4 Major Reasons Owners Buy New Construction

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It’s no secret that buying a newly built home means paying a premium pricetag, but aspiring homeowners are increasingly willing to pay more for a brand-new home. This is due in part to the array of options available to customize new homes, but the biggest reason is that paying more upfront go a newly built home is actually a solid financial investment in the long run. Of the many benefits that come with buying new construction, here are the four biggest:

Built-to-Order Customization

Buyers usually need to budget to update and renovate any dated features in the kitchens and bathrooms of pre-owned homes. Updated cabinets, light and water fixtures, flooring, and appliances are often necessary to make those spaces appealing for the new residents, and the costs of renovation after closing on a new home are often on par with what a newly built home that is tailored to the homeowners’ taste would have cost. Homeowners who have specific needs such as ADA-compliant accessibility features often find that the necessary alterations to make a pre-owned home liveable cost more than the price difference for a new custom home. Because these changes need to happen before the new owners can settle in, it can take a while for a pre-owned house to really feel like home. Because banks have different lending standards for home buying and for home renovation, homeowners who want to remodel their new home often have to pay out-of-pocket to have the home they really want. In the case of new construction, the cost of having a custom home are all absorbed into the home buyer loan.

Home Warranty

It is pretty common for a pre-owned home to pass a house inspection with flying colors, yet still have serious hidden issues that need to be fixed. Months after moving in to such properties, the new owners discover a problem that the inspector didn’t catch. Which brings another problem, because now the new homeowner has to pay out-of-pocket for unexpected repairs. Newly built homes typically include a warranty for the first year. If the slab cracks, the water heater explodes, or the HVAC fails to work properly, the cost of repairs is covered by the home builder, who will return to fix the problem.

Economical Home Maintenance

For the first several years of the homes life, a newly built house costs less to maintain than pre-owned homes. Because everything is brand-new it could be a decade or more before the roof, windows, appliances, or flooring need to be replaced. For owners who emptied their savings accounts to make the down payment and closing costs, this is a major perk. Lower maintenance costs make it easier for new homeowners to rebuild that nest egg.

Developer Incentives

Home builders and development companies usually offer incentives to buyers who purchase newly built homes. Mortgage companies that build their own properties may offer paid closing costs or materials quality upgrades free of charge like replacing laminate counters with granite or switching laminate floors for tile. For owners buying a new condo, the developer might subzidize the first year of condo association fees for the first year. Buyers seeking a custom-built home often get to choose their lot and landscaping features as well.

Green Trends in New Homes

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New homeowners want to live in healthier, greener, homes. According to Tara Campbell, founder and blogger for Power House Growers, “homeowners are starting to place health high on the priority list when looking at real estate investments. Families are looking for long-term healthy options. As a society we now have a better understanding of the impact that our homes have on our wellbeing. Our homes are where are stories begin and end so quality of life is essential in creating a healthy living environment.”

Homeowners are increasingly interested in having environmentally healthy and ecologically conscious options for their homes. A healthy home is one that maximizes the health and wellbeing of the family that lives in it. As more people become aware of the dangers posed by hazardous building materials and toxic construction chemicals, the market for homes built without such materials and chemicals has boomed.

To capitalize on this desire for green home building, it is important to have the right metrics. Home eco-metrics and wellness real estate consultants Delos Living has made it possible for residential construction experts as well as homeowners to measure the health of a home’s built environment. They have also grown the entire industry’s expectations about what a healthy house can be. The experts at Delos can help design air, energy, power, water, and light options that keep a home free of stagnant air, contaminated water, wasteful appliances and inefficient doors and windows.

After going to the trouble of building green, healthy real estate, it is important to list the property with green-certified realtors. These certified professionals know how to attract the buyers who will be interested in making a solid investment in a healthy home, even if the median prices is somewhat higher than it is for conventionally built homes. There are four major green realty organizations in the U.S., so make sure that your realtor is registered with one of them. If you are seeking a green-certified realtor, these organizations will help you locate one.

1. EcoBroker grants the EcoBroker Certified® designation

2. The nonprofit National Association of Green Agents and Brokers grants the Accredited Green Agent™ and Accredited Green Broker™ certification through its GreenRealestate™ program.

3. Earth Advantage (US), which grants the Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals (S.T.A.R.) certification

4. Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design confers the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP certification through a rigorous exam process

It’s important to realize that te trend in green and healthy building provides an opportunity to improve the resale value of a newly built home. Green fixtures and appliances, along with chemical-free building materials and a health-conscious home design, add value that does not significantly depreciate over time. Buyers can expect that such a home will maintain its healthy condition for much longer than conventionally built structures.

TAR Releases Glowing Annual Housing Report for Texas

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According to the Texas Association of Realtors’ annual housing report, the state has maintained its role as a national leader in population, economic, and housing market growth throughout 2014. Dan Hatfield, TAR chairman, says that “it’s a great time to live in Texas.” According to Hatfield, “the high demand for Texas real estate is not being fueled by speculation and investment activity – it’s driven by the thousands of people who move to the Lone Star State daily…People are moving to Texas from across America and around the world to take part in our state’s booming economy, business-friendly environment and quality of life.” 

Currently ranked #1 in population growth from out-of-state relocations, Texas also leads the market in home sales to international buyers. Over 584,000 people relocated to Texas in 2013, according to the 2014 Texas Relocation Report released in October. The Texas International Homebuyers report, published in September, indicated that 2013 saw Texas experience the highest level of international home buyers in five years. International buyers contributed an estimated $11 billion to the state economy that year.

The improvement of the job market has improved the state’s economy, which has positively impacted the state housing market. TAR’s 2014 Homebuyers and Sellers Report showed an increase in median household income during 2013, with an increase of 9.6%, which equals about $91,700. Texas outperformed the rest of the nation, which saw only a 5.6% increase to about $83,000 during the same period.

These numbers echo what Hatfield has observed during the last year. According to Hatfield, “Virtually every segment of the Texas housing market has benefitted from our state’s continued growth.” He also noted specific market sectors beginning to recover from the recession, adding that “over the last year, however, we saw several areas of Texas real estate that were still recovering from the recession in 2012 really begin to take off in 2013 and 2014, including luxury home sales and housing development.”

The rapid market growth belies the tough lending standards new homeowners face. These challenges led many Texans to remodel their current homes rather than buy new ones. These remodeling projects, however, tended to add value to the existing homes by enhancing the kitchen and bath areas and boosting curb appeal.

“The Texas housing market will likely continue to be highly competitive in 2015, but rising housing development and inventory levels as well as greater access to homebuyer education programs like those promoted through Get Ready Texas will help make the dream of homeownership attainable for all Texans.,” Hatfield concludes, adding, “ This has been a glowing year for Texas real estate, and 2015 is on-pace to be just as bright.”

“Go Build Alabama” Nabs High Praise at Industry Conference

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The Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute’s efforts to promote construction industry workforce recruitment have not gone unnoticed. ACRI’s “Go Build Alabama” program nabbed a Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) Award of Excellence at this year’s celebration, which was held in Houston. The program was one of only eight, nationwide, to receive such an honor this year.

ACRI executive director Jason Phelps is very excited about the win. “It is an honor to receive national recognition for the success of Go Build Alabama,” he says, adding that, “Our campaign provides students with information about a viable career option in the construction industry. We see the need for a training pipeline to fill the future needs of our industry and are working ahead to get students into training in Alabama.”

The Go Build Alabama program began in 2010, and immediately set out to recruit young professionals into the building trades through recruitment and training efforts. During the last four years, Go Build Alabama ambassadors have attended over 200 college and career fairs across the state, reaching an estimated 256,000 students. These efforts have yielded a 51% increase in enrollment for the first-year career technical education (CTE) programs during the 2013-2014 school year. 33% of new enrollees said that the Go Build outreach programs directly influenced their decision to enroll in construction technology and program management courses. Go Build outreach efforts included campaigns specifically geared towards women and the younger demographic.

In partnership with the Alabama Department of Education and the Alabama Power Foundation, Go Build Alabama recently introduced a revamped website, interactive e-textbook and mobile app. The app networks job seekers with community colleges, technical training institutions, and apprenticeship programs. The website now features an portal for educators featuring classroom teaching and learning resources. To learn more about job opportunities through Go Build Alabama, please visit Go Build Alabama.com.

1/3 of America’s skilled master trades professionals are over 50, and seeking to retire from the industry, and there are not enough younger workers to replace them. To forestall the looming labor shortage in the professional building trades created by older workers leaving the business, the Alabama Construction Recruitment Initiative launched the Go Build Alabama campaign in 2010 to recruit and train new trades professionals.

Indiana Limestone Offers AIA-Accredited Architectural Education Program

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The popularity of architectural stone masonry has waned in recent years, but the Indiana Limestone Company aims to help change this situation. The company will offer in-depth professional programs on the use of limestone in building design and construction. Geared toward architects and building trades professionals, the “Lunch-and-Learn” program format meets the continuing education credit requirements of the American Institute of Architects.

The program addresses many aspects of building with limestone, and highlights Indiana Limestone’s commitment to supporting the architectural community. Course sessions will focus on the beauty and durability of limestone, environmental impacts of quarrying the stone, comparing cast-stone alternatives with natural limestone, and the tremendous value limetone has for architectural design and construction.

In addition to continuing education about limestone, the Indiana Limestone Company offers advanced project assistance to architects in the critical early stages of the design process. ILCo’s in-house experts collaborate with architects, fabricators, masons, quarries, and freight companies to discover the best way to design using limestone. This support is designed to help keep the cost of including limestone in the project at a more reasonable level, without having to sacrifice design aesthetics or construction quality.

Architectural Sales Support Specialist

 

Daryl Robinson says of the new program, “Architectural drawings can arrive at a fabricator as detailed as the fabricator needs to price without unknowns and submit accurate shop drawings that can be quickly approved by the architect,” adding that, “the time and money saved by having stone well detailed and ‘fabrication friendly’ in the contract documents are invaluable.”

2014 marked the first time that the Indiana Limestone Company offered these courses to architects across the country. In 2015, ILCo will expand into Canada and push farther into the East Coast. For more information on the company’s AIA-accredited educational programs, contact Indiana Limestone Company at 812-275-3341.

 

Tampa Airport Renovtion Starts Next Week

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Florida is red-hot for new construction across all market segments, but one of the biggest commercial construction projects to hit the state is renovation of Tampa International Airport. The $943 million renovation will continue through 2017, and airport patrons can already feel the impact of these big changes.

Beginning today, taxi and bus stands on the east side of the lower level baggage claim area will be closing tomorrow. The closing is necessary so that construction can start inside the main terminal. Travelers who need taxis or bus service will find both options to the west of the baggage claim area, here operations have been temporarily relocated.

To make sure that the changes aren’t too hard for travelers, the airport hired new customer service representatives to help airport patrons adjust and to redirect traffic. Drivers picking up on curbsides to the west of baggage claim should watch out for more taxis and buses merging into the throughway and onto George J. Bean Parkway.

The Tampa Airport’s main terminal will be expanding by 55,000 square feet. The will be revamping all of the shopping and dining areas in the main terminal as well as all the airsides. In January, work will begin on the east side of the third-floor terminal.

The main terminal and sides of the airport where the shuttles are located will be blocked by a construction barrier. Only one shuttle will be operational during the renovation phase. Patrons seeking terminals A & C will experience doubled wait times of two minutes between shuttle trips.

The most expansive part of the renovation involves the constructionof a 2.3-million-aquare-foot consolidated rental car facility to the south of the main terminal. The rental facility will be connected to the main terminal via a new 1.3-mile automated people mover system.

Several design/build contractors were hired to participate in the Tampa International Airport renovation. Austin Commercial will oversee the rental car facility construction. Kimmins Contracting will handle the South Terminal Support Area renovation, which involves pavement reconstruction, signage and lighting. The Taxiway J bridge connecting the main terminal to the rental care facility will be built by Cone and Graham. Skanska is responsible for the main terminal transfer level expansion and alteration as well as the concessions spaces in the airsides.

Homeowner Financing of Remodeling Projects

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Given the spike in remodeling activity, it’s a good idea for contractors to better understand how homeowners pay for these jobs. To help shed some light on financing practices for homeowner remodels, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry research panel weighed in during the NARI 3rd quarter review of market conditions. The research panel is made up of contractors from all over the United States.

The NARI regularly monitors the state of the remodeling industry by conducting quarterly research to help educate clients, lawmakers, and code enforcement professionals with reliable and credible data about the industry. According to the most recent research, 30 percent of the NARI-member contractors reported that it is “either easy or very easy” for homeowners to get financing for a remodel, with the majority of contractors rating the process as “neutral” to “difficult.”

Resondents reported three major problems that homeowners face when getting financing for their remodel. 38% reported that the financing companies were being overly cautious. 27% reported that the desired project was far too expensive relative to the home’s value. 11% reported that a poor credit history prevents homeowners from getting the needed financing. 72% responded that banks and credit unions were identified as the predominant financing resource for homeowners who were not paying by cash or check. Only 20% reported homeowners using a credit card to finance the job.

According to previous research, about 96% of NARI mebmer contractors accept checks as a form of payment. 25% accept credit cards, cash, home improvement loans, or home equity loans. 6% of contractors arrange financing for homeowners who wish to secure their services.

The NARI Remodeling Business Pulse data projects strong grown throughout Q3 & Q4 of this year, with a growth rating of 6.41. This edges above the Q2 rating of 6.07 that was reported in March. Homeowners who want to remodel their homes are encouraged to seek out NARI members to perform the work. The NARI is a clearinghouse for those seeking to hire ethical, honest, responsible home remodeling contractors who have high standards and strong track records with satisfied customers.

Construction Job Market Hot in Orlando Area

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HBW subscribers know that Orlando is the place to look for hot residential construction job leads. October saw Florida take the leading spot in the number of construction jobs available. The state added 10.4 percent over last year’s employment rates, bringing in a total of 40,100 new construction jobs. The majority of these jobs are still up for grabs.

Central Florida contractors have had to decline projects due to a lack of labor force to complete the work. Contractor Mark Wyle, who serves as president of the Central Florida chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. says that the manpower shortage is” really driving decisions these days.

Labor positions aren’t the only building trades jobs that need filling. Contractors are also in need of estimators, project managers, and site managers to work on the many projects headed to the Orlando market, such as Interstate 4, the airport expansion, hotels, the new professional soccer stadium, and several new schools that are slated to begin construction in the next few months. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity reports that out of the 37,600 new jobs added in the metro Orlando area last year, 6,500 of them were in the building trades and construction industry.

The construction market has jumped to match pace with a recovering economy. Population growth, low mortgage rates, and foreign investment are contributing to the rise in multifamily and single-family residential construction. Unlike the 2008 housing bubble, current trends in Central Florida are far more stable because banks are far more strict with their lending and credit policies. Many developers are pushing heavy marketing campaigns to guarantee better pre-sales.

The employment outlook for Florida in 2015 indicates a 10% increase for the building professional workforce. Competition will be tight for contractors to get the best workers, which will translate to higher wages, better benefits, and more job security for construction workers in the Orlando area.

HBW serves builders in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. In addition to our Building Trend Activity for Residential Construction Reports, HBW can create a number of custom reports for any need you might have. We also offer exclusive White Paper Reports to help you market your business. White papers start by giving an overview of the trends in your area and then advice on how to turn your weekly building permit information subscription into successful business leads. To show you how we can help your business succeed, HBW is glad to provide you with complementary building data report or one of our specialized White Paper Reports. Contact us today and start making your business more profitable!

Austin Tiny Home Auctioned to Benefit Green Construction Education

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For the next 2 days, Austin area tiny house fans will have a chance to bid on a beautiful tiny home built by the Austin Community College and the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin. Proceeds will go towards endowing the construction education program at Austin Community College. Tiny houses are single-family dwellings featuring less than 500 square feet of living space.

While most American could never see themselves living in a house smaller than 1,500 square feet, a growing number of people are drawn to tiny house living. Within the last decade, the tiny house movement has really taken off. Increased mobility, low environmental impact, energy saving features, miniscule utility bills, liberation from the power grid, and the desire to downsize to property which is owned outright are just a few of the reasons tiny house fans say they embrace living the small life.

The Building Technology Department at Austin Community College sees the tiny home as a way for students to gain valuable experience while helping their department grow financially. The home was designed and built by students enrolled in the Building Technology Department of ACC’s Red Rock campus. A number of Austin organizations and businesses helped in the venture, especially the Austin Energy Green Building Program and Barley Pfeiffer Architecture.

The tiny home is very much a work of sustainable architecture, featureing certifiedgreen build cabinets and floors, Energy Star appliances and windows, foam insulation, water efficient plumbing and fixtures, all of which are maximized by the home’s passive solar design. Bidding in the eBay auction for the 288-square foot modular home starts at $37,800, with a buy-it-now price of $49,800. Students will begin a new project next term.

The project benefited from the incredible generosity of many Austin businesses. Mary Dewalt Design Group, Architectural Tile & Stone, Stan’s Heating and Air Conditioning, BMC Building Materials, Ferguson Enterprises, Kidd Roofing, PSW Real Estate, Spring Builders, McCoy’s Building Supply, Executive Cabinetry, Buffalo Framing, Circle RB Drywall,Legend Lighting, Tri-Supply, ProSource, Dupont Tyvek/Weatherization Partners, Tex Truss, Valspar, In-Charge Electric, TreeHouse, David Weekley Homes, Casa Plumbing, MLAW Engineering, Robert Madden Industries, Sappington Construction, and BLS Painting also participated in the project.

Five Things Clients Want from a Contractor

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Knowing your stuff isn’t the only vital part of a contractor’s job skills. Unless a contractor knows how to sell himself or herself to potential clients and GC’s, they will never reach the level of career success they deserve. To stand out from the crowd, make sure to have the following five issues handled before clients and GC’s start calling.

1. Have Recommendations. Getting good exposure is key to getting work as a contractor. Ask your satisfied customers to post reviews on Yelp, Angie’s list, etc. Register with the local chapter of your local trades specialty to make sure you are included on all of the association’s press materials. Strike up friendships with the managers of your home improvement store and lumberyard, and let them know that you’d love for them to send folks your way. Develop a positive relationship with your local code enforcement office, so that when potential clients call asking for a contractor with an excellent track record, your is the first name they mention.

2. Sharpen up your phone skills. Make sure you have solid responses to the more common questions that potential clients or GC’s might have. Know exactly what size of projects you are comfortable taking on, be able to provide a list of previous clients, be ready to provide financial references from suppliers or banks, know exactly how many other projects you wold be working on during the time period marked out by the client, and be able to vet all of your subcontractors.

3. Perfect your face-to-face pitch skills. Cultivate a confident, informative, collaborative demeanor that clients will find inviting and reassuring. Build good habits for clear and effective communication. Know exactly what you can, and cannot deliver for the client and don’t be shy with asking questions about your client’s lifestyle, finances/pay schedules, and professional life. You will be in this person’s home for hours at a time and it is crucial that you feel comfortable with each other.

4. Keep your personnel in-the-know about “drop-ins.” Many potential clients may wish to drop by one of your active job sites so they can know as much as possible about how you work. Let all of your labor, subcontractors, and personnel know what is expected of them when potential clients drop by. Keep extra safety gear around in case potential clients want a tour of your job site.

5. Contracts and legal paperwork prepped in advance. Many contractors are content to use pre-made forms from companies like Nolo and LegalZoom and the write-in the pertinent details. It’s better to have your firm’s attorney draw up forms that are specifically tailored for each client. Make sure to include the payment schedule, completion date, responsibility for clean-up, and agreed-upon materials are enumerated in the contract, as well as the names of the subcontractors hired to complete parts of the remodel.