Volume 22 January/February 2008 Issue 1

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Above: Former County Commissioner Bruce Reeder (at right) installed the 2008 FCBA board of Directors at a ceremony atCeresville Mansion in December. Board members from left to right are: Harry deMoll, Ken Abrecht, Eric Ciazza, Tom Linton,Brian Drawbaugh, Hugh Gordon, Robert Wormald, Thomas Hyde, Jr., Richard Ratliff, Sal Fiorentino, and Rusty Mikulas.Not pictured: Michael Bodnar, Terre Rhoderick and Paul Rosner.Below left: Dick Johnson (right), 2007 & 2008 FCBA President, congratulates Ken Abrecht on his Builder of the Year Award.Below right: Dick Johnson and Associate of the Year Dave Tich.

Ken Abrecht, who served as president of theFrederick County Builders Association (FCBA)during its 35th anniversary year in 1994, washonored by the association as its 2007 Builder ofthe Year at their recent Annual Installation andAwards Dinner. Ken is vice president ofremodeling for Lancaster Craftsmen Builders inMiddletown.

Ken was recognized for the exceptionalcontributions he has made over the course of hiscareer to the Frederick County Public SchoolsCareer & Technology Center (CTC), the FrederickCommunity College in addition to FCBA.

His most visible role as a volunteer is the timeand technical expertise he devotes to CTC’s

FCBA 2007 BUILDER OF THE YEAR -KEN ABRECHT

Continued on page 3

FCBA 2007 ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR -DAVE TICHDavid Tich was named 2007 Associate Member ofthe Year by FCBA at its recent Annual Installationand Awards Dinner. Dave, who has been a memberof the association since 2004, was recognized forthe enthusiasm, energy and team spirit he broughtto the many projects and programs he has beeninvolved with since he first joined FCBA.

For the past two years, Dave served on the board ofdirectors of the Professional RemodelorsOrganization and was elected treasurer in 2007. Davewas credited for his assistance in revitalizing PRO’smonthly meetings by working with the board toexpand the educational programs offered to theirmembers and for his service as a valuable technicalresource for the local news media on behalf of theremodelers group.

Continued on page 5

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 2

FREDERICK COUNTY

BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2008

RICHARD M. JOHNSONPresident

NAHB Director

ROBERT WORMALDFirst Vice President

NAHB Director

MICHAEL BODNARSecond Vice President

HUGH GORDONTreasurer

ERIC CIAZZASecretary

TERRE RHODERICKImmediate Past President

KEN ABRECHT

BRIAN DRAWBAUGH

SALVATORE FIORENTINO

THOMAS HYDE Jr.

THOMAS LINTON

RUSTY MIKULAS

RICHARD RATLIFF

PAUL ROSNERDirectors

BOB MOCHIPresident

Land Use Council

LAWRENCE C. SCHAFFERT, CGRPresident

Professional Remodelors Org.

J. MAURICE CARLISLE

ROBERT HILTON

JIM MACGILLIVRAY

FRED W. RUDY

DAVID C. SMITH

DOLORES WILSONFCBA Life Directors

HARRY T. deMOLLBoard Attorney

HARRY T. deMOLL

LAWRENCE C. SCHAFFERT, CGRState Directors

DICK JOHNSONFREDERICK COUNTY BUILDERS

ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

Guess what? Another Term – Actually Iam honored to be able to serve once again.I want to take this opportunity to thank themembers of the Board whose term expiredfor their contribution of time and effort insupport of this organization. I also wantto welcome the new members to the Boardand hope their experience will be fulfilling.

Before I get into some of our plans for thecoming year, I want to bring everyone’sattention to several proposals put forth toThe BOCC by Commissioner Thompson.Everyone of course is familiar with hisproposed New Market Region Plan whichdown zones significant properties andreverses the plan approved by the previousBoard after spending some 5 years onhearings etc.

Mr. Thompson’s next item on his agenda isFarm Lots and Resource ConservationZoning. This has the farm communitypolarized and rightfully so. The third itemon his agenda is to subject Age RestrictedHousing to the schools test of the APFO.This in effect would stop any AgeRestricted Housing projects for theforeseeable future.

The most recent item on his agenda is todown zone the area around I-70, 340,180,351, Solaria CT, Himes Ave & ButterflyLane. He calls this his Cochise Plan. WhatCommissioner Thompson with the supportof the other BOCC members is trying to dois stop all future growth in this County bothResidential and Commercial for theforeseeable future. In doing so, they are

doing a great disservice to the citizens ofthis county. Aside from the fact that newdevelopment will be curtailed, I haven’theard where the lost revenue from the taxconsequences of this down zoning will bemade-up. It appears to me that theimpending budget short fall as a result ofthe Special Session is the tip of the iceberg.Everyone should encourage friends andbusiness associates to let the BOCC knowhow they feel about closing this countydown.

Off my soap box, back to business. We arein the process of setting up a Symposiumon “Foreclosure” as a Public Service opento all at C. Burr Arts Library to educatepeople on what “Foreclosure” means, howto avoid it, and the consequences as aresult including the time implications. Wewill notify everyone as to the date and timeas soon as the details are finalized.

We hope to have the new version of thefirst phase of the website launchedsometime in January. In addition, we willbe revisiting our Strategic Plan initiative tocontinue to move forward withimplementing the recommendations.

Lastly – many of you will be contacted toeither chair or serve on various committeesof the Association, please volunteerenthusiastically.

We have a great Board this year and wehope to accomplish many things. Of coursenew ideas and suggestions are welcome.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season.

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 3

OUTLOOK/LOOKOUT for 2008

Hope you all had a very joyous holiday season.As we take down the decorations and put awaythe gifts we need to stop, count our blessingsand be very thankful for the opportunities wehave in this great Country of ours. You willneed to continue to remind yourself of thoseopportunities as we head into what might be avery difficult year for our industry.

The economic outlook of the housing marketis anemic at best. Nationally, resales ofexisting houses continue to decline. InNovember, unsold single family homes had a10 month backlog, the highest it has been insome 20 years. And even with the fall of newhomebuilding there are still, depending onwho’s number you believe, somewherebetween a 8 to 10 month supply of newhouses on the market. Couple these numberswith the pitfalls of the sub prime mortgagemarket and potential foreclosures and youhave the receipt for the perfect storm.

The State’s annual projection of the statefinances for 2008 warned that this perfect

storm in the housing may directly orindirectly affect virtually every industry.Translation…higher taxes!

What this all has to do with LAND USEshould be perfectly clear…the market hasslowed down to a snails pace and LANDUSE decisions are even more important inthis current environment. SeveralGovernmental proposals may threaten toweaken our local market even more.

� Commissioner Thompson has put forthhis “Cochise Option” a ComprehensiveRezoning of portions of the County ala hisGeronimo Plan in New Market.

� The City continues to evaluate thepotential for a number of annexationssubmittals pending the City’s lifting of themoratorium on annexations. The Board ofAlderman is seeking to change the city’sland management code to allow their inputon the order in which properties will beannexed.

� The Board of County Commissioners hasvoted to send Mr Thompson’s Zoning/APFO amendment to public hearing. Theamendment would repeal the APFO schooladequacy test exemption for senior housing.

� The City’s Water and Sewer Allocationprovision of the Land Management Code,the document that allocates water and sewertreatment capacity, continues to be tweaked.The latest proposal amends theDiscretionary Allocation Guidelines.

� The City is also in the beginning stagesof updating its Comprehensive Plan.

� The County is scheduled to complete itsreview and adopt the New Market andThurmont Region Plan updates in early 2008

� And then there is the ten poundgorilla…what to do with our waste. TheCounty is currently weighing a proposedwaste to energy facility. Waste removal maybe the next major issue to resolve for thefuture development.

The list goes on…while their impact to ourCounty is unknown... What is known is theLand Use Council is committed to trackingthese proposals, but we do need your help.Please get and stay involved. Thechallenges we face with the LAND USE ofthis County are really the futureopportunities we are blessed to have tomake our County great. Hopefully we willnot squander these opportunities away!

BOB MOCHILAND USE COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Frank Roscoe, P.E.Office ManagerFrederick8445 Progress Drive, Suite BBFrederick, MD 21701(301) 662-1799 • (301) 662-8004 FAX

Martin HackettPresident Westminster439 East Main StreetWestminster, MD 21157(410) 848-1790 • (410) 848-1791 FAX

ENGINEERINGLAND PLANNING SURVEYING ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTUREWATER & WASTEWATER

•Eng

ineers • Surveyors • Landscape Architects

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Land

Planning & Environmental Consultant

s

www.clsi-civileng.com

Student Built House project. Ken spentcountless hours on-site helping tomanage the construction undertaken bythe students and providing themguidance from groundbreaking tocompletion. Ken began his involvementwith CTC’s construction trades programin 1998 as a member of its carpentryadvisory committee. He has served aspresident of the FC Student ConstructionTrades Foundation, Inc., which is thesponsoring organization for the houseproject, since 2000.

Ken puts his educational background inarchitecture from Va. Tech to good use asa member of FCC’s advisory committee onconstruction management and computer-aided drafting and design. The advisorycommittee is charged with ensuring thatthe courses offered students in thisprogram are applicable to the needs ofemployers in this field.

In addition to serving as secretary onFCBA’s board of directors, Ken also tookon the responsibility this year of chairing

the association’s construction watchdogcommittee. The committee has purviewover construction-related issues such asadoption of the 2006 IRC building codesfor the City and County as well as thepermit application and review process bylocal governments. Ken was active inFCBA’s earlier construction codescommittee and got his start in thisspecialized area of the industry throughhis participation on the former BOCA codeboard of appeals in the 1980s.

Continued from page 1

Get recognized!It is not too late to enter

your project for the

2007 Awards ofExcellence

Info www.frederickbuilders.org301-663-3599 x102

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 4

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 5

WORKPLACE

SAFETY TIPS

PROVIDED BY PREMIER SAFETY SOLUTIONS

Text Messaging While Driving is Pro-hibited in the State of Maryland & DCNow more than ever, motorists are takingpart in multitasking behavior while they aredriving. They are looking at directions,drinking and eating, grooming themselves,selecting music, disciplining their children,entertaining their passengers, balancingtheir checkbook, and changing their clothes.

A recent study found that talking on a cellphone or text messaging while driving is asdangerous as driving drunk.

Don‘t Get Caught:� The State of Maryland and District ofColumbia prohibit motorists from text mes-saging while driving.� The District of Columbia prohibits cellphone use without a hands-free device whiledriving a vehicle.

New Rules for Personal Protective EquipmentOSHA standards already require employersto provide PPE, however the regulations donot specify that the employer needs to pro-vide the PPE without cost to the employee.The NEW rule requires the employer to payfor replacement PPE, except if the PPE is lostor intentionally damaged. Employees maychoose to use their own PPE and the em-ployer does not need to reimburse the em-ployees for the PPE. However, the NEW rulemakes clear that the employer cannot requireemployees to provide for their own PPE andthe use of PPE. The PPE that the employeeowns must be completely voluntary and thePPE must be adequate to protect the em-ployee from hazards. The NEW rule does in-clude exceptions for ordinary protectiveequipment such as non-specialty safety-toeprotective footwear (which includes steel-toeshoes or steel-toe boots), non-specialty pre-scription safety eyewear (which can be wornoff site), shoes or boots with built-in meta-tarsal protection versus the detachable meta-tarsal guards, logging boots, everyday workclothing, skin creams or other items usedsolely for protection from the elements. Thisrule becomes effective on February 13, 2008and must be implemented by May 15, 2008

OSHA’s 2007 Top Ten Most Cited Violations#1-ScaffoldingFailure to provide fall protection.#2-Fall ProtectionFailure to provide in residential construction.#3-Hazard CommunicationFailure to develop and maintain a writtenprogram.#4-Respiratory ProtectionFailure to establish a program.#5-Lockout/TagoutFailure to develop, document and utilize pro-cedures for the control of potentially haz-ardous energy.#6-Powered Industrial TrucksFailure to ensure operator is competent tooperate.#7-ElectricalFailure to effectively close conductors en-tering boxes, cabinets or fittings and pro-tect from abrasion.#8-LaddersFailure to extend 36" above landing.#9-Machine GuardingFailure to provide guarding.#10-ElectricalFailure to install and use electrical equip-ment according to factory instructions.

Engineering

Planning

Surveying

Environmental Sciences

92 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 170

Frederick, MD 21702

T: 301.696.1240 F: 301.831.4865

www.LSAssociates.net

Until Dave undertook a personal campaignto increase participation in NAHB’s nationalbenefits program, Advantage Now, fewmembers were even aware of the program.Dave succeeded in his efforts by promotingthe value it added to their membership. Healso worked to enhance the appeal of theHome Show by arranging a display of“show” cars and trucks to attract higherattendance. In addition, Dave providedcreative and sponsorship support to avariety of the association’s scholastic,charitable and other fundraising efforts.

Dave was recognized as well for educatingour members on timely environmental andtrade issues as a speaker at several generalmembership meetings and the articles hewrote on related topics for the BuilderBulletin.

Continued from page 1

Larry Schaffert, CGR, President of the Profes-sional Remodelors Organization (at right)thanks Bill O’Donnell, RemodelMAX, Inc. forhis presentation on Estimating For Profit . Billbrought his experience on estimating faster andmore accurately to the November ProfessionalRemodelors Organization (PRO) meeting. Heexplained different styles of estimating, as wellas methods of determining overhead andmarkup.

Saturday, March 15, 9-5Sunday, March 16, 10-4

Great Frederick Fairgrounds

FREE AdmissionParking $2

(charitable donation)

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 6

Frederick County Builders AssociationMeetings & Events

FCBA= Frederick County Builders Association GMM = General Membership Meeting BoD = Board of DirectorsPRO = Professional Remodelors™ Organization SMC = Sales & Marketing Council LUC = Land Use Council

January 2008Tue. 1/1 NEW YEAR’S DAY – FCBA OFFICE CLOSEDTue. 1/1 CANCELED LUC General Membership Meeting Fri. 1/4 9:00 a.m. FC Permits & Inspections Outreach Meeting – 30 N. Market StreetTue. 1/8 7:30 a.m. LUC Special Board of Directors Meeting – FCBA OfficeTue. 1/8 9:00 a.m. Membership Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeTue. 1/8 3:30 p.m. PRO Board of Directors – TBDTue. 1/8 5:30 p.m. PRO General Membership Meeting – TBDThu. 1/10 8:00 a.m. LUC Public Works Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeThu. 1/17 10:00 a.m. FCBA Board of Directors Meeting – Dutch’s DaughterThu. 1/17 11:30 a.m. FCBA General Membership Meeting –Lunch, Dutch’s DaughterFri. 1/18 9:00 a.m. Education Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeTue. 1/29 7:30 a.m. LUC Board of Directors Meeting – FCBA Office

February 2008Tue. 2/5 7:30 a.m. LUC General Membership Meeting – Breakfast, Dutch’s DaughterWed. 2/6 10:30 a.m. Fall Safety Class – Lunch, FCBA OfficeTue. 2/12 8:30 a.m. Membership Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeTue. 2/12 3:30 p.m. PRO Board of Directors – TBDTue. 2/12 5:30 p.m. PRO General Membership Meeting – TBDWed. 2/13 11:30 a.m. CPR Class – Lunch, FCBA OfficeWed. 2/13 International Builders Show, 2/13 – 2/16 – Orlando FLThu. 2/14 8:00 a.m. LUC Public Works Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeFri. 2/15 9:00 a.m. Education Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeTue. 2/19 11:00 a.m. Luncheon with Frederick County Delegation – Reynolds Tavern, AnnapolisWed. 2/20 11:30 a.m. HAZCOM/MSDS Class – Lunch, FCBA OfficeThu. 2/21 10:00 a.m. FCBA Board of Directors Meeting – Dutch’s DaughterThu. 2/21 11:30 a.m. FCBA General Membership Meeting –Lunch, Dutch’s DaughterSun. 2/24 12:30 p.m. PRO Family Bowling Tournament, Terrace LanesTue. 2/26 7:30 a.m. LUC Board of Directors Meeting – FCBA OfficeWed. 2/27 11:30 a.m. First Aid Class – Lunch, FCBA Office

March 2008Tue. 3/4 7:30 a.m. LUC General Membership Meeting – Breakfast, Dutch’s DaughterTue. 3/11 8:30 a.m. Membership Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeTue. 3/11 3:30 p.m. PRO Board of Directors – TBDTue. 3/11 5:30 p.m. PRO General Membership Meeting – TBDThu. 3/13 8:00 a.m. LUC Public Works Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeSat. 3-15 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. FCBA HOME SHOW, Great Frederick FairgroundsSun. 3-16 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. FCBA HOME SHOW, Great Frederick FairgroundsThu. 3/20 10:00 a.m. FCBA Board of Directors Meeting – Dutch’s DaughterThu. 3/20 11:30 a.m. FCBA General Membership Meeting –Lunch, Dutch’s DaughterFri. 3/21 9:00 a.m. Education Committee Meeting – FCBA OfficeTue. 3/25 7:30 a.m. LUC Board of Directors Meeting – FCBA Office

All meetings and events that include meals REQUIRE advance reservations. Please contact FCBA at least 5 working days prior to the event at 301-663-3599 x-101, or via e-mail at donna@frederickbuilders.org to make reservations. Payment for all meetings and events may be made in advance,at the door, or we will gladly invoice members. FCBA accepts Visa and MasterCard.

RESERVATIONS NOT CANCELLED 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF ANY EVENT WILL BE BILLED!

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 7

Special reviews from

Strategic Marketing Group

newsletters

Area Building

Active Adult CommunitiesIn order to approximate the time for these

to go from “dirt to sticks and brinks” I have

spent some time talking with the planning

staff. This information was invaluable to an

projection of future activities.

Some PUDs Frederick County can take

decades to move to bricks. Eaglehead (aka

Lake Linganore) and Urbana both were in

early stages of development in later 1960

and early 1970. There are 11 communities

listed by size on the next page.

Signature Club @ Greenview

This is the story of development for the

Planning for this community started in 2000.

Market Planning Region from Zoning Site

Ryan started building in 2006 and have sold

about 60 homes.

approvals in 2005. Six years is much faster

be about two-three more years.

Ballenger Run

The next development projected to start

in late 2008. It started in 2002 and received

Phase II approval in 2007; it should be un-

Community Description

-

ever in 2007 it was split into two sections

480 MF. It is on the east side of Ballenger

-

It is owned by Ballenger Creek Develop-

ment LLC and the

Landsdale and Monrovia Town Center PUDs

There are two large active adult PUDs

adjoining each other in the Green Valley

adult communities are massive and represent

coming years.

They are adjacent to each other in the

-

ity. The combined total for these adjoining

Landsdale (Green Valley Active Adult) PUD

the Urbana Planning Region.Community Description

-

years; with a six year recordation schedule.

west side of Ed McClain Road.

Landsdale is owned by Monocacy

-

Monrovia Town Center PUD

This has a commercial and residential

component along MD 80.Community Description

years to become a reality.

Monrovia Town Center is owned Stanley

Heritage Ridge — The Hamptons (Eaglehead)

The zoning site plan was submitted in

-

adjacent to WestWinds Country Club in the

This project is tied to the BOCC effort to

delay

the entire project for many years

years ago. They are having problems with the

plan to FcPc soon. It is located along Gas

-

erick) is the engineer.

Unless the Commissioners come to a

-

come a reality for a number of years. Since

[The history of Eaglehead (aka Lake

Linganore) has taken decades to become

a reality. It started as a dream of the

Brocius brothers in the late 1960s and

has gone through a set of owners who

series of problems to make it a reality.

Urbana PUD has had a similar history

of development.]

Other Smaller Active Adult Communities

Each of these are faced with varying

sewer taps and development of roads. It has

from the Potomac to Frederick City. These

(<100 acres) with limited amenities. Many

could delay development for several years.

They range from Urbana Town Center

-

be built on <100 acres.

a part of existing subdivisions: Admar (Vil-

Dan Ryan

Wormald

Development —

(probably duplexes) and the remaining 148

with front and others with rear-loaded garages

on alleys.

The Future

There many under development in Pennsyl-

Virginia [e.g. Charles Town (Four Seasons

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 8

Make Your Dream Kitchen A Reality!

5219 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD | 301-662-4107 www.bradcosupply.com

FREE measure & design services

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 9

BY CHRISTINE MILLER

In the building industry, we all cringe whenwe hear of water damage or mold and mildewissues. If you have done any number of theserepairs you’d probably find that improperflashing is our most common enemy.

We listen to old timers speak of days whenflashing was not used. The projects of ourpast appear to have turned out fine. We knowfrom experience that some projects did needrepairs and others were simply builtdifferently than they are now. In the markettoday, we see larger and more elaborate plans,the roofs that protect these homes catch,channel and drain a tremendous amount ofwater. Products have changed. Windows thatwere once made of non-elastic material nowexpand and contract regularly. Stone and brickwalls which were once 18-20” thick are now2-3” thick. We need to change how we protectthese modern homes to ensure the quality inthe structures we build and remodel.

There are several situations in which flashingis highly recommended to deliver a qualitystone installation. First, let’s look at roofdrainage. Spouts catch most of the roof water,but where roof lines extend into stone faces,a “kick out” is recommended. You can see

from fig. 1 that this piece diverts water intothe spout.

We also need to be concerned with areaswhere water channels and creates a dam. Inthese areas higher step flashing and/or acricket may be installed. It is common to seethis problem on the back side of a chimney.

Another type of flashing used is called an “ice& water shield.” This rubber flashing sticksto the window flange and to the building paper,completely sealing it from water. Though itsticks to both surfaces, it is important to haveall products overlapped correctly.

Then there is flashing known as “drip cap.”Drip cap can be used above openings but ismost commonly used to prevent water fromdraining behind another product. As shownin fig. 2, it diverts water from behind the stonebase. If water is not properly diverted, it willcause cracking and further deterioration.

Concerning yourself about the flow of wateron each structure is a vital part of being aresponsible contractor.

Christine Miller works for Quality Stone Veneer, aPennsylvania based FCBA member that has beenmanufacturing and installing stone for over 30 years.www.qualitystoneveneer.com or 717-989-1679

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

If you attend one of FCBA’s monthlymembership meetings, look for the smile andyou’re likely to pick Dale Bernarding out ofthe crowd. Dale, our featured spotlightmember this month, is vice president/accountexecutive with Residential Title & EscrowCompany on Reisterstown Road in Baltimoreand has been an FCBA member since 2000.

Dale grew up in the Pikesville section ofBaltimore County waiting on tables andworking in the kitchen of her parent’s family-style restaurant, Woodholm Manor, whichclosed in 1975 when her parents retired. Sheparlayed the skills she learned in dealing withthe public at the restaurant into a successful20-year career in new home sales beforejoining the staff of Residential Title nearly

nine years ago. What she enjoys most abouther job is the satisfaction she gets frombringing buyers and builders together tocomplete the real estate transaction and towitness the buyers’ happiness at the momentwhen they become homeowners.

Residential Title is a 100% women-owned,minority real estate title firm that offers titleexamination, issuance of title insurance,settlements and associated services for bothresidential and commercial propertyclosings. Bonnie Perlow is president andco-owner of the company, which is licensedin Maryland, Pennsylvania and the Districtof Columbia and pridesitself on its strongrelationships with manyhomebuilders in theFrederick, Carroll,Baltimore and Harfordcounty areas.

In addition to her currentvolunteer activities withFCBA’s membershipcommittee, Dale formerlyserved on the board of

UPCLOSE is a newcolumn featuring amember who wasselected at randomfrom those inattendance at themonthly generalm e m b e r s h i pmeeting. Show up

for a chance to be featured in UPCLOSE.

directors for FCBA in 2005-2006. ResidentialTitle has been a frequent sponsor of theFCBA annual golf tournament and silentauction. She also is an active member of theHome Builders Association of Marylandwhere she participates in its Sales &Marketing Council.

Dale has three stepsons and one daughter,four grandchildren and one great grandson,Emril, age 2. She and her husband, Jay, livein Reisterstown.

Dale can be reached at (410) 653-3400 ext. 261or dbernarding@residentialtitle.com. �

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 10

US Green Building Council OffersLEEDS for Homes Technical Review

March 4, 20088:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Boland Trane Associates 12320Parklawn DriveRockville, MD 20852

Early Registration Fees:$225 National Member/$275 Non-MemberLate Registration Fees:$255 National Member/$325 Non-Member

This full-day training session for builders,designers, providers, raters, andconsultants will provide key concepts

needed for successful participation in the LEED for Homes initiative. This workshopincludes information on products and construction practices, certification andverification, marketing and sales, and program administration.Faculty for this workshop will be Jay Hall.

www.usgbc.org/workshops/register

For additional information, contact the local chapter of the US Green BuildingCouncil at 703-433-0707 or info@usgbcncr.org

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!FCBA SPIKE CLUB ROSTER

Robert Hilton 158.00Bev Shelton 123.00Larry Schaffert 115.00James Rudy 111.00Gary Smith 105.00Dolores Wilson 98.00Marvin Ausherman 83.00David C. Smith 74.00Gail Davis 73.00Hugh Gordon 67.00Gary Sanbower 64.50Mark Lancaster 64.00Kent Briddell 63.00Dave Crouse 59.25Steve Oder 57.50Stuart Terl 56.00Karlys Kline 55.75Bo Carlisle 51.50Billy Shreve 51.00Howard Payne 46.00Jerry Castle 44.50Mike Smith 44.00John Johnson 42.00Mark Pelletier 39.25Bob Marsh 38.50Scott Gove 37.50Doug Maddox 37.50Lynn Shanton 36.75John Clarke 36.25Bob Dalrymple 35.00Howard Perlow 34.50Stan Goldberg 33.50Ken Abrecht 31.50Daniel Lavelle 30.50Don Owens 26.50Jim MacGillivray 26.00Doug Ogden 26.00Jack Marshall 25.50Peter McHugh 24.00Hubert Brown 23.50David Lingg 23.00Steve Omenitsch 21.50Greg Seldon 20.50Gail Sexton 18.50Frank Dertzbaugh 18.00Ed Smariga 18.00John Schilling 15.00Dick Johnson 13.00Andrew Wivell 12.50

These are the members who make the FCBAstronger by recruiting new members.Thank you!

Would you like to become a Spike Clubmember? For each new member you sign up,you earn one point. Contact the FCBA officefor details.

CB Flooring, LLCRobert Bode

97 Monocacy BlvdFrederick, MD 21701Phone (301) 662-6168FAX (301) 662-5933

robertbode@cbflooring.comwww.cbflooring.com

Flooring

Classic Exteriors, Inc.Gregg Fye

PO Box 898Mount Airy, MD 21771Phone (301) 831-7368FAX (301) 829-3865

kim@classicexteriors.comwww.classicexteriors.com

Residential and CommercialRemodeling

Paul M. Innocenti, LLCPaul Innocenti

3431 Kemptown Church RdMonrovia, MD 21770

Phone (301) 253-4432FAX (877) 724-5321

paulinnocenti@aol.comResidential/ Commercial General

Contracting & Remodeling

Poole’s Stone & garden, Inc.Sharon Poole

3137 Basford RdFrederick, MD 21703Phone (301) 874-5053FAX (301) 874-5045

poolesstonandgarden@comcast.netwww.poolesstoneandgarden.com

Landscape Architect & Construction

Renewal by AndersenTracey Cantabene

2707 Rolling Rd, #101Baltimore, MD 21244Phone (410) 265-9510FAX (410) 265-9517

tracey.cantabene@renewalbyandersen.comwww.renewalbyandersen.comWindow & Door Replacement

US Carpet MarketMichael Orban, Jr.

5 Willowdale DrFrederick, MD 21702Phone (301) 695-2979FAX (301) 696-0145mdllc2@gmail.com

www.frederickcarpet.comFlooring, Stone

BUILDER BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 11

will it be completed? Write a schedule withdates and tell all your key employees of yourcommitment. Go one step further to ensurethat you meet this target date by schedul-ing a grand opening weekend event roughlytwo weeks after your schedule indicates thehome will be done.

Analyze the Market, AgainReview your competitors’ homes and askyourself if the current asking price is justi-fied. Would a serious buyer feel the askingprice has value or are you relying on thebuyer to make you an offer? The asking pricemust reflect a “value purchase” at currentmarket conditions. Your home will sell fasterwhen a serious buyer knows the currentasking price is realistic.

Update the Marketing PlanWe all would love to sell our homes withoutpaying a Realtor’s commission. However,working with a Realtor is not as passive assigning the listing agreement and waitingfor them to call you with a contract.

My sales and marketing director and I workclosely with our Realtor first to write andthen to implement a plan to bring prospectsto our spec homes. Recently, I signed a list-ing to sell two $2 million spec homes, one

nearing completion, and the second on anadjacent undeveloped lot I own. Followingweeks of meetings with the Realtor, the man-ager, and the broker-owner, we agreed to afour percent commission that included anextensive marketing plan.

New Income OpportunitiesDo not become so focused on the sale ofyour specs that you forget to seek new busi-ness. If you have done everything you canto maximize your chances of selling yourspec home, then it’s time to focus on waysto generate current income. Or, alternatively,look to immediately reduce overhead (Trans-lation: lay off employees so you can keepyour business in the black, not the red.)

Jay Grant is the president of Grant Homes(www.granthomesusa.com), a residentialdesign/build firm in Mendham, N.J. Grant’sbusiness focuses on controlling and devel-oping land for construction of luxury cus-tom and speculation quick-delivery homes.His strict attention to weekly cash flow re-porting results in industry-leading profitmargins. Grant has given numerous semi-nars across the country and is available forconsulting by sending e-mail togranthomes@msn.com. Read his past col-umns at www.rdbmagazine.com.

Coming soon to a development near you:An affordable green home, with a nationalcertification to prove it.

That’s because the National Association ofHome Builders’ brand new NAHB NationalGreen Building Program launches in Febru-ary, 2008. For the first time, the dozens oflocal and regional green building programswhose members have produced more than100,000 green homes since 2000 will beunited under the banner of NAHB Green.

What’s in it for home buyers? Well, youcan barely open a newspaper or magazinewithout reading about the “greening” of justabout everything: schools, hospitals, of-fice buildings, cars.

There’s a lot of fluff and even more hype –and worse, it’s hard to know exactly whatyou are getting. NAHB members know thata green home is more than just a housewith extra insulation or high-tech windows

– and that it doesn’t have to be a yurt or ageodesic dome.

A home can be considered green when en-ergy efficiency, water and resource con-servation, the use of sustainable or re-cycled products, and indoor air qualityconsiderations are incorporated into theprocess of home building.

The increased availability of education forbuilders, growing consumer awarenessand the exploding market for sustainable,environmentally friendly and recycledbuilding products has accelerated greenbuilding’s acceptance rate and move intothe mainstream.

The brand-new NAHB National GreenBuilding Program is being fueled by thisgrowing acceptance and is based on thesuccess of local programs that have beencertifying and verifying “authenticallygreen” homes for years.

The NAHB National Green Building Programwill transform the market by allowing homebuilders to provide homes that are as greenas homebuyers want and as energy- and re-source-efficient as is economically feasible.

There is an NAHB Green Web site in theworks—www.nahbgreen.org—with fea-tures for builders and homebuyers. Build-ers can use the site to create a documentthat describes the home they want to buildand what green features they want to incor-porate. An online scorecard then keeps trackof the home’s growing “greenness” and canadd and subtract features to keep that cost-effective and customer-preference balance.

Homebuyers can go to the site for educa-tional resources and a national registry ofgreen builders and green homes for sale.

One-stop green shopping with local flexibil-ity: that’s the new NAHB National GreenBuilding Program.

WHEN SPEC HOMES WON’T SELLThe following is reprinted with permission fromResidential Design & Build magazine

(rdbmagazine.com) and Cygnus Business Media.

BY JAY GRANT

After more than a decade of rising real es-tate values in most U.S. markets, many build-ers are sitting with inventory they had an-ticipated would be sold by this time. If youown one or more quick-delivery, for-salespec homes and you want to protect yourbusiness, consider writing a multifacetedplan to survive and prosper during this cur-rent buyer’s market.

Analyze the Spec HomeAsk and seek answers to some key ques-tions about your spec home. For example,does your job-cost budget accurately statethe total cost to complete the home? Do youhave adequate budget in the constructionloan interest account to carry the projectfor an extended period? Do you have suffi-cient cash flow to fund the completion andthe additional carrying costs? If not, securefunding for these cash flow needs now.

Does the spec home have curb appeal andwould a tour of the interior leave a prospectconcluding that the home is in “move-in”condition and punch-list free? If not, when

NAHB PREPARING TO UNVEIL GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM

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