INSIDE: Final Proofs are Due Thursday! Web version

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A quick overview of BATC's news and major issues from the past week
  • IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Final proofs for the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase need to be approved (using the link we emailed out last week) by this Thursday, July 17th. 
     
  • Are you planning to attend our showroom mixer next Tuesday, July 22nd? Learn about our free Fast Forward education offering at batc.org or keep reading below for more information.
     
  • BATC leadership attended the Minneapolis residential infill meeting this week to discuss proposed changes to the initial amendment draft. More details below.
     
  • Our BATC Foundation chose five Dream Homes for the Fall Tour. Keep reading to find out which homes were selected.

Residential Infill Text Amendment

This week, BATC leadership attended a presentation of the proposed Residential Infill Text Amendment from the City of Minneapolis. The meeting encouraged a very productive and lively discussion on the following three components:
 

  1. Required interior side yard setbacks
  2. Building on sites with significant grade changes (and the proposed 2.5-foot limit on basements extending above ground for 50% of the perimeter)
  3. The definition of “demolition.”

The City of Minneapolis will pay particular attention to these three issues in the coming days as they prepare to make changes to the initial draft. 

To download an electronic copy of what was presented at the meeting, please visit the Minneapolis department of Community Planning & Economic Development’s Residential Infill website. The website will be updated as new documents and information is available. Also, please note the calendar of next steps on the website, which includes information on the public open house on July 16th.


NAHB Applauds Confirmation of New HUD Secretary

Kevin Kelly, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Wilmington, Del., issued this statement following the Senate confirmation of Julián Castro as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:

"NAHB applauds the Senate confirmation of Julián Castro as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. NAHB looks forward to working with Secretary Castro to promote policies that will strengthen the nation's housing recovery and ensure a reliable and adequate flow of affordable credit for single-family and multifamily housing."


BATC-U is looking for 2015 CE Instructors. More info >>


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Metro Study: First Time Buyers and New Home Demand

Metro Study's forecast of rising new home demand is founded on a reversion to long-standing typical behavior patterns.

Metro Study - "One of these relates to the “doubling-up” of households during and after the recession.  We are seeing some evidence that young people who had moved in with their parents or relatives are now finding the means and the motivation to move out and get their own place.

The Current Population Survey for 2013 showed a DROP in the percentage of 20-somethings living with parents (This was the first decline since 2005, back when the speculative foundations of the housing market started to crumble). The decline may seem tiny when you look only at the percentages: the percentage of people in the group aged 18-24 living with parents or a related subgroup fell from 56% to 55% in one year. One should bear in mind that the magnitudes associated with these percentages are huge. The one-percentage-point decline amounts to 300,000 people who are now looking for a place of their own who were previously living in their parents’ house." Keep Reading >>


Do You Need to Know This?

Our Showroom Mixers aren't just about noshing and networking. On Tuesday, July 22nd Kerry Mulcrone will present at our Fast Forward education. She will provide useful information for your business on how to network and self-market. Learn more or register here >>

4:30-5:00pm | Fast Forward Education
4:30-6:30pm | Showroom Event

Fast Forward Topic: What is your One Thing - How to market to your customer with focus.


Download the Builders' Digest

In this Issue:

  • BATC Helps Lift Moratorium
  • BRS Photos and Recap
  • Top 25 Builders
  • Special Section: 2014 Legislative Session Review
  • BATC University
  • Profile: Todd Polifka
  • Profile: Shaw/Stewart Lumber Co.

View the E-Magazine Here >>


Minnesota Among the Safest and the Nicest

Minnesotans are friendly to small businesses. While most high-tax states (like California and Illinois) flunk the test, Minnesota earned a respectable 'B' for business climate, according to The Economist.

Minnesota ranks #9 nationwide for the nation's safest states because we're just so darn nice! With a rating based off of murders, violent crimes, property crime and total crime, Minnesotans prove to be the star of the north. "With only 217 crimes per 100,000 people and only a little over two murders per 100,000 people, there really wasn’t much violence to be found here." Keep reading >>


The BATC Foundation Selects Fall Dream Homes!

Your BATC Foundation has been hard at work, and has several exciting projects coming up. For starters, Dream Homes were selected for the Fall Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase this week. The Dream Homes are the largest single source of funds for the Foundation and help fund housing-related projects in the Twin Cities. Congratulations to Bob Michels Construction, BohLand Homes, Lecy Bros. Homes and Remodeling, Stonewood and Sustainable 9 Design + Build.

You can also support your BATC Foundation by participating in our 2nd Annual Golf Open, scheduled for September 23rd at Legends Golf Club in Prior Lake. This event sold out last year, so don’t delay. Register online today >>

A few staffed hole sponsorships are still available! Contact Perri Graham at 651-697-7563 for more information.


New Home Prices Getting Hot in Minnesota

NAHB Economics recently released its estimates of new single-family home prices by state and metro area. While Minnesota is getting hotter ($250,000-$300,000 range), "the most expensive new single family homes are built and sold in three Northeastern states: Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York – with their respective median new single-family home prices of $491,425, $432,724 and $411,169." Keep reading >>


Household Mobility Rate in Long-Term Decline

The population of people moving out of their homes has been in a steady decline since the 1980s, and long term trends are expected to stay the same.

But, according to Business Insider, there are two reasons why mobility could improve short term: the decline in homeownerhip rates and rising home prices. Read more >>


Minneapolis is a Leading Design City

Minneapolis rivels big-time metros like Los Angeles and New York when it comes to creativity. For graphic designers (the biggest segment of designers), the Twin Cities tops the list of regular employed designers with an LQ of 1.7, driven largely by our strength as a center for marketing and advertising. See how Minneapolis architects faired >>


Upcoming Calendar of Events

July 22
BATC BE Showroom Mixer and Free Marketing & Sales Course [register]
July 30-31
Stormwater Practices Maintenance and Certification Course [more info]
August 5
BATC Open Golf Tournament [register]
August 14
Member Orientation [Contact Deb]
September 9
Sponsorship Luncheon [register]
September 23
BATC Foundation Golf Open [Contact Perri]
October 7
BATC Clay Shoot [Register]
October 11
Builders' Warehouse Sale [Contact Perri]
October 23
BIG Night [more info]
November 4
Election Day - VOTE
November 13
Member Orientation
November 13
Give to the Max Day
November 18
BATC BE Fast Forward Showroom Mixer [register]
December 4
BATC Buck Auction & Holiday Food Drive [more info]

For a complete list of events, visit our website at WWW.BATC.ORG.


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