NAHB Remodelers recently inducted Vince Butler, CAPS, GMB, GMR, a remodeler from Clifton, Va., and Tim Faller, a remodeler from Linthicum, Md., into the National Remodeling Hall of Fame for their contributions to the remodeling industry.

"It is an honor to induct these men into the National Remodeling Hall of Fame for their efforts to educate and support our industry," said NAHB Remodelers Chair Alan Archuleta. "Both have made an immense impact through their individual contributions to the industry, as well as their mentorship and knowledge sharing to ensure a strong remodeling community."

Vince Butler

Butler has led Butler Brothers Corporation as president since 1984, and he has been an active member of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA) since he joined in 1997. Butler served in many leadership roles at NVBIA, including Remodelers Council chair, Senior Life Director and president. At the national level, he also served NAHB as the National Remodelers Chair in 2006, the Membership Committee Chair in 2008 and the National Education Committee Chair in 2014. Butler is a nationally recognized speaker on residential construction management topics and an approved NAHB Master Instructor.

He has taught courses and presented at many regional trade shows on subjects ranging from aging-in-place to business management, always emphasizing the importance of education and technical training. He was named NAHB CAPS Educator of the Year in 2012 and Builder Remodeler Educator of the Year in 2017. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Butler began facilitating Shop Talks for the NAHB Remodelers Council to keep members connected in a time of isolation, and he continues to volunteer his time and expertise to these Shop Talks today to foster both the sharing of knowledge and the strengthening of the NAHB Remodelers community.

Tim Faller

Faller is the Senior Consultant and Master of Production for Remodelers Advantage Inc. Faller shares his field and business ownership experience by facilitating professional "roundtable" groups for business owners and production managers. He also provides on-site production training to remodelers all over the United States and Canada. Since the late 90s, Faller has provided consulting to over 150 companies, many of whom are NAHB members.

For more than 40 years, Faller's insights and mentoring have influenced individuals and businesses in the United States, Canada and Australia through personal consulting, books, articles in trade magazines, production management roundtables and his popular podcast, The Tim Faller Show. One of his most notable achievements is his refinement of the Lead Carpenter System, which allows remodelers to accurately predict and improve the outcomes of their work, leading to more efficient job sites. With his inspirational instruction and personal example, he challenges people and companies to grow and excel in their dedication to their work.

As the newest inductees into the National Remodeling Hall of Fame, Butler and Faller were recognized during the Remodeling Hall of Fame Social in the Remodelers Central, sponsored by Ferguson, during the 2023 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas.

*Note: All articles have been redistributed from NAHBnow.com*

Roadblocks to housing affordability are in place all across the country. To help HBAs break down the barriers to ensure housing for all, NAHB's State and Local Government Affairs Committee approved financial assistance for associations through the State and Local Issues Fund (SLIF). The funds were approved during NAHB's 2023 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

The committee approved $60,000 for three state and local HBAs. Fund recipients include the HBA of Virginia, HBA of Georgia and HBA of Greater Portland.

Addressing regulatory agency staffing and budget constraints

The members of the HBA of Virginia are looking to receive permits in a timely manner for wetland and stream mitigation banks. But the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch, Norfolk District has lost several employees essential to the permit process. The funds will be used for consultants to lobby Congress to address the staffing shortages and build relationships to secure funding for the regulatory branch. The HBA will be putting resources towards this project as well.

Housing affordability legislation

The HBA of Georgia is fighting local government ordinances that have placed roadblocks on the home building industry. For example, tree ordinances, design mandates, rental restrictions, zoning conditions, high permit costs, and delays in review or inspections have increased the cost of housing.

To address these issues, the HBA of Georgia has built a coalition of stakeholders to take this fight to the state level and pass legislation that can effectively address these concerns. The funding will supplement the HBAs investment towards a public relations campaign to educate consumers on the potential legislation.

Capital Gains Tax Increase

The County of Multnomah in Oregon is working on a ballot measure for the 2023 elections that would tax any capital gain made in the county by .75%. The funds will help provide free legal services to community members facing eviction by their landlords.

The HBA of Portland says the county currently has the second-highest marginal tax rate in the country, and further, the tax will affect building in the community. Builders nationally make up to seven percent net profit on their projects, and such taxes on top can jeopardize future development in the communities. The funds will help the HBA build a diverse coalition and voter education campaign against the tax. 

*Note: All articles have been redistributed from NAHBnow.com*

Home buyer preferences have continued to shift home building trends in the wake of COVID-19. Following a brief uptick in new home sizes in 2021, the average size of a new home dropped slightly from 2,525 square feet to 2,480 square feet in 2022, and the percentage of new homes with 3+ full bathrooms and 3+ car garages dipped to 33% and 17%, respectively. Meanwhile, the percentage of homes with 4+ bedrooms rose slightly to 48%, in part because of the flexibility in use that bedrooms can provide, with the expectation that home size and amenities will continue to grow in 2023 before dropping again in 2024.

“The decrease in new home size reflects the escalation of home prices in 2022 and builders scaling back to try to meet demand,” said Rose Quint, NAHB assistant vice president of survey research. “The move toward larger homes and more amenities in 2023 will reflect the preferences of those who can afford higher interest rates, and in 2024, size will fall back as affordability improves with lower mortgage rates and more buyers re-enter the market.”

Amenities no longer necessarily translate directly to number of rooms or types of features within the home either — it can also be simply having a space within the home that provides respite.

“Home buyers are looking more and more to their homes to provide a sense of well-being,” observed Donald Ruthroff, AIA, founding principal at Design Story Spaces LLC. “They want their homes to support their day-to-day health — physically, emotionally and mentally.”

Builders and designers are achieving this through walking paths and other outdoor spaces connected to the home, as well as the incorporation of natural materials and other examples of biophilic design. Builders saw a large jump in the demand for exterior amenities, such as patios, decks and porches, in 2023, along with increased demand for home office — which appeared on the list of buyers’ most-wanted features for the first time this year.

Demand was also on the rise for more flexible and better equipped spaces to meet buyers’ changing needs. This is true for both first-time and repeat buyers, the majority of whom prefer an open-kitchen family room. This space, Ruthroff highlighted, can be reconfigured and better utilized to provide more space for additional rooms or allow builders to incorporate higher-end components to increase the feel and function.

“We’re learning that if we use less space, we can spend more on details and finishes to make rooms such as bathrooms feel more luxurious,” he added. “And people will pay a little more for solutions, such as cabinetry add-ons that eliminate dead space, that add utility.”

Other home features that resonate with both first-time and repeat home buyers include:

• Laundry rooms
• Exterior lighting
• Ceiling fans
• Patios
• Walk-in pantries
• Hardwood flooring on the main level

Housing affordability remains a struggle, which home buyers recognize. The majority of home buyers (91%) are willing to compromise to afford a home. The top three areas are:

• A smaller house
• Simpler/more basic interiors
• Fewer exterior amenities

Additional information on home buyer trends can be found in NAHB’s What Home Buyers Really Want.

The NAHB International Builders Show® (IBS) is just around the corner, when industry pros from around the world will gather to share insights on the latest building trends, product innovations and forward-thinking business strategies.

For those who want to get a head start, a variety of pre-show education courses will be held focusing on essential industry topics that can help boost builders’ bottom lines.

“In an ever-changing housing market, education is a must for professionals to take their career to the next level,” said Shawn McGuire, sales manager and broker for Celebrity Homes Omaha, and instructor for the pre-show education course ‘The New Home Sales Professional.’ “Specialists must become confident and be at the top of their game to benefit both the individual and the business. So IBS pre-show education is the perfect opportunity to learn those skills and succeed.”

Upcoming courses include:

The New Homes Sales Professional | Sunday, Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Instructor: Shawn McGuire, GRI, CRS, CAPS & Master CSP

Learn tips and essential skills to close more deals. Strategies shared will include identifying attainable goals professionally and personally, learning techniques to sell to various personality types, examining how to improve the customer experience throughout the sales process and more.

Construction Contracts and Law | Sunday, Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Instructor: Michael LeCorgne, CAPS

Protect your business against legal problems by understanding contract law, especially for smaller businesses that do not have full-time legal staff. This course provides a step-by-step explanation of how contracts can be used to sustain positive relationships, resolve disputes and minimize the risk of litigation.

Understanding Today’s New Home Buyer | Monday, Jan. 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Instructor: Alisa Poncher, CSP, CMP, MIRM

Explore the dynamics of various buyer profiles and how certain characteristics influence buying decisions. There will be further discussion on best practices for marketing and communication in today’s tech-savvy market.

Registration is required, and there is an additional fee for the pre-show education courses, which includes a complimentary IBS Expo Pass. Those who attend are eligible to earn NAHB continuing education credits. View all pre-show courses at buildersshow.com, and register today to make the most of your IBS 2023 experience.

*Note: All articles have been redistributed from NAHBnow.com*

With more than 150 years of innovation, Sherwin-Williams has been a leader in the development of advanced paints and coatings that help maximize aesthetics and efficiencies to support the building community.

Sherwin-Williams Duration Home® keeps your busiest spaces protected. This paint and primer in one provides outstanding coverage in fewer coats. It contains anti-microbial agents* that inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the paint surface and its’ advanced stain-blocking technology helps hide old stains and allows most new ones to be wiped clean with water. Whether it's a playroom or kitchen, Duration Home® paint or paint and primer in one makes high-traffic areas easier to maintain.*This product contains agents which inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the surface of this paint film.

Sherwin-Williams Duration Premium Exterior Coating is formulated with PermaLast® technology and infused with advanced acrylic co-polymers for long-lasting performance. Duration is self-priming and provides a mildew-resistance coating. It requires just one coat for repaints and two coats for new work so exterior jobs get done fast.

Sherwin-Williams is committed to supporting builders with exceptional and exclusive products and online education resources to help you work smarter, recognizing the hard work and quality craftsmanship that goes into homebuilding. With more than 150 years of innovation, Sherwin-Williams has been a leader in the development of advanced paints and coatings that help maximize aesthetics and efficiencies. The color and coating expert-leader goes above and beyond innovative formulas by providing painting professionals, contractors, architects and designers the tools, best-in-class service and online resources to succeed and protect their business.