Call for Entries, Eighth Annual Bridge Awards

Call for Entries, Eighth Annual Bridge Awards

The eighth annual Bridge Awards, presented by GBS Building Supply, is set for Thursday, April 23, 2020, at the Greenville Convention Center.

2019 Bridge Awards entry form. Final

The Bridge Awards honors individuals and companies for their impact on the housing industry.

Photo by: Mark Susko (www.marksuskovisualdesign.com)

Members have many ways to engage and participate in your Home Builders Association’s signature event including entering one or more of the many categories, promoting the event, and sponsoring the event.

Enter in more than 30 categories, including:

  • Craftsmanship: New Homes, Remodeled Homes, Green Building, and Special Features
  • Sales and Marketing: Million Dollar Circle, Agent of the Year, Team of the Year, and Executive of the Year

Visit BridgeAwards.com for categories, promotional material, winners in prior years, and photography.

To purchase tickets or sponsorships, click here.

Sixth Annual Bridge Awards for New Home Craftsmanship Announced

Sixth Annual Bridge Awards for New Home Craftsmanship Announced

I am very pleased to announce the honored members of the Home Builders Association of Greenville who were recognized at the sixth annual Bridge Awards,presented by GBS Building Supply. The Bridge Awards recognizes and honors businesses and professionals in the Home Building and Remodeling industry for excellence in design, construction, craftsmanship, marketing, and professionalism.

 

The Bridge Awards winners in the craftsmanship category were announced at a banquet on April 4.

 

Bridge Award Winners: Craftsmanship

New Homes Awards, presented by Piedmont Natural Gas:

New Homes under $250,000

Best Overall and Best Exterior

Essex Homes, Hartland Place

Best Kitchen

Great Southern Homes, Screech Drive

Best Bathroom

Great Southern Homes, Bromley Fold Lane

New Homes $250,000 to $500,000

Best Overall

Meritage Homes, Jones Peak Drive

Best Kitchen

Essex Homes, Lakeway Place

Best Bathroom

Ryan Homes, Edwin Ellis Drive

Best Exterior

Ryan Homes, Santa Ana Way

New Homes $500,000 to $1,000,000

Best Overall

Dillard-Jones Builders, Jessen Drive

Best Kitchen

Hollison Custom Homes, Rembert Street

Best Bathroom

Fairview Custom Homes, Panther Park Trail

Best Exterior

Sexton Griffith Custom Builders, Morning Mist Way

New Homes $1,000,000 to $2,000,000

Best Overall, Best Kitchen, Best Bathroom, Best Exterior

Goodwin Foust Custom Homes, Great Lawn Drive

New Homes, $2,000,000 to $3,000,000

Best Overall and Best Kitchen

Gabriel Builders, Sweet Fern Trail

Best Bathroom

Dillard-Jones Builders, Spring Cove Way

Best Exterior

Dillard-Jones Builders, Stoneholme Court

New Homes, $3,000,000+

Best Overall and Best Kitchen

Dillard-Jones Builders, Creek Stone Court

Best Bathroom and Best Exterior

Gabriel Builders, Buckthorn Trail

Upstate Remodelers Honored with Bridge Awards Just in Time for National Home Remodeling Month

Upstate Remodelers Honored with Bridge Awards Just in Time for National Home Remodeling Month

Bathrooms overtook kitchens as the most popular remodeling project, according to a new survey by the National Association of Home Builders. According to the survey of remodelers nationwide, 81 percent reported the most common remodeling project was the bathroom, followed by 78 percent who said the kitchen.

May is National Home Remodeling Month—just in time for the Home Builders Association of Greenville to honor some of the Upstate’s Approved Professional Remodelers with awards at its annual Bridge Awards Gala, presented by GBS Building Supply, for craftsmanship and professional excellence in home remodeling.

Bridge Award Winners: Remodeling Craftsmanship presented by Jeff Lynch Appliance and TV Center

Full Home Remodel, $100,000 to $250,000:

Best Overall, Best Kitchen, Best Exterior, and Best Bathroom

Hadrian Construction Company, Inc., Sevier Street

 

Full Home Remodel, $250,000 to $500,000:

Best Overall, Best Bath

Hadrian Construction Company, Inc., Grove Road

Best Exterior

Stageberg Builders, Inc., Alaska Avenue

Best Kitchen

Smith and Webb Custom Crafted Homes, Chapman Road

 

Full Home Remodel, More than $500,000:

Best Overall, Best Kitchen, and Best Exterior

CarsonSpeer Builders, Stratton Place

Best Bathroom

CarsonSpeer Builders, League Road

 

Partial Home Remodel:

Best Overall

Stageberg Builders, Silver Creek Road

Best Innovation of Space

CarsonSpeer Builders, Collins Creek Road

Highest Degree of Difficulty

CarsonSpeer Builders, Rockbridge Road

 

Palmetto Exterminators Remodeler of the Year

The 2018 Palmetto Exterminators Remodeler of the Year is Mike Freeman, APB, ACA/Freewood Contractors.

 

Why Hire an Approved Professional Remodeler?

Your Home Builders Association has helped you take the guesswork out of hiring a contractor to improve your home. Approved Professional Remodelers are verified annually to meet high standards of professionalism. Learn more about our standards and start your search for a contractor by selecting an Approved Professional Remodeler. Visit HBAofGreenville.com/approvedprofessionalbuilder.html to get started.

Sixth Annual Bridge Awards Recipients Announced

Sixth Annual Bridge Awards Recipients Announced

Each year the Home Builders Association of Greenville honors its members for their contributions and achievements at the annual Bridge Awards presented by GBS Building Supply. Individual 2018 Bridge Awards honorees are:

 

BB&T Builder Member of the Year

James Speer, APB, Partner, CarsonSpeer Builders

James Speer, APB, is Immediate Past President of the Home Builders Association of Greenville.  He and his partner, Steve Carson, operate CarsonSpeer Builders, a custom home building and remodeling firm based in Greenville and operating throughout the Upstate.

 

Palmetto Exterminators Remodeler of the Year

Mike Freeman, APB, Partner, ACA/Freewood Contractors

Mike Freeman, APB, is a partner in ACA/Freewood Contractors, a home building, remodeling, and commercial contracting company based in Greenville that operates throughout the Upstate.   Mike is a member of the Leadership Council of the National Association of Home Builders and a Past President of the Home Builders Association of Greenville.

 

Richard A. Ashmore, Sr., Associate Member of the Year, Sponsored by BB&T

Ben Moseley, Director of Operations, The Heirloom Companies

Ben Moseley is a leader in the family business, The Heirloom Companies.  Ben currently serves the association as Vice President and Chairman of the Southern Home and Garden Show.

 

Acopia Home Loans Professional Woman in Building Award

Sarah Ratcliff, Michael’s Janitorial and Floor Service

Sarah Ratcliff served as the 2018 Chairwoman the Professional Women in Building Council of the Upstate. She also was a Director of the Home Builders Association of Greenville.

 

Dan Rawls Community Service Award sponsored by Palmetto Exterminators

Rebuild Upstate

Rebuild Upstate helps families in need remain in their homes by facilitating much needed repairs as well as upgrades like wheel chair ramps. The Home Builders Association of Greenville is proud to partner with Rebuild Upstate.

 

Committee Chairman of the Year

Dave Hagan, APB, Ryan Homes

Dave Hagan has served as Chairman of the association’s Political Education Committee.  He also is a member of the association’s Board of Directors.

 

Membership Award

Emily Raines, APB, Dan Ryan Homes

Emily Raines has been active and effective in growing the Home Builders Association’s membership as a Trustee of the Professional Women in Building Council of the Upstate.

 

Rookie of the Year Award

Trina Montalbano, APB, Essex Homes

Trina Montalbano became involved in the Home Builders Association in 2017 and is a Trustee of the Sales and Marketing Council of the Upstate.

 

Spirit of the HBA Award

Alan Wilson, Clark’s Termite and Pest Control

Alan Wilson epitomizes the Home Builders Association. He has served as a Director and Associate Vice President of the association and has led the association’s Associate Members Committee.

 

Sales Agent of the Year

New Home Sales Agent of the Year: Kate Edge, APB, Ryan Homes

Sponsor: The Greenville News

 

Sales Executive of the Year

New Home Sales Executive of the Year, Under $50 Million: Trina Montalbano, APB, Essex Homes

New Home Sales Executive of the Year, More than $50 Million: Lindsay Simpson, APB, Ryan Homes

General Brokerage Sales Executive of the Year: Haro Setian, The Haro Group of Keller Williams Historic District

Sponsor: The Greenville News

 

Lender of the Year

Amanda McCall, Prime Lending

 

Sales Team of the Year

Sales Team of the Year, General Brokerage Large Office: The Haro Group of Keller Williams Historic District

Sales Team of the Year, General Brokerage Small Office: The Wilson House Group

Sales Team of the Year, New Home Sales and Marketing: Ryan Homes

 

Million Dollar Circle

Sales and Marketing Council of the Upstate members who achieved new home sales of between $1 million and $5 million in 2018:

Monica Agema, APB, Great Southern Homes

Cozette Bond, APB, Meritage Homes

Shay Brown (Michael and Shay Brown), Greenville’s Property Couple

Crystal Daniel, APB, Meritage Homes

Jessica Franco, Blackton Property Partners

Pamela Fulmer, APB, Meritage Homes

Michael Johnson, The Haro Group of Keller Williams Historic District

Lorraine Lewis, APB, Meritage Homes

Monica McKiernan, APB, Great Southern Homes

Jessika Poole, APB, Great Southern Homes

Nicole Tucker, APB, Great Southern Homes

Emily Wilbourne, APB, Dan Ryan Builders

Jennifer Winton, Re/Max Moves

 

SMC members who achieved new home sales of between $5 million and $10 million in 2018: 

Robert Albert, APB, Meritage Homes

Charlie Binns, APB, Essex Homes

Erica Brooks, APB, Meritage Homes

Tom Catafygioiu, APB, Meritage Homes

Sherry Criminger, APB, Meritage Homes

Norell Mitchell Grissett, APB, Great Southern Homes

Jennifer Hendrix, APB, Essex Homes

Wendy Hendrix, APB, Meritage Homes

Peg Higgins, APB, Meritage Homes

Hunter Hurst, APB, Meritage Homes

Matt Johnson, APB, Dan Ryan Builders

Rita Norton, APB, Meritage Homes

Stacy Rector, APB, Dan Ryan Builders

Danielle Simmons, APB, Dan Ryan Builders

Stacie Thompson, Re/Max Moves

JoAnn Williams, APB, Great Southern Homes

 

SMC members who achieved new home sales of between $10 million and $15 million in 2018:

Mary Beth Berry, APB, Ryan Homes

Joe Blackton, Blackton Property Partners

Kate Edge, APB, Ryan Homes

Marcia Jarisch, APB, Meritage Homes

Chelsea Ware, APB, Ryan Homes

 

SMC members who achieved new home sales of greater than $15 million in 2018: 

Steven Dyal, APB, Ryan Homes

 

Government Affairs Award

For his leadership in the association’s engagement in government affairs.

Bob Barreto, Falcon Development Group

 

Champion of Housing Award

For her leadership in developing a strong working relationship between the City of Greenville and the Home Building Industry.

Councilwoman Amy Ryberg Doyle, City of Greenville

 

Distinguished Service Award

For his legacy of service to the Home Building Industry and the Home Builders Association.

Rick Quinn, APB, Quinn-Satterfield, Inc.

 

ABCD Award

For support of the Home Builders Association that is “above and beyond the call of duty.”

Jon Statom, Palmetto Exterminators

 

Leigh Ann DeYoung Southern Home and Garden Show MVP Award

For his support of the Southern Home and Garden Show.

Mike Freeman, APB,ACA/Freewood Contractors

 

MembershipWORKS Award

For leadership in development of the membership of the Home Builders Association using the greatest number of members in their Bridge Awards projects.

Dillard-Jones Builders

 

President’s Citation Award

Our 2018 President, James Speer, APB, honored the following members for their contributions to the association in 2018:

Bill Kane, APB,Ryan Homes

Jennifer Willis, Bilt Rite Garage Doors

Ben Moseley, The Heirloom Companies

The Housing Market Appears Tight for Buyers in 2019

The Housing Market Appears Tight for Buyers in 2019

Featured Home: Sexton Griffith Custom Builders was presented with a 2017 Bridge Award, presented by GBS Building Supply, for Best Kitchen, New Home $2 million to $4 million, for their project on East Fort George Way.

By Matt Shouse, APB, President, Home Builders Association of Greenville and Partner, LS Homes

The housing market has become very tight nowadays. In most places, prospective buyers are seeing fewer and fewer properties, especially ones that meet their budget. Based on this Housing Trends Report finding by the National Association of Home Builders, those who plan to buy this year should not expect their choices to grow.

This issue is also very common here, around the Upstate. According to the Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS®, the current time on the market for residential listings is less than 100 days. Further, based on building permit data collected by the Home Builders Association of Greenville, new home building activity has only returned to pre-recession levels in just one Upstate county: Spartanburg County.

As a result, affordability continues to be a concern for home buyers. Nearly 8 out of 10 prospective buyers in the survey said fewer than half of the houses they saw in their search were priced within reach. The survey shows that the average new home search takes more than three months.

In fact, 49% of those who have been looking for at least three months, had not yet purchased a home because they were unable to find one that fits their budget. The survey also found that 44% of buyers prefer an existing home to a newly built one. But almost as many as 38% have no preference, while 18% prefer new construction. These findings prove that either a newly built or existing home would suit most shoppers. An uptick in the supply of homes, whether new or existing, will improve the picture for most buyers — as long as the new supply comes in at an affordable price.

So what happens if people hoping to buy don’t find what they want in the next few months? 61% of those polled said they will continue looking for the right home in their preferred location. Some said they will expand the area of their search, accept a smaller or older home, or pay more than they originally intended. Just 18% said they will give up and try again in the future.

Want to learn more about the Upstate Housing Market?
The Annual Upstate Housing Market Forecast is set for Tuesday, January 22, 11:30 a.m., at the Greenville Convention Center. The keynote speaker is Dr. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist of the National Association of Home Builders. To register, visit HBAofGreenville.com.

What You Need To Know About Home Inspections

What You Need To Know About Home Inspections

You just made an offer on a home and you are probably wondering what the next step is. As soon as the offer is made, you should consider scheduling a home inspection.

Although not required by law, a home inspection is still a good idea that many mortgage lenders require. A home inspection will help you learn about your new home and identify potential issues, particularly in older homes.

When going through the home inspection process, here are just a few tips to keep in mind.

Schedule your Inspection as soon as possible
It is your responsibility as the buyer to schedule and pay for the inspection. You should schedule it as soon as your offer has been accepted so that you and the current owner have adequate time to address any repairs you may request, or to cancel the contract if the inspector discovers a deal-breaker. Your Realtor will help you select a home inspector.

What a Home Inspection will show
In short, a home inspection will tell you the current condition of a house, such as the systems that may need to be repaired or replaced. Most home inspections will not address cosmetic issues that do not affect the working condition of the home. You should keep in mind that no home is perfect but the inspection report should help determine if it is the perfect home for you.

Be there on Inspection Day
It is important for you to be at the home for the inspection. That is your opportunity to ask questions and learn about your new home.

Inspections for New Construction Homes
The process for a newly-constructed home is slightly different than for an existing one. You and your builder should have been meeting together throughout the construction process, but before closing, you and your builder will walk-through your new home and conduct a final inspection. During the walk-through, make a list of everything that needs attention, ensure you and your builder agree on a timetable to address your list and most importantly, be thorough to avoid any possible disagreements.