• Happy Holidays from BATC! While the merry bells are ringing, may your every wish come true!
   
• The Parade of Homes entries hit over 400 for first time since 2009!
   
• The deadline is approaching for BATC Foundation scholarship applications due January 16! Applications may be found online.
   
• Rent our space in 2015! We're making upgrades to our seminar room. Contact Emily for details.
   
• Don't miss our next Lead Refresher course. Sign up here. Also, earn your CE credits! Register now for BATC-U courses. 
   
• Elliot has a special message for you! Watch video below. 

BATC had some special visitors last week! MN House Speaker-designate Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) and Majority Leader-elect Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) stopped in to lay out their vision for the 2015 session and talk housing affordability. Read more >>

Don't just sit there! Join us January 8th for The Eisenberg Report and the 2015 Board Induction. Register here >>

School is back in session January 27th! Earn your required Minnesota contractor and Minnesota real estate credits at BATC University!  Check out our digital 2015 course booklet >>

NEW for 2015: Many courses now offer Wisconsin contractor credits too! More than 40 courses are being offered from January-March 2015. Register here >>

Don't miss our last scheduled code class on January 9th! Register now and be ready for the new code changes in 2015!

Confused about when the code actually takes effect? You're not alone. BATC has spoken with DLI representatives who provided the following guidance on the effective date of the new code:

MN Rules Chapter 1300.0130 (7) states: “the code in effect at the time of application shall be applicable.”

It’s key that application be accepted by the LGU as complete, but the interpretation by DLI is that the code at the time of completed application is the applicable code for the project (not at approval by the city). Written guidance on this matter is expected from DLI shortly.

Don't miss your chance to donate! Make Your 2014 Tax-Deductible Gift to the Foundation will help us complete several great projects including a home for Marco Solt and new space for the "Blue Bird House". Donate here.

Three BATC leaders named as NAHB committee members! BATC board member Jason McCarty was appointed to the Land Development Committee. BATC board member Daryl Doehr was appointed to the NAHB Remodelers Council Board of Trustees. BATC Executive Director David Siegel was appointed to the Budget Committee. Congrats to all!!

Minnesota is the best spot for a white Christmas! Trulia has declared Minneapolis-St. Paul as the white Christmas capital of the U.S. While it's not looking good for a white Christmas this year, our ground is covered in snow on December 24th 79% of the time. We're also one of the most affordable white Christmas towns to live in! Read more >>

Music to our ears! Household formations in 2014 through September are already higher than any year since 2005. Read more >>

More good news for the Twin Cities Housing Market! The number of homeowners in the metro who have a mortgage that exceeds the value of their house continues to fall, and is below the national average. Zillow says that in the Twin Cities metro, 107,785 homeowners – 15.6 percent of all homeowners with a mortgage – were underwater during the third quarter. That's down from 21.1 percent a year ago and 60.1 percent below the peak. Read more >>

January 6
Code Class [Register]
January 7
Lead Refresher Course [Register]
January 8
Industry Forecast and Dinner Meeting [Register]
January 9
Code Class [Register]
January 21
IBS Hospitality Suite in Las Vegas
January 27
BATC University Starts [Register]
February 18
Builder Day at the Capitol
February 19
Job and Career Fair at Mall of America [Get a Booth]
February 24
Foundation Annual Recognition Lunch with Belinda Jensen

Save the Date!

April 2
Builders and Remodelers Show [Register]
July 9
Mid-Year Residential Outlook Breakfast [Register]

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