transition to commercial projects), several feature stories on a variety of business and construction-related topics, and regular columns on green building, family business issues, contracts and specifications, business management, construction law, and new products.
In addition, keep your eyes open for the First Annual Commercial Builder Buyer’s Guide, which will debut with the Summer 2004 issue. This should be a great resource for you to learn about the latest and greatest new products for use in managing and building commercial construction projects. We hope you find these changes to be an improvement to the benefits you receive from being a part of the National Commercial Builders Council.
Issue Highlights
I believe you’ll agree that we have some very worthwhile reading in this issue of Commercial Builder. Take a look at “Commercial Real Estate and the New Markets Tax Credits,” and learn how to revitalize low-income communities, create jobs, and save money on your next project.
Have you ever been in the situation where the costs of general requirements for your commercial project far exceeded your estimates? Were you too embarrassed to go back to your client and ask for more money, so instead you ate the costs? So how do you keep the cost of general requirements from spiraling out of control? A veteran construction contractor, S.S. Saucerman, is here with advice on how to help keep your profits from “slipping through the cracks.”
Let’s face it: Claims, disputes, and disagreements are a part of the construction process. Builders everywhere fear litigation — and what it does to the bottom line! — so what can be done to avoid it? Attorney Joe Kasimer tells us how careful pre-bid planning and an upfront analysis of the contract can help us minimize the inevitable conflict between owner and contractor. Read “Avoiding Litigation” and learn how to stop lawsuits before they start.
Your feedback, please
The staff at the Commercial Builders Council has worked hard to make improvements to the magazine — all with the intent of providing you with the tools you need to thrive in the light commercial building arena. We’d like to hear what you think. Please take a moment to email CB publisher Amy Larrabee with your feedback.
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Condo market stronger, rental market improving
After several quarters of deteriorating market conditions, the number of multifamily developers who are optimistic that demand for apartments will improve over the next six months surged, according to results of the recently released National Association of Home Builders' Multifamily Market Index (MMI).
The MMI, which gauges builder sentiment about current and future market conditions, registered almost an 8 point gain for market-rate apartments and a 6 point gain for affordable apartments between now and six months out. For current conditions, the index stood at 38.1 for market rate apartments and 42.8 for affordable apartments, while the index gauging expectations for the next six months was 45.9 and 48.9, respectively. This gain provides reason for optimism, but shows the overall outlook for the apartment market is still weak, as any number below 50 indicates that more apartment builders view conditions as poor than good.
"The rental apartment business has felt the impact of both the 'jobless recovery' that has slowed household formation, and strong home sales driven by extraordinarily low interest rates," said Ron Terwilliger, managing partner of Trammell Crow Residential and chair of NAHB's Multifamily Leadership Board. "Despite the current slow demand, however, multifamily properties continue to provide acceptable returns relative to other real estate investments," he said, "and we expect to see healthier conditions returning by the latter half of 2004." To read entire press release, click here.
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Schedule your time now — 2004 IBS and Board meeting
NAHB members, from every state and region of the United States, will converge on Las Vegas for NAHB's international Builders' Show and Board Meeting January 16-22, 2003. Don't miss your opportunity to network with your peers, attend valuable educational programs, browse the exhibits floor, and participate in National Commercial Builders Council meetings. Be sure to plan now to attend NCBC meetings and events. Click here to view the Commercial Builders Council schedule. For additional information or to register for IBS online click here.
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New NAHB policies adopted during the Fall Board
The new policies adopted during the Fall Board meeting are now available for review online.
All together, the Board approved five resolutions pertaining to financial disclosure by the Federal Home Loan Banks, VA loan guarantee limit indexing, federal administration of rental housing assistance, GSE oversight, and the FCC's new fax regulations. In addition, the Board approved two internal recommendations regarding revenue sharing for affinity programs and interfaith invocations before meetings.
Click here for a summary of the new policy, from which you can link directly to the full-text version of all newly approved resolutions. This members-only content is under Resources>NAHB Policy on the NAHB.org Web site. Contact Jay Shackford at x8406 for more information.
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Save up to 20% on postage costs
Members can eliminate time-consuming trips to the post office for stamps and to weigh packages while saving up to 20% on postage costs with Pitney-Bowes Personal Post™ postage meter.
For more information, or to order, call toll free 888-253-7900 Reference # 999998521.
To order online and for details on more than a dozen other money-saving Member Advantage discount programs click here.
Go to www.nahb.org to explore the numerous advantages associated with membership in your local, state and national home builders association.
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