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The official publication of the El Paso Association of Builders
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Builders utlookyears
E L P A S O
BUILDERSA S S O C I A T I O N O F
B U I L D I N G E L PA S O ’ S F U T U R E S I N C E 194 6www.elpasobuilders.com www.epbuilders.org
2012/11
By Ray Adauto, EPAB
The vote was in and now the hard
part begins. It is especially true
for the employees of the City of El
Paso who have made City Hall their
home over the last thirty years. The
complex located downtown is to become
the new location for the new Triple A
baseball franchise and so come
sometime in the next four months one of
the biggest implosions ever undertaken
in El Paso’s history. When the city hall
complex comes down the employees
and offices that have been housed there
will be scattered literally around
downtown. For people doing business
with the city it will also require patience
and fortitude.
City hall houses about 600 employees
and both the city manager’s office as
well as offices for elected
representatives including the Mayor.
Moving one department isn’t an easy
task but having to relocate so many
departments will be a challenge, no
matter the planning.
John Dorney, of Dorney Security and
a member of the El Paso Association of
Builders has years of experience
moving and relocating soldiers and
others for the U.S. Army. “It is difficult to
plan such a move and it will require
some maneuvering and some luck in
order to meet the timelines they are
talking about,” he said. “I have moved
soldiers across the street and across the
globe, and any time you have to execute
a critical move like this requires skill and
timing,” Dorney told the Outlook.
One of the most critical issues is
where different departments will be
housed. Recently City council bought
the building that houses the El Paso
Times. This is where it appears that the
City Manager, Council and Mayor will be
moving to. As part of that move
planning for city council meetings and
regular meeting space will have to be
designed, built and open for business
rather quickly. City Manager Joyce
Wilson has been leading the efforts
towards the move, and thinks she has it
down if things work out right. “We have
had to plan this move while making sure
city business continues, but I have faith
in the employees and staff that we will
meet our deadlines and have a smooth
transition,” Ms. Wilson said.
The critical timing of the move is
required in order to meet commitments
to Major League Baseball for opening
the ball park in 2014. Site inspection,
remediation, and demolition are one
aspect, while the others is where to put
all 600 employees and the departments
they work in. One employee, on the
condition of anonymity told the Outlook
that this move is complicated and a little
disorganized. “My fear is that we box
everything up, load up and then have
nowhere to land,” the city employee
said. “I can tell you that just moving from
one floor to another in the building is
hardly a cakewalk, but this is something
at a whole other level.” Those fears and
others have been part of the concern
voiced by opponents of the city hall
demolition and move. Former mayor
Ray Salazar was in office when city hall
was built and took the current
administration to federal court seeking a
stay on the demolition until a vote took
place. “This building is only 30 years old
and is in good condition,” Salazar told a
television audience on KVIA TV’s
“Extra”. His position was also endorsed
by others including attorney Stephanie
Townsend Allala, a local lawyer heading
up a different anti-ballpark group. She
has been quoted as saying "Given the
past indictments and convictions for
corruption, I think that our city leaders
should be bending over backwards,”
Allala said, “to let the public know that
the era of backdoor deals… is ended.”
While there has been no investigation
into those allegations the move to
demolish the building and build a ball
park still hasn’t seen the end. Whether
or not protestors continue to try to stop it
city hall employees will be relocated.
As of this report the only sure
indication is that the city has agreed to
purchase the El Paso Times building
and another building nearby that will
require extensive remodelling. Where
will the builders and developers get
permits and submit plans? Frankly we
don’t know because the staff hasn’t
been told either. With everyday
problems already a reality in any
business, having to adjust to a city hall
move adds some frustration and
concern. When this move is made then
not only will the employees have to
adjust so will the industry and the public.
City Hall to relocate, easy transition not expected
Sun power increased at EPAB
It’s been over a year since the ElPaso Association of Builders firstplugged into the Sun, as theassociation turned the power of thesun into energy for the associationoffice building. Border Solar, ownedby Javier Ruiz, installed a 2.5kilowatt system on to display the useof solar panels in commercialbuildings. Border Solar had theopportunity to provide more than 4additional kilowatt photo voltaicpanels this November. “It was timeto be able to add some more panelsand give the association moresavings,” said Mr. Ruiz. The boardof Directors commended Ruiz for hisgift and President Frank Arroyostook possession for the Association.“Javier has been very generous withhis gift to us allowing the Associationto benefit from the abundance ofsolar power available in El Paso,”Arroyos said. “Our thanks to BorderSolar for the work and for providinga gift that will be giving for decadesto come,” he said.
The panels were just part of thework necessary to get the system upand running. “We needed to designthe system to what we already hadthere, and then implement the actualhookup in a way that would minimizethe disruption to the office,” Ruizsaid. “It was painless for us,” saidRay Adauto, Executive VicePresident of the EPAB. “BorderSolar took only a few days tocomplete the job, turn it over to us,and make sure the El Paso ElectricCompany connections were alldone,” Ray continued.
Solar energy is considered theprime “alternative” energy source inthe sunny region of El Paso.
“No doubt we have the sunshine,so why not use it,” asked Ruiz. TheEl Paso Association of Builderslearned that solar energy will first beused by the building, supplementingthe electric grid provided by El PasoElectric. When working as designedthe sun will provide the first line ofenergy to the building, thenwhatever is not used goes back tothe grid. “Texas still has a little morework to do before the powergenerated is treated just like anyother power generation done bymainstream providers,” according toRuiz. Meanwhile the gift that heprovided the association will beclean and welcomed. “I appreciateJavier doing this for us because ofthe savings we hope for will lowerour overall operations cost,” saidAdauto
We are winding our way toward the cooler days of fall. We have
so much to be thankful for this year in looking at our market. But
now what? Where do we so from here? I am talking about
peering over the edge of this so-called “Fiscal Cliff”? There are
three scenarios that could be. The first scenario would be that
Congress cannot agree on anything and there are no changes to
current law. This is the worst case scenario i.e.… taxes increase
dramatically, new round of layoffs and higher unemployment.
Congress would be stupid to allow this to happen. Scenario
number two would be best case. In this case, Congress would
adopt the “grand bargain” to lower marginal tax rates for
individuals and businesses and at the same time get rid of tax
expenditures. This would establish long term tax policies that
would remove the huge cloud of uncertainty for employers and
investors. The third scenario would be to do what Congress does
best, which is “kick the can down the road” again for another six
months. So what happens then? Businesses and investors will
have to endure at least another six months of not knowing how to
plan and invest their money. Economic growth will continue at a
lethargic pace we’ve seen for the past two years. Jobs will be
created, but at a slow pace. Over-all whatever scenario is played
out again lets be thankful for the planning and foresight of the
founders of our Constitution to create a political environment that
would support freedom and opportunity!
President’s Message |
El Paso Disposal
772-7495
32012/11 Builders Outlook
Frank
Arroyos
President,
El Paso Association
of Builders
Showroom: 2131 Missouri
915 • 533 • 6045 fax • 533• 6096
Thomas R. Brown, Owner
Politics, especially Texas politics,
generally has a conservative slant as
for decades the Texas east of El Paso
traditionally votes conservatively
Republican or conservative Democrat.
Anyone who has had a chance to visit
the Capitol during session sees the
results of such votes as the legislature
and Senate go about State business.
The way El Paso vote is strong
Democrat, more aligned if you would
with New Mexico rather than Texas.
Candidates who would like to
pronounce their conservative political
background are forced to become
liberal Democrats in order to get
elected in El Paso. Even some of the
most public of elected officials know
the game that has to be played in
order to get elected here. Business
people also play the game by
supporting candidates simply because
not doing so would be used against
them someday, somewhere. I know
that by printing this some of my most
conservative friends will admit to
themselves that this is true in El Paso,
and elsewhere.
The election showed that El Paso
seems to pride itself in electing die
hard liberal candidates that are so far
left of the rest of Texas that they
become somewhat ineffective when
talking with or to Texas politicians.
When two of our state legislators,
Naomi Gonzalez and Marisa Marquez
broke “party ranks” and supported
Republican Dee Margo the local
Democrat Party announced in a public
outcry that these two legislators were
to be charged with treason to the
party. Really? Is the fact that these
two highly intelligent, El Paso loving,
good legislators were cast aside
because of support for a fellow
legislator who they said worked well
with them? I have a hard time
understanding that position, it just
doesn’t make sense to me. I know
Democrat Chair Rick Melendrez. I
used to give him a ride to Cathedral
High where he was an underclassman
and I was a senior. Rick is a good guy,
but I think the pressure from some
hardnosed ultra-liberal yellow dog
democrats couldn’t understand them
coming out publically to support Dee.
In my opinion I think this hurt the
Demos more than it ever will Naomi
and Marisa. I think these two El
Pasoan’s saw that in order to get
something done in the legislature you
have to be united and at the time Dee
was part of the team.
I know Joe Moody and he too is a
good guy. He represents El Paso well
and will do so again. I don’t think he
will do anything to hurt the
relationships with Marissa and Naomi,
but the election endorsement for his
opponent may take a while to heal. It
must heal and quickly if our delegation
wants to continue working for the
overall good of the community. Joe
knows this and I know it’ll be ok in
Austin. What I hope is that those of
you who vote party rather than person
realize that sometimes there are more
important issues than party affiliation.
Sometimes you don’t get the best
because of the blindness of a straight
ticket vote. In El Paso that’s reserved
for the Democrats. In the rest of
Texas the same holds true for the
Republicans.
Next February you will have the
opportunity to join us as we travel to
Austin and meet with our delegation.
It’s at that time, Rally Day, that you
and we will make a case for our
industry. It’s a vital part of your reason
for being a member and one that I
hope you will join in. Our delegation is
willing to hear us. It’s your obligation
to give them something to hear.
Political affiliation aside, politics is a
vital part of why we exist. Let’s send
that message not just at the ballot box
but in person.
Perspective |
Ray Adauto,
Executive
Vice President
EPAB
4 Builders Outlook 2012/11
Election shows Texas is Red, El Paso Blue….again
by Julián Aguilar
The Texas Tribune, 2012
Buoyed by the support of twoDemocratic members of the El Pasodelegation, incumbent state Rep.Dee Margo, R-El Paso, seems tohave the wind at his back leading upto next month's general election.
Margo, 60, the CEO of aninsurance sales company, says thesupport from Reps. Naomi Gonzalezand Marisa Marquez, who representHouse districts 76 and 77,respectively, indicate the delegationis not made up of “drama queens”but rather a unit that can do what’sthe best for the district.
“I just think it speaks volumesabout bipartisanship, which is whatpeople talk about they want to seeevidence of, and I think ourdelegation works well together onbehalf of El Paso,” Margo said.
It was Margo’s third HD-78 boutagainst attorney Joe Moody, aDemocrat who defeated Margo in2008 by 3,200 votes. Moody thenlost to his former challenger in 2010by about 1,400 votes. This time, theendorsements and straight-ticketvoting in a presidential election yearpainted this rematch as too close tocall weeks away from the Nov. 6election.
Moody wasn’t sure what promptedthe Margo support from his fellowDemocrats, but he said that’s thenature of politics and that heremains undeterred.
“He appreciates the support hegets, and I appreciate the support Iget,” Moody said. “Butendorsements are very rarely whatelections are about, and I amfocused on talking about where thiscommunity needs to go, and reallythe damage that was done by thisLegislature.”
Marquez told the El Paso Times
recently that the support wasn’t anod in favor of the Republican Partyor its platform, but as recognitionthat Margo is an important part of thedelegation.
Moody aimed to remind voters ofthe GOP's budget cuts for public andhigher education, which he saidhave resulted in hundreds of fewerteachers in El Paso County andmillions in losses for the Universityof Texas at El Paso.
“Closing the achievement gap inschools and building highereducation into something that isgreat is something that is great forour community and something thatwe should focus on, not tearing itdown,” he said. “And Dee was thesole vote for that [budget]. Everymember of this delegation votedagainst that, and that’s why I thinkthere are two very clear choices inthis election.”
Like several Republicancandidates defending the state’sbudget cuts, Margo, a member ofthe House AppropriationsCommittee, said his party and thebudget writers were merely playingthe cards they were dealt.
“We dealt with the revenuenumbers that we were given.Remember 95 percent of our budgetgoes to Medicaid, education and ourcriminal justice system. There isn’t awhole lot of room,” he said, addingthat the only option would be to raisetaxes. “And my question to Mr.Moody would be, ‘Okay, tell mewhere you want to raise taxes? Andwhat is your priority, education orMedicaid?’”
Margo said his conservative voicewould’ve been a welcome return toEl Paso’s six-person delegation,which also includes veteranlawmaker Joe Pickett, from HD-79,incoming member Mary Gonzalezfrom HD-75 and state Sen. JoséRodríguez, all of whom areDemocrats.
“We have a red state with redhouses of government [so] it helpsfrom El Paso’s standpoint,irrespective of the desire to remainblue from the Democratic partisanside,” he said. “It certainly does nothurt to have one member of thedelegation represent the othermajority party as we work throughissues related to El Paso.”
Margo also recently earned thesupport from the Texas Associationof Realtors, was recognized by theTexas Border Prosecution Unit andwas endorsed by Attorney GeneralGreg Abbott.
Moody’s support includes somelocal star power in the form of ElPaso County Attorney Jo AnneBernal, District Attorney JaimeEsparza and Sheriff Richard Wiles.Wiles specifically cited Moody’ssupport for local law enforcement’sability to fight cartels andtransnational gangs, somethingMoody said is indicative of his ownability to work with Republicans. Hecites his work with state Sen. JohnCarona, R-Dallas, on HB 2086,passed in 2009, which strengthenedpunishment for criminals involved invarious gang activities.
“I don’t think there is anythingabout my record that shows that Ihaven’t been able to work well withpeople and get things done,” Moodysaid. “And that was a major piece oflegislation — that wasn’t a local bill;
that was something that impactedthe entire state.”
The most recent campaign financereports, filed in June, showed Margowith a steady advantage overMoody, with about $71,000 raised,$97,600 spent and $41,700maintained since January. He alsohad about $126,000 in loanbalances. During that same timeperiod, Moody raised about $26,000,spent $10,100 and had about$27,300 maintained. Updatedreports are due next week.
Moody and Margo downplay thepotential of straight-ticket voters toaffect the race, but historicalpatterns in El Paso County reflectDemocrats' strong edge in thatcategory.
In 2010, about 31,000 Democratsvoted straight ticket, compared withabout 15,500 Republicans. In 2008,the last presidential year, theDemocrats had more than threetimes the number of straight-ticketballots cast, with about 76,700 to theGOP’s 23,600. Asked if he wasconcerned about a repeat from2008, when support for BarackObama in El Paso helped propelMoody to victory, Margo said thatyear was an anomaly.
“I don’t hear a lot of enthusiasticresponse” this year, he said, aboutlocal support for the president.
52012/11 Builders Outlook
Election Re-capIt was Moody vs. Margo, Part Three, in El Paso's HD
6 Builders Outlook 2012/11
The Remodeling Market Index (RMI)climbed to 50 in the third quarter of 2012, upfrom 45 in the previous quarter, according tothe National Association of Home Builders(NAHB). The RMI is at its highest point sincethe third quarter of 2005, tracking thepositive trends recently seen in the rest ofthe housing sector.
The RMI component measuring currentmarket conditions rose to 52 from 46 in theprevious quarter, while the componentmeasuring future indicators increased to 49from 44.
An RMI above 50 indicates that moreremodelers report market activity is higher(compared to the prior quarter) than report itis lower. The overall RMI averages ratings ofcurrent remodeling activity with indicators offuture activity.
“The strength of the RMI, especially inowner-occupied properties, shows thathome owners are investing in remodels ashome prices stabilize,” said NAHBRemodelers Chairman George “Geep”Moore Jr., GMB, CAPS, GMR, a remodelerfrom Elm Grove, La. “As owners becomemore confident that investments in housingwill hold their value, they are beginning toundertake projects to improve their comfortthat they had been putting off.”
All three indicators of current marketconditions improved: maintenance andrepairs rose to 56 (from 50), minor additionsand alterations to 51 (from 47) and majoradditions and alterations to 49 (from 42).Current market conditions improved or held
steady in all four regions in the third quarterof 2012. Current remodeling activity wasparticularly strong in owner-occupiedhousing; the sub-components of the currentconditions index for owner-occupiedhousing were all well over 50, rangingbetween 55 and 60.
Future market indicators in every regionbut the Northeast experienced gains fromthe previous quarter: Northeast, 38 (from41); Midwest, 50 (from 46); South, 52 (from46); and West, 52 (from 42). All indicators offuture market conditions rose: calls for bids,48 (from 44); amount of work committed fornext three months, 46 (from 43); backlog ofremodeling jobs, 50 (from 46); andappointments for proposals, 51 (from 43).
“The improvement in the RMI providesmore evidence that the remodeling industryis making the orderly recovery from its lowpoint in 2009 as we’ve been expecting,” saidNAHB Chief Economist David Crowe.“Although remodeling projects over $25,000are now showing some signs of strength,they are still lagging behind smaller propertyalterations and maintenance and repairjobs. The recovery of the remodeling marketin general, and large projects in particular,continues to be constrained by factors suchas tight credit and problematic appraisals.”
Remodeling Market Index
Climbs Five Points,
Returns to 2005 Levels
Damages fromSandy could total$50 Billion
Morgan Brennan, Forbes Staff
Hurricane Sandy pummeled the EastCoast in November, leaving a trail ofdevastating destruction in its wake.Damages could run as high as $50billion, according to Eqecat, andhundreds of thousands of homeownersare expected to file claims for flood andwind damage, according to theConsumer Federation of America.Roughly $88 billion worth of homesacross eight states were put at risk bythe storm’s surge, according toCorelogic.
Hurricane Sandy’s immediate impacton real estate in the hardest hitNortheastern neighborhoods is alreadypainfully evident, from New Jerseyshore houses completely swept away bythe sea to entire neighborhoods likeQueens’ Breezy Point tragically leveledto the ground. But this latest naturaldisaster won’t just affect certain ZIPcodes, it will weigh on America’s
housing market as a whole.In many parts of the country housing
has welcomed a nascent recovery.Nationally, home sales have beennotably higher this year as compared tolast. In September, existing home saleswere up 11% year-over-year andpending sales up 14.5%, according tothe National Association of Realtors.Prices have risen too, with the nationalmedian sales price $183,900, or about11% higher than September of 2011.Inventory has fallen drastically in manyparts of the country, fueling the uptick inprices. The rising numbers have helpedhousing become a bright spot in recenteconomic reports, with analystsprojecting that residential investmentwill positively contribute to grossdomestic product this year for the firsttime since 2005.
Now that rosy recovery will dampen.“This will certainly create a negative inthe short term,” says Lawrence Yun,chief economist of the NationalAssociation of Realtors. “The bottomline is we clearly anticipate a slowdown,but it will be temporary.”
Move up http://i.forbesimg.com tMovedown
Along the East Coast, expect homesales to trend downward in coming
months, as sellers take their damageddigs off the market and buyers hold offon purchases. Pending sales will bedelayed or in some cases collapsealtogether as lenders insist upon newappraisals in areas battered by Sandy.Yun expects the regional drop in activityto log a “notable, measurable impact”large enough to pull the national salesstatistics down for November onward.Home sales typically begin to slow dueto seasonality at this time of the year;the storm’s lingering effects will ensurethat slowdown manifests moredramatically.
Even so, that short term pain mayactually evolve into a market boost four-to-six months from now. “With pastnatural disasters, home sales pause butwhat generally happens is in latermonths, as insurance money begins toflow in, the housing market getselevated to higher levels than before thestorm,” explains Yun.
Interestingly, data tied to comparablenatural disasters suggest that homeprices tend to be inversely affected.With inventory levels reduced, demandtends to outweigh the supply, causingprices to inch up. “Home prices tend torise after hurricanes and other naturaldisasters because some homes are
unfortunately lost and new constructionis delayed so housing stock isn’tgrowing as fast as the population,” saysJed Kolko, chief economist ofTrulia.com.
However, more drastic storms inareas more commonly associated with,say, flooding — like Hurricane Katrina inNew Orleans — can have the oppositeeffect, pushing prices down in the longterm as residents relocate to new areasaltogether.
Hurricane Sandy will affect residentialconstruction, which has modestlyrebounded this year, in two ways.Remodeling activity will jump, ashomeowners who sustained damage totheir properties, particularly primaryresidences, hire contractors to makeimmediate fixes. “It’s bad news forhomeowners, but it’s certainly anopportunity for workers who havesurvived a very down housing market toget back to work,” says Robert Denk, anassistant vice president of economicsfor the National Association of HomeBuilders. He notes that this dynamicplayed out after Hurricane Irene as well.
In the short-term the storm will stiflenew housing starts. This will in part bedue to seasonality, since newhomebuilding tends to pause in thewinter months in the Northeast, and inpart be due to the fact that many ofdecimated coastal properties in placeslike the Jersey Shore tend to bevacation homes and as such, will notlikely be considered immediate prioritiesin terms of repair. New home starts, likesales, will likely rebound in early springto levels slightly higher than before thestorm as owners start to finally rebuildthose properties.
A subsection of the housing marketnow riddled with post-Sandy questionsis distressed real estate. OnWednesday RealtyTrac reported thatnearly 25,000 distressed propertiesvalued at an estimated $7 billion sit incounties declared disaster areas. DarenBlomquist, a vice president atRealtyTrac, says the number is actuallyhigher, though the California-basedforeclosure site has yet to finalize andupwardly revised count.
“I think there is potential for people inthe foreclosure process to now haveless incentive to fight foreclosure on ahome if it has been damaged,” saysBlomquist. In other words, somedistressed homeowners may simplywalk away from their preforeclosuresaltogether rather than try and work out ashort sale or other such deal. With bank-owned homes, the question that arisesis whether lenders will choose to pourmoney into renovations for damagedproperties, especially since those REOsalready represent non-performingassets.
New Jersey and New York have twoof the slowest judicial foreclosureprocesses in the country. New Jersey
has experienced 100%-plus increasesin foreclosure activity this year,according to RealtyTrac, as lendersfinally began processing foreclosuresstalled by 2010′s robo-signing scandal.New York state has seen similar activityincreases this year. RealtyTrac expectsSandy’s impact will cause a temporarypullback in the number of foreclosuredocuments filed in both of these states.
“This storm could slow down theforeclosure process and therefore thehousing recovery,” warns Blomquist. “Itwill certainly slow down the pace atwhich the market will absorb theseproperties.”
72012/11 Builders Outlook
OUR NATION
View more photos on our facebook page: elpasobuildersassociation
Builders utlook on the scene |
The annual EPAB Fall Professional Golf tournament featured pros fromthe Sun Country PGA playing with amateurs at Painted Dunes. The oneday 18 hole tournament pitted 25 teams against each other in a pro formatwhere everyone played their own ball to completion. Unlike traditional “bestball” where everyone tees off, then uses the best positioned ball each of thenext hits, the pro format called for more precision and ability. The fieldsquickly filled up with golfers who play a little better than average and lovethe challenge of this type of game.
The EPAB also featured two gourmet food trucks for the players to graband go. This was the first time these units had been used at a tournamentat Painted Dunes according to the staff.
“It was a great time for all of us, and we certainly enjoyed the food, theprizes and especially the golf,” said Greg Bowling who headed up oneTropicana Team.
The team of pro David Muttitt and amateurs John Chaney, MikeBroussard and, Dan Paulson took first place, while pro Bill Harvey andamateurs Brad Lane, Victor Mendez, and Jorge Fernandez came in sec-ond. In 3rd place was the team of pro Steve Manning with John Reich,Todd Caldwell and Ray Adauto. Charlie Tellez and Jorge Fernandez woncloset to the pins. No one scored a hole in one, valued at $10,000 cash.
Pro Am brings out club pros and locals
Pace of New-
Home Sales
Virtually
Unchanged in
October
Sales of newly built, single-family
homes in October held virtually
unchanged from a downwardly revised
pace in the previous month, at a
seasonally adjusted, annual rate of
368,000 units, according to figures
released by HUD and the U.S. Census
Bureau today.
“New-home sales have been
occurring at a fairly steady pace since
this summer, with October sales running
about 17 percent ahead of the pace set
at the same time last year,” noted Barry
Rutenberg, chairman of the National
Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
and a home builder from Gainesville,
Fla. “While this is encouraging,
housing’s recovery is being significantly
constrained by overly tight mortgage
lending conditions at this time, and
policymaker discussions about changes
to the mortgage interest deduction could
cast a shadow on future housing
demand.”
“After steady improvement in home
sales through most of this year, the pace
of that activity effectively leveled off over
the four months from July to October,”
added NAHB Chief Economist David
Crowe. “The latest numbers are right in
line with our forecast, which projects that
sales will resume a slow, upward
trajectory going forward and will end
2012 about 20 percent ahead of 2011.”
Regionally, new-home sales numbers
were mixed in October. The Midwest
posted a 62.2 percent gain following a
big dip in the previous month, and the
West posted a solid 8.8 percent
increase. Meanwhile, the South and
Northeast posted declines of 11.6
percent and 32.3 percent, respectively –
the latter of which was likely impacted by
storm preparations at the end of the
month.
The inventory of new homes for sale
rose marginally to a still-slim 147,000
units in October, which is a 4.8-month
supply at the current sales pace.
10 Builders Outlook 2012/11
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112012/11 Builders Outlook
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Product News
Health Product DeclarationOne of the most exciting developments
rolled out at this year’s Greenbuild is notreally a product: the introduction of theHealth Product Declaration, an openstandard used to promote thetransparent disclosure of productingredients and their health impacts.
Many companies have already signedon to supporting this important initiative,and many had booths at Greenbuild,including ASSA ABLOY, Interface,Prososco, Crossville, InPro, Stego, andTeknion.
BIPV windows from TropiglasTropiglas was displaying its building-
integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) windowtechnology, which uses a polymer layersandwiched between two panes of glass.When sunlight passes through the firstpane, it is captured by the inner layerand directed to the edge of the glass(similar to how optical fibers work),where standard monocrystalline PV cellsconvert the light to electricity.
The glass is free of visible cells, unlikemost current BIPV glazing options,whose cells block part of the view. Butthe efficiency is only around 4% (35watts/m2, 80% transparency, 90% IRblocking, SHGC< 0.41). The companyclaims the manufacturing process issimilar to that of low-e coatings, so itshouldn’t cost much more to
manufacture, but of course, you still haveto contend with the other PVcomponents and wiring.
Tropiglas is still looking for glazingpartners but expects to have product onthe market in 2013.
Energy enhancements for SafePlugproducts
SafePlug products protect occupants(particularly children) againstelectrocution and monitor plugs againstoverloads or discrepancies in theelectrical flow that could lead to fires ordamage electrical equipment.
The company’s products can now alsoincrease energy efficiency: they controlplug loads so that phantom loads areeliminated and occupants can monitorand turn off appliances. The SafePlugEnergy Manager installs over standardoutlets and comes with an “EnergyServer” and “Energy Manager Outlets.”The outlet and server do not require anInternet connection for communication,but the server can be connected toEthernet or Wi-Fi for remote monitoring.
Aquatec water submeteringThe Aquatec submeter from the Germancompany Sika can be attached directly toa shower, urinal, or other fixtures to trackand display water usage data. Thatinformation can then be downloaded viaoptical sensor or sent wirelessly andaccessed remotely via any Internet-
connected device.Aquatex is available in white or clear, soyou can see the inner machinations, andin a “split” version, where the mechanismand display are separate for easierinstallation and viewing.
Climate Wizard evaporative airconditioner
Climate Wizard from the Australiancompany Seeley International anddistributed in the U.S. by L&H Airco, is arefrigerant-free indirect evaporative airconditioner similar to the Coolerado.
The Climate Wizard uses fans withenergy-efficient electronicallycommutated motors (ECM) to move airthrough a heat exchanger that containsboth wet and dry channels.
Climate Wizard is a refrigerant-freeevaporative air conditioner that providescool, dry, fresh air along with energysavings. Photo Credit: SeeleyInternational
Heat is transferred across themembrane from the dry to the moistchannel, where it is vented into theatmosphere.
The cool, dry, fresh air then passesinto the building to provide cooling.Climate Wizard uses 6.6 gallons of wateran hour for the 10 kW model (about 2.8tons cooling); a 15 kW (4.3 tons) versionis also available.
Climate Wizard is used primarily incommercial applications, but a residentialunit is undergoing testing.
Affordable remote-control shadesfrom Lutron
Lutron rolled out a couple of newproducts at Greenbuild, including itsSensor Layout and Tuning Service forfine tuning the performance ofoccupancy and daylight sensors so theywork as advertised; and a KOOLBLACKrollershade material that reduces solarheat gain to the level usually onlyattainable with light-colored fabrics.
But the product that caught my eyewas the company’s battery-powered,motorized Serena Remote ControlledShades. Though not new (they wereintroduced at the end of 2011), theseresidential cellular shades are easy toinstall by a homeowner and can beoperated via either infrared (IR) orradiofrequency (RF) controls. They caneven be integrated with other lightingcontrols.
A more sophisticated control system isavailable in the company’s Sivoia line.These shades are powered by fourstandard D batteries, which should lastthree years, according to the company,because of its unique powermanagement technology. Severalmaterial and color options are available,including double-cell and room darkeningversions that have R-values of 3.6 and4.3, respectively.
Starting at less than $280, they seemlike a bargain in the remote-controlledshade industry.
From high-tech BIPV to smarter plugs forthe home, we found lots of great newproducts at Greenbuild this year
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS |
UPCOMING EVENTS |
RENEWALS |Bella Homes
Boise Cascade
Carpet Warehouse
Cimarron Mortgage Capital
CMF Enterprises
Jack White Building Specialties, Inc.
JB Laminates
Loretta Blankenship, CPA
McCoy’s Building Supplies
Mountain Vista Realty
Pointe Homes/Lupo Development Corp.
Stewart Title Guaranty
Sun City Spray Foam
The Heritage Group
Time Warner Cable
Tropicana Homes
Tropicana Properties
Villagi Homes LLC
JANUARY 10
BOARD MEETING
12 NOON
EPAB OFFICE
JANUARY 18-20
SPRING HOME SHOW
CIVIC CENTER
JANUARY 18-21
NAHB MEETINGS
LAS VEGAS NEVEDA
JANUARY 22-24
INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS’
SHOW
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
JOSEPH HOMES
CONTACT: JOEY NAJERA
521 BELVIDERE, STE. B
EL PASO, TX 79912
915-584-3868
CRAWFORD BUICK GMC, L.P.
CONTACT: BRIAN PAONESSA
6800 MONTANA AVE.
EL PASO, TX 79925
915-778-7781
Border Investor Capital
LLC seeks Civil Engineer
in El Paso, Texas.
Bachelor Degree in Civil
Engineering required.
Candidate must possess
at least 60 months of
experience in Civil
Engineering.
Qualified applicants may
submit résumé to:
Mr. Sergio Cuartas Jr.,
President.
Fax résumé to:
(915) 855-2106.
Civil Engineer
Nothing is better for the soul than a
great round of golf with great people
playing with you. I have had the luxury
of playing some of the finest golf
courses in the country, but nothing is
better than having your friend partner
with you for that golf game.
Fortunately I have some of my best
friends right here in El Paso, and like
others they enjoy the game as much or
more than I do. Good for me they also
play better than myself, so it takes the
sting out from maybe a miss or two on
my part.
The Association held our Pro Am
tournament this year with talent from
around our area, choosing to partner
up with the club pros from Sun Country
Professional Golfers Association.
These pros come from New Mexico
and West Texas and what a great
group they are. The hosting club,
Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course,
was ready for the teams and head pro
Mark Gonzalez did an excellent job as
always. His partner in crime Anthony
Bellow ran the tournament with skill.
We had two great food trucks serving
the lunch and frankly that was a big hit.
Our many golfers had a great time and
we enjoyed making sure they did. My
thanks to Ray for his help and to
Margaret for her help in keeping things
in order.
I am very much looking forward to
the installation dinner and hope to see
a lot of you there. Nothing matches
the fun of seeing old friends at the
installation, but I’d like to see some
new faces as well. I’m looking forward
to serving in Edmundo Dena’s
administration as Associates Chair.
This is supposed to be my last year, so
if you have a desire to help me with
this year I’d much appreciate it.
Associates make things happen, plain
and simple.
14 Builders Outlook 2012/11
Sam ShallenbergerWestern Wholesale Supply
Associates Council
� execuTive oFFicerS
Frank Arroyos - President
Cisco Homes
edmundo Dena - vice President
Accent Homes
Frank Torres - Secretary/Treasurer
GMF Custom Homes
Sam Shallenberger - Associates council
Western Wholesale Supply
Greg Bowling - immediate Past President
Tropicana Homes
ray Adauto - executive vice President
El Paso Association of Builders
� couNciL/commiTTee cHAirS
Affordable Builders council
Bobby Bowling IV
Associates council
Sam Shallenberger
Build PAc
Randy Bowling
Desert Green Building council
Javier Ruiz
industry Promotions
Greg Bowling
Land use council
Vacant
Young Designer Award
John Chaney
remodelers council
Rudy Guel
membership Drive
Mike Santamaria
Finance committee
Kathy Carrillo
education committee
Frank Spencer
� ADviSorY To THe BoArD
J. Crawford Kerr, Attorney, Firth, Johnston
& Martinez
� BoArD oF DirecTorS
Joe Bernal, Joe Bernal Insurance
Doug Borrett, Karam Co.
Kathy Carrillo, Pioneer Bank
John Chaney, Passage Supply
Sergio Cuartas, BIC Homes
Ted Escobedo,Snappy Publishing
Art Garcia, El Paso Door
Juanita Garcia, ICON Custom Home Builders,LLC
Samira Gonzalez, Edwards Homes
Lorraine Huit, Cardel Design Group
Walter Lujan, Dawco Home Builders
Sal Masoud, Del Rio Engineering
Bruce Meyer, JDW Insurance
Edgar Montiel, Palo Verde Homes
Kathy Parry, Hunt Communities
Javier Ruiz, Senercon & Border Solar
Frank Spencer, Aztec Contractors
Henry Tinajero, WestStar Bank
Linda Troncoso, TRE & Associates
Ken Wade, El Paso Building Materials
Paul Zacour, Zacour & Associates
2011 Builder member of The Year
Greg Bowling
Tropicana Homes
20110 Pat cox Award
Kathy Parry
Hunt Communities
2011 Associate of The Year
Sam Shallenberger
Western Wholesale Supply
John Schatzman Award
Bob Bowling III
Tropicana Homes
ePAB Special Award
Rudy Guel
Guel Construction
Honorary Life members
Brad Roe
Cliff Anthes
Wayne Grinnell
Chester Lovelady
Don Henderson
Anna Gil
Past Presidents
committed to Serve
ePAB mission Statement:
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.
© 2012 Builder’s 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
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
� TAB STATe DirecTorS
Doug Borrett, Karam Co., Life Director
Randy Bowling, Tropicana Homes
� NATioNAL DirecTorS
Bobby Bowling IV.
Demetrio Jimenez
NATioNAL ASSociATioN oF
Home BuiLDerS
(800) 368-5242
TexAS ASSociATioN oF
BuiLDerS
(800)252-3625
years
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BUILDERSA S S O C I A T I O N O F
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