Homearama 2009 excites the senses…and home buyers

The Tidewater

The official magazine of Tidewater Builders Association November 2009

Golfing in the rain

View fromthe porch:

NOVEMBER 2009 1

Departments 2 President’s Pen

5 Headliners

17 Counsel’s Insights

21 Builder Services

22 Meet a Member

22 Shop Talk

Features 14 First time home buyers Make your voice heard. NAHB has made it easy to show your support for the extension of the !rst time home buyer tax credit.

16-17 Rainy day fun Despite the wind and rain, supporters of TBA’s Political Action Committee took to the course for some fall gol!ng.

The mission of Tidewater Builders Association is to improve the climate for affordable housing; promote the growth and development of the shelter industry; promote excellence and professionalism among mem-bers through education and networking opportunities; and support and enhance the community through charitable projects.

OFFICERS: Pete A. Kotarides, president; William H. Halprin, vice president; James E. Jackson, as-sociate vice president; Charles J. Miller II, treasurer; S.L. “Sam” Cohen, secretary; Jack Schoch, appoin-tee, Steven E. Lawson, appointee; Edward R. Sadler, immediate past president

BUILDER DIRECTORS: Richard L. “Tuck” Bowie, Scott G. Brooker, Christopher J. Ettel, Dennis M. Graf, Pete O. Kotarides, Steven E. Lawson, Lucky C. Peterson, Stephen B. Quick IV

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS: G. Robert Aston Jr., J. Greg-ory Dodd, Thomas W. Dye, Scott M. Gandy, Brenda K. Reid, Samuel G. Scott, H. Mac Weaver II, Edward O. Yoder

DIRECTORS EMERITI: Edward P. Brogan, William J. Fanney, Richard D. Guy, Doyle E. Hull, Frederick J. Na-politano, Richard E. Olivieri, John H. Peterson Jr., The Honorable Owen B. Pickett, Julian Rashkind, Stanley Waranch, Howard M. Weisberg, Wendell A. White

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Channing A. Pfeiffer

Managing editor .............................. Mary Prier, APR

Editor ......................................................Sara Steil

Advertising sales .................................... Kim Powers Leigh Ann Sirmans

Production coordinator .......................Stella Council

Adviser ........................................... Sandra Amidon

Graphic Artist ................................... Diane Trumbull

Copyright: 2009; all rights reserved. No permission to reprint unless ex-pressly given by Tidewater Builders Association. The Tidewater Builder is published for all TBA member firms through the $15 subscription price, which is included in the annual membership fee. Opinions expressed by contributing columnist are not necessarily those of this publication.

The Tidewater Builder is published monthly, January through December, by Tidewater Builders Association, located at 2117 Smith Ave., Chesapeake, VA 23320. Editorial dead-line is 5 p.m. on the 1st of the month preceding publication. Advertising deadline for copy and insertion order is p.m. on the 10th and for camera-ready ads, 5 p.m. on the 15th of the month preceding publication. All advertising is subject to current rates, copies of which can be obtained from the Special Events/Membership/Marketing Division, 420-2434. The magazine reserves the right to determine the suitability of any advertising or editorial copy, and all real estate ad-vertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handi-cap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

About the cover: Homearama 2009 took visitors back to Main Street America at Culpepper Landing with tree-lined streets and front porches, as seen from the porch of The Whitaker.

The Tidewater

25 Shades of Green

27 Big Pic

28 Membership Update

28 Advertisers’ Index

Events Calendar

Vol. 56, Number 8

pages 6-12

From the preview party

and the award winners to the

Taste of Chesa-peake and Idea

Marketplace, Homearama

2009 has something

for everyone.

2 NOVEMBER 2009

President’s Pen

Looking back on a challenging but rewarding year

Pete A. Kotarides

As my term as TBA president comes to an end, I realize what an honor it was to represent the in-dustry during these trying times.

This could well go down as one of the most challenging years our industry has experienced. "ose of us who survived it together will emerge stronger for it.

We saw the national economy in a free fall the !rst quarter of the year, with one crisis a#er another in the !nancial mar-kets. Even though the old-timers kept telling us things always get better eventually, there were days it was di$cult to believe them.

We’re not yet back to where we would like to be, but there’s no doubt we’re moving in the right direction. Hope-fully, one day I’ll be one of the old-timers encouraging an-other generation of builders through the rough spots.

This year, our leadership put a great amount of thought into how our association could best help our industry during these tough times.

The banking crisis emerged as a major issue a%ecting build-ers and their potential buyers. We hosted several forums for bankers and builders to better understand how to work together in the current environment. We appreciate e%orts our banker members made to help improve conditions when possible.

TBA’s general counsel, Grig Scifres of Williams Mullen law !rm, also o%ered advice on how to negotiate with lenders in group forums and in private con!dential meetings.

We also found ourselves still !ghting regulations that add to the cost of new homes – even during this di$cult economy.

New state storm water regulations being considered make it impossible to build the a%ordable communities our leaders claim to want. We have also had to douse the e%ort to add expensive mandatory !re sprinklers to every new home built in Virginia.

Locally, we continue to meet with o$cials to explain the impact of pro%ers and other fees on the cost of building new homes.

We have also vigilantly worked to counter negative national headlines about the housing market, advocating for more focus on the positive aspects of what’s happening in Hampton Roads.

We are pleased to see more balanced positive housing news and local news in the coverage of the economy. Of course, we’re pleased that there was increasingly more positive news to report as the selling season got under way.

The Virginian Pilot’s Home section has allowed us column space, which we have used to reinforce the positive buying market, among other topics.

One of our greatest accomplishments this year was the ex-ecution of an incredibly successful Homearama showcase of homes in the Chesapeake community of Culpepper Landing.

Homearama has always been the industry’s “buy now” campaign — an e%ort to stimulate interest in all things hous-ing. "is year, it was important to show the local community that the housing industry is still alive and kicking.

The feedback we received from guests was overwhelmingly positive, and builders and exhibitors reported getting more leads than ever.

This event demonstrates more than any statistics or sur-veys that people in Hampton Roads are getting back to their normal lives, coming back out to see what the industry has to o%er and how they can improve their living environments.

Although it may have been a trying year, it was also a pro-fessionally and personally gratifying year for me, mostly be-cause I got to experience the commitment and dedication of the members of our association up close and personal.

I saw it in those who gave time and materials to update our association headquarters.

I saw it in the joyous celebration at the Tidewater Multi-family Housing Council awards.

In the generosity of builder Herb Watson and contributors to his Charity House at a time when the Children’s Hospital of "e King’s Daughters needed the support more than ever.

In the compassion of builder Donna Belka who built a home for a young Wounded Warrior, and countless others who continue to support other causes when it might be easy to explain why they can’t.

In the grit and determination of all of those who put on a Homearama that made us all proud.

And last, but not least, in all of you who renewed your membership during a year when funds were in short supply.

Each of you contributes to the strength of this association in your own unique way and it was an honor getting to know you.

Hang in there,

NOVEMBER 2009 3

Diamond $10,000

Virginia Natural Gas

Dominion Virginia Power

Fulton Bank/Fulton Mortgage

TowneBank

The Ainslie Group

SunTrust Real Estate Finance Group

Bank of America

Tidewater Home Funding

Beach Ford Inc.

The Virginian-PilotSykes, Bourdon, Ahern & Levy P.C.

Hampton Roads Bankshares

Williams Mullen

William E. Wood & Assoc.

Kotarides Builders

Napolitano Homes

Clark Whitehill Enterprises Inc.

Area Builders of Tidewater Inc.

Terry/Peterson Cos.

Hearndon Construction Corp.

Ashdon Builders Inc.

L.R. Hill Custom Builders Inc.

Miller Custom Homes

Joey Corp.

Greenbrier Lighting

Associated Development

Real Estate Information Network Inc.

Gateway Bank & Trust Co.

Reese Smith Construction

iLevel by Weyerhaeuser

The Closet Factory

Wells Fargo

Monarch Bank/Monarch Mortgage

Superior Equipment Sales Inc.

Cox Communications

Columbia Gas of Virginia

Platinum $5,000

Gold $2,500

!ank you to the following companies for their support of the shelter industry:

2009

Cornerstone Foundation Members

4 NOVEMBER 2009

Headliners

Dig WithC.A.R.E.KeepVirginiaSafe!

This message brought to you bythe Virginia State Corporation Commission

Call Miss Utility at before you dig.

Allow required time for marking.

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Excavate carefully.

Whether your project is big or small, one free and easy call gets the underground utility lines marked and helps avoid costly damages, fines and even personal injury. So, please call 811 and dig with C.A.R.E.

HBAV installation coming to Virginia Beach The Home Builders Association of Virginia is heading

to Virginia Beach for the installation of our 2010 state president, Michael Newsome of Clark Whitehill Enter-prises Inc. Newsome is a TBA past president and current chairman of the TBA Scholarship Foundation.

In lieu of a formal event, Newsome will celebrate his installation with a luncheon at the Hilton Virginia Beach

Oceanfront on !ursday, Nov. 12. The installation luncheon will kick o% with a gathering at 11:30 a.m.,

followed by a meal at 12:30 p.m. "e installation ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m., immediately followed by a dessert reception. Tickets cost $40 per person. Make your reservations by contacting Kathy Harley at HBAV at (804) 643-2797, ext. 304 or kharley@hbav.com by Nov. 2.

Sign up now for Builder Breakfast! The next Builder Breakfast Forum is set for

7:30 a.m. on !ursday, Nov. 19, in the TBA boardroom.

The event will feature Bob Boyd, president of BB&T. Boyd will be speaking on how builders can access capital and what the banks are predict-ing for the future.

The forum is FREE to TBA builder members (principals only) and also features a fully catered breakfast.

Please RSVP to Stacey Turner at 305-9042 or sturner@tbaonline.org.

Newsome

TBA is cleaning house!Be on the lookout for a Member Veri!cation Form coming in the mail. TBA is reviewing and up-

dating its records to make sure our membership database is up-to-date and we need your help.Please take a few minutes to verify the information we have for your company so that we can keep

you informed on industry news and TBA events. If you have any questions about this process, please call Stacey Turner at 305-9042 or e-mail her at sturner@tbaonline.org.

NOVEMBER 2009 5

With a theme of “Make Yourself at Home,” Homearama visi-tors were welcomed to Culpepper Landing with Adirondack chairs overlooking a peaceful view of an adjacent lake.

Robert Bracero of Converge Life Inc. describes how this ROSIE surface in-teractive coffee table, which won Associates’ Choice for Best Special Prod-uct Feature, works to a group of students. More than 300 high school and college drafting/design students from Hampton Roads visited the showcase homes and spoke to the builders about the homes and careers in home building.

TBA President Pete A. Kotarides took to the Man Cave with a Cox Communications news crew to highlight the fishing-themed man retreat. The themed garage was sponsored by Cox Communications and DIY Network and built by Vintage Homes.

The weather held out and the visitors came by the masses on the sec-ond weekend of the show.

Homearama developer Tim Culpepper gave weary visitors a ride back to their cars after touring the show.

A look back at Homearama 2009

Despite tighter belts from an economic downturn and six days of cold and rainy weather, Homearama 2009 at Culpepper Land-ing received an overwhelmingly positive response from visitors.

With more than 61,000 guests during the two-week show, exhibitors and builders reported seeing more interested buyers than in the past. And that proved true, as six of the 12 showcase homes had sold before opening weekend. Other builders are in talks on contracts for some of the remaining homes and some are talking about building homes elsewhere from leads they got from their Homearama home.

NOVEMBER 2009 5

6 NOVEMBER 2009

Homearama Preview Party

Builder Bill Brice, right, and partner Les Ore, left, took home the Hampton Roads Realtors Association’s award for Most Livable House. Charlee Gowin, chairwoman of Hampton Roads Realtors Association, presented the award.

6 NOVEMBER 2009

Homearama Chairman and Charity House builder Herb Watson takes a moment with the house name-sake, Sydney Lambert. Watson presented Sydney with a builder bear during the ceremony.

More than 800 guests kicked off Homearama 2009 at Culpepper Land-ing with proceeds benefitting The Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.

Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff, left, and Culpepper Landing developer Tim Culpepper opened Homearama with old-fash-ioned sparklers.

NOVEMBER 2009 7

By Mary Prier, APR

A#er competing with each other for Homearama awards for more than one decade, builders Sam Cohen of Joey Corp and Chip Iuliano of Area Builders of Tidewater joined forces by creating Next Level Group LLC and took home the Gold Award for Best in Show for Morningside Manor.

The home is one of six out of the 12 showcase homes that were sold before the kick-o% event. Between them, the two builders have more than 30 years of Homearama experience and at least that many showcase homes. "eir second en-try, "e Crow’s Nest, took home the Bronze Award for Best in Show.

Rookie Homearama Builder Scott Brooker of SGB Homes garnered the Silver Award for Best in Show, one of 10 that he racked up for his modular home entry, "e Whitaker. His wife/real estate agent, Tonya, reports that they agreed they would be “thrilled” to take home one award, and were over the top when they ended up with 10.

From left to right: Builders Chip Iuliano and Sam Co-hen accept their award for Best in Show for Morningside Manor from Homearama Chairman Herb Watson and TBA Presi-dent Pete A. Kotarides.

Best Home in Show Gold – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor Silver – SGB Homes for The Whitaker Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest

TBA Past Presidents’ Favorite Home Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest

Associates’ Choice for Best Special Product Feature Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor for its Rosie surface interactive coffee table

Hampton Roads Realtors Association “Most Livable Home” WATAB Construction Corp. for The Elderberry

The Virginian-Pilot Building Excellence Award Gold – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House Silver – Stephen Alexander Homes for The Walnut Cottage Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor

Best Bath Gold – SGB Homes for The Whitaker Silver – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest

Best Flex Space Gold –Vintage Homes for The Lindsay Silver – Vintage Homes for The Dover Bronze – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House

Best Interior Design Gold – SGB Homes for The Whitaker; design by Gayle Johnson of Inspired Spaces and Debra Puckette of JCPenney Custom Decorating Silver – Stephen Alexander Homes for The Walnut Cottage; design by Susan Cox of Goodwin Interiors Bronze – The Widener Corp. for The Elizabeth; design by Nancy Craig of Willis Furniture

Best Kitchen Tie: Gold – Simpson Builders Inc. for The “Bright Idea” House Gold – The Widener Corp. for The Elizabeth Tie: Silver – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor Silver – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House Bronze – WATAB Construction Corp. for The Elderberry

Most Efficient Floor Plan Gold – Stephen Alexander Homes for The Walnut Cottage Silver – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor Bronze – The Walters Company Inc. for The EasyLiving Home

Take a look at the 2009 winners ….

(Continued on page 8)

Most Creative Gold – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor Silver– Simpson Builders Inc. for The “Bright Idea” House Bronze – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House

Best Craftsmanship Tie: Gold – Vintage Homes for The Dover Gold – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor Silver – The Widener Corp. for The Elizabeth Bronze – SGB Homes for The Whitaker

Best Home Furnishing Gold – SGB Homes for The Whitaker; furnishing by JC Penney Custom Decorating and Great Bridge Furniture Silver – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House; furnishings by Amish Originals, Curious Cargo and Lemon Cabana Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest; furnishings by Value City Furniture

NOVEMBER 2009 7

John Reddecliff, left, and Mike Brunick, right, of Definitive Homes took home The Virginian-Pilot Excellence in Building Award from publisher Mau-rice Jones for The Thanksgiving House.

8 NOVEMBER 2009

Best Closet, Laundry Room or Storage Tie: Gold – The Walters Company Inc. for The EasyLiving Home Gold – SGB Homes for The Whitaker Silver – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor Bronze – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House

Best Master Suite Gold – The Widener Corp. for The Elizabeth Silver – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor

Best Pool Gold – Stephen Alexander Homes for The Walnut Cottage; pool by Aegean Pools

Best Landscaping Gold – Renaissance Outdoor Contracting Inc. and Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest Silver – Renaissance Outdoor Contracting Inc. and SGB Homes for The Whitaker Bronze – R.W. Askew Nursery and Next Level Group LLC for The Morningside Manor

Best Family Room Gold – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House Silver – Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest Tie: Bronze – Simpson Builders Inc. for The “Bright Idea” House Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor

Best Outdoor Living Area Gold – SGB Homes for The Whitaker Silver – Vintage Homes for The Lindsay Tie: Bronze – Simpson Builders Inc. for The “Bright Idea” House Bronze – Definitive Homes Inc. for The Thanksgiving House Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest

Best Integration of Technology Gold – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor Silver – Simpson Builders Inc. for The “Bright Idea” House Tie: Bronze – Vintage Homes for The Dover Bronze – Stephen Alexander Homes for The Walnut Cottage

Best Driveway Gold – Next Level Group LLC for Morningside Manor; driveway by Hunnicutt Hardscapes Inc. Silver – WATAB Construction Corp. for The Elderberry; driveway by Small Concrete and Masonry Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest; driveway by Renaissance Outdoor Contracting Inc.

Best Curb Appeal Gold – Next Level Group LLC and R.W. Askew Nursery for Morningside Manor Silver – Next Level Group LLC and Renaissance Outdoor Contracting Inc. for The Crow’s Nest Bronze – SGB Homes and Renaissance Outdoor Contracting Inc. for The Whitaker

(continued !om page 7)

8 NOVEMBER 2009

Best Green Feature Gold – SGB Homes for The Whitaker for its geothermal closed-loop HVAC system Silver – Stephen Alexander Homes for The Walnut Cottage for blown-in cellulose insulation that mitigates air infiltration Bronze – Next Level Group LLC for The Crow’s Nest for its Navien tankless water heater

EXHIBITOR AWARDSBest Indoor Exhibit – The Closet FactoryBest Indoor Exhibit Honorable Mention The Tile ShopBest Outdoor Exhibit – Innovative Spas

Matthew Thompson, a re-enactor from the Great Bridge Battlefield and Water-ways History Foundation, called the Pre-view Party to order on his drums.

Eight-year-old singer Alana Springsteen opened up the Homeara-ma Preview Party with the national anthem. Behind Alana are Gary McCollum, general manager of Cox Communications; Channing Pfeiffer, CEO of TBA, and TBA President Pete A. Kotarides.

Morningside Manor by Next Level Group LLC took home the Best in Show Award.

The Elderberry: A Christmas Tradition by WATAB Con-struction Corp. was awarded the Most Livable Home Award from the Hamp-ton Roads Real-tors Association.

Agents impressed with what Homearama offers home buyers

Priced to sell

Bob GlassColdwell Banker

NOVEMBER 2009 9 NOVEMBER 2009 9

“For so long, it was far and away out of the reach of the typi-cal home buyers. Now, it’s come back down. It’s nice to see a home priced at $300,000 with so much in it.”

“By far, this is the BEST Homearama that I have ever been to! It’s not only a great

product, but it’s great prices! Everybody is loving it!”

“It’s encouraging that the average home buyer could purchase one of the homes and still be able to see what their upgrades could be.”

“I think it’s awesome. I’m very impressed. These are our top builders and we want them to succeed. And these homes are not only beautiful, but they are priced right.”

Selena Cullipher Prudential Towne Realty

Joan Revell Rose & Womble Realty

Lisa Burrow Re/Max Allegiance

By Sara Steil

By the time Homearama had opened to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 7, it had already seen about 800 real estate agents come through Culpepper Landing. Free to any real estate agent with a business card, Homearama o%ered area professionals a chance to beat the crowds and check out the custom showcase homes.

With mimosas, courtesy of Cox Communications, and breakfast, courtesy of Farm Fresh Fresh Events Catering, the agents were ready to see what Culpep-per Landing had to o%er its future residents.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Not only were the homes a hit, but also the mid $300,000 to $500,000 price tag was attractive to the agents.

We asked some of the real estate agents what they thought of this year’s Homearama and Culpepper Landing. Here’s what they said:

“I’m glad that they suited it to the economy instead of limiting it with the higher price tags of previous years. It’s also a nice addition to the Deep Creek neighborhood.”

“You’ve got something that most people can hang their hats on, especially in this economy when people are looking to move up.”

Robert Waring III Prudential Towne

Realty

Agents impressed with what Homearama offers home buyers

About 800 real estate agents flocked to Homearama at Culpepper Landing to see what was available to their customers on Realtors Day.

Priced to sell

Bob GlassColdwell Banker

Carol Spellman Long & Foster Realty

10 NOVEMBER 2009 10 NOVEMBER 2009

Going, going, gone

By Sara Steil

When visitors &ock to Homeara-ma, the !rst thing they see is not the 12 custom, showcased homes. It’s the idea marketplace through which they must !rst pass. Along the way, they are greeted with companies eager to help them with their latest home renovation project, search for a new home and more.

So, we took a moment among the excitement to ask the vendors what they thought about this year’s Homearama turnout, as of the !rst week.

Here’s what they had to say:

“As of the first week, I booked 44 ap-pointments. We’re doing really good … much better than last year.”

Kathy Hacker, The Closet Factory

“It’s been good so far. We have really good place-ment and we have gotten some good leads.”

Jay Cordrington, Broadview Security

“It looks like less leads, but more quality. I feel like this show has brought out more interested people than normal. And I will take quality over quantity any day.”

Jake Harris, Case Handyman Services

“We’ve got a lot of leads from the show. In fact, we’ve already closed on a few of the leads.”

Ryan Elgin, H2O to Go

“This is the best show we’ve had in a while. We’ve had 22 appointments alone this week, which is really good.”

Jordyn Argabright and Eunice Taylor, Paramount Builders Inc.

Despite slow start, vendors secure quality leads from Homearama guests

NOVEMBER 2009 11

By Sara Steil

Comfort food won over the critics while the sweet tooth wooed visitors at this year’s Taste of Ches-apeake sponsored by Hampton Roads Magazine and Columbia Natural Gas on Oct. 5.

Seven local establishments served up samples from their menus in competition for the coveted Critics’ Choice and People’s Choice awards in seven of the Homearama homes.

At the end of the evening, Chef Dedra Blount of NYC (Now You’re Cookin’) Catering clinched the Critics’ Choice Award for her sweet potato and ham biscuits with cranberry salad. A contingent of local food writers, led by Hampton Roads Magazine’s food editor Patrick Evans-Hylton, determined the winner of this award.

Dawn Eskins of Carolina Cupcakery took home the People’s Choice award for her array of breakfast, lunch and dinner cupcakes that spanned the gamut from French toast to peanut butter and jelly to spaghetti and meatballs. Homearama visitors determined the People’s Choice award winner.

Evans-Hylton awarded the winners, a#er commending the other participants, which included chefs from Passion, Courthouse Café, 45 Degrees Martini Lounge, Chesapeake Conference Center and the Gourmet Bakery.

An evening for the sensesTaste of Chesapeake serves up food for the soul at Homearama

Chef Dedra Blount of NYC (Now You’re Cookin’) Ca-tering clinched the Critic’s Choice Award for her sweet potato and ham biscuits with cranberry salad. With Blount is Hampton Roads Maga-zine’s food editor Patrick Evans-Hylton, who helped to determine the winner.

The kitchen was hopping as NYC (Now You’re Cookin’) Catering served some Southern comfort on a plate at The Elderberry: A Christmas Tradition.

Dawn Eskins of Carolina Cupcak-ery took home the People’s Choice

award for her array of breakfast, lunch and dinner cupcakes.

Erin Widener Speckhart, builder of The Eliz-abeth, filled glasses with sweet tea while the folks from Courthouse Cafe served up she-crab soup and prime rib to Taste of Chesa-peake guests.

NOVEMBER 2009 11

12 NOVEMBER 2009

NOVEMBER 2009 13

Homes sales surge when the price is right

By Mary Prier, APR

“Better buy it while you can,” said Van Rose, president of Rose and Womble’s new homes division. Rose was referring to new homes in Hampton Roads when he made the statement at a media brie!ng a day before the o$cial kick-o% to Homearama 2009.

Rose reported that 1,500 units of new home inventory are currently available in a market that typically sells 5,000 new homes a year.

“With the lack of !nancing available to build new housing, there is going to be somewhat of a housing shortage for new home con-struction in 2010 and beyond.”

He also reported a drop from 17,000 homes listed for sale last year to just more than 13,000 today. ("e market he cites includes all of Hampton Roads and Williamsburg.)

Most notable, said Rose, is the “sweet spot” of the new home market — homes priced between $250,000 and $450,000. Most of the 2009 Homearama homes are in this price range and half sold before the start of the show. He cited data prepared by Residential Databank, using numbers from Real Estate Information Network (multiple listing service). "e data shows the absorption rate of cur-rent inventory in this price range is in the !ve to six months range— considered a healthy market, according to Rose.

He also added, “For the !rst time in 2009, the entire resale market has found its sweet spot — about $50,000 less than new home construction.”

DETACHED NEW CONSTRUCTION*List price YTD Sales No. Months to on market absorb inventory < $200,000 86 72 7.3

200,000-249,999 124 79 5.5

250,000-299,999 178 101 4.9

300,000-349,999 179 102 4.9

350,000-399,999 176 89 4.4

400,000-449,999 80 59 6.4

ATTACHED NEW CONSTRUCTION*List price YTD Sales No. Months to on market absorb inventory<$200,000 184 35 1.6

200,000-249,999 148 56 3.3

250,000-299,999 151 56 3.2

300,000-349,999 48 41 7.4

350,000-399,999 39 62 13.8

400,000-449,999 10 18 15.6* as of Sept. 20, 2009

Make plans to attend the 2010 International Builders Show

January 19-22 Las Vegas

For more information or to register, go to www.buildersshow.com

Make plans to attend the 2010 International Builders Show

January 19-22 Las Vegas

Van Rose, president of Rose and Womble’s new homes divi-sion, touted the brisk sales pace of new homes in the area and the six homes already sold in this year’s Homearama, at a media briefing with TBA President Pete A. Kotarides.

14 NOVEMBER 2009

CALL TO ACTIONNAHB has made it easy to register your support for extending the tax credit.

Simply visit www.capitolconnect.com/builderlink. When you register, the Web site will automatically identify your representatives in Congress and direct your message to them. You can send the pre-written message offered on the site or edit it to reflect your views. You may also call your members of Congress toll free at (866) 924-6242.

TBA endorses home warranty company

ABT Custom Homes L.L.C. Affordable Homes L.L.C. Ainslie Group, The Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. Associated Contracting Services Inc. Associated Development Management Corp. Beachtowne Realty Corp. Belmeade Associates, L.L.C. Bill Ore L.L.C. Breeden Co. Brighton Park Development, Inc. Carole-Ann Construction Co. Clark Whitehill Enterprises Inc. Clark Whitehill Homes L.L.C. Cohen Homes L.L.C. Corinth Homes Crestline Homes L.L.C. DeBord Custom Homes Inc. Definitive Homes DeFord Companies Inc. Dragas Companies, The

By Mary Prier, APR

Even as builders and real estate agents tout the urgency created by the expiration of the !rst-time home buyer tax credit on Nov. 30, industry groups are lobbying hard to get an extension.

The National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association are banding together to ask for an extension of the credit for another year and making it available to all buyers of a principle residence.

All three trade groups sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner; Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Dono-van and chair of the National Econom-ic Council Lawrence Summers.

The $8,000 federal income tax credit is widely believed to have signi!-cantly spurred home sales this year and is credited with continued stimulus into the normally slower fall months.

A newspaper headline on a Homearama breakfast table announces, “Time is running out” for the $8,000 tax credit.

Tidewater Builders Association has a new “Partners in Performance” relationship with Bonded Builders Warranty Group, which means enrollment by TBA builders sup-ports the association, while providing their buyers with peace of mind. "e company o%ers broader coverages than what have been available from TBA in the past. "ank you to the following members for your support of TBA through your enrollment:

Home buyer tax credit: time is running out

Princess Anne Builders Inc. Property Endeavors L.L.C. dba SGB Homes Real Developments Construction L.L.C. Residential Concepts Ltd.Richardson Homes Inc. RML Corp. Runnymede Corp., The Sadler Building Corp. Sasser Construction L.L.C. Southmoor Development Inc. St Pauls Place Company L.L.C. TBA Building Trades Academy Terry/Peterson Residential Cos. The Old Beach Village Warner Construction Inc. Wendell Homes L.L.C. WH Builders Wingfield Inc., William T. WATAB Construction Corp.

For more information, contact: Joe Pushak at 1-800-749-0381, ext. 3825 or jpushak@bondedbuilders.com or Patty Letch-worth at TBA at 757-305-9048 or pletchworth@tbaonline.org.

Executive Homes Corporation of Virginia Gallagher Associates Grifland Builders Corp. Hearndon Construction Corp. J. F. Jackson III General Contractor Kotarides Builders L.L.C. L & B Quarterpath L & M Contractors Inc.L. R. HIll Custom Homes Lawson Cos., The Logan American Homes, L.L.C. Look-out Assoc. Inc./Definitive Homes Michael Lee Companies Miller Custom Homes Murray Homes Inc. Nags Head Construction Newsome Luxury Homes Norfolk Building Corp P & A Construction Inc. Preserve Development Princess Anne Builders of Camden

The NAHB is launching an all out e%ort to get members to advocate for this extension, arguing that it would:

Create more than 350,000 jobsIncrease home purchases by 383,000Increase housing starts by 82,000 Generate $16.1 billion in wages and salariesGenerate $12.1 billion in busi-ness incomeYield tax revenues of $8.4 billion for the federal go"ernmentYield $3.2 billion for state and local go"ernments

NOVEMBER 2009 15

When it came to installing TBA’s new heating and cooling equipment, Dean Thomasson of Thomasson Enterprises Heating and Cooling stepped up to help.

This summer, Thomasson taught an intensive classroom course on heating and air conditioning for students in the Building Trades Academy, then took them outside for hands-on installation of an air handler and compressor. The les-son took place in extreme summer heat, making it all the more impor-tant that everyone could keep cool inside.

The students, whose training was funded by The Southeastern Tide-water Opportunity Project Inc., STOP, used their training to ac-quire CFC certification in HVAC, a prerequisite for careers in facili-ties maintenance.

When things cool down this winter, TBA will still hold warm feelings for both Thomasson and Superior Equipment Sales.

Dean Thomasson, left, instructs students in the art of installing an air compressor outside the Building Trades Academy.

By Mary Prier, APR

Superior Equipment Sales Inc. has been serving contractors in Virginia and North Carolina since 1974. It’s also the !rst

and largest supplier of Janitrol heating and air conditioning products in the state. "e company also has a long tradi-tion of supporting the industry through its contributions to Tidewater Builders Association.

That tradition continues as the com-pany provides for the comfort of the sta% and members who use the TBA headquarters, Building Trades Academy and the building currently being rented by Calvary Revival Church.

In an e%ort that began this summer and is expected to proceed over the course of the next year, Superior is do-nating 18 heating and cooling units to replace the aging and ine$cient equip-ment currently operating in the 30-year-

A very cool contribution to TBAHVAC companies warm hearts and office spaces

Jim Jackson, president and CEO of Superior Equipment Sales Inc., and Mike Healy, vice president and COO, represent the employees who own the company in presenting heat-ing and cooling equipment to TBA.

A lesson in installation

old facilities. This donation follows other member

contributions earlier this year that gave the buildings a long overdue faceli#.

“It’s an honor to support the builders who support us,” said Jim Jackson, presi-dent and CEO of the Chesapeake-based employee-owned company. “It’s akin to making an investment in the industry that supports us. In these economic times, it’s especially important, since a healthy building industry is good for everyone.”

“"is contribution represents a substantial investment in the future of TBA,” said TBA President Pete A. Kotarides. “Our association is only as strong as the support of our members, and this kind of commitment reinforces our ability to remain a vibrant force in advocating for those who make a living from the housing industry.”

TBA endorses home warranty company

16 NOVEMBER 2009

By Sara Steil

Despite a not-so-cheery reception from Mother Nature, the annual Political Action Committee golf tournament was a swinging success.

Not only were participants helping to keep the industry strong in assisting in the mission of keeping hous-ing a%ordable for all families, but they were also supporting TBA’s government advocacy e%orts. More than 100 players turned out for the fall tournament, which was held at "e Tournament Players Club in Virginia Beach on Sept. 10.

Even the local wildlife joined the festivities when one overzealous egret kicked past TBA President Je% Ainslie’s ball into the water, or at least that is what Ainslie claimed.

Swinging into actionTBA members brave the weather in support of PAC

Jennifer Cash and Natasha Gammon bear the wind and rain as the Numerica Mortgage hole sponsors.

Despite the wind, rain and cooler-than-normal temperatures, more than 100 TBA members took to the course in support of TBA’s Political Action Committee.

TBA Vice President Bill Halprin of S.L. Nusbaum doesn’t let a little rain ruin his fun. Instead, he puts the pedal to the metal for some rainy day fun as he splashes through a puddle between holes.

16 NOVEMBER 2009

Choice Builders Inc. won first flight, first place. From left, Frank Sutryk Jr., Frank Sutryk Sr., Brent Jaworski and Brian Sutryk.

NOVEMBER 2009 17

The winners are: FIRST FLIGHT:

First place Choice Builders: Frank Sutyrk Sr., Frank Sutyrk, Jr.,

Brian Sutyrk and Brent JaworskiSecond place

Titan American: Louie Gehlho%, Dan Osborne, John Connelly, Wayne McKenzie

SECOND FLIGHT: First place

James Hardie Siding Products: John Madson, John Buckley, Chuck Apperson and

Terry DelmontierSecond place

Dominion Virginia Power: Alan Bradshaw, Mike Doughtie, Jim Willis and Ryan Garland

Closest to pin No. 3: Bill LaneCloset to pin No.17: Frank Sutryk Sr. Long drive ladies No. 9: Linda Boyce

A big thank you to our sponsor:

SCOREBOARD SPONSORBonded Builders Warranty Group

From left: Ed Brewer of Triangle Brick Co.; Dennis Graf of Graf Construction Co. Inc.; and Larry Sims of Riverside Brick, take a moment off course to smile for the camera.

Linda Boyce of the Gallagher Associates team putts her ball into the hole as her teammates look on.

Dominion Power teammates huddle together for the camera. They are, from left to right, Jim Willis, Alan Bradshaw, Ryan Garland and Mike Doughtie.

NOVEMBER 2009 17

Associated Development was represented by the Olivieri fam-ily, from left, John, Michael, Chris and Richard Olivieri Sr.

18 NOVEMBER 2009

Counsel ’s Insights

By C. Grigsby Scifres

Read the fine line before you sign

It’s commonplace for real estate !-nancing documentation to contain provisions for late charges, default interest and prepayment premiums.

In tough economic times, lenders and borrowers o#en end up facing o% in court over the enforceability of such provisions. Whether in the context of a residential mortgage or a multimillion dollar residential or commercial real estate !nancing, the general principles governing enforceability are similar.

Late charges In Virginia, and many other states,

there is a statute that speci!cally pro-vides for the imposition of a late charge if a payment required in a contract or

promissory note is not timely made. Generally speaking, late charges may not be imposed in connection with the amount due a#er acceleration of the debt. "e applicable Virginia statute allows a lender to impose a late charge for failure to make timely payment of any installment, whether periodic installment or single maturity, so long as the late charge does not exceed 5 percent of the payment and the charge is set forth in the contract.

Pursuant to the statute, timely pay-ment is deemed to mean payment by the due date or within a grace period of seven calendar days a#er the due date. Permissible late charges do not include

charges that are imposed on accelera-tion of the debt a#er default.

Even in the absence of a statute, courts o#en refuse to allow the imposi-tion of late charges a#er acceleration of a loan by either construing the lan-guage of the contract to be inapplicable in connection with acceleration or by concluding that application of a late charge on acceleration would be unen-forceable as a penalty.

Default interest So long as any usury law limitations

are not exceeded, the requirement to pay higher interest a#er default traditionally has been enforced pursuant to freedom of contract principles (federal statutes and some state statutes limit the collec-tion of default interest in the context of consumer mortgage transactions).

Courts have accepted the proposi-tion that allowing collection of default interest is fundamental to protecting the lender’s expectations. "ese provi-sions compensate for a wide range of losses and risks, including the need to increase loan loss reserves for the par-ticular loan, which reduces the capital the lender has available to deploy for other income-producing opportunities, internal administrative costs in con-nection with administering a defaulted loan, costs of collection and potential loss of capital and regular contract in-terest income during the default period.

Whether a “make whole,” “yield maintenance” or !xed-percentage for-mula, obligors have to overcome the ingrained deference to freedom of con-tract principles and convince the court that the default interest provision is so unfair as to be unconscionable and thus unenforceable. "is is a fairly di$cult burden to meet. Generally, a lender will win this dispute if the rate is substan-tively fair and not oppressive.

NOVEMBER 2009 19

Counsel ’s Insights Some courts have analyzed this issue using a reasonableness standard and delve into whether the lender’s actual damages are di$cult to determine and the interest rate is reasonably related to the anticipated or actual damages su%ered by the lender by the default. Since it’s di$cult to predict the nature or duration of a possible default or what market conditions might exist when the default occurs at the time the contract is signed, the courts tend to enforce default interest rates.

Prepayment premiums In real estate term loans, outside of

the residential mortgage context, the !nancing documents o#en contain a prepayment premium provision that prohibits prepayment for a certain pe-riod of time and then imposes a prepay-ment premium if prepayment occurs before maturity or an earlier date stated in the documents. Lenders use this structure to ensure that they obtain the bene!t of the bargain they made when o%ering certain pricing and terms.

Generally, if the loan goes into de-fault and acceleration occurs followed by foreclosure, prepayment premiums are enforced as part of the amount owed under the promissory note. Pre-payment premiums o#en are heavily negotiated and it’s di$cult for obligors to circumvent the argument that the prepayment premium was speci!cally bargained for by the lender. Borrowers o#en challenge the applicability of the prepayment premiums on the basis that they are so excessive as to constitute a penalty because they bear no reason-able relation to the actual damages su%ered by the lender as a result of prepayment.

Generally, courts give consider-able latitude to the enforceability of these types of provisions because they are entered into when the contract is signed and it’s di$cult to foresee the exact time when prepayment may oc-cur, market conditions at the time of prepayment and the actual impact on the lender.

Moreover, in many instances the borrower has control of the timing of prepayment and is doing so to further

its own economic interest.

What’s the point? When evaluating !nancing docu-

ments, address concerns about provi-sions providing for late charges, default interest or prepayment premiums be-fore the documents are signed.

If obligors attempt to challenge them a#er default or prepayment occurs, then it’s an uphill battle because of the deference given to freedom of contract

principles and the obvious di$culty a lender would have in predicting its ac-tual damages at the time of signing the contracts. Similarly, lenders can enhance the enforceability of such provisions by careful dra#ing of such clauses.

Sci!es, a partner in Williams Mul-len, is Tidewater Builders Association’s general counsel. For more information, contact Sci!es at gsci!es@williamsmul-len.com or (757) 473-5370.

20 NOVEMBER 2009

By Esther Diehl Turner

Land Planning Solutions

Land Planning Solutions, LPS, is a multifaceted planning firm based in Suffolk that special-izes in conceptual design,

rezoning, preliminary and final engi-neering, project management, land-scape and architectural design.

Melissa Venable, the principal of LPS, graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in land-scape architecture and planning and gained a formidable amount of expe-rience working in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area before com-ing to Hampton Roads. The profes-sionals at LPS form a team with more than 50 years of planning and engi-neering experience.

As a result of today’s market, LPS has found itself working on a wide variety of projects, often reconfigur-ing previous iterations of land plans, as well as adjusting the product size and elevation to better fit the current demand. Over the past few months, LPS has observed a noticeable in-crease in sales, which seems to have a direct correlation to a project’s pricing and location. Unique proj-ects with a mix of housing styles and commercial uses have continued to sell due to their variable products and pricing.

Mixed-use projects like Culpepper Landing, the 2009 Homearama site, have continued to generate activity.

LPS currently is working as a member of the Architectural Review Team for Culpepper Landing, as well as having designed the sales center, clubhouse, neighborhood entry fea-

Mixed-use projects are picking up steam

Current demand is keeping land-planning service busy

ture, park play area and the private residential landscape and courtyard designs for the Vintage Homes sites. LPS also is revising the plan for the Mercantile District and creating at-tractive elevations for the commercial buildings that will blend with the ex-isting homes and enhance the neigh-borhood.

The design process for LPS is an exercise that considers many vari-ables, not just a simple “make-it-fit” philosophy. The thoughtful consid-eration of the current buyer’s needs, as well as the projected needs of fu-ture generations, leads LPS to create spaces that are not only attractive and impressionable but long lasting, too.

When considering a home pur-chase, the buyer takes a moment to ask himself, “Could I live here? Will my children be happy here? What about my grandchildren?”

The team at LPS asks themselves these questions everyday and has heard some of their most successful clients do so as well. When response to current financial needs is com-bined with research and study for fu-ture demand, LPS has found creating places can be highly sought after.

The thoughtful considerationof the current buyer’s needs, as well as the projected needs

of future generations, leads LPS to create spaces

that are not only attractive and impressionable

but long lasting, too.

Advertorial

NOVEMBER 2009 21

Jesse JamesB U S I N E S S AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E

for Tidewater Builders Association757.572.5813

jesse. james@spr int .com

Contact me on how you can save 22% off your monthly bill.

Builder Services Success Story

A helping nudge keeps projects on schedule

Ettel

Parties impacted VB Homes’ clients Advocate Chris Ettel, president of VB HomesIssue Ettel turned to Builder Services twice in the past month for two separate issues. First, Ettel’s site plan for a single-fami-ly home was submitted and received comments. "e plan was resubmitted. By week three, Ettel was still awaiting approval. "e second issue revolved around having power lines moved for a new home under construction. Unfortunately, the time frame of the power company didn’t coincide with the homeowners’ schedule. Action taken In both cases, Ettel turned to Builder Services to help expedite the process. Builder Services was able to contact the proper people to move along the issues.

Result Within a couple of days, Ettel had his plans approved for the single-family home and was able to move forward. In the case of the power lines, Builder Services was able to expe-dite their removal from 30 days to one week so he was able to stay on schedule. Comment “It’s very reassuring, especially now where every-body is a little on edge with the economy being the way it is, and we don’t need this sort of thing to add to the frustration,” said Ettel. “For TBA to have this resource to expedite things, well, it’s a big help.”

If you or your company has a building or development issue you would like help resol"ing or a question you need answered, please contact TBA’s Builder Services Specialist Patrice Kyle at 305-9015 or pkyle@tbaonline.org

Change a life this holiday

By Mary Prier, APR

For a $4,000 contribution, you or your company can cover the cost of the training and job placement of a student in the TBA Building Trades Academy, a 501-C3 chari-table organization.

The students who !nd their way to the BTA are o#en those who need guidance and direction to turn their lives around. "e training program o%ers them a path toward a stable career and a chance to care for their families.

Traditional sources of federal funds are not as readily available as they have been in the past to support this program.

As you think about your charitable con-tributions for tax purposes, consider giving to the Building Trades Academy. All con-tributions of any size are welcome.

Send your tax-deductible check to TBA Building Trades Academy, 2117 Smith Ave., Chesapeake, VA 23320

For more information about the pro-gram, contact Tony Davis at 420-2566.

22 NOVEMBER 2009

Hopefully we didn’t miss a thing. Because we’ve done everything we can to serve architects, builders and contractors. We even have a separate showroom just for you. And we’re equipped to serve everything from custom homes to multi-family projects. When your next project is ready for appliances, call us. We won’t miss a thing.

Top brands. Low prices. Factory authorized service.Experienced people. What did we miss?

Ed DeVries andTom Huxtable.

Sales professionals at East Coast Appliance

Builder Direct.

Company name: Premier Appraisal Group Inc.Business contact: Evan RichardsonLocation: 860 Greenbrier Circle, Suite 304, Chesapeake, VA 23320; phone, (757) 217-3660; fax, (757) 217-3661, or e-mail erichardson@pagnor-folk.com or www.pagrichmond.comDate joined TBA: September 2009Company pro"le: Premier Appraisal Group Inc. is a real estate appraisal !rm specializing in residential ap-praisal work. With o$ces in Richmond and Chesapeake, our coverage area spans from north of Richmond to the Carolina line, including the I-64 and I-460 corridors. We have nine licensed appraisers and our company has con-tinued to grow despite the recent real

Meet a member

Richardson

estate market downturn. We attribute this continued growth to our excellent appraisal and processing sta%s, quality ap-praisal work and unmatched customer service. While we do pride ourselves on excel-lent turnaround and the ability to do rush appraisals, we also

believe in taking the necessary time to provide an accurate appraisal. Ad-ditionally, we have trained sta% in the o$ce throughout the day.

TBA involvement: Not only do we bring years of new construction apprais-al experience, but we also look forward to supporting your local marketing and charity events. We are also very excited about the many long-standing rela-tionships that we hope to build with TBA’s builders and banking, mortgage and real estate partners.

Shop Talk

TBA member to be honoredJacqueline and Frederick J. Napolita-

no Sr. were named the recipients of the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award 2010, given annually to a Hampton Roads individual or individuals who have dis-tinguished themselves through service and charitable works.

Napolitano has been involved in community and civic projects for more than 50 years, in addition to work-ing on behalf of the home building industry as past president of TBA, the Home Builders Association of Virginia and the National Association of Home Builders. His wife, Jacqueline, also has participated on numerous boards and advisory councils.

The award will be presented Feb. 27 at a gala hosted by Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel.

NAHB gets a new lookThe National Asso-

ciation of Home Build-ers Web site has been redesigned to o%er more industry insights, networking op-portunities and information on what’s happening in the industry.

The site is a great member bene!t that shouldn’t be missed! While you’re there, check out the revised NAHB logo, as well. Visit www.nahb.org for more information.

VB Homes makes national listingRemodeling Magazine recognized

VB Homes as one of the “Remodeling 550.” "e annual list of 550 contractors showcases the 550 biggest home im-provement companies in the country.

“Our place on the list is a source of pride for us and we look forward in the future to becoming a ‘regular’ on such an esteemed list of professional !rms,” said Chris Ettel, president of VB Homes.

To submit items for Shop Talk, e-mail the items to Sara Steil at ssteil@tbaon-line.org or by fax to 420-5539.

NOVEMBER 2009 23

By Sara Steil

About 300 people from area apartment communities spent the day at TMHC’s annual Management, Maintenance and Mar-keting conference on Sept. 17.

Participants brushed up on their professional marketing techniques, as well as received tips and tricks from motivational speaker Dr. Adolph Brown III. True to form, Brown burst into song and dance throughout his presentation, which focused on ways to apply one’s posi-tive energy from work to home and vice versa.

“Live for excellence in everything that you do,” said Brown. “Go out of your way to make your tenants happy, even if it means giving them cof-fee in the morning, establishing a homework help group or a gardening group for your residents.”

3Ms teach a change in attitude

A big thank you to the following exhibitors and sponsors whose support

helped to make the 3Ms a success:American Furniture Rentals Inc.

Apartment BookApartments.com

Carousel Signs & Designs Inc.Central Wholesalers Inc.Causey Contracting Inc.

First Atlantic Restoration Inc.FloorcraftersHD Supply

Lexus NexusODU Off-Campus Housing Listing Service

Sherwin Williams/DuronSuperior Equipment Sales Inc.

Dr. Adolph Brown can’t help but dance during his speeches. Sometimes, he even pulls audience members to dance with him, as seen here.

24 NOVEMBER 2009

By Mary Prier, APR

Thanks to Hall Automotive, the instructors and the students at Tide-water Builders Association’s Building Trades Academy now have more re-liable transportation to get them to their job sites.

Hall Automotive donated a van that will be used to transport up to 15 students to the “on-the-job” portion of their training.

The 1996 passenger van wasn’t quite owned by “an old lady who never drove it,” but it had only 60,000 miles on it, having previously served as a shuttle for a local seniors program.

Thanks to a new paint job from Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Painting, the van is ready for its new life, transporting those who are themselves on their way to a new life and a new career in the building trades.

Now, if only someone would come forward with a closed trailer to haul the equip-ment …

For more information on how you can help the Building Trades Academy, please see page 21 or contact Tony Davis at 305-9060 or tdavis@tbaonline.org.

Riding in styleBTA has a new ride, thanks to Hall Automotive

Instructor Franklin Cobb stands with a newly painted van donated by Hall Automotive to the Building Trades Academy.

NOVEMBER 2009 25

By Allen Loree,

GBC chairman

Today’s wind power isn’t what it used to be

Shades of Green

When I say “windmill” or “wind power,” like me, your !rst thought and image is probably either

an old-fashioned, Dutch-style windmill or a soaring behemoth with propellers the size of a bus.

However, wind power technology has advanced considerably in the recent years, making small wind turbines qui-eter, more reliable and better able to blend in with surrounding aesthetics.

The American Wind Energy As-sociation, AWEA, reports that the U.S. market for small wind turbines grew 78 percent in 2008. "e largest sector of this market is residential wind tur-bines. A 30 percent tax credit from the federal government for residential small wind energy systems will surely push those numbers higher.

Meet the modern windmillToday’s windmills have even

changed their shape. Some models eliminate the traditional propeller-shaped blade design and instead feature a cylinder-like component that revolves similarly to a barbershop pole or cork-screw. Systems of this con!guration are known as “vertical axis” turbines. "e industry encompasses more than 200 di%erent models and they can vary widely in appearance.

The requirements for a viable wind system are simple: Zoning laws that enable the installation of wind powered systems, su$cient land or open space and wind.

Bene"ts of wind powerFirst, it’s sustainable and clean,

meaning it produces zero carbon di-oxide emissions. It’s also a renewable energy, meaning it does not deplete our

natural resources. Wind turbines generate electricity at

costs comparable to the new coal and oil burning power plants. "e cost ef-!ciency for wind power will continue to improve as technology improves and fossil fuel costs continue to rise.

However, homeowners who install residential wind power systems, much like their solar counterparts, have a long-term strategy for reducing energy consumption coupled with strong envi-ronmental concerns.

Wind ordinances under construction

While all of these advances are great, wind ordinances are being developed around the country in response to the popular image of wind turbines with-out considering the full implication of what the industry has to o%er. "ere is much more available now for a variety of site conditions; a one-size-!ts-all ap-proach simply won’t work.

One critical thing for communi-ties and zoning o$cials to consider is to make educated decisions on wind power. "e incentives being developed by states, counties and cities around the country, supplemented by generous sav-ings from the federal government have created a wealth of opportunities.

Developing educated decisions and approaches to wind power will help communities take advantage of these opportunities while opening the doors to renewable energy for more people.

Good zoning for alternative engery is important, achievable and good public policy.

Allen Loree is the chairman of the Green Building Council, which meets on the #rst $ursday of every month in the TBA boardroom. $e next meeting will be on $ursday, No". 5, at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Patrice Kyle at 305-9015 or pkyle@tbaonline.org.

Jeremy Peang-Meth of Blue Sun Renew-able Energy also contributed to this column.

Some wind turbines have eliminated the traditional propeller-shaped blade design and opted for a cylinder-like component that revolves similarly to a barbershop pole or corkscrew, as seen here.

Developing educated decisions and approaches to wind power will help communities take advantage of these opportunities while opening the doors to renewable energy for more people.

26 NOVEMBER 2009

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Scholarship update

By Mary Hearring, TBA Scholarship Foundation Director

At the summer criteria luncheon review with area teachers and selec-tion judges, it was decided that the hand-drawn portion of the an-nual drawing competition among local dra#ing and design students would be discontinued.

Based upon last year’s low participation of hand-drawn entries, it was felt that more emphasis should be placed on CAD (computer-aided design) competition awards.

The awards for 2010 will be:First place - $2,000 (an increase of $500)Second place - $1,500 (an increase of $500)Third place - $1,000 (an increase of ($500)First honorable mention - $750 (new)Second honorable mention - $500 (new)

The school awards will remain the same. "ey are $3,000 to the school with the greatest number of entries meeting the criteria; and $1,000 to the school with the second greatest number of entries meeting the criteria.

Young Designers changes competition criteria

Hand-drawn category eliminated from contestDear Tidewater Builders Association,I would like to thank you immensely for the financial aid you are giving me. As I progress through college, I will use your gift to its fullest extent. You should not fear that your scholarship was given in vain. I do not plan to waste even a fraction of a cent of the money you are granting me for my education. You will not be disappointed.With deep appreciation,Nathan Ayersman2009 recipient

Dear Mary Hearring and Rick Rogers,

Thank you so much for talking time out of

your busy schedules to come to Kellam

High School on Wednesday, June 10,

2009, for the senior awards assembly

and presenting my scholarship to me.

Your generous appearance made that

day a very special day for me. You, and

Tidewater Builders Association, are so

appreciated.

Sincerely,

Nilusha Jayasinghe

2009 recipient

Thank you so much for the Young Designers Scholarship that I was awarded last year. It will be a great help toward my tuition costs at Penn State University.Sincerely,TeAnna Johnson2008 recipient

Big thanks to TBA

NOVEMBER 2009 27

Big Picture

TBA President Pete A. Ko-tarides recognizes Dominion Virginia Power’s Pam Pekrun upon her resignation from the board of directors after seven years of active service. After serving for many years as the electric company’s liaison with builders and developers, Pam has taken on a new role as the design supervisor in the Chesapeake office, where she oversees engineering projects.

Homearama builder Chip Iu-liano presents Beth Duke, senior vice president for com-munity relations for The Chil-dren’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, with a check for the 2007 Charity House that he built at Edinburgh.

Homearama Charity House Builder Herb Watson, right, joined WVEC-TV’s Vanessa Coria, left, and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters’ Karen Gershman, in a discussion of the TBA Charity House for the station’s Dialogue program, which aired at noon on Sunday, Oct. 11.

28 NOVEMBER 2009

Welcome new members

ASSOCIATES Numerica Mortgage dba Your Mortgage PeopleMortgage/financial companiesReggie Register .............. (757) 340-7211www.yourmortgagepeople.com

SealMasterOther services; pavingMike Decker ................... (757) 623-2880www.sealmaster.net

ServProEnvironmental services/consultants/soil testing; moisture/mold/mildew control and other servicesFire and water damage restorationRoss Miller ...................... (757) 625-1245

Seventh PointAdvertising/public relationsAngie Eddy ..................... (757) 473-8152

Simpson Strong-Tie Co.Building materials; engineered/lumber; lumber/millwork/trimBrian Lynch .................... (800) 999-5099www.strongtie.com

BUILDERSHiggerson-Buchanan Inc.Builders/developersLarry Higgerson .............. (757) 545-4665www.higgersonbuchanan.com

Paragon Construction of VA LLCBuilders/developers; commercial build-ers; decks; interior trim; kitchensDarrell McLawhorn ......... (757) 842-6535

ASSOCIATESA&W Contractors Inc.

Access Innovations Inc.

Apartment Gallery

Armstrong Cabinet Products

BB&T of Virginia

Central Wholesalers Inc.

Converge Life Inc.

Eagle Bay

Eastern Window & Door Co.

Engineering Services Inc.

First Advantage Safe Rent Inc.

Floor Coverings International

Floorcrafters

Gary W. Wagner

Greenwich Kitchen Center

Hayden Frye & Associates Inc.

Hearth & Home Technologies dba Fire-side Hearth & Home

Laster Masonry

Mechanical Service Co. Inc.

Optech

ProBuild

S&S Real Estate Co.

Seville Masonry Tidewater LLC

Southeast Industries Inc. dba Re-Bath

Steve Love Insurance Agency Inc.

SunTrust Bank

Tom Conklin Seamless Gutters Inc.

Union Bank & Trust

Universal Pest & Termite Inc.

Vector Security Inc.

Xteriors of Virginia Beach

BUILDERSBullington Builders

Charles A. Schmitt Contractor Inc.

Geronimo Construction Inc.

L.R. Hill Custom Builders Inc.

The Ainslie Group

The Widener Corp.

VB Homes

Here to stay

November 5 Green Building Council meeting10 Remodelers Council meeting12 HBAV Board of Directors meeting/ Installation of 2010 Officers/ Hall of Fame Induction, Virginia Beach13 2010 Executive Committee planning session 16 TBA Executive Committee meeting TBA Board of Directors meeting17 TMHC Associates meeting 18 TMHC Executive Committee meeting19 Quarterly Builder Breakfast Developers Council meeting

December 3 Green Building Council meeting4 Builders Ball, Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront 9 Remodelers Council meeting17 Developers Council meeting

TBA Calendar

BIIA ...................................................... IBC

Boxx Systems ........................................ 26

Dominion Virginia Power ....................... 27

East Coast Appliance ............................ 22

Ferguson Enterprises .......................... IFC

Heardon Construction ............................ 24

International Jet Charter ....................... 18

Land Planning Solutions ........................ 20

Miss Utility ............................................... 5

ProSouce ............................................... 19

RSVP ..................................................... 26

Sprint ..................................................... 21

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For a Janitrol dealer near you or learn

more about the products we carry,

Call Toll Free: 800-325-3709

www.seshvac.com

R-410AREFRIGERANT

LIMITED WARRANTY

COMPRESSOR

LIFETIME

Wholesale Distributed by:

Limitations and restrictions apply.

Chilling Out

Doesn’t Get

Any Better

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the lazy days of summer. Let Janitrol keep you cool. Plus, all Janitrol systems with R-410A refrigerant provides instant money-saving comfort, as well as, giving you all the added benefits of an environmentally friendly minded refrigerant.

Paradise is more affordable than you think. Install a high efficient Janitrol system and beat the high cost of cooling your home.

PARTSLIMITEDWARRANTY

10YEAR

Tidewater Builders Association2117 Smith AvenueChesapeake, VA 23320-2515