New Location: Best Western Abbey Inn located at 1129 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT 84790.

Luncheon Topic:
As the Arizona immigration issue heats up, Utah Speaker of the House David Clark and several other legislators paid a visit to the Mexico/Arizona border to see “first-hand” the challenges our sister state is dealing with. Speaker David Clark will report on the trip and the latest on the issue as it affects Utah, especially Southern Utah, where we share 30 miles of border with Arizona. Here is a link of the news report in Tucson of Speaker David Clark's trip to the Mexican border in Douglas, AZ.

Sponsor:

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery has created a one-stop shopping paradise for you and your customers under one roof. Come see the latest in plumbing, lighting and appliances. We have everything your clients need for the beautiful homes you build. Visit us to see how our showroom can be an extension of your business. Located at 1314 S 320 E, Saint George, just off of Sunland drive. Visit us today to see how we can uncomplicated your life.

Desert News
There will be 50 percent more new homes in Utah in 2010 compared to 2009, and the upward trend is likely to continue, according to a new report from the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah. Click here to read the full article.

All SUHBA members are encouraged to update their member record to ensure information is current on our website and for the new Home Building & Remodeling Guide.  All members were recently mailed a member verification form. The deadline to make changes for the guide is Thursday, August 5th.  Please view your record and make necessary changes on-line at www.suhba.com, click on Member Login and enter your Username and Password.  You may contact the SUHBA office at 435-674-1400 for any questions or to obtain your username and password.

Reserve your ad space today in the new SUHBA Home Building & Remodeling Guide. This guide will feature great ideas and tips on building a new home or remodeling an existing one, with a contractor and service listing to make this a very valuable tool for consumers. Many contractors use this guide for all their building needs. Promote your company to thousands and gain new customers! 15,000 copies will be printed and distributed to SUHBA members, Ultimate Home Expo attendees, over 100 business locations, Spectrum subscribers and select rack locations. 

Buy a half or full page ad in the Home Building & Remodeling Guide and get the same ad FREE in the Saturday Homefinder ($256 or $523 value, to run by September 25, 2010). Call The Spectrum at 674-6245 to place your ad today. Ad deadline is August 16, 2010. The new guide publishes in September.

Reserve your exhibition space in Southern Utah's premier expo for home products and services- the 7th Annual Ultimate Home Expo, presented by SUHBA and The Spectrum, to be held September 10 & 11 at the Dixie Center. Grow your business by promoting your company to building industry professionals and to the general public. Reach more customers in two days of exhibiting than 6-12 months at your place of business. Invest in your company for as little as $195 per day! 

Exhibiting is one of the most effective ways to show potential customers why your products and services are the best choice! Hurry and reserve your space today for prime positioning!

Send in your exhibitor application form with a 50% deposit and reserve your booth today. Click here for an exhibitor application. Click here to see the exhibit hall layout. For more information, visit www.UltimateHomeExpo.com or call the SUHBA office at 435-674-1400.

The Ultimate Home Expo is Sponsored by:

      

Click here to see the full article and for the three ways to submit comments.  The deadline is Sept. 29, 2010.

Major changes have occurred in appraisal standards and practices in the wake of housing and financial market turmoil that present major challenges to home builders in financing and selling their homes.

On Wednesday, August 4th, 12:00 to 1:00 pm, the NAHB Business Management & Information Technology and Housing Finance committees will host a free webinar, "A Builder Guide to Appraisals: Obtaining Accurate Valuations on New Homes," which will feature home builders and appraisal practitioners discussing the new appraisal rules and providing advice on what builders can do to improve the accuracy of home valuations.

To register, click here. For registration assistance, email Monica Wheaton at monica@theshinngroup.com.

Pre-Conference Sessions

Learn how to incorporate green building prinicples into homes - without driving up the cost of construction. Two classes are being offered during the Southern Utah Building Industry Conference Pre-Conference Sessions. Attend for as little as $137.50 and be qualified to earn your Certified Green Professional designation!

Green Building for Building Professionals
Tuesday & Wednesday, September 7 & 8
Cost: $285 or $142.50 with Custom Fit Discount

Learn how green homes provide buyers with lower energy costs and higher value. This 2-day course for building professionals, including real estate professionals, discusses strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction. You will learn how green homes provide buyers lower maintenance, better indoor air quality and better long-term value. 

Business Management for Building Professionals
Thursday, September 9
Cost: $190 or $95 with Custom Fit Discount

Learn the management skills that give industry leaders the edge. This course will give you a solid foundation in those best business practices so valuable to smaller businesses: planning, organizing, staffing/directing and controlling. By using case studies and sample forms, your instructor gives you practical and applicable tools for management success.

A Custom Fit 50% Discount is offered for each class.
A $100 SUHBA Scholarship Reimbursement is available for SUHBA members who take both courses.
Southwest Green Build Council members receive an additional discount.
Both classes will be held from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the University Plaza at 1071 E 100 S, Bldg C, St. George.
Visit www.buildingconference.com for complete details. Contact Kathy Tolleson at (435) 674-1400 or Kathy@suhba.com for more information.

Attend this conference for as little as $55!

Now is the time to invest in your continuing education to enhance your bottom line while remaining competitive. Take the opportunity to attend the Southern Utah Building Industry Conference held on Friday, September 10th, at the Dixie Center.

40% Discount with Custom Fit! Washington County residents may receive 40% off the top of the registration fee. One discount per company.

SUHBA Scholarship Available! The first 50 SUHBA member companies to register and pay for the conference will receive a $50 reimbursement check after attending the conference! This will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis. One scholarship per company. Don't wait to register or you may miss out on this discount!

Continuing Education: Contractors complete all your continuing education requirements in one day!

Networking Opportunity: Get acquainted with your peers in the industry at breakfast, lunch, during classes, and at the popular Ultimate Home Expo. All of this is included with the conference fee!

To register or for more information, visit www.buildingconference.com.
Sponsored by:

Monday, August 9th, there will be a Lunch and Learn on code violations of the IRC held at Santa Clara City Hall at 11:30-1:00 pm.  Kevin Taylor, Deputy Fire Chief for St. George City, will give us some great insight on code violations of the IRC that have and could start fires. This should be very insightful and educational as Kevin is definitely a pro when it comes to this information. Please RSVP to cbundy@sccity.org as soon as you get a chance.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is requesting public comments on three proposed initiatives to bolster capital and mitigate risk to the FHA's Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund that covers single-family mortgages. The FHA is proposing to:

1) Reduce the limit on seller concessions from 6% to 3%;
2) Tighten underwriting standards on manually underwritten loans; and
3) Implement minimum credit score requirements. When these initiatives were announced earlier this year, NAHB sent a letter of concern to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and met with FHA Commissioner David Stevens to discuss their implications. NAHB has also undertaken surveys on the potential impact of reducing seller concessions. Now that FHA has officially proposed the above moves, NAHB will submit comments in which we would like to include your input. Read the complete notice here and e-mail your thoughts and comments to NAHB's Steve Linville no later than Aug. 3 to be included in NAHB's comment letter to HUD. Contact Steve Linville at slinville@nahb.orge or call 800-368-5242, x8597.

Even as the promise of a housing recovery moves closer into sight, debt restructuring is the name of the game for many builders in their attempt to set themselves on a realistic course and survive the worst economic times since the Great Depression.

There is a natural progression of emotions that unfolds as we see our financial world disintegrate around us. Initial thoughts center on protecting the equity we have invested in our projects, and for many this can represent years of profits, time and personal guarantees rolled over from one community to the next. ...More

Sponsor the Ultimate Home Expo and receive unique benefits. Prime choice of best exhibition area, logo included in marketing materials, large signs at event, announcements, newsletter recognition, and many other benefits. Your company will definitely be front and center with this unique opportunity. Contact Mari Smith at 435-674-1400 or Mari@suhba.com for more sponsor benefits and availability. Sponsors are limited.

Highly rated for its success in recognizing and offering timely topics of interest in the building industry, you will find this year’s program to be even more robust. If you want to be recognized as a leader or would like to gain marketing exposure, then please consider this as an integral part of your marketing program.

The program is built to give maximum exposure for several months at the two highest levels, as well as at specific seminars for targeting your niche market in the building industry. 

Click here to read through the program brochure, then decide on your preferred sponsorship package.

The Salt Lake Home Builders Association is hosting the 64th Annual Salt Lake Parade of Homes™; the longest consecutive running Parade of Homes in the United States.

The Parade will run from July 30 - August 15, including Sundays and will feature two different home categories. Homes open from 11:00 – 9:00 pm daily. Visit http://www.saltlakeparade.com/ for complete details.

Utah Clean Cities wants you to join them at 9:00 am on Thursday, August 5th, as they celebrate the opening of a new CNG station at Christensen Oil located at 334 E. Riverside Dr, St. George, UT 84770. Thank you for supporting Alternative Fuels for Vehicles.

The Spectrum
Tracy Sahleen has been advanced to the position of manager at  the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, according to Michelle Hill, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah. 

Sahleen, who lived in Michigan, California and Oregon before settling in St. George two years ago, first became involved as a volunteer at the home improvement thrift store when it opened in September 2008. A few months later, Sahleen, a wife and mother of two teenage boys, was hired as assistant manger. ...More

How green is your home design? Find out with the NAHB Green Scoring Tool! Click here to score your project.

Salt Lake City will host the 2011 National Green Building Conference in May of 2011. Watch for more details to come.

This Dos and Don’ts article has suggestions on how to be more assertive at networking. You may be shy or timid! You may avoid reaching out to people. You may be reluctant to greet new people! These tips tell you how to engage others in conversation and develop win-win relationships. ...More

Conveniently located off I-15 in Washington, the Coral Canyon Town Center has office space available for lease.  Call today for great lease rates. For more information, please contact Mari Smith at 674-1400.

SUHBA members are encouraged to submit company event announcements, open house announcements, job announcements, education announcements and press releases for inclusion in the next News You Can Use by Monday, August 9, 2010. Please email the information to news@suhba.com.