HOT NEWS FROM DTE
It's hard to believe, but Ole Man Winter is right around the corner and very soon your construction sites are going to need some heat. To help contractors, DTE Energy has purchased an infrared Hot Tot heater from Shwank. These are available to builders to try it out for FREE. Using natural gas for your construction heat needs saves you time, money and is safer! This is a very attractive offer, so don't delay! Contact Cortney Robertson at 231-932-2837 to reserve the Hot Tot for your project. |
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OFFICE HOURS |
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Monday
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Thursday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
For more information on Association Events please visit the HBAGTA website at
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CALENDAR AND
EVENT LINKS | |
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October 26, 2010
Board of Directors Meeting
7:30 am
1pm-4pm
October 28 & 29, 2010
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
November 5, 2010
Office Closed
November 8, 2010
5:30 Member Orientation
6:00 Networking
Green Build Grand Traverse
11:30 am
November 11, 2010
Public Relations Committee
8:00 am
Home EXPO Committee
12:00 pm
November 12, 2010
November 16, 2010
Membership Committee 8:30 am November 17, 2010Board of Directors 7:30 am November 19, 2010
Office Closed November 25, 2010
November 26, 2010
Office Closed
To view the HBAGTA Calendar CLICK HERE |
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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS 2010-2011
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Now's the time to mark your calendars! Our HBAGTA General Membership meetings are slated for:
November 8th
December 17th
January 10th
February 14th
March 14th
April 11th
May 9th
We will again be looking for member sponsors who are interested in hosting a meeting at their place of business. If you would like the chance to host one, please contact Kathy at kathy@hbagta.com or call the office at 946-2305. The September meeting is currently being sponsored by First Place Bank and the October steak fry will be held at ProBuild again this year.
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SALES TAX INFO ON HOMES FALSE
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Some of the chain e-mails you've forwarded (to MAHB) claiming ordinary home sales will be taxed include a copy of an article written by Paul Guppy, a policy analyst with the conservative Washington Policy Institute (that's Washington state, not Washington, D.C.). The article appeared March 28 as an op-ed in the Spokane, Wash., Spokesman-Review, and Guppy claimed that "[m]iddle-income people must pay the full tax even if they are 'rich' for only one day." That brought a quick rebuttal from Sara Orrange, the government affairs director of the local Realtors association. She wrote a letter to the newspaper calling Guppy's article "inaccurate" and saying, "Most people who sell their homes will not be impacted by these new regulations. This is not a new tax on every seller, and that correction needs to be made." In a news article the next day, business reporter Bert Caldwell confirmed that only "a very few" home sellers would pay the 3.8 percent tax.
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CONTINUING COMPETENCY FOR LICENSED BUILDERS NEXT SESSIONS AVAILABLE: DECEMBER 8, 2010
9:00 AM- NOON 1:00 - 4:00 PM |
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Greetings! ,
The jungle theme may not have resonated with everyone, but the Fall Membership Drive team members and the staff had a lot of fun with the safari gear and paraphernalia last week! We are absolutely thrilled that 35 people have joined our association and we look forward to celebrating with them at our next General Membership meeting.
This November meeting is slated for Monday, Nov. 8th at VanDrie's Home Furnishings. That night, our hosts will sponsor the 2nd annual Chili Cook-Off. If you are a chili connoisseur or even an amateur with a hot dish - please let us know. We'd love to include your special fare and see how it stacks up to the competition. You could win a fun prize or the "Chili Crown" for 2010!
In December, we have another special evening planned. Rather than the traditional pre-holiday General Membership meeting, the association is hosting a fabulous dinner dance at Center Pointe on Friday evening, December 17th. If you've not seen the facility, you're in for a treat! The ballroom features a180-degree view of the harbor and at that time of year, twinkling holiday lights which seem to dance on the water.
Invitations will be mailed within the next two weeks. Please consider inviting your family, friends, staff or employees to this very special event. We want everyone to forget about work and this year's challenges and just enjoy a fun and festive evening together. Reservations will be required and seating is limited so check your calendar now and please save the date.
Together We Are Building a Stronger Association!
Kathy Maisonville
Executive Officer
Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.
3040 Sunset Lane
Traverse City, MI 49684
p: 231.946.2305
f: 231.946.1051
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JUNGLE DRIVE HELPS US THRIVE
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 Membership Committee Chair, Bill Packer, encouraged a crowd of nearly 200 gathered at the Drive Kick-off Dinner at ProBuild to commit to sharing their story and the value of HBA membership with others who are not yet members of our HBA. "Anyone who benefits from a healthy housing industry in our region should be a part of this professional organization!" he noted.
To encourage those on the cusp, over $1700 worth of incentives were provided by HBA members to those who signed up during the two-day drive held Oct. 12th and 13th. Among the prizes were a clinical massage, legal consultation, printing services, an entire house carpet cleaning, project and design consultations, a propane tank refill, a $40 credit for continuing comp classes already taken, a waiver of the $25 registration fee and a $500 GM private offer coupon for a lease or purchase of a 2009, 2010 or 2011 car or light-duty truck.
Team Members gathered in "The Jungle"- a whimsically decorated conference room-to make their membership recruitment calls. Big thanks to team captains Julie Courtade, Junior VanDyke, Scott Duensing, Rob Whims, Natalie Foisie, Dale Bush, Bill Packer, Victor Lisabeth and BJ Stark and all the team members who worked hard on the campaign.
Thirty-five new members signed up during the Fall Drive. Rick MacKinnon, Scott Duensing, BJ Stark and Bill Dowswell each sponsored one new member. Dave Foisie recruited two new members and Bill Packer and Rob Whims each brought in three new members. However, the standout in this year's campaign was Victor Lisabeth who single-handedly signed up 23 new HBA members! President Whims shared many people's sentiment by exclaiming, "Victor's efforts are absolutely outstanding. . . Thank you for your tireless and incredibly effective efforts!" And thanks to all who made this Fall Drive successful. Remember: "It's a Jungle Out There - But We're Survivors!"
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READY FOR A SUPER SUPPER? | |
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The 2nd annual HBA Chili Cook-Off is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 8th at VanDrie Home Furnishings. Brought back by popular demand, this special event promises to be bigger and better this year. Natalie and her crew are looking for 20+ members willing to prepare about a gallon of their own chili specialty. Guests will vote that night for the 2010 Best Chili Chef and some special prizes await the winners. If you wish to enter the contest, please contact Natalie Foisie at VanDrie's-943-7662.
At this evening's General Membership meeting we will welcome our 35 new members and help them begin enjoying the benefits of HBA membership. Our Builder Forum which begins at 4:30 p.m. will highlight the new Speedway and Marathon SuperFleet Discount Program.
A new (or "old") member orientation will be held at 5:30 p.m. Anyone wanting to know more about the HBA is welcome to attend. Please remember to RSVP to help us better plan the evening.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP ONLINE
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SECOND ANNUAL SHOWCASE SUCCESSFUL |
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On a warm and sunny early October weekend, several hundred guests toured 7 fabulous remodeled projects designed by an elite group of HBA builders and trades professionals. The six homes and one small commercial business were entered by Grand Bay Building & Remodeling, LLC, MAC Custom Homes, DesignCraft Homes, Baldwin Homes, Inc., Steinorth Fine Homes and Wanigan Corporation.
"The attendance was very strong throughout the weekend," noted one Leelanau County participant. Another from Traverse City commented, "I'm thrilled that I have gotten several very solid leads and actual appointments as a result of entering this project." "My team is so grateful to the HBA for hosting this outstanding Showcase!"
 The HBA is indeed grateful to our entrants but also to our Showcase sponsors, Van Drie Home Furnishings and Max's Service, who donated a 32" flat screen TV and a Weber Grill for event prizes. Pictured here is Barb Ludwiczak of Presque Isle, Michigan, who claimed her TV at VanDrie's this past Saturday. Kevin Ott of Traverse City will have his grill assembled and delivered by Max's this week.
For more information about the Showcase or to view pictures of the projects: CLICK HERE | |
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EPA LEAD RULE ENFORCEMENT FACTS
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 The Environmental Protection Agency's schedule of fines for violating the federal Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule demonstrate that the federal government is serious about its intentions regarding enforcement: Penalties can range from $130 to as much as $37,500 per violation, per day.
The regulation applies to contractors working in pre-1978 homes on projects that disturb more than six square feet on an interior or 20 square feet on an exterior painted surface. The rule dictates pre-renovation education of the home owners and residents, containment of work area, lead-safe work practices, clean up, cleaning verification, and record keeping. The responsible contractor must be employed by an EPA-certified firm and be trained as a Certified Renovator by an EPA-approved training provider. (More details on the rule are available at http://www.nahb.org/leadpaint.)
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WHEN WILL THE NEW CODE GO INTO EFFECT? | |
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The short and honest answer is: "Sometime next spring". We (at MAHB) can't give anyone a more precise date because, quite bluntly, we don't have one.
 The Legislature has two more session days to consider the code. (A session day is when both the House and the Senate is in session on the same day.) No session days are scheduled for October. That puts us into November. Once the time period for the Legislature to consider the code has passed, it's generally between two weeks and a month until the Great Seal of the State of Michigan is applied to the rules document and the rules go into effect.
But, even though they're rules, the codes are different. They must be available to the general public for at least 45 days in printed, electronic, or other form that does not require the user to purchase additional documents or data in any form in order to have an updated complete version of each specific code, excluding other referenced standards within each code before they can go into effect. CLICK HERE for the complete article. |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!
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A Counter Revolution |
Michigan Lake Products, Inc |
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Action Cleaning |
Northwind Builders, LLC |
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Alden Lumber |
Northwood Paint & Supply |
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All Season Window Tinting, Inc |
Olde World Custom Homes, Ltd |
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Bay Area Drywall |
On Call Home Inspection |
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Berts Decor |
Phillips Energy, Inc |
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Builders Waste Recycling of Traverse City, LLC |
Preston Feather Window & Door Design Center | |
Cadillac Cut Stone |
Priest Painting & Wallpapering |
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Creative Memories Consultant |
Professional Tool Services |
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DPS Surveying & Mapping |
Real Estate One - Shelly Brunette |
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Days Inn |
River North Construction Group |
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Dennis Burns, Builder |
Steinebach Painting |
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E K Siding & Trim, LLC |
Story Roofing Company, Inc |
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Fireside Hearth & Leisure |
The Camera Shop |
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Geros |
Therrien Block Masonry and Excavating, Inc |
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Habitat for Humanity - Grand Traverse |
Traverse City Tops, Inc |
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Jays Painting and Remodeling |
Trend Window & Design |
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Louis C. Okma, Real Estate |
Vince Meyer Enterprises, LLC |
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Mayberry Homes, Inc |
Wheelock and Sons Welding, Inc |
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ADVANCED GREEN COURSE
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 Interested in taking your green industry knowledge to a higher level? The HBA is hosting an Advanced Green Builders Course from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on October 28th and 29th. The course will be taught by Arn McIntyre, a Michigan native, professor at Ferris State University and long-time green advocate. He is one of only a handful of instructors in the Midwest certified to teach this new NAHB designation course.
The cost of this two-day course is $325 for members and $350 for non-members. For more information or to register, go to www.hbagta.com. |
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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
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** A Counter Revolution by Fredrick Fishnick **
Specializing in quality built, made to fit laminate and solid surface counter-tops.
Since 1991. Office 228-7879 or Cell 360-1770.
Thirty words or less for $10/issue. Simply sign up & pay for the service on your member profile then send an email to jenny@hbagta.com with your ad.
FYI: The above ad is approximately 30 words. |
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Thank you for your membership and support of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.
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SPONSORSHIPS AND ADVERTISING AVAILABLE FOR E-NEWS
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Sponsorships are available for our bi-weekly e-newsletter for $25 an issue. Get your name out in front of the HBAGTA Members and event participants. Sponsorship includes your logo prominently placed in the publication along with a link to your web site. Don't miss this unique opportunity! Sponsorships must be pre-paid. Go to your member profile to sign up for this service then send an email with your requested dates and graphic to jenny@hbagta.com.
Classified Advertising will be available beginning with the next issue of our e-newsletter. Each ad will be $10 and will be limited 30 Words and will not include graphics. Classified ads will be located at the bottom of the e-newsletter with a link in the table of contents. Go to your member profile to sign up for this service then send an email with your classified ad to jenny@hbagta.com.
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PAY ONLINE AND SAVE YOUR TIME!
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YES YOU CAN!
We are proud to announce that you can now pay your invoices and register for events on the HBAGTA web site!
It's this easy:
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Click on the "Members Only" Link on the top right hand corner of the Home Page.
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Log In with your User Name and Password.
If you haven't logged in to your account yet, your user name and password are:
User Name: First name initial with last name (jsmith)
Password: Fusion (this is a default password that should be changed.)
You won't believe what you see! Take a tour and see how much information is at your fingertips! |
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