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Get the Loan: The Role of Financial Ratios to Lending
By Emma S. Shinn
Lenders are tightening the rules of engagement for construction loans. They used to be relatively liberal in the debt-to-equity ratio. We've seen it as high as 15 to 1, but have always recommended builders maintain a debt-to-equity ratio of 3 to 1. This target seems to be in line with the lenders today, although some may require a 2.5 or even a 2 to 1.
The debt-to-equity ratio is calculated by dividing the total debt of the company by the total owners' equity or invested capital. The question is what can you do to improve this ratio. There is more than one way, and it may take a combination of solutions to achieve the desired target.
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Product Features
Therma-Tru Provides Color Guide Expertise
Builders and remodelers looking to differentiate home exteriors can turn to Therma-Tru Doors for products and tools to find inspiration. Therma-Tru recently reached out to the marketplace to bring you FRESH Home Exterior Colors guide, now available online, to help you pick winning color palettes that set your home exteriors apart using Therma-Tru fiberglass and steel entryway systems.
Written by national color expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color, the free downloadable tool is designed to make it easy to choose colors that complement the exterior of the home.
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 Broan-NuTone Joins Builder Partnerships
Builder Partnerships is pleased to announce the addition of Broan-NuTone to our program.
Broan is America's leading brand of residential ventilation products including range hoods, ventilation fans, heater/fan/light combination units, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Fresh Air Systems, built-in heaters, attic ventilators, paddle fans and trash compactors.
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 Noritz Joins Builder Partnerships
Builder Partnerships is pleased to welcome Noritz as a new manufacturer associate in our program. Noritz has been developing and manufacturing the finest gas operated water treatment products in the world since 1951 and is the #1 manufacturer in the world for tankless technology. Increased environmental awareness with the conservation of energy and space worldwide has encouraged Noritz to continue to improve and enhance their offering.
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Builders Can Earn Even More through Builder Partnerships
The more you submit through the Builder Partnerships program, the more you can earn. As an added benefit of being a member, builders can qualify for additional incentives based on the total $ values submitted each quarter.
Congratulations to the following builders for reaching the thresholds to qualify for bonus incentives in the second quarter of 2011.
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 Face to Face Meetings Connect Partners
In September, Builder Partnerships hosted two successful "Face-to-Face" meetings that provided builder and manufacturer partners an opportunity to meet one-and-one and learn more about each other. Based loosely on the concept of speed dating, the meetings offer builders a chance to learn more about several manufacturers and their products in a half-day meeting, while also providing our manufacturer partners access and networking with decision makers at builder companies.
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 Builders Challenge Helps Home Builder Sell More
In a very slow real estate year, Artistic Homes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was able to raise prices 15% and still sell houses because buyers are seeing the value of its Builders Challenge-certified zero-energy homes. Based on lessons learned from the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America residential research program, Builders Challenge home builders provide highly energy-efficient houses for the marketplace that also offer comfort, safety, and durability.
"2010 was the worst housing economy on record. We increased our prices and were still able to sell homes," said Tom Wade, co-owner of Artistic Homes. "If we can sell in this market, I can't wait until tomorrow," adds Wade.
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Upcoming Events
Webinars Financial Planning: Strategies for Success Friday, October 28, 2011 at 11am EDT Being able to measure and demonstrate results is crucial to finding financing and keeping your business on course. Emma S. Shinn, author of Accounting & Financial Management for Residential Construction, along with Jim Weigel, Shinn Consulting, present the key indicators management teams should monitor to evaluate progress and report the viability of the company to existing lenders and investors.
Emma and Jim round out the discussion by emphasizing the importance of rigorous planning and continued course correction to ensure the company is on the right track.
To register, click here
Million Dollar Sizzle with Affordable Merchandising Friday, November 11, 2011 at 11am EST Lita Dirks, Lita Dirks & Co., reveals untapped opportunities to make lasting, memorable impressions on your target market through effective merchandising strategies. Consumers want to be educated and entertained as part of their buying process. Learn how to merchandise your models with sizzle that will create emotional attachment, leading to increased sales for a successful community.
To register, click here
Live Events
Face to Face Networking Meetings
Builder Partnerships is pleased to announce 2012 Schedule for our Face-to Face Networking events. These events provide a great opportunity for our manufacturer partners to get in front of our builder members and other guests for one-on-one product promotions and discussions.
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The Shinn Group has over 500 builder clients, located across the U.S. and Canada, including top performers among regional homebuilders. For more information, visit www.theshinngroup.com.
Builder Partnerships represents nearly 500 builders in the US and Canada who build an average of over 25,000 units annually. To be added to our distribution list or contribute an article to the newsletter, please contact us at info@builderpartnerships.com.
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