SNHBA News
SNHBA Extends Condolences to Becker, Bivins Families
SNHBA extends sincere sympathy and condolences to the Becker and Bivins families on the recent loss of loved ones.
Barry Becker Jr., 37, the son of builder Barry Becker and grandson of builder Ernest Becker Sr., recently passed away following several days of illness. The Becker family has a long and distinguished career in the homebuilding industry, locally, regionally and nationally, and also with SNHBA and the National Association of Home Builders. Barry Becker Jr., who was known by the nickname, "New B," is survived by his wife, Shannon; parents, Barry and Sue; brothers, Randy and Danny; grandmother, Betty; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Bradley Bivins, 50, of Bivins Construction, passed on August 7 after a period of illness. Bradley was the son of the late Donald Bivins and brother of Mark Bivins, both of whom have been active in the industry and the association. Mark Bivins served on the SNHBA board of directors for many years.
SNHBA Sponsors Golf Tournament
The HI-PAC Fall Golf Tournament will be held at the Arroyo Golf Club at Red Rock on September 26. Breakfast will be served at 6:30 a.m. and the shotgun start will be at 8:00 a.m. Make plans now to join in for a round of golf on the spectacular Arnold Palmer Signature course. Benefits go to the PAC.
Sponsorships are also available for the tournament. The registration form and sponsor form are available at www.snhba.com/golf.html. ? ?Tax Credit Website Attracts 100,000+ Visitors
NAHB announces that its newly launched website, federalhousingtaxcredit.com, has attracted roughly 116,000 visitors, indicating that there is a strong interest among consumers to take advantage of a temporary $7,500 tax credit for the purchase of a first home. "This could be the trigger that helps move prospective first-time buyers off the fence and back into the market," says NAHB President Sandy Dunn. The tax credit is one provision of the recently approved federal housing legislation. The tax credit website includes details, and a question and answer section about how first-time home buyers may qualify to use the credit to purchase a home.
?Las Vegas Review Features Blue Heron?
The Las Vegas Review Journal's business section recently featured Blue Heron's construction of the "New American Home" for the upcoming NAHB International Builders Show in January at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The 9,000 square-foot home, with the newest products, techniques and trends in the homebuilding industry, is at 6755 Agave Azul Court near Sunset Park.
Green Building Initiative Offers Online Listings
The Green Building Initiative (GBI) of Portland, Ore., announced that, through a new partnership with NewHomesDirectory.com, the GBI is offering HBA members within its network free online listings for new green homes. Builders who have a home or community certified as green through the NAHB National Green Building program or one of the local programs offered by GBI's partner associations such as SNHBA and its Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership are eligible to post free listings on NewHomesDirectory.com.
?Henderson Unveils New Development Code
Representatives from the city of Henderson presented details of the city's proposed new development code at the Community Planning and Development Committee meeting in August at the SNHBA office. Clarion consultants and city staff worked together in developing the draft and the SNHBA has been serving on an advisory group providing input to this process.
The draft code includes chapters on zoning districts, the land uses allowed within the districts and the various standards that apply to the districts. The presentation included a description of the numerous residential districts including purpose statements, dimensional requirements and photographic examples of typical structures, block patterns and district specific standards.
NAHB and SNHBA Offer Resource Information
After months of intensive lobbying by the entire NAHB federation, the federal housing stimulus package is signed into law. ??The legislation will help provide an enormous boost to the housing industry in the form of a tax credit for first-time home buyers, as well as measures that will improve mortgage liquidity, foster refinancing of troubled loans and expand the supply of affordable rental housing.??"The act is vital to restore confidence and get housing and the economy moving again," says NAHB President Sandy Dunn. ??The legislation is a temporary, $7,500 first-time home buyer tax credit for the purchase of any home. The tax credit can be used for homes purchased between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. It is expected to spur home sales, eliminate excess inventory and bring otherwise qualified home buyers back into the market.
