BuildersOutlook2013-8

7/30/2019 BuildersOutlook2013-8

1/16

Builders utlook

www.elpasobuilders.com www.epbuilders.org

2013

issue 8

By Ilyce GlinkMoneyWatch

Federal regulators proposed onWednesday (August 29) a new rulethat would make mortgage lendingstandards less restrictive.

The proposed new QualifiedResidential Mortgage rule, released

jointly by six government agencies,was cheered by both consumeradvocates and mortgage industrymembers--who typically don't seeeye-to-eye on much--largely becauseit eliminates much stricter downpayment rules that the previousversion of QRM would have created.

The new proposal aligns QRM withthe Consumer Financial ProtectionBureau's Qualified Mortgage (QM)rule, which was finalized earlier thisyear but won't be effective until Jan.10, 2014, according to the CFPB.

The CFPB's QM rule requireslenders to underwrite home loansbased on the borrower's ability torepay the loan, a step the agencytook to combat some of the bad

lending practices that led to thehousing crisis.Under the CFPB's QM rule,

borrowers must provide incomedocumentation that they can repaythe loan, and that their debt-to-income ratio does not exceed 43percent, among other requirements. Itdoes not, however, have any rulesrequiring lenders to ask for a setdown payment amount.

QRM would have required lendersto demand a 20 percent downpayment from borrowers. The rulewas intended to prevent unqualifiedborrowers from taking out a mortgage

they can't handle, but housingadvocates and mortgage industrymembers argued that it insteadprevented too many qualified andresponsible low- to middle-incomeborrowers from taking out amortgage.

Since the QRM rule was initiallyproposed in 2011, it has received over10,000 comments from banks,securitizers, consumer groups,members of Congress and otherstakeholders, according to Martin J.

Gruenberg, chairman of the FederalDeposit Insurance Corporation, which

was one of the six regulators thatreleased the new proposal.Many of those comments attacked

the original QRM rules. The proposedchanges, on the other hand, arecausing nearly universal joy to ripplethrough housing and mortgagegroups.

"This new proposal shows thatregulators listened to the commentsfrom the wide range of stakeholdersinvolved," said Chris Estes, presidentand CEO of the National HousingConference, an affordable housingadvocacy group. "Aligning the QRMrule with the QM rules will allow more

American families to becomehomeowners and ensures thathousing markets can remain strong inthe future. This is especially importantfor communities that are stillrebuilding from the foreclosure crisis."

That sentiment was echoed by anumber of groups.

The National Association ofRealtors President Gary Thomascalled it a "a victory for homebuyersand the future of homeownership inthis country."

Mortgage Bankers AssociationPresident and CEO David H. Stevenswas pleased to see the QRM rule line

up with the QM rule."The [CFPB's] QM standard already

clearly stipulates what is consideredto be a safe and sound loan," he said."Adding additional layers of regulationwould have contracted credit for first-time home buyers and borrowerswithout large down payments, andprevented private capital fromentering the market."

However, the proposal alsoincludes an additional approach thatwould utilize the CFPB's QM

standards, but add a 30 percent downpayment requirement. That idea is

likely to be far less popular withcommenters.Thomas called it a restrictive

measure that dramatically favors thewealthy.

"Research shows that it would takethe average American more than 25years to save enough money to buy amodest home with a 30 percent downpayment," he said.

Other groups agreed, calling thesteep down payment unnecessaryand a reversal in the progress the restof the proposal makes.

The six agencies--the FederalReserve Board, the FDIC, the Federal

Housing Finance Agency, theDepartment of Housing and UrbanDevelopment, the Office of theComptroller and Currency and theSecurities and ExchangeCommission--are taking commentson the proposed changes through theend of October.

The following is a statement byNational Association of RealtorsPresident Gary Thomas:

"The re-proposed QualifiedResidential Mortgage rule announcedthis morning is a victory forhomebuyers and the future of

homeownership in this country. Thisversion of the QRM rule will givecreditworthy buyers access to safeand affordable loan products withoutoverly burdensome downpaymentrequirements.

"The new standards, which alignwith those applied to QualifiedMortgages, are stringent enough toprotect consumers from unscrupulouslending practices while also creatingnew opportunities for private capital toreestablish itself as part of a robust

and competitive mortgage market."Realtors were among the most

vocal opponents of the first QRM ruleproposed in April 2011 because itwould have denied millions ofcreditworthy Americans access to thelowest cost and safest mortgages.We applaud the regulators forremoving the 20 percentdownpayment requirement and foradopting reasonable credit and debt-to-income standards.

"In addition to the main proposalthat we support today, regulatorsintroduced an unfavorable alternativethat would require buyers to put 30percent down to qualify for a QRMloan, a restrictive measure that

dramatically favors the wealthy.Research shows that it would take theaverage American more than 25years to save enough money to buy amodest home with a 30 percentdownpayment.

"Realtors will continue to opposeany regulation that requiresunreasonably high downpaymentsfrom consumers. We are committedto working on behalf of America'shardworking families to ensure thatanyone who is able and willing toassume the responsibilities of owninga home has the opportunity to pursuethat dream, now and into the future."

For more information and analysisof the QRM rule, visit the QualifiedResidential Mortgage and RiskRetention topic page on Realtor.org.

The National Association ofRealtors, "The Voice for RealEstate," is America's largest tradeassociation, representing 1 millionmembers involved in all aspects ofthe residential and commercial realestate industries.

Government

relaxes

mortgage

down payment

rules


2/16

2 Builders Outlook 2013 issue 8

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3/16

Presidents Message |

El Paso Disposal

772-7495

32013 issue 8 Builders Outlook

Edmundo

Dena

President,El Paso Associationof Builders

Showroom:2131 Missouri

915 533 6045 fax 533 6096

Thomas R. Brown, Owner

Were back in the swing of things with summer winding down, the kids

back in school and folks getting ready for the last holiday of the season.

Then its football, before you know its Halloween, then we get turkey

dinner, and finally Christmas. Sometimes I think that this is how it goes

and just as fast. For the association its time for closing the year,

choosing leaders for the future and making plans for the politics that

always seem to be in season, never out on vacation. So over the next

month we will be looking for someone to get onto the executive ladder

to be President in three short years. We are also hunting for board

members and council chairs. I have to tell you that as I look back I

couldnt have been more insecure about getting on the board when I

first did and then stepping into the executive was a real eye opener. But

as I start to look back I can honestly tell you that I love this ride not just

for the ride itself but because of the great people Ive surrounded myself

with. Leadership requires a lot of help and support. I didnt know it until

I got involved. Now its your turn and I hope that youll let us know if

youd like to be considered for the board or the ladder. Dont be afraid

because youll have others helping along the way.

I hope all of you have had a great summer and that the upcoming fall

season is generous to us in this crazy business of housing. Now go

and sell something.


4/16

I witnessed government in action onTuesday, August 20, and it left meflabbergasted.

It started out as an invitation to aneighborhood meeting with CityRepresentative Larry Romero to talkabout a proposed move to changeMonroe and Van Buren Avenue(Central El Paso) into two way streetsafter over three decades as one waystreets.

It seems that the residents have hadenough of the racing down Monroe tofinally ask for some way to slow thatdown, or eliminate as much of thatactivity as possible.

You cant blame the residents for notwanting speeders since it is aneighborhood street and one with longoverdue paving needs. Like so manystreets in the city this one hasnt beenpaved in at least twenty years, maybemore like 30 or more. Pot holes, poorsurface, utility cuts and weather havebeaten Monroe up. Some months agoa couple of racers hit a big dip in theroad at a high speed and went airborne

causing one car to land upside down.

The neighborhood told the city to fixthe problem. As a temporary solution athree way stop was placed at theintersection where the dip was. So farthat has helped slow traffic asintended; but that hasnt placated theresidents and heres where the citycomes into the picture again.

Apparently meetings were held whenSusie Byrd was the rep for that districtand she directed the street department

to look into how to calm the traffic inthe neighborhood and to changeMonroe into a two way street. Low andbehold the plan is presented and its adoozy. Not only will the city come andchange the traffic flow to two ways butnow theyll place three roundabouts onMonroe and Van Buren betweenPiedras and Dyer.

Not one or two, but three.And the department will also extend

the curb corners out to narrow theintersections and provide a morewalkable environment. Monroe wasdesigned narrower than Van Buren andso now Van Buren will be narrowed and

shaped into a properly designed

neighborhood street, not a thoroughfare. That according to Ted Marquez,director of Transportation, is the bestsolution. Should I say the mostexpensive also? Two other alternativesolutions were presented but arent asgrandiose as crop circles atintersections. The alternates are about1/20 of the cost of the crop circles butas the audience of twelve people wastold by Marquez the funding is

approved so we can start right away,Funding. When a statement like thatcomes out of a government official youshould ask the hard questions, and Idid. What kind of funding? What willthat cover? How much does a newtraffic light cost? What does the cropcircle cost? How much parking will youtake away with the narrowing of thestreet? Have you engaged Fort Bliss?First of all crop circles cost between$50,000 and $70,000 each toconstruct. That does not include theplans or the shrubs inside the cropcircle. It also doesnt take into accountany problems such as drainage

problems, underground utility

connections, etc. A new traffic light issomewhere around $50,000 eachmultiplied by the number needed perintersection. By the time I added up theconstruction and purchasing for thisproject both Representative Romeroand I came up with $2.7 million for thiswork on two streets. Two point sevenmillion is not chump change inanybodys pocket, certainly not thetaxpayers. Are there less expensive

methods. No doubt but as one of theattendees said, I dont care how muchit costs because the city owes us this,and anyway its paid for already. Iargued but it fell on deaf ears. If ever astatement was made to show exactlyhow weve become so much in debtthat was it.

Two point seven million taxpayerdollars for that speeding ticket and solong as I get it whos to care how muchit cost. So as you read this just knowthat the city has seen crop circle aftercrop circle and little paving all over thecity. Add it up and youll understand.Take that to the bank.

Perspective |

Ray Adauto,Executive

Vice PresidentEPAB


City pays $2.7 million for speeding ticket


5/16


Rising Home ValuesImpact Affordability inSecond QuarterFrom NAHB

Nationwide housing affordability slippedseveral notches as recovering markets

witnessed significant firming of home pricesin the second quarter, according to theNational Association of HomeBuilders/Wells Fargo Housing OpportunityIndex (HOI), released today.

In all, 69.3 percent of new and existinghomes sold between the beginning of Apriland end of June were affordable to familiesearning the U.S. median income of $64,400.This is down from the 73.7 percent of homessold that were affordable to median-incomeearners in the first quarter, and the first timethat the measure has fallen below 70percent since late 2008.

Housing affordability has been hoveringnear historic highs for the past severalyears, largely due to exceptionally favorablemortgage rates and low prices during the

recession, observed NAHB Chairman RickJudson, a home builder from Charlotte, N.C.Now that markets across the country arerecovering, home values are strengthening

at the same time that the cost of buildinghomes is rising due to tightened supplies ofbuilding materials, developable lots andlabor.

Rising home prices signal the improvinghealth in housing markets, and the medianprice of all new and existing U.S. homessold in this years second quarter, at$202,000, was well ahead of the secondquarter 2012 median price of $185,000,observed NAHB Chief Economist DavidCrowe. Together with rising mortgage rates,this contributed to affordability slipping to thelowest level in more than four years. Suchmovement would be less concerning were itnot for ongoing discussions regardingpotential changes to the mortgage interestdeduction and federal support for thesecondary mortgage market, both of whichplay enormous roles in keepinghomeownership affordable.

While Ogden-Clearfield, Utah, was ratedthe nations most affordable major housingmarket for a fourth consecutive quarter, anewcomer Utica-Rome, N.Y. claimed the

title of most affordable smaller market in thelatest HOI.In the larger metro, 92.8 percent of all

new and existing homes sold in this yearssecond quarter were affordable to families

earning the areas median income of$70,800. This was slightly lower than the93.4 percent of homes sold that wereaffordable to median income-earners in theprevious quarter. Meanwhile, just over 97percent of new and existing homes sold inUtica-Rome in the same period wereaffordable to families earning that areasmedian income of $63,800.

Other major U.S. housing markets at thetop of the affordability chart in the secondquarter included Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.;Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.; Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa.; and Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y., in descending order.

Smaller markets joining Utica at the top ofthe affordability chart included Kokomo, Ind.;Cumberland, Md.-W.V.; Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, N.J.; and Bay City, Mich.

For a third consecutive quarter, SanFrancisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif.held the lowest spot among major marketson the affordability chart. There, just 19.3percent of homes sold in the second quarterwere affordable to families earning the

areas median income of $101,200.Other major metros at the bottom of theaffordability chart included Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif.; Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Calif.; New York-White

Plains-Wayne, N.Y.-N.J.; and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.; indescending order.

All of the least affordable small housingmarkets were in California in the latestquarter. At the very bottom of theaffordability chart was Santa Cruz-Watsonville, where 30 percent of all newand existing homes sold were affordable tofamilies earning the areas median incomeof $73,800. Other small markets at thelowest end of the affordability scale includedSan Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Salinas,Napa and Santa Rosa-Petaluma,respectively.

Hike in G-fees no longerseems justifiedtBy Jacob Gaffney, Executive Editor,HousingWire.com

The credit risk pricing implemented for aFannie Mae or Freddie Mac securitizationis meant to mirror "what would be requiredby private sector providers," FederalHousing Finance Agency acting director EdDeMarco said in testimony to the SenateBanking Committee testimony in April.

"We expect to continue increasingguarantee fees in 2013," he also predict.

Analysts took the statement to heart. In2012, g-fees increased twice bringingtoday's average to between 52 to 55 basispoints.

So the bet is how high will the next g-feehike go? There is plenty of chatter recently.

"Investors expect further hikes givenrecent FHFA statements," said Barclays(BCS) in a note to clients. "The magnitudeof hikes will depend on the type of housingfinance system that emerges."

Estimates range somewhere between70 to 100 basis points could be theeventual FHFA target. The FHFA will notspeak to future movements as a matter ofpolicy.

However, Goldman Sachs (GS) analystAlec Philips said more hikes areunnecessary from a credit-risk perspective.

"Even assuming stress losses of 2.7%(the loss experienced in the 2007 vintageof prime mortgages of credit quality anddocumentation similar to currentproduction) and a 15% return on equity, aguarantee fee of only 28bps would beneeded, less than the roughly 50bpscharged currently (guarantee fees hadtypically hovered in the 25bps range," hesaid in an email.

"But FHFA has mandated multipleincreases over the last few years," heconcluded.

In an exclusive interview with BillAshmore, president of mortgage financierImpac Mortgage (IMH), the view is largelythe same as Phillips.

With the Fed set to begin tapering andinterest rates rising, and the private marketshowing little ability to take on the GSEs, arise in g-fees doesn't seem justified at thispoint.

"Theyre trying to push it to 70 basispoints, but theyve got to hold that off," hetold HousingWire for the Septembermagazine. "They want more non-agencysecuritizations to occur, well $4 billionoccurred in the first quarter, but after therun up in rates, there have been none sincethen that have occurred in the last 30days."

So on one hand, DeMarco noted thatincreasing guarantee fees is part of thegoal of contracting the Enterprisesdominant presence in the marketplace.And if that is the goal, the FHFA will likelyhike g-fees.

"The hope is that at some point theincreases in guarantee fees will encourageprivate capital back into the market," hesaid in the speech. "We are not there yet,but in conversations with marketparticipants, I think we are getting closer."

Well, we were getting closer, but in light ofrecent economic developments a rise in g-fees may do more harm than good.

Industry News


6/16



7/16

72013 ISSUE 8 Builders Outlook

Builders utlook on the scene |General meetingEPAB held a board and generalmeeting Thursday, August 8, at the ElPaso Club.

Featured speaker was EmmaSchwartz, President of the MedicalCenter of the Americas Foundation.

She previewed upcoming projectsassociated with the new biomedicalresearch center coming to the MCA.


8/16

Artspace NotChosen for

Housing FundsState Awards Tax Credits toThree Other Area Projects

The Texas Department ofHousing and Community Affairs(TDHCA) has decided not to awardany tax credits to the ArtspaceLofts artist housing project plannedfor downtown El Paso. The agencyopted to give tax credits to threeother qualifying projects in thearea.

Artspace had applied for $1.077million a year for ten years in hous-ing credits but was ranked lowestout of six El Paso projects thatapplied under the Urban category.Officials with the project may applyagain in the future, or may look forfinancing assistance elsewhere.

If built, the project will bring 51affordable live/work units in a five-story building to the corner ofMissouri Avenue and OregonStreet, next to the downtownDoubletree Hotel. It will alsoinclude 7,500 square feet of multi-purpose non-profit space.

City officials donated the land forthe project last year to the El PasoCommunity Foundation, the formerhome of the El Paso Saddleblanketstore which the City received in aland swap deal. City Council will

meet in executive session at itsnext meeting to discuss the project.Two other project won tax credits

from the TDHCA in the Urban cat-egory, Verde Palms, a 152 unitdevelopment on El Pasos eastside, and Villas at West Mountainwhich would bring a 76 unit com-plex to the west side. Another proj-ect, Montana Vista Palms, alsoreceived tax credits under theRural category. It will be a 48 unitdevelopment on the far east side ofthe city.

The TDHCA awarded $57.8 mil-

lion in tax credits statewide. Thecredits are part of the federalHousing Tax Credit Program whichare used to offset federal tax liabili-ty dollar-for-dollar. Developers whoreceive funds will offer reducedrents for a specified number ofunits once construction is com-plete.

For more information on the pro-gram and awarded funds, visit theTDHCA website,www.tdhca.state.tx.us.

City ContinuesPocket ParkTrendWest Side Property to beTransformed

Another vacant property will soonbecome a neighborhood pocket parkin west El Paso, and the City willhold a community meeting next weekto inform the public about the project.The City has awarded the contractfor the Fiesta/Balboa Park and con-struction should begin in late August.

The property currently consists ofa concrete slab, driveway, and side-walks for what used to be a singlefamily home. Construction crews willclear out the .20 acre lot and install anew basketball court, playgroundequipment, colored concrete side-walks, rock walls with wrought irondetail, a landscape scheme with irri-gation, and lighting fixtures.

The small, pocket park will servethe neighborhood in the surroundingstreets. Currently, residents mustcross busy Mesa Street to the northor travel over half a mile to thesouthwest to reach the nearestparks.

City officials will hold the communi-ty meeting about the project onThursday, August 22, 2013, at 5:30p.m. at Putnam Elementary School,located at 6508 Fiesta Drive.

Funding for the project comes from2012 Quality of Life bonds approvedby voters. The $197,777 contractwas awarded to Black Stallion LBConstruction of El Paso in May. Thepark should be ready for use inFebruary 2014.

Artists render-ing of what theArtspace Loftsproject may looklike if built indowntown ElPaso.

The new pocket parkwill take the place ofa leveled residentiallot.

the new cityscape


9/16

Filling thePebble Hills GapCity Makes Moves to ConnectBoulevard to Zaragoza

Drivers traveling east on PebbleHills Boulevard currently hit a deadend just about 800 feet west ofZaragoza Road. On the other side ofZaragoza, Pebble Hills continues tothe east. Its a gap in the City streetthat has existed for many years, anda problem officials are trying to fix.

Unwitting drivers and neighbor-hood residents alike must take alter-nate routes, some through residentialstreets, to get to Zaragoza Road.Tierra Mina Drive and Tierra Sonora

Drive have become makeshift detourroutes in the area.

Two properties stand in the way ofthe completion of Pebble HillsBoulevard in this area, and an itemon the upcoming City Council meet-ing agenda indicates that officialshave made several offers to theowners of the properties to acquirethe land.

City Council will vote on Tuesday,August 13, 2013 whether or not toapprove a $176,064 contract withMoreno Cardenas, Inc. of El Paso for

design and construction manage-ment services related to the project.The City will still be responsible forright-of-way acquisition.

According to the contracts Scopeof Work, $600,000 is budgeted foractual construction, an amount thecontractor expects is too low.Construction will consist of somedemolition work, drainage work,street construction, sidewalks,ramps, bicycle lanes, and fencing.Lighting, landscaping, and trafficlights will also be incorporated intothe construction phase.

The tentative Project Schedule

shows that construction documentsmay be ready by January 2014.Construction bidding may begin atthe time if the City has succeeded inpurchasing the portion of the proper-ties needed to extend the street.

Loop 375 NEMay Open byEnd of 2013Construction Well Ahead ofSchedule

An update presented to the CaminoReal Regional Mobility Authority(CRRMA) at its August board meetingstates that the Loop 375 freeway proj-ect in northeast El Paso could opensometime in December. The projects

contractor, J.D. Abrams of Austin, iswell ahead of schedule, according tothe 2nd quarter Progress Report.

Multiple milestones are highlightedin the report, including completion ofthe excavation work under US-54 thatwill create an underpass for Loop375. The freeway will dip underneathboth the US-54 freeway lanes and thegateway frontage roads.

Work continues on all three streetoverpasses that are part of the proj-ect, at Kenworthy Drive, RushingBoulevard, and Alcan Avenue, mainlypreparation for the laying down of

freeway lanes. This will be followed

by barrier work.Decorative concrete panels are still

being placed along the freeway tocreate support walls. The panelswere designed by public artist VickiScuri (vickiscuri.com) and are dia-mond and triangle patterns that rep-resent geometric shapes of moun-tains and diamondback rattle snakes.The same design will also be seenon the Loop 375 Transmountain proj-ect on the west side of the FranklinMountains. Scuris designs will alsobe seen at the I-10/Airway aestheticsproject, coming soon.

The Loop 375 Northeast projecthad an official completion date in July2014. The $50 million, 3.0 mile proj-ect began construction in Decemberof 2011 and completes a gap in theLoop 375 freeway between US-54and Dyer Street. Once completed,commuters using the freeway will nothave to stop at any traffic lights whiletravelling through northeast El Paso.

CRRMA officials reviewed theupdate at the August 14, 2013, boardmeeting. Details can be viewed at theauthoritys website, crrma.org.

The three newfreeway overpass-es can be seen inthis photographtaken from theTransmountainrest area.(CRRMA)

Drivers who want tocontinue on Pebble HillsBoulevard must take analternate route.

Content provided byEl Paso Development Newsvisit: elpasodevnews.com


10/16


See EXACLTLY what your 401(k) orProfit Sharing plan could look likebefore making any decisions!!Myths about 401(k) Plans for Small

BusinessesMYTH: 401(k) Plans are too expensiveto administerFACT: Cost, when measured in terms

of taxes, show how much more costeffective a 401(k) plan can be over aSIMPLE or SEP

MYTH: Administration is a burden andHighly Compensated Employees arelimited.FACT: Changes in retirementlegislation and technology provide a lotof flexibility in contribution and allowbusiness owners to actually targethigher contributions for key employees

MYTH: SIMPLEs/SEPs are easier toadministerFACT: Many SIMIPLEs/SEPs are notoperated correctly and often issues

arise as a result of little or no help withsetup and ongoing administration.

Is it time for a retirement planUPGRADE?

Who doesn't like an UPGRADE?SIMPLE IRAs and SEPs are great'starter' retirement plans that get the

job done when a business is first

starting out. However, these plansoften become too restrictive to meetthe needs of a growing or changingbusiness. Consider the ability to enjoy401(k) deferrals, catch-upcontributions, non-uniform Employercontributions, a 6-year vestingschedule on any Employer money,higher overall savings limits, betterinvestment performance & even Rothdeferrals!!!!

NOW THATS AN UPGRADEThese more custom plan designs canbe built to keep more money in yourpocket, target your most valuableemployees &/or reduce the cost of

funding the plan for your employees.Timing if important on this decisionsince almost all changes would takeplace following the calendar yearmeaning now is the perfect time for acompany to review its retirement planfor the following year.

Signs that you are ready for an

upgrade: Company would like design flexibility

in contribution formulas that FAVOROWNERS and highly compensatedemployees.

Company would like theircontributions to foster RETENTIONthrough a vesting schedule on thosecontributions.

Employees would like to be able toCONTRIBUTE MORE of their salaryto a plan.

Employees would like to have accessto their money without a taxableevent via plan LOAN PROVISIONS.

Expert Advice

Joe BernalEmployee Benefits

of El Paso

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Expert Advice

There are a growing number of

people who take their cabinets

seriously. In fact, the cabinets are

often the most prized components of a

kitchen, bathroom, entertainment

center and sometimes even in the

garage. The design, aesthetics and

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Consumers have become more

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as pullout waste cans, slide out towel

bars and pull-down shelves. These

accessories often are requested by

clients who are aging or may have

special physical needs, but many

others see the benefits as well. This,

she says, points to an overall

customization movement that puts as

much emphasis on function as it does

on form.

People want their cabinets to

perform at a high level. They're even

paying attention to the hidden

hardware by specifically requesting

soft-closing undermount slides for

drawers and soft close concealed

hinges for the doors. Another

cabinetry trend has grown from the

consumer's demand for professional-

grade appliances in the kitchen. In

addition to high-end, stainless-steel

refrigerators and commercial-quality

cooktops, such things as warming,

cooling and dishwashing drawers

have become very popular.

Wood-finished cabinets are still the

style of choice; they represent about

80 percent of all cabinets purchase,

according to a 2011 survey conducted

by the National Kitchen and Bath

Association. And even though

consumers are demanding furniture-

quality styling, they are opting for a

more casual appearance overall.

Many of these have multistep finishes

and glazes to make them look like

antiques that have weathered

generations of use.Glass-front cabinets are also in

demand, although only on certain

cabinets where contents are easily

arranged and kept neat for an

uncluttered appearance. Appliance

garages that house microwaves,

blenders and other countertop

appliances help keep the room

looking neat and clean. Maple and

cherry are still the most popular wood

varieties; wood types such as alder

and birch have been getting a lot of

attention.

For more information contact a

professional cabinet designer or your

local cabinet hardware supplier.

Whatstrending in

Cabinetry?

David De RegoHardware Specialities &

Glass Co., Inc.


13/16

Membership News

Thanks to our

AUGUST

SODA SPONSOR:

BELLA HOMES

11395 James Watt, Suite A-11 79936

915-633-8002

132013 Issue 8 Builders Outlook

www.elpasobuilders.comwww.epbuilders.org

UPCOMING EVENTS |

JaimesCourier

Service,Inc.

JaimesCourier

Service,Inc.

915-549-4533

or

915-478-2404

Bonded, insured for

your peace of mind.

SEPTEMBER 12

BOARD MEETING

12:00 NOON

EPAB OFFICE

OCTOBER 10

11:00 BOARD MEETING

12:00 GENERAL MEETING

EL PASO CLUB

CHASE BANK BLDG.

OCTOBER 11,12,13

HOME & GARDEN SHOW

EL PASO CONVENTION

CENTER

OCTOBER 29

HALLOWEEN BOWLING

EVENT

12:00 Noon

BOWL EL PASO

NOVEMBER 13

EL PASO DESERT OPEN

PAINTED DUNES

9:00 SHOTGUN

RENEWALS |

SODA SPONSOR |

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SNAPPY PUBLISHING

WAGNER EQUIPMENT

BUREAU VERITAS

SERV PRO WEST

JKS HOMES

EMSER TILE

DECASA USA, INC.

JA HEATING & COOLING


14/16

Greetings, I hope you have had awonderful summer and that business hasbeen good. It seems like yesterday that itwas Memorial Day and now we areheading for the Holiday season. Time flieswhen we are having fun.

First on the list is the next Associatescouncil meeting which will be heldWednesday September 4th 3:30 PM at theassociation office. We have a lot to discussso please mark your calendar. Coming up

on the agenda is the Costume Bowlingouting at Bowl El Paso October 29th at12:00 noon. Participant fee is $100 perteam which includes lunch and beverage.We also have lane advertising availablewhere you can place a banner on the walland a mention in the Builders Outlook.Call Margaret at the association office for

details.Then our next big event is the West Star

Bank El Paso Desert Open Pro am GolfTournament which was sold out before wehad a chance to advertise it. This is onetournament where you have to be a prettygood golfer since youre mixed in with aPro. Our member golf course PaintedDunes will again host us on November 13.Were looking for some advertisers whodlike to share the excitement of thistournament as hole advertisers, goodie bagsuppliers, and hole in one providers, andmany more opportunities to showcase yourbusiness. Call Margaret 778-5387.

Thats about all for now; see you at themeeting on Wednesday September 4th3:30 pm.


Sam ShallenbergerWestern Wholesale Supply

Associates Council

Call 778-5387

for more information today.


15/16

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Javier Ruiz

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Lorraine Huit

I ADviSorYToTHeBoArDJ. Crawford Kerr, Attorney, Firth, Johnston

& Martinez

I BoArDoFDirecTorSJuanita Garcia, Icon Custom Builders

Samira Gonzalez, Edwards Homes

Walter Lujan, Dawco Construction

Carlos Villalobos, Pointe Homes

Don Rassette, Rassette Homes

Beverly Clevenger, Automated Division 6 Builders

Frank Spencer, Aztec Contractors

Kathy Parry, Hunt Communities

Sal Masoud, Del Rio Engineering

Robert L. Foster,

Southwest Land Development Services

Leti Navarette, Custom Dream Homes

Linda Troncoso, TR-Engineering

Lance VanDeman, Hub International

John Chaney, Passage Supply

Joe Bernal, El Paso Employee Benefits

Ken Wade, El Paso Building Materials

Ruben Orquiz, MTI Ready Mix

Kathy Carrillo, Pioneer Bank

Henry Tinajero, West Star Bank

Paul Zacour, Zacour & Associates

Chuck Gabriel, Carpets West

Ted Escobedo, Snappy Publishing

Lorraine Huit, Cardel Design

Javier Ruiz, Border Solar & Senercon

2012 Bld mb of Th Ya

Frank Arroyos

Cisco Homes

2012 Pat c Awad

Mike Santamaria

Mountain Vista Homes

2012 Assat of Th Ya

Sam Shallenberger

Western Wholesale Supply

Jhn Shatzan Awad

Hunt Companies

Hnay Lf mbs

Rudy Guel

Brad Roe

Cliff Anthes

Wayne Grinnell

Chester Lovelady

Don Henderson

Anna Gil

Past Psdnts

cttd t S

ePAB mssn Statnt:

The El Paso Association of Builders is a

federated professional organization representing

the home building industry, committed to

enhancing the quality of life in our community by

providing affordable homes of excellence and

value.

The El Paso Association of Builders is a

501C(6) trade organization.

2013 Builders Outlook

is published and distributed for the

El Paso Association of Builders

by Snappy Publishing

240 Thunderbird Suite C

El Paso Texas 79912 915-820-2800

6046 Surety Dr. El Paso, TX 79905

915-778-5387 Fax: 915-772-3038

Greg Bowling

Kelly Sorenson

Mark Dyer

Mike Santamaria

John Cullers

Randy Bowling

Doug Schwartz

Robert Baeza

Bobby Bowling, IV

Rudy Guel

Anna Gil

Bradley Roe

Bob Bowling, III

E. H. Baeza

Hershel Stringfield

ITABSTATe DirecTorSDoug Borrett, Karam Co., Life Director

Randy Bowling, Tropicana Homes

INATioNAL DirecTorSBobby Bowling IV.

Demetrio Jimenez

NATioNAL ASSociATioN oF

Home BuiLDerS

(800) 368-5242

TexAS ASSociATioN oF

BuiLDerS

(800)252-3625

www.elpasobuilders.comwww.epbuilders.org

Builders utlook


16/16

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