What Has the HBA of Michigan Done for You Lately?

HOME BUILDERS HOUSING INDEX SHOWS SOLID THIRD QUARTER GAINS IN BUILDING AND REMODELING IN MICHIGAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact: Ross Woodstock

                                                                                    Kolt Communications, Inc

October 30, 2012                                                        517-706-0001/517-410-7636

                                                                                    Ross@Koltpr.com

 

Home Builders Housing Index Shows Solid Third Quarter Gains in Building and Remodeling in Michigan

 

 (Lansing, MI) – A statewide survey of homebuilders and remodelers showed significant improvement in the building industry’s outlook as the Michigan Housing Index (MHI) reached its highest level in its 2 and ½ year history.  The MHI, covering the third quarter of 2012, showed a sharp increase from the second quarter index, and was significantly higher than the same period one year ago. The latest Michigan Housing Index covers the time period of July through September 2012.

“The trend lines have been positive, so it is encouraging to see the outlook for building continues to improve,” said Robert Filka, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Michigan (HBAM), which conducts the monthly survey.  “We’ve got a long way to go before we see anything near normal historical production, but things are definitely headed in the right direction.”

 

 Following is a year-to-year comparison of the MHI Index:

 

                                    September 2012         June 2012       September 2011

Builders Index                                     52                       38                            31

Remodelers Index                    50                       40                            45

 

 

The Michigan Housing Index (MHI) is a quarterly summary of building and remodeling activity compiled by HBAM.  The survey asks builders about the number of homes currently under construction and in the planning stages.  Builders are also asked to evaluate their prospects for future customers.  Totals are calculated in an index that is reported quarterly to provide a tracking mechanism for the industry’s process. The survey breaks down builder/remodeler sentiment into three categories:

• Less than 45  (pessimistic)
• 45-55 (cautious optimism)
• Above 55 (optimism) 

“While it is good to note that Michigan homebuilders and remodelers are cautiously optimistic about the next few months, our overall economy must see more rapid and sustained growth for a complete recovery of our housing industry,” said Filka.

Filka also noted there remains much concern within the homebuilding industry over the possibility that Congress and the President could begin overhauling the federal tax code in 2013, which could threaten some of the most important tools that encourage home ownership, including the ability for consumers to deduct mortgage interest.

“We must protect the mortgage interest deduction,” said Filka. We shouldn’t change the rules on the one tax break that has been most important in creating a stable middle class in America. A strong housing market is not only important to help more Michigan citizens realize the dream of homeownership, but is essential to revitalizing Michigan’s economy. When builders are constructing homes that means jobs and investment, which provide a better quality of life and support for Michigan schools and municipalities.” 

About the MAHB Michigan Housing Index:

 

The Michigan Housing Index combines results of a monthly survey of Michigan builders and remodelers along with a series of economic statistics including single family home permits, crude oil prices, automobile production and unemployment. The HBAM Michigan Housing Index is intended to provide an accurate projection of the future direction of the building and remodeling housing market in Michigan.

About the Michigan Association of Home Builders:

The Home Builders Association of Michigan is a professional trade association comprised of 27 local homebuilder associations around the state and their builder, subcontractor and supplier members.  HBAM works to positively promote the building industry and impact legislative, regulatory and legal issues affecting housing affordability.

 

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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.

 

Find HBAGTA Members on Facebook!

Visit the following members who have a business Facebook page and "LIKE" their page!  Lets support our local businesses!  Just go to www.facebook.com and put the business name in the search field.

American Waste, Inc

Ankerson Construction

Architectural Elements of Michigan

Blarney Castle Oil & Propane

Brown Lumber & Supply Company

Burkholder Construction Company

Castles & Cabins, Inc

Chemical Bank

Cherryland Electric Cooperative

D T E Energy / MichCon

Dan Brady Painting Services, LLC

E Z Able, LLC

Elmers Crane & Dozer, Inc

Fireside, LLC

Floor Covering Brokers

GeoFurnace Heating & Cooling, LLC

Grand Bay Building & Remodeling, LLC

Harper Custom Homes

Hertler Construction and Restoration, Inc

K A Construction of Northern Michigan, LLC

Lake Michigan Credit Union

Lankford Design Group, Inc

Larkin Group

Lord and Lady Construction, LLC

MAC Custom Homes

Michigan Gutters, Inc

Morse Moving & Storage, Inc

New Leaf Interiors

Northwestern Michigan College

Northwood Paint & Supply

Old Mission Windows

Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of Northwest Michigan

Precision Plumbing and Heating Systems, Inc

Progress Printers, Inc

Rainbow Seamless Rain Gutters, Inc

Shugart Builders, Inc

Signs Now

Springfield Commercial Roofing, Inc

T B A Credit Union

Team Bob's Heating, Cooling, Plumbing

The Concrete Service, Inc

Tilestone Imports

Traverse City Tops, Inc

Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

Two Men and a Truck

Wilhelm Landscapes

Wright & Filippis, Inc

2012 HBAGTA Annual Golf Tour

2012 HBAGTA

ANNUAL GOLF TOUR

THURSDAY

MAY 31, 2012

AT THE GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT

"THE SPRUCE"

9:00 SHOT GUN START

SCRAMBLE FORMAT

$85 / Golf & Dinner

$320 / Foursome

$100 / Hole Sponsorship

$25 / Dinner Only

REGISTRATION FORM

The HBAGTA is looking for donations for Door Prizes and "Goodie Bags". To donate, please contact the HBAGTA Office at 231.946.2305

Top Ten "People's Choice" Best Booth Winners Announced

Congratulations to Our "Top Ten" Best EXPO Booths for 2012
1st Place Winners: (tie)  The Concrete Service, Inc. and Precision, Plumbing and Heating Systems, Inc.
Each company will receive a complimentary EXPO Booth in 2013

Other Award Winners Included:
Floor Covering Brokers
New Leaf Interiors
Old Mission Windows
ReAction Restoration/Archer Contracting
Team Bob's Heating, Cooling, Plumbing
Williams Pumping Service
VanDrie Home Furnishings
SAVE THE DATE:  February 2nd and 3rd, 2013 
GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA

January 2012 HBAGTA General Membership Meeting

The January 9^th HBA General Membership meeting will be held at Waara Technologies located at 144 Hall Street in the Warehouse District. Todd Waara and his team will showcase their new Theatre Room that is controlled by an ipad. It's a must see!" Waara Technologies will also introduce HBA members and guests to the new 3D TV's into the showroom - complete with surround sound and popcorn!

Do you have clients that want to view a webcam of their house on their iphone while they are in vacationing in Florida? Waara Technologies can do that and Todd will show you how.

The Builder Forum at 4:30 p.m. that night will highlight our newest member perk, “You Rang”. This application will help clients and fellow members find all of your business info with their iPhone or Android. You don’t want to miss this fun, interactive and informative evening.