TBA’s ‘Top Guns’ Came Out
In Force at Coon Bottom Shoot

An always-popular event that dropped off the TBA calendar for a few years, the Clay Target Shoot Tournament is back in a big way thanks to Centennial Bank and some other generous sponsors. Held last week at Coon Bottom, the event attracted over 50 people and 30 shooters who enjoyed great food, fellowship and a sporting competition. Among the winners were builder Doug Barton, CIP, CAPS, (and his father Dennis), roofer extraordinaire Troy Smith, and up-and-coming young builder Matt Tharpe (son of longtime TBA supporter Tommy Tharpe of Sellers Tile Distributors, Inc.). TBA thanks Market President Matt Brown, commercial lender Will Davis and the team at Centennial Bank for hosting a great event. Additional sponsors were United Rentals (construction equipment), Messer & Carparello (real estate attorneys), McNeil Plumbing (Keith and Chase McNeil), and Bass Pro Shop, which discounted the winners’ prizes. Special thanks to former TBA Executive Officer Jackie Wilson of Tallahassee Technology Group for helping coordinate the event. TBA President Masoud Karimipour, CIP, CAPS of Persica Homes, Mike Roberts of Roberts Sand Company, and Jane Conn of ES Green & Company were among the TBA Board members who attended the event to show their support for Centennial Bank and TBA’s “top guns.”

Centennial Bank’s Key Contacts

Matt Brown 850-894-7100
Will Davis 850-894-7100
Layna Kirkham 850-894-7103. 
 
 

 

20 Builders, 27 Homes Set
For TBA Parade of Homes™

The line-up of builders and homes in TBA’s 2014 Parade of Homes™ is set (see list below). Twenty builders will present 27 homes during the weekends of May 10-11 and May 17-18, according to Parade of Homes Chairman Doug Barton, CIP, CAPS, of Barton Construction. The City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utility and Capital City Bank are the Platinum sponsors of the event (see sponsor list below). The Parade judging is set for Friday, May 9 with knowledgeable housing professionals from Fort Walton Beach, Lake City, Jacksonville and Valdosta (GA) teaming to select the winning entries. The Tallahassee Board of Realtors will select the Realtors’ Choice Awards; the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) will present its Green home awards; and Parade visitors will vote on Consumers’ Choice Awards. The Parade Awards Banquet is Thursday evening, May 15 at Hotel Duval. Homes & Land magazine of Tallahassee is producing the official Parade of Homes™ magazine. Barton said the Parade Committee meets again on Thursday, April 10 at 11:30 am at the TBA office.

TBA 2014 Parade of Homes™ Builders

AD Builders, Persimmon Hill, $468,000
Adams Quality Homes Inc., Kimmer Rowe Gardens , $359,900
Adams Quality Homes Inc., Observation Point, $239,900
Barton Construction, Briley Cove, $624,900
Big Bend Builders, Millstream Live Oak Plantation, $900,000
Blue Star Homes, LLC, Pine Dove, $269,900
Blue Star Homes, LLC, Tippe Canoe Hills, $192,900
Bridgewater Builders, LLC, Mission San Miguel, $344,500
Capital City Builders, Centerville Conservation, $579,900
Foundation Homes, Southwood, $430,000
H.R. Phillips Inc., Maylor Road, $354,000
Hartsfield Construction Inc., Southwood, $659,900
Kenley Design and Construction, Centerville Conservation, $495,000
Landmark Construction, Summer Brooke, $425,000
Panhandle Building Services, Golden Eagle, $469,000
Parrish Builders, Inc., Kingsmill, $254,950
Pitman’s Custom Construction, Windsor Trace , $429,000
Powerhouse Construction, Buckhead, $429,900
Premier Fine Homes, Bull Run, $336,590
Premier Fine Homes, Southwood, $257,815
Premier Fine Homes, Velda Oaks, $264,885
Premier Fine Homes, Cortona Hills, $353,823
Premier Fine Homes, Summer Lake, $183,090
Vieth Construction, Centerville Conservation, $445,000
Vintage Homes, LLC, Persimmon Hill, $485,000
White Oak Construction, Centerville Conservation, $542,663
White Oak Construction, Centerville Conservation, $470,000

TBA 2014 Parade of Homes™ Sponsors

Gold Sponsors
Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
The Naumann Group
Prime Meridian Bank
Pro-Build
 
Silver Sponsors
Capelouto Termite & Pest Control
Centennial Bank
Crowder Excavating
ES Green & Company
Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC)
Hancock Bank
Hi-Tech System Associates, Inc.
Homes & Land Magazine
James Hardie Building Products
Legacy Insurance
Perkins Electric
Smith Thompson Shaw
Tallahassee Democrat Media Group
 
Bronze Sponsors
ABC Supply
Air Control
Bobby Dollar Appliance Consultants
Carpet Studio
Jenkins Brick
Legacy Cabinet Company
Nichiha Fiber Cement
Pro Players Realty
Roberts Sand Company
South Georgia Brick
SunTrust Mortgage
Super-Lube Auto Service Center
The Blue Book

TBA 2014 Parade of Homes ™ Committee 

Doug Barton, CIP, CAPS, Chairman, Barton Construction
Thomas Asbury, Jr., Premier Fine Homes
Chad Boss, Premier Pools of Tallahassee
Jane Conn, ES Green & Company
Sean Deiler, Premier Fine Homes
Katie Grabowski, Tallahassee Kitchen Center
Susan Grabowski, Tallahassee Kitchen Center
Jackie Johnson, Homes & Land Magazine
Larisa Kuleshova, City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utility
Scott Lindeman, Cade & Associates
Suzanne Mozley, Capital City Builders
David Perkins, CIP, CAPS, Perkins Electric
Andy Santana, Barton Construction
Ken Szortyka, SunTrust
Mike Still, Tallahassee Democrat
Larry Wayne Strickland, CIP, CAPS, Capital City Builders
Mark Worley, CIP, GMB, Worley Construction
Robin Yeatman, Tallahassee Democrat 
 

Remodelers Discuss the Projects
That Add to Home Resale Values

You can’t beat TBA Remodelers Council meetings when it comes to the sharing of useful ideas. Last week, Council chair Jerry McFarland, CIP, and Past President Shane Lambert, CIP, CAPS, guided a discussion centered on what remodeling projects yield the most return to consumers who are trying to get their homes ready to sell. Sidebar topics included educating consumers on the cost of remodeling; countering questions about a remodeler’s profit margin; and avoiding the trap of quoting a price-per-square foot. The concept of cost-plus contracts was explored and it was noted that such agreements carry a documented, significantly higher risk of litigation. As to the projects that add the most re-sale value, the highest R.O.I. (in the South) was the replacement of an entry door with an upgraded version which paid back slightly more than dollar-for-dollar. The cost was $1,119, the return $1,131.Replacing the garage door with a newer model yield an 89 percent return with the job costing $1,459 and adding $1,305 to the eventual sales price. A new deck followed closely at 89 percent for wood and 74 percent for use of composite materials while replacing existing siding with a fiber-cement product yield an 80 percent return. Turning to the more popular forms of remodeling, a minor kitchen remodel – with a cost of $17,867 – added $14,825 to the sales price for an 83 percent return while a minor bathroom remodel costing $15,035 yielded a 74 percent return. Major kitchen remodels cost on average $52,186 and a major bathroom remodel was $35,817 with returns of 76 and 62 percent, respectively.  Other remodeling projects and their returns included family room addition (69 percent), garage addition (69 percent), sunroom addition (62 percent), and roofing replacement (71 percent). Remodelers discussed homeowner Do-It-Yourself projects. Lambert noted that while they accounted for 37 percent of all home remodeling projects nationwide, professional remodelers nationwide report that, on average, 30 percent of their work comes from fixing DIY debacles. 
 

TBA’s Saltwater Fishing Tournament
Open for Sponsors, Boats, Fishermen

Tuesday Code Training
Offers Seven Free CEUs

TBA builder members who need to get their 14 hours of Continuing Education credits every two years to maintain their license can take advantage of a course being offered on Tuesday, April 1 as the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and the Building Officials of Florida (BOAF) present 7 free hours of CEUs on the Florida Building Code. Registration for the class begins at 8 am at the Betty Easley Conference Center at 4075 Esplande Way, Room 152 (Southwood) and the class runs from 8:30 am to 3 pm with a 30-minute break for lunch ($10 per participant). A coffee break will be sponsored by the Florida Natural Gas Association and Vicki O’Neil of the City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utility will be speaking during the program. The form to register is also available under News at tallyba.com.
 
 
 
 

Welcome These TBA New Members
& Support Them with Your Business

Legacy Construction Service Group, Paul Adrianse

850-364-0267 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)
Southwind Pest and Termite, Jamie Rowe   850-692-2628 (Sponsor: Jimmy Meeks)
Mystic Pools, Dusty Spencer  229-506-0906 (Sponsor: David Perkins)
Magnolia Engineering, Carmen Bourgeois
850-385-0203 (Sponsor:  Larry Wayne Strickland)
Kenley Design and Construction, Anthony Swinson
850-545-4401 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)
Lowes, Jeremy Austin  (Sponsor: Bill Kimberl)
Independent Green Technologies, Matthew Chentnik
850-576-7657 (Sponsor: Stan Derzypolski)

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

View the 2013 TBA
Membership Directory
 

TBA Sporting Clay Shoot
Thursday at Coon Bottom

There is still time for Tallahassee Builders Association members to participate in one of TBA’s most popular annual events – the exciting and competitive Clay Target Shoot Tournament – set for this Thursday at Coon Bottom. Sponsored by Matt Brown, Will Davis and our friends at Centennial Bank, the deadline to enter the event is Tuesday at noon. An RSVP to TBA’s Member Services Director Jacqueline Hill at is all that’s needed to reserve your spot and you can pay the $35-per-person registration fee onsite. Registration opens Thursday at 10:30 am and lunch will be served at 11:15 am. Practice rounds are available at 11 am and noon for the competition that starts at 12:30 pm. Prizes will be given for first, second, and third-place teams and the top individual score. Click here for a registration form and we hope to see you Thursday at Coon Bottom for fun, food, and fellowship. 
 

TBA Hosts Members Saturday
During Springtime Tallahassee

If you’re planning to be downtown Saturday (March 29) for the Springtime Tallahassee Parade, be sure to drop by and fellowship with TBA members in the courtyard of the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA building) at 201 East Park Avenue. It’s a great location to view the Parade (which begins at 10:30 am) and TBA will be serving a barbeque lunch for members starting at 11:30 am. TBA Past President Mark Trudeau, CIP, CAPS, of Trudeau Fine Homes, is the host for the event. 
 
 

 

Wednesday Remodelers Luncheon
Features Project Payback Ratios

TBA’s 2013 President and stellar remodeling professional Shane Lambert, CIP, CAPS, will moderate this Wednesday’s Remodelers Council luncheon/seminar on the interesting subject of what return consumers can expect from various types of remodeling projects. Lambert researched the subject for a “Remodeling With an Eye on R.O.I.” presentation he’s making to a consumer group later this week and an article he is authoring in the Homefinder.com section of the Tallahassee Democrat. The meeting begins with lunch at 11:30 am. Lunch is free to dues-paying members of the Council and $20 for non-members. Lambert, a third-generation builder and owner Shane Y. Lambert Construction, will talk about some trends in the remodeling business then get right into Remodeling magazine’s Top 10 Projects that have generated the best Return on Investment in terms of a higher sales price consumers obtained when they sold their enhanced homes. 
 

TBA’s Saltwater Fishing Tournament
Open for Sponsors, Boats, Fishermen

Congressman Steve Southerland
Stands Strong on Housing Issues

The Tallahassee Builders Association (TBA) participated last week in the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) “Bringing Housing Home” program in which local builders and their associates from around the nation took housing’s message to their Congressional representatives while they in their district offices during the spring recess. The week-long legislative event was designed to underscore the importance of maintaining the American Dream of homeownership. U.S. Representative Steve Southerland, a Republican who represents Congressional District 2 spanning from Bay County to the west to Jefferson County to the east, was more than receptive to meet with a TBA delegation that included President Masoud Karimipour, CIP, CAPS of Persica Homes, NAHB Senior Life Director and Area V National Chair Karen Koelemij, CAPS of Orange State Construction, and TBA Senior Officer Bill Kimberl, CIP, CAPS of Kimberl Construction. TBA thanked Rep. Southerland for his recent vote on H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which will provide much-needed certainty to home owners and financial stability for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  Southerland is a strong supporter of the housing industry and he was most emphatic when it came to threats to the deductibility of mortgage interest on a homeowner’s federal income tax return. “Not happening on my watch,” said Southerland. “It’s too important to hard-working, middle-class Americans. And it’s too important to home ownership and the economy.”
 
 
 
 

Two Tallahassee Courses
Offer CEUs for Contractors

TBA builder members who need to get their 14 hours of Continuing Education credits every two years to maintain their license can take advantage of two courses being offered in Tallahassee. On Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, Eagle Continuing Education will present all 14 hours at the Country Inn & Suites at 3096 N. Monroe Street. The fee is $175 for TBA members and a registration form is available under News at tallyba.com. Then on Tuesday, April 1, the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and the Building Officials of Florida (BOAF) are presenting 7 free hours of CEUs on the Florida Building Code. Registration for the class begins at 8 am at the Betty Easley Conference Center at 4075 Esplande Way, Room 152 (Southwood) and the class runs from 8:30 am to 3 pm with a 30-minute break for lunch ($10 per participant). A coffee break will be sponsored by the Florida Natural Gas Association and Vicki O’Neil of the City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utility will be speaking during the program. The form to register is also available under News at tallyba.com.
 

SEBC Offering $69 Registration Fee
Plus All 14 Hours of Required CEUs

TBA members should be making their plans to attend the 36^th annual Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) set for July 24-26 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. The show, chaired by TBA Past President Ed Dion, CIP, CAPS, of Dion Builders, will feature a two-day exposition (July 24-25) of over 225 exhibits of building industry products and services plus a comprehensive line-up of timely seminars, including all 14 hours of Continuing Education required of Florida contractors. In addition, SEBC is showcase for the Aurora Awards for design excellence in the South, the New Southern Home in Winter Park and two specialized educational events for professionals engaged in creating maximum energy-efficiency in homes and commercial structures and for associates seeking the keys to profitable relationships with builders. This year’s registration fee is just $69, making it a tremendous value. FHBA will hold its Summer Builders Conference and Board of Directors meeting in conjunction with SEBC. All FHBA meetings will be held at the headquarters Rosen Centre’ Hotel. The Board meeting is Saturday, July 26. FHBA’s Governmental Affairs Committee will also host a Workforce Training Summit. For details and to register, visit www.sebcshow.com. 

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

View the 2013 TBA
Membership Directory
 

RSVP by Today for GMM Hosted
Thursday at Bobby Dollar Showroom

TBA members are in for a treat this Thursday evening (March 20, 2014) when longtime member Bobby Dollar hosts TBA’s General Membership Meeting from 7 to 9 pm at the Bobby Dollar Appliance Consultants Showroom in Thomasville. The event will feature food prepared by Guest Chef George Laudun and the official unveiling of the Subzero Wolf Live Kitchen. There is no cost to TBA members but RSVPs are required by Mondya, March 17, 2014 by calling Jacqueline Hill at 385-1414 or emailing her at . For TBA members, bus transportation to the event is provided, with busses leaving from the Hancock Bank/Kerry Forest parking lot at 6 pm and return at 9:30 pm. 
 

Centennial Banks Will Sponsor
Sporting Clay Event March 27

TBA’s Sporting Clay Shoot, sponsored by Centennial Bank, will be held Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Coon Bottom. The registration form for the Clay Shoot is posted at tallyba.com under News. The cost is just $35 per person and includes lunch. 

Premier Fine Homes Leads
2014 Parade with 5 Entries

It’s time to begin planning your visit to the Tallahassee Builders Association’s 2014 Parade of Homes™ set for the weekends of May 10-11 and May 17-18.
 

With the housing market rebounding, this will be an exciting year for TBA’s Parade of Homes set for the weekends of May 10-11 and May 17-18 as builders offer a wide array of excellent new homes in some of the Tallahassee area’s finest communities.
 

Premier Fine Homes leads the list of Parade builders with five entries ranging in price from $183,090 to $353,823, including homes in popular Southwood and the Premier’s new Northeast Tallahassee community of Velda Oaks.
 

Centerville Conservation, a new community with equestrian amenities, will be a busy Parade site with homes by such leading Tallahassee builders as Tom Vieth, White Oak Construction, and Capital City Builders.
 

Longtime Tallahassee builder-developer Robert Parrish will be in the Parade spotlight with his new Kingsmill community, where his Parade home is affordably priced at $254,950.
 

Robby Hartsfield of Hartsfield Homes will defend his 2013 Platinum/Best in Show Parade of Homes Award with a $669,000 home in Southwood.
 

Parade of Homes Chairman Doug Barton of Barton Construction – another former Best of Show winner – checks in with a $597,900 home on Martin Hurst Road in the Briley Cove community.
 

Overall, the Parade showcases homes from some of Tallahassee’s veteran builders such as H.R. “Sonny” Phillips, Alexander Dinkelman of AD Builders, Frank Richardson of Blue Star Homes, Joe Adams of Adams Quality Homes, Sean Pittman of Pittman’s Custom Construction, Foundation Homes, and Panhandle Building Services as well as some of the area’s bright young stars in Joey Charron of Powerhouse Construction, David Dowdy of Landmark Homes, and Bryant Skipper of Big Bend Builders.
 

New to the Parade this year are Bridgewater Builders, Kenley Design & Construction, Mainstream Construction& Design, and Harrell Construction (represented by Tallahassee Homes Realty).
 

A Realtors’ Choice winner in 2013, Jerry Linder of Vintage Homes is back in the Parade with a new home in Persimmon Hill.
 

A complete list of Parade builders, locations, and prices will be available soon. This year’s Parade magazine is published by the Tallahassee Homes & Land magazine.
 

City Natural Gas Utility, Capital City Bank
Top Parade Sponsor List at Platinum Level 

Gold Sponsors
 
Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
The Naumann Group
Prime Meridian Bank
Pro-Build
 
Silver Sponsors
 
Capelouto Termite & Pest Control
Centennial Bank
Crowder Excavating
ES Green & Company
Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC)
Hancock Bank
Hi-Tech System Associates, Inc.
Homes & Land Magazine
James Hardie Building Products
Legacy Insurance
Perkins Electric
Smith Thompson Shaw
Tallahassee Democrat Media Group
 
Bronze Sponsors
 
ABC Supply
Air Control
Bobby Dollar Appliance Consultants
Carpet Studio
Jenkins Brick
Legacy Cabinet Company
Nichiha Fiber Cement
Pro Players Realty
Roberts Sand Company
South Georgia Brick
SunTrust Mortgage
Super-Lube Auto Service Center
The Blue Book
 
 

 
 

 

Flood Insurance Relief Bill Headed
To President Obama for Signature

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) last week applauded the U.S. Senate for approving flood insurance legislation that will provide much-needed certainty to home owners and financial stability for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, was approved by the House earlier this month and is expected to be signed into law shortly by President Obama. “By providing a more affordable rate structure for policyholders and repealing point-of-sale rate increases, the bill is a boon for home owners and home buyers,” said NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly, a Delaware home builder and developer. “Further, it gives an important boost to home building and remodeling, while simultaneously shoring up the NFIP.” H.R. 3370 will help address some of the costly and unintended consequences of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, including huge premium spikes and impacts on the sale, construction and remodeling of homes across the nation. The legislation provides a more affordable rate structure for policyholders; repeals the requirement that flood insurance premiums increase immediately to full actuarial rates for homes that are sold; and restores “grandfathering” for properties that were paying premiums applicable to their initial flood risk rating, allowing owners to pay premiums based on the original risk zone rather than updated flood risk zones. The bill also requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s remapping process to take into account local flood control structures and provides reimbursement for successful consumer map appeals. Further, it restores the “substantial improvement threshold” that triggers a higher flood insurance rate to the historic 50 percent level of a structure’s fair market value, which is important for many remodelers across the nation.
 

TBA Members Urged to Attend
FHBA Leg Con on April 7 & 8 

The Florida Home Builders Association(FHBA) will hold its Spring Legislative Conference and Board of Directors meeting on April 7-8, 2014 in Tallahassee. According to FHBA President Ron Lieberman, the event is an excellent opportunity for members to learn the latest details on proposed construction-related legislation and to meet with their lawmakers.  “Our members hold the key to achieving our legislative priorities,” said Lieberman. “I urge everyone to be in Tallahassee to make their voices heard.” For a list of FHBA’s 2014 Legislative Priorities, go to fhba.com under Newsroom. To view the conference schedule and register for the event – there is no registration fee – click on the Spring Legislative Conference under Meetings & Events at fhba.com. The host hotel is the DoubleTree Downtown Tallahassee. For reservations, call (800) 222-8733.
 
  

Welcome These New Members
Support Them with Your Business

Capelouto Termite & Pest Control (adding affiliate member), Rick Jarrard, , 850-656-1166 (Sponsor: Mark Worley)

Capital City Bank (adding affiliate member), Helen Proctor, (Sponsor: Mark Worley)

Carpet Studio, Inc. (adding affiliate member), Kathleen Hewitt, , 850-656-2666, Ext. 4 (Sponsor: Kirk Davis)

Envision Credit Union, Vickie Kirchhoff, , 850-942-9000 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Meeks & Son, Inc. (electrical contractor) Jimmy Meeks, ,
850-575-5241 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

NRG Industries, Inc. (aluminum, screen rooms, siding, soffit & fascia, windows & doors), William Strickland, 850-224-7433 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Precision Building & Remodeling, James & Kyndra Light, www.pbandr.org,
850-322-6736 (Sponsor: Drexal Harris)

Robert West Jr. Plumbing, Inc., Matt West, ,
850-514-1961 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Superior Redi Mix (concrete products), Danny Collins, ,
850-575-1532 (Sponsor: Stan Derzyspolski)

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

View the 2013 TBA
Membership Directory
 

Green Council Luncheon Set
This Thursday at Myers Park

TBA’s Green Building Council Chair Jane Conn of ES Green & Company has announced that the Council will hold its monthly luncheon/seminar this Thursday (March 13, 2014) at 11:30 am at the Myers Park Community Room. Fain Searcy (husband of TBA member Trina Searcy) and owner of Fain’s Builders and Pools, will speak about Green certification prerequisites concerning pools, and how to avoid running into conflict between your certifier and your desire for a pool. The lunch is free to Council members and $20 for non-members. Non-members can attend one Council meeting a year without being charged.
 
 

 

RSVP by March 17 to Enjoy
GMM Hosted by Bobby Dollar

TBA members are in for a treat on Thursday evening, March 20, 2014 when longtime member Bobby Dollar hosts TBA’s General Membership Meeting from 7 to 9 pm at the Bobby Dollar Appliance Consultants Showroom in Thomasville. The event will feature food prepared by Guest Chef George Laudun and the official unveiling of the Subzero Wolf Live Kitchen. There is no cost to TBA members but RSVPs are required by March 17, 2014 by calling Jacqueline Hill at 385-1414 or emailing her at . For TBA members, bus transportation to the event is provided, with busses leaving from the Hancock Bank/Kerry Forest parking lot at 6 pm and return at 9:30 pm. 
 
 

 

Flood Insurance Rate Relief
Wins Congressional Support

With intense lobbying by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the U.S. House of Representatives last week passed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370). This bill, which now goes back to the Senate for their approval, will benefit home buyers and home owners and provide a boost to home building and remodeling, while bringing certainty and financial stability to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). H.R. 3370 will help address some of the costly and unintended consequences of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, including huge premium spikes and impacts on the sale, construction and remodeling of homes across the nation. Among its provisions, the bill provides a more affordable rate structure for policyholders and, of great importance to our remodeler members, reinstates the "substantial improvement threshold" that triggers a higher flood insurance rate to the historic 50 percent level of a structure's fair market value, which preserves significant remodeling activity. 
 
 
 

 

TBA Members Urged to Attend
FHBA Leg Con on April 7 & 8

The Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) will hold its Spring Legislative Conference and Board of Directors meeting on April 7-8, 2014 in Tallahassee. According to FHBA President Ron Lieberman, the event is an excellent opportunity for members to learn the latest details on proposed construction-related legislation and to meet with their lawmakers.  “Our members hold the key to achieving our legislative priorities,” said Lieberman. “I urge everyone to be in Tallahassee to make their voices heard.” For a list of FHBA’s 2014 Legislative Priorities, go to fhba.com under Newsroom. To view the conference schedule and register for the event – there is no registration fee – click on the Spring Legislative Conference under Meetings & Events at fhba.com. The host hotel is the DoubleTree Downtown Tallahassee. For reservations, call (800) 222-8733.
 

FHB Insurance Has Solutions
For Construction-Related Risks

The insurance and risk management arm of the Florida Home Builders Association, FHB Insurance serves more than just home builders.   They are Florida’s most comprehensive provider of construction insurance solutions, working with multiple insurance companies to offer the right combination of coverage and price to residential and commercial general and trade contractors. In 2013, FHB Insurance wrote over 4,000 policies for 3,500 construction businesses. Since 2007, FHB Insurance has written nearly 53,000 policies and bound nearly $300 million in premiums. FHB Insurance underwriters have decades of experience with construction risks.  In fact, for many agents, FHB Insurance staff is the “go-to” people to contact if they have construction insurance questions. FHB Insurance contributed more than $10 million to FHBA to advocate for Florida’s construction industry.  Give FHB Insurance the chance to earn your business. Ask your agent to contact FHB Insurance for a quote or email Jacqueline Hill () for a list of FHB Insurance agents who are TBA members.
 
 

 

SEBC Chair Ed Dion Lauds
2014 ‘New Southern Home’

When TBA members converge on Orlando this summer for the 36^th annual Southeast Building Conference (SEBC), they’ll be treated to a spectacular showcase homes complete with the latest and best the industry has to offer, according to SEBC Committee Chairman Ed Dion, CIP, CAPS, of  Dion Builders in Tallahassee. The 2014 New Southern Home (pictured above) will be on display during the July 24-26 SEBC held at the Orange County Convention Center. Themed “The Oasis,” the home is located in an area of quaint Old Winter Park known as the “Vias” and features a native Florida landscape with over 6,500 square feet of interior, exterior and outdoor spaces. An impressive team of nationally-recognized professionals is producing the home.
 

FHBA Seeks Codes Director
As Glenn Nears Retirement

With the impending retirement of longtime Technical Services Director Jack Glenn, the Florida Home Builders Association has renamed the position Director of Building Codes and is seeking Glenn’s successor. The individual will serve as a full-time expert and advocate for the construction industry on issues relating to the Florida Building Code. The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of the code as well as excellent instructional and communication skills. Applicants must be willing to travel and while the base of operations is flexible, the preferred location is the FHBA’s headquarters in Tallahassee. A competitive salary and benefits are being offered.  Resumes should be sent to Doug Buck, FHBA’s Director of Governmental Affairs, 201 East Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301 or .
 

Tallahassee Board of Realtors
Seeks Help on Habitat House

The Tallahassee Board of Realtors® is needing some help in building a Habitat house (1404 Victoria Street behind Pine View Elementary) over the next few weeks on March 7, 14, 28 and April 4 (Fridays).  The work is performed from 8 am to 2 pm and 20 volunteers are needed each day. If you would like to help, or donate to the home, contact Sarah at . Longtime TBA member Stan Derzypolski, CIP, CAPS, has indicated he will be supporting the project.
 

Parade of Homes Judging
Now Scheduled for May 9

With bad weather creating havoc for builders, subs and their construction schedules, the TBA Parade of Homes™ Committee has pushed its judging forward by a week. The new judging date is Friday, May 9, according to Parade Chairman Doug Barton, CIP, CAPS, of Barton Construction. The Parade of Homes is off and running toward the show dates of May 10-11 and May 17-18, 2014 and the support of The City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utility and Capital City Bank as Platinum-level sponsors for the Parade. Homes & Land will publish the official Parade of Homes magazine and members will be contacted about advertising by Jackie Johnson or a Homes & Land representative. David Perkins, CIP, CAPS of Perkins Electric is chairing the Parade Sponsorship Committee. The Parade awards banquet is Thursday, May 15, at Hotel Duval. 
 
Your TBA Parade of Homes Committee for 2014 is:
 
Doug Barton, CIP, CAPS, Chairman, Barton Construction
Thomas Asbury, Jr., Premier Fine Homes
Chad Boss, Premier Pools of Tallahassee
Jane Conn, ES Green & Company
Sean Deiler, Premier Fine Homes
Katie Grabowski, Tallahassee Kitchen Center
Susan Grabowski, Tallahassee Kitchen Center
Jackie Johnson, Homes & Land Magazine
Larisa Kuleshova, City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utility
Scott Lindeman, Cade & Associates
Suzanne Mozley, Capital City Builders
David Perkins, CIP, CAPS, Perkins Electric
Andy Santana, Barton Construction
Ken Szortyka, SunTrust
Mike Still, Tallahassee Democrat
Larry Wayne Strickland, CIP, CAPS, Capital City Builders
Mark Worley, CIP, GMB, Worley Construction
Robin Yeatman, Tallahassee Democrat 
 
 

Trap Shoot Set for March 21,
Technology Seminar April 17

Dates have now been set for two TBA events this spring. The Sporting Clay Shoot, sponsored by Centennial Bank, will be held Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Coon Bottom. The registration for the Clay Shoot is posted at tallyba.com under News. Also, the TBA Member & Consumer Education Committee (MCEC) has announced that on Thursday, April 17, 2014, starting with a lunch at 11:30 am, the Tallahassee Democrat will host TBA’s general membership meeting and present a seminar on The Internet and Digital Media 101. There will be no cost to attend.  
 
 

 

Welcome These New Members
Support Them with Your Business

Capelouto Termite & Pest Control (adding affiliate member), Rick Jarrard, , 850-656-1166 (Sponsor: Mark Worley)

Capital City Bank (adding affiliate member), Helen Proctor, (Sponsor: Mark Worley)

Carpet Studio, Inc. (adding affiliate member), Kathleen Hewitt, , 850-656-2666, Ext. 4 (Sponsor: Kirk Davis)

Envision Credit Union, Vickie Kirchhoff, , 850-942-9000 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Meeks & Son, Inc. (electrical contractor) Jimmy Meeks, ,
850-575-5241 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

NRG Industries, Inc. (aluminum, screen rooms, siding, soffit & fascia, windows & doors), William Strickland, 850-224-7433 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Precision Building & Remodeling, James & Kyndra Light, www.pbandr.org,
850-322-6736 (Sponsor: Drexal Harris)

Robert West Jr. Plumbing, Inc., Matt West, ,
850-514-1961 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Superior Redi Mix (concrete products), Danny Collins, ,
850-575-1532 (Sponsor: Stan Derzyspolski)

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

View the 2013 TBA
Membership Directory
 

RSVP by March 17 to Enjoy
GMM Hosted by Bobby Dollar

TBA members are in for a treat on Thursday evening, March 20, 2014 when longtime member Bobby Dollar hosts TBA’s General Membership Meeting from 7 to 9 pm at the Bobby Dollar Appliance Consultants Showroom in Thomasville. The event will feature food prepared by Guest Chef George Laudun and the official unveiling of the Subzero Wolf Live Kitchen. There is no cost to TBA members but RSVPs are required by March 17, 2014 by calling Jacqueline Hill at 385-1414 or emailing her at . For TBA members, bus transportation to the event is provided, with busses leaving from the Hancock Bank/Kerry Forest parking lot at 6 pm and return at 9:30 pm.
 
 

 

 

Sen. Bill Montford Goes to Bat
For Affordable Housing Funds

For state Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee), the word “trust” has a very clear meaning. That’s why he stood before a throng of reporters in Tallahassee last week and urged his colleagues in the Florida Legislature to stop sweeping state funds dedicated to affordable housing. He was supported by representatives of the Sadowski Coalition, including the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA). Created in 1992, the Sadowski Act uses a portion of documentary stamp taxes to fund housing for low-to-moderate income families, and fight homelessness. Seventy-percent of the funds are used locally through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and 30 percent goes to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to fund affordable housing projects. Over the last seven years, legislators have “swept” $1.3 billion dedicated for Sadowski into general revenue. Given that the state faced recession-inflicted deficits, the sweeps may have had some justification, but the 2014 Legislature is working with a budget surplus so there are no excuses, at least in Montford’s mind. “Trust means trust… doc stamps were raised to meet housing needs which continue to exist in our state,” said Montford. “These funds were ‘dedicated’ for housing and they should be used for housing.” 
 
 

 

Nationwide, Remodeling Industry
Will Enjoy Record Year in 2014

With residential values rising and the number of houses to purchase at an all-time low, more homeowners are choosing to remodel, according to a recent report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After a solid gain in 2013, housing analysts say that U.S. expenditures for home remodeling and improvements could hit a record high this year. Americans spent about $310 billion on these projects last year. That’s up from a recent low of $276 billion in 2011. “We think there will be some solid growth going forward,” said Paul Emrath, a top researcher with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). As home values grew by double-digit percentages in 2013 in many U.S. markets, lenders became more willing to finance home improvements. “One of the things that is driving that is a lot of home equity folks can borrow against,” said Kermit Baker, with the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. “Homes that are underwater on their mortgage are very difficult to do a remodeling project. It is now easier to justify a home improvement project.” 
 

TBA Hard Hat Happy Hour
Return This Thursday Night

One of Masoud Karimipour’s goals as President of TBA in 2014 is to bring back “Hard Hat Happy Hours” and he’s done it. The first of these monthly networking events will be held this Thursday (March 6) from 5 pm to 7 pm and will be hosted by SCP Tallahassee at their New Hardscapes Showroom at 1290 Capital Circle NE. SCP will provide beer, wine and appetizers to TBA members and guests. SCP is a local distributor for hardscapes and outdoor living products. The Thursday, April 10, 2014 after-hours event will be hosted by Sunshine Savings Bank with slightly different hours (5:30 pm to 7 pm). Future Hard Hat Happy Hours will be hosted by Hi-Tech Systems Associates, Inc. and Hancock Bank. If you want to sponsor an event, call TBA Member Services Director Jacqueline Hill at 385-1414.
 
 

 

Reduced Inventories Signal
Local Shift to Seller’s Market

Speaking recently as the Tallahassee Builders Association’s monthly general membership meeting, Greg Lane of Timberlane Appraisal reported there are roughly 1,300 detached single-family homes listed for sale in Leon County in the Tallahassee Board of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service (MLS). At the current pace of sales, that represents an estimated six-month supply, which Lane describes as a “balanced” market. “What we’re not seeing is enough new homes coming on the market to build that inventory,” said Lane. “Like most markets around the country, new homes in Tallahassee represent less than 10 percent of the total number of homes available.” Even with 27 new homes slated for TBA’s 2014 Parade of Homes™ (set for the weekends of May 10-11 and May 17-18), the pace of new-home construction, while improving, would ideally command a higher share of the inventory. “It’s going to take the new homes to get today’s buyers excited,” said Lane. “The Parade of Homes™ will have that effect but long-term, home builders are facing some headwinds, including tight (but improving) credit conditions and a lack of affordable lots,” said Lane.       “We have some great communities in Tallahassee but the major ones are approaching build-out and the others are smaller-scale and will run out of lots relatively soon,” said Lane. “This is why we see the shift to the seller’s market… high demand but low supply.” Tallahassee is also a price-sensitive housing market. Lane notes that there is more than a year’s worth of inventory of homes over $500,000 while slightly over 50 percent of the available detached homes for sale are priced at $200,000 or below. If Lane could tailor a new home for maximum consumer appeal, it would be 2,500 square feet priced between $300,000 and $425,000, with one story, at least partially brick exterior, a two-car garage, four bedrooms/three baths, a larger family room in lieu of a separate living room, wood floors, trey ceilings, dining area and a BAI (Big Ass Island) in the kitchen with granite countertops.
 

Tallahassee Board of Realtors
Seeks Help on Habitat House

The Tallahassee Board of Realtors® is needing some help in building a Habitat house (1404 Victoria Street behind Pine View Elementary) over the next few weeks on March 7, 14, 28 and April 4 (Fridays).  The work is performed from 8 am to 2 pm and 20 volunteers are needed each day. If you would like to help, or donate to the home, contact Sarah at . Longtime TBA member Stan Derzypolski, CIP, CAPS, has indicated he will be supporting the project.
 

Parade of Homes Committee
Sets Meeting This Tuesday

With bad weather creating havoc for builders, subs and their construction schedules, the TBA Parade of Homes™ Committee has pushed its judging forward by a week. The new judging date is Friday, May 9, according to Parade Chairman Doug Barton, CIP, CAPS, of Barton Construction. The Parade of Homes is off and running toward the show dates of May 10-11 and May 17-18, 2014 and the support of The City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utility and Capital City Bank as Platinum-level sponsors for the Parade. Homes & Land will publish the official Parade of Homes magazine and members will be contacted about advertising by Jackie Johnson or a Homes & Land representative. David Perkins, CIP, CAPS of Perkins Electric is chairing the Parade Sponsorship Committee. The Parade awards banquet is Thursday, May 15, at Hotel Duval. 
 
Your TBA Parade of Homes Committee for 2014 is:
 
Doug Barton, CIP, CAPS, Chairman, Barton Construction
Thomas Asbury, Jr., Premier Fine Homes
Chad Boss, Premier Pools of Tallahassee
Jane Conn, ES Green & Company
Sean Deiler, Premier Fine Homes
Katie Grabowski, Tallahassee Kitchen Center
Susan Grabowski, Tallahassee Kitchen Center
Jackie Johnson, Homes & Land Magazine
Larisa Kuleshova, City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utility
Scott Lindeman, Cade & Associates
Suzanne Mozley, Capital City Builders
David Perkins, CIP, CAPS, Perkins Electric
Andy Santana, Barton Construction
Ken Szortyka, SunTrust
Mike Still, Tallahassee Democrat
Larry Wayne Strickland, CIP, CAPS, Capital City Builders
Mark Worley, CIP, GMB, Worley Construction
Robin Yeatman, Tallahassee Democrat 
 
 

Trap Shoot Set for March 21,
Technology Seminar April 17

Dates have now been set for two TBA events this spring. The Sporting Clay Shoot, sponsored by Centennial Bank, will be held Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Coon Bottom. The new registration for the Clay Shoot is posted at tallyba.com under News. Also, the TBA Member & Consumer Education Committee (MCEC) has announced that on Thursday, April 17, 2014, starting with a lunch at 11:30 am, the Tallahassee Democrat will host TBA’s general membership meeting and present a seminar on The Internet and Digital Media 101. There will be no cost to attend.  
 
 

 

Welcome These New Members
Support Them with Your Business

Capelouto Termite & Pest Control (adding affiliate member), Rick Jarrard, , 850-656-1166 (Sponsor: Mark Worley)

Capital City Bank (adding affiliate member), Helen Proctor, (Sponsor: Mark Worley)

Carpet Studio, Inc. (adding affiliate member), Kathleen Hewitt, , 850-656-2666, Ext. 4 (Sponsor: Kirk Davis)

Envision Credit Union, Vickie Kirchhoff, , 850-942-9000 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Meeks & Son, Inc. (electrical contractor) Jimmy Meeks, ,
850-575-5241 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

NRG Industries, Inc. (aluminum, screen rooms, siding, soffit & fascia, windows & doors), William Strickland, 850-224-7433 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Precision Building & Remodeling, James & Kyndra Light, www.pbandr.org,
850-322-6736 (Sponsor: Drexal Harris)

Robert West Jr. Plumbing, Inc., Matt West, ,
850-514-1961 (Sponsor: Masoud Karimipour)

Superior Redi Mix (concrete products), Danny Collins, ,
850-575-1532 (Sponsor: Stan Derzyspolski)

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

View the 2013 TBA
Membership Directory