October General Membership Meeting Invitation

ProBuild will be hosting the October 8 HBAGTA General Membership meeting at their store in Grawn and have extended an invitation to all members and potential new members to attend.  A "Taco Bar" will offered for dinner at 6:00 pm and the Annual Board Election results will be presented at 7:00 pm.  Join us for an evening of networking, fellowship and food!  Members should RSVP to the Home Builders Association at www.hbagta.com and ProBuild Customers should RSVP directly to the store at 231.946.7000. 

For more information:  CLICK HERE or call the HBAGTA at 231.946.2305

No Better Time Than Now To Become a Member of the HBAGTA!

Home Building Professionals - Builders, Remodelers, Trade Contractors, Suppliers and so many more, this is the best time for you to become a member of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area!  Special offers worth over $450 are available to you and your business when you join the Association before October 8, 2012. 

• Do you want to promote your business and increase your sales? 
• Do you want a trusted resource to keep your professional skills and knowledge up to date?
• Do you want the oppportunity to show your product in a premier consumer event?
• Do you want to be a part of the force that advocates for the housing industry?
• Do you want to be considered a top professional in your industry?

The Home Builders Association can help you meet these goals and so much more!

• The HBA actively promotes our members as the leaders in our industry. 
• The HBA provides a team of support professionals to help guide you through the many licensing and regulatory issues and challenges.
• The HBA offers free and low cost educational opportunities for you and your staff.
• The HBA supports our members by providing venues to showcase your product or services.
• The HBA protects your livelihood by advocating for our industry when policies and legislation are on the agenda.

The Home Builders Association is proud to be a resource for both professionals and consumers in our unique and diverse area.

HBA membership is more than a discount on a car rental or insurance and it's more than putting another listing on the world wide web.  HBA membership is about supporting you, your family and your livelihood in an industry that affects each and everyone of us - the Home Building Industry.

For more information on membership, contact the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area at 231.946.2305 or visit their website at www.hbagta.com.

Critical Dunes Building/Development Seminar October 11th

Several member-only seminars on the changes to the state’s Critical Dunes Act have been scheduled for the months of September and October.  These two hour seminars, conducted by the Michigan Association of Home Builders and the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, will cover the major changes in how building will take place in the critical dunes following what environmentalists have called “the most significant changes ever” to the Critical Dunes Act.

The dates and times are still tentative and the exact locations for each have not been established.  However, the HBA office will be sending out more information regarding the local event in the coming weeks. 

At press time, the seminar for the Grand Traverse region will be held on Thursday, October 11th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Traverse Area Association of REALTORS® office, 852 S. Garfield, Traverse City. 

These seminars are not for the general public, although HBA and TAAR members may invite guests to show them what associations can accomplish on behalf of their members.

Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided at no cost to attendees.  However, pre-registration is required.

To increase value, builders and remodelers who attend these seminars may earn one hour of continuing competency in both environment and legal.  Continuing competency certificates will be available at the end of the seminar. 

Seminar Dates:

Sept. 14th—Grand Rapids (8-10 a.m.)

Oct. 10th—Petoskey -4:30-6:30 pm

Oct. 11th—Traverse City -5:30-7:30 pm

Oct. 23rd—St. Joseph -4:30-6:30 pm

Oct. 24th—Grand Haven—8-10 a.m.

Oct. 26th—Ludington—8-10 a.m.

To Register for the October 11th Traverse City seminar, click here.

 

Architectural Elements to Host September 10th Meeting & Parade of Homes Awards Recognition

Architectural Elements of Michigan (AEM) will sponsor the first HBA General Membership meeting this fall at their fabrication facility located at 13975 Robinson Road, Traverse City.  AEM is located very near the TV 7&4 tower off M-72 West.  The evening will commence at 5 p.m.  President, Jim Anderson and his colleagues will be showcasing “what is new and exciting in the industry”.

Suppliers of building materials will be on hand. At 5:45 p.m. the Parade of Homes Award Winners will be honored.

The Builder Forum, covering  major changes to the Michigan Building Code will  be held at 6:30 p.m.

To register click here.  You must go to the September calendar and select the 10th. 

 

Kyle Hunt’s “Exceptional Marketing Strategies” - 9/28

Tired of quick fix marketing strategies that never seem to make a lasting impact? Try Kyle Hunt’s Seminar!

Kyle Hunt will be in Traverse City at the end of September to present a marketing seminar specially tailored for residential contractors. As many know, Kyle has been conducting webinars each month for members of our association as well as others in the state on a variety of marketing and sales topics.  You can access the recordings at http://www.theexcellenceclub.com/access.

There are hundreds of things you can and maybe should be doing to enhance your  company’s marketing.

If you’d like to learn some new strategies that will provide a lasting impact,  join us Friday, September 28th at the HBA office. The Exceptional Marketing Strategies seminar  will deliver a treasure trove of templates and tools to make implementation of your new marketing plan easier. 

The cost is $40 for HBA members and $50 for non-members.  An early bird discount will be provided for those who register by Sept. 14th.  To register, click here.

 

VanDyke Joins Preston Feather Team

Preston Feather Building Centers announces that Cleon “Junior” VanDyke recently joined the staff of their Design Center in Williamsburg.  He will be heading up the expansion of their kitchen and bath department in the Traverse City market.

Junior currently serves on the Board of the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.  He has also served as Finance Director for the National Cherry Festival; Chairman of the Board for Faith Reformed Church; President of the Traverse City Kiwanis and he was the charter president of the Traverse City West High School Athletics Booster Club.

Preston Feather Building Center is head-quartered in Petoskey with stores in Harbor Springs, Gaylord and Acme.  Founded by professional builder Preston Arthur Feather, the company will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2015.

To visit Junior, stop by the showroom in the Acme Plaza located at 5774 US-31.

 

Emerald Certification Awarded to Advanced Insulation

A new, highly energy-efficient home built by Advanced Insulation Systems of Traverse City has received Emerald Certification, the highest possible green building standard created by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  The home is only one of three in Michigan to achieve this level of certification to date.

The Advanced Insulation home which was featured in this past summer’s Parade of Homes is 54% more efficient than is required by current building code.  The annual heating bill for the 3,468-square foot home is projected to be less than $400 while the air conditioning is estimated to cost less than $60 per year. 

NAHB Emerald Certification is only awarded after a qualified third party inspects the project to verify that the home meets the required standards in lot design, preparation and development; resource, energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and builder owner education.  Emerald is the highest possible ranking. 

According to the US Dept. of Energy, half of American families spend one-fifth or more of their household income on energy-related expenditures.