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RSVP Today
The 2012 Bull and Crab Feast presented by PRO-Build is March 22, 2012 at 5:30pm. This event is an annual SELL OUT at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center and tickets are available for purchase now.
Click this link to RSVP or view the flyer.
What is the Bull and Crab Feast you ask? Dungeness Crab, Cooked, Cleaned, Cracked, and Chilled; BBQ Beef & Salads; Pop & Beer, and new for this year LIVE MUSIC! That’s a Bull and Crab Feast! BBQ from O’Doherty’s Pub Spokane Valley
Thank you to our Evenings Sponsor
New NAHB Primer Aimed at Helping Builders Work More Effectively With Appraisers
With builders around the nation continuing to grapple with faulty appraisals that jeopardize sales of their new homes, NAHB is adding an “Appraisal Primer” to its collection of resources aimed at helping association members strive for the best possible outcome from today’s less-than-perfect appraisal process.
The newly published primer from NAHB discusses in detail the appraiser’s role in the financing of new homes.
“There is a lot behind the scenes that affects the way appraisers must conduct their business,” writes Joan Trice, an appraiser and author of the primer; editor and publisher of Appraisal Buzz, an email publication; and the host of the Alterra Group’s Valuation Expo, which is the largest annual conference for the appraisal community.
Trice is also consulting with NAHB on the association's efforts to resolve appraisal problems.
“Understanding the regulations, methodologies and task of the real estate appraiser will provide home builders with the necessary knowledge to discuss valuation issues with appraisers before they become valuation problems,” Trice says.
Beginning in 2009, NAHB has held a series of four appraisal summits at the National Housing Center in Washington, D.C., attended by representatives of federal banking regulators, the appraisal industry, the housing finance industry, the real estate and housing sectors and others for discussions of deficiencies in the current system of evaluating homes and how to address them.
 Read the Article
TAG Energy Code Review Continues
The State Building Code Council’s (SBCC) Technical Advisory Council (TAG) on the Energy Code continued its work this week reviewing the 2009 Washington State Energy Code and the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). One of BIAW’s priority goals this year is for the SBCC’s adoption of the 2012 IECC, with limited amendments, providing for a clear and concise energy code, with an emphasis on maintaining as much of the 2012 IECC as possible. To that end, BIAW has been working with members and other associations to limit the number and scope of Washington amendments to the IECC. BIAW is also actively monitoring and commenting on the Energy TAG’s processes, including meeting protocol, and continues to work to keep the decision-making process accountable.
One major question and concern for BIAW is whether the underlying philosophy of the TAG is truly to place high value on maintaining as much of the IECC as possible as has been publicly stated OR if this is merely a process of picking the most stringent (and often the most costly) measures from the two codes. Of interest is the controversial Chapter 9 pick-list of additional energy efficiency requirements (and subject of an ongoing BIAW lawsuit-see update below) which remains included in the TAG’s working draft document for the 2012 update.
Ninth Circuit Hears Building Code Case
On Thursday, BIAW attorney Timothy Harris argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in BIAW’s federal case challenging the validity of Chapter 9 of Washington’s 2009 energy code. BIAW argued that Chapter 9 is preempted by federal energy law and should therefore be stricken.
Chapter 9 presents a pick-list of energy-saving options from which contractors must choose as a prerequisite to building a home in Washington. That pick list includes components like furnaces and hot water heaters that are regulated by the federal government (so that 50 states do not implement a patchwork of standards for manufacturers). Congress allows individual states to set higher standards for these components, as long as there is a variety of other energy-saving options and as long as the law is implemented in a fair and equitable manner. BIAW argued to the court that Chapter 9 operates inequitably, unfairly, and it provides questionable energy savings while raising the cost of a new home. The energy-saving credits for each option vary widely, as does the cost of compliance. Therefore, Chapter 9 fails the express congressional test for preemption and should be tossed out in its entirety.
A decision is expected later this year.
BIAW, Biz Community and Insurers Unite to Oppose SB 6178
In a show of unity indicative of the deeply flawed nature of SB 6178--Implementing the Affordable Care Act--business groups, agents and brokers and insurers are unanimously and vigorously opposed to this bill. While legislation is necessary to implement the federal Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare,” SB 6178 far exceeds the requirements necessary for Washington state to comply with federal law and establish a working health insurance exchange by 2014.
SB 6178 is effectively a huge power grab by proponents of government-dominated health insurance in our state. In its current form, the bill grants enormous new authority to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the bureaucratic state Health Care Authority to establish benefit levels and “market rules” which would determine what products could be offered to individuals and small groups both inside and outside the exchange. Those opposed to the bill, including BIAW, believe that such far-reaching policy decisions should remain within the purview of our elected legislators. These are enormously important issues that impact how citizens in this state purchase health insurance for decades to come.
A much more reasonable approach to implementing the Affordable Care Act is contained in Substitute HB 2319. While still flawed and in need of several perfecting amendments, SHB 2319 does not cede legislative oversight to the Insurance Commissioner nor does it impose the crippling “market rules” found in SB 6178. Please urge your Senator to oppose SB 6178.
Rep. Reykdal attempts to un-do 2011 Workers’ Comp Reforms
Representative Chris Reykdal’s (D-22nd District) Substitute HB 2359--Addressing Industrial Insurance Medical Provider Network—is a blatant attempt by opponents of last year’s workers’ compensation system reforms to kill the reforms before they’ve even had a chance to make a difference. The medical provider network piece of the 2011 reforms made it easier for Labor & Industry to remove “bad” doctors from the L&I system. These are doctors who routinely operate outside of L&I treatment guidelines and medical best practices.
SHB 2359 would provide these bad docs yet another layer of protection against being removed from the L&I provider list by allowing them to use claimants attorneys to convince the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals to approve medical treatments after the fact, rather than L&I making the determination. Such a system will result in countless new appeals to the Board, putting them in a position of making medical (rather than legal) decisions and largely thwarting L&I’s ability to control costs by eliminating known bad doctors from the system. BIAW and the business community at large strongly oppose SHB 2359.
West Plains D-Tour February 24th
The D-Tour Committee is proud announced the first D-Tour of 2012 with a highlight of the West Plains. Stops include Eagle Ridge, Maple Terrace, Overlook at Qualchan, Pillar Rock and West Meadows. If you know of a REALTOR® who would like to attend, please forward them this flyer.
If you would like to see your development toured by a full busload of REALTORS® please contact D-Tour Committee Chair Anthony Carollo of Stewart Title Spokane today at 509.328.7171 or email acarollo@stewart.com today!!
Click here to download the 2012 developer flyer and to see what sponsor packages are available
The West Plains D-Tour is proudly sponsored by
Advertise in the Print Newsletter for $99
When you advertise with SHBA, Builders and Associates notice! It does so much more than just show them your product or service...it shows them your company supports the mission of the Association. A great opportunity to do that is to advertise in the Builders Overview print newsletter and weekly Change Order email newsletter. For as little as $99 per issue you can have a quarter page ad in the bi-monthly print piece, and logo recognition with a link to your website in the sidebar of this email publication.
Click here to view our Media Kit and call Toby Broemmeling at 509.532.4990 or tbroemmeling@shba.com if you would like more information.
BIAW Member Rebate Program Saves You Money!
Imagine being able to receive a rebate on some of the construction products you already use. Now you can. The BIAW Member Rebate Program provides the same manufacturer rebates the country's largest Builders receive, but for all builders and remodelers regardless of their volume. We invite you to click on the links provided to find out more on this free BIAW member benefit program.
Should you have any questions, please contact Membership & Events Director Bill Taylor at 509.532.4990 or btaylor@shba.com.
BIAW Member Rebate Program: http://www.hbarebates.com/biaw.html
How to Claim: http://hbarebates.com/claim.html
Current Manufacturers: http://hbarebates.com/manufacturers.html
Claims Process: http://www.hbarebates.com/claimsprocess.html
Get more value out of your Association
Would you like to be getting more quality leads? Join the program that will deliver!
For more information contact program coordinator Toby Broemmeling, CGP at tbroemmeling@shba.com or 509.532.4990.
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Click Here to see the official CRS Video.
| 2011 Top Recruiters |
| TOP ASSOCIATES |
| Recruiter Name |
Company |
New Members |
| Leonard Terzenbach, CGA, CGP |
Bell-Anderson Insurance |
14 |
| Garth Trimble |
KAYU-FOX |
13 |
| Darin Swan |
Wilbert Precast |
3 |
| Joe Martin |
PRO-Build |
3 |
| TOP BUILDERS |
| Recruiter Name |
Company |
New Members |
| Phil Folyer, CGP |
Morse Western Homes |
8 |
| Lori Henriksen |
Eagle Ridge |
7 |
| Jay Alderson |
Alderson Custom Homes |
6 |
| Deacon Band |
Band Construction |
6 |
Ferguson Bath & Kitchen is Wrapping up a Major Expansion
Ferguson is hosting a grand re-opening on Thursday, February 23 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. The event is open to the public. Located at 2304 North Dollar Road.
For more information, call 509-534-6500.
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