• Do you have questions about sprinklers and the new building codes? Come to class! Sign up today >>
   
• Housing First is in the final sprint to Election Day. Read more below.
   
• 2014 Fall Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase concludes on a high note. Participants, please complete your survey today!
   
• We've submitted comments to the Met Council's housing policy plan. Learn more below.
   
• Heather and Emily are headed to Indianapolis this week for training on our new member web management system so we can better serve you! Stay tuned for updates.

Housing First is going full speed ahead! It's been an extremely busy election year for the Housing First Fund. Many of you have likely seen one of our campaign ads online, and you can expect to see another round of ads both online and on cable before the month is through. With much at stake for the housing industry, we'll continue to work at elect housing champions until the last vote has been cast November 4. Stay up to date with all our election news and notes by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. 

Eligible Minnesota voters can vote early for the November 4 General Election with an absentee ballot. A short video, “Vote Early – Vote Absentee!” provides an overview of the process.

• Voters may also vote early in person at their county elections office or local elections office through November 3.
• Or, voters may vote early by mail by requesting an absentee ballot at mnvotes.org.
• Voters can track the status of their absentee ballot to learn when it was mailed, and if their ballot was received and accepted by their local elections office.

BATC submitted public comment to the Met Council in response to their first Housing Policy Plan in nearly 30 years. The response to the HPP was less about what is contained in the draft and more about what was omitted, namely the lack of acknowledgement of the regulatory costs that negatively impact access to all housing. The HPP is a subsidized/affordable housing plan, with little to offer for market-rate housing and the impediments faced by most BATC members attempting to build and remodel homes affordably. Read our comments here >>

More than 1,500 visit KARE 11 backyard during this Fall's Parade of Homes. 

BATC President Shawn Nelson appeared on KSTP to talk about the status of the housing market and the cost of new regulatory burdens. Watch here >

Maple Grove, Eagan and Woodbury all made the Top 20 List of Money Magazines Best Places to Live 2014. They looked at everthing from the local economy and housing market to schools and healthcare—more than 50 factors in all to make the list. Each Minnesota city on the list was recognized for it's great neighborhoods and parks, something we've definetley had a part in creating! Read more >>

Why are Millennials staying away from the housing market? Two words, student loans. New analysis by John Burns Real Estate Consulting finds that student debt will reduce home sales by 8% this year compared with normal levels. That translates to 414,000 fewer sales, worth $83 billion, assuming an average sale price of $200,000. Read more >>

Millennials may be moving out of their parent's basement, new numbers show they are still avoiding becoming homeowners. Read more >>

New home closings sank in May in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN market, but there were signs the market may be stabilizing from a percentage decline less than April 2014. Read more >>

“Since early summer, builders in many markets across the nation have been reporting that buyer interest and traffic have picked up, which is a positive sign that the housing market is moving in the right direction.” - NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly 

Read more >>

3D printing is frequently cited as the ‘future’ of production, focusing on its ability to bring new things into existence quickly and cheaply. As this article originally printed by Metropolis Magazine as “3D Printing Saves a Frank Lloyd Wright Treasure“ attests, 3D printing also has something to offer to the building industry. Read more >>

On Friday, September 12th Brett Remme, of In-Focus Systems and longtime industry volunteer, suffered a debilitating stroke. 

Support of our industry friend: Rally 4 Remme!

What: Benefit for Brett Remme

When: Oct. 15, from 5:00 pm - 9pm

Where: Cambria Gallery on 7th
             625 2nd Ave S #101
             Minneapolis, MN 55402

Live performance by Tim Mahoney
Silent Auction 
Raffle Prizes 
50/50 Cash Drawing 
Cash Bar

Tickets will be sold at the door (Cash Only), or online with Credit card, but RSVP is preferred.

Please RSVP for free or purchase tickets here >>

October - December
New Building/Energy Code Courses [Register]
October 2014-June 2015
BATC-U Lead Recertification Course [Register]
October 7
BATC Clay Shoot (Sold Out) See you next year!
October 9
Membership Drive
Remodelers Showcase Focus Group and Roundtable [More info]
October 11
Builders' Warehouse Sale [Contact Perri]
October 22
EPA Lead Refresher Course
October 23
BIG Night [more info]
November 4
Election Day - VOTE
November 13
Member Orientation
November 13
Give to the Max Day
November 18
Fast Foreward Education [More Info]
December 4
BATC Buck Auction & Holiday Food Drive [More info]
December 10
EPA Lead Refresher Course

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