The Tidewater Builder - Sept/Oct Issue

The Tidewater

Charity House sells during open house

TMHC honors

its winners

Homearama Issue

SOLD!The official magazine of Tidewater Builders Association September/October 2009

FAUCETS.

FIXTURES.

LIGHTING.

APPLIANCES.

P A S S I O N A T E

P E O P L E !At Ferguson, it’s true that our inventory is huge. Our distribution

expertise is unrivaled. And our one-stop shopping for building products is the height of convenience. But there is one thing we

supply that building professionals have come to rely on again and again for over 50 years – our people. Our associates make certain you can depend on Ferguson – where friendly service, expertise, anda willingness to go the extra mile are never in short supply.

Nobody expects more from us than we do SM

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 1

Departments

2 President’s Pen

5 Headliners

15 Shades of Green

17 Builder Services Success Story

Features 4 Can you hear us now? TBA members are working hard to ensure the building industry is heard on issues a!ecting the business.

7-13 Homearama heads back to Chesapeake Everything you need to know about Homearama 2009, from the Preview Party, showcase homes, Charity House and more.

18-21 TMHC gets a roaring reception Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council’s annual banquet goes under the big top to honor this year’s top performers.

The mission of Tidewater Builders Association is to improve the climate for affordable housing; promote the growth and development of the shelter industry; promote excellence and professionalism among mem-bers through education and networking opportunities; and support and enhance the community through charitable projects.

OFFICERS: Pete A. Kotarides, president; William H. Halprin, vice president; James E. Jackson, associ-ate vice president; Charles J. Miller II, treasurer; S.L. “Sam” Cohen, secretary; Steven E. Lawson, appoin-tee; Edward R. Sadler, immediate past president

BUILDER DIRECTORS: Richard L. “Tuck” Bowie, Scott G. Brooker, Christopher J. Ettel, Dennis M. Graf, Pete O. Kotarides, Steven E. Lawson, Lucky C. Peterson, Ste-phen B. Quick IV

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS: G. Robert Aston Jr., J. Greg-ory Dodd, Thomas W. Dye, Scott M. Gandy, Brenda K. Reid, Samuel G. Scott, H. Mac Weaver II, Edward O. Yoder

DIRECTORS EMERITI: Edward P. Brogan, William J. Fanney, Richard D. Guy, Doyle E. Hull, Frederick J. Na-politano, Richard E. Olivieri, John H. Peterson Jr., The Honorable Owen B. Pickett, Julian Rashkind, Stanley Waranch, Howard M. Weisberg, Wendell A. White

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Channing A. Pfeiffer

Managing editor .............................. Mary Prier, APR

Editor ......................................................Sara Steil

Advertising sales .................................... Kim Powers Leigh Ann Sirmans

Production coordinator .......................Stella Council

Adviser ........................................... Sandra Amidon

Graphic Artist ................................... Diane Trumbull

Copyright: 2009; all rights reserved. No permission to reprint unless ex-pressly given by Tidewater Builders Association. The Tidewater Builder is published for all TBA member firms through the $15 subscription price, which is included in the annual membership fee. Opinions expressed by contributing columnist are not necessarily those of this publication.

The Tidewater Builder is published monthly, January through December, by Tidewater Builders Association, located at 2117 Smith Ave., Chesapeake, VA 23320. Editorial dead-line is 5 p.m. on the 1st of the month preceding publication. Advertising deadline for copy and insertion order is p.m. on the 10th and for camera-ready ads, 5 p.m. on the 15th of the month preceding publication. All advertising is subject to current rates, copies of which can be obtained from the Special Events/Membership/Marketing Division, 420-2434. The magazine reserves the right to determine the suitability of any advertising or editorial copy, and all real estate ad-vertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handi-cap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

About the cover: Among the visitors to the Homearama preview open house were Jim and Valerie Harvey of Chesapeake. The couple purchased the Homearama Charity House from builder Herb Watson, far right. The proceeds will benefit The Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.

The Tidewater

22 Counsel’s Insights

24 Shop Talk

26, 27 Membership Update

28 Advertisers’ Index

Events Calendar

Vol. 56, Number 7

pages 7-13

About 1,200-plus visitors ascended on Culpepper Land-ing, the site of Homearama, on Aug. 22 and 23 for a sneak peek at the showcase homes under construction. The event garnered leads for the build-ers, as well as an increase in traffic to Culpepper Landing. For more Homearama cover-age, please see pages 7-13.

2 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009

President’s Pen

Is it time to get rid of that “old debt”?

Free legal consultations for TBA builders

Pete A. Kotarides

We’ve heard a lot of talk about helping homeown-ers whose homes are now worth less than what they owe on them. "e federal government has even gotten involved with encouraging lenders

to work out these loans with buyers. What we have NOT heard is much talk about how to

help builders who purchased lots and/or #nanced new home construction that is now worth less than their loans. Many of them may also still be indebted to subcontractors and suppli-ers who helped to build these inventory homes.

As builders, we are passionate about our products, our cra$smanship, our customer service and our reputation. But when it comes to solving business problems created by the economy, some of us need help to see the situation clearly.

That’s where TBA’s general counsel, Grig Scifres, is step-ping in. He has o!ered to meet individually with interested builders to discuss strategies to pursue — and pitfalls to avoid — when seeking to restructure bank or vendor indebted-ness. And he has o!ered to provide this service for free to TBA builder members.

Grig has handled workouts, debt restructures and busi-ness bankruptcy matters for more than 25 years, including several previous economic downturns. As co-chair of the #nancial services team at Williams Mullen law #rm in Vir-ginia Beach, Grig focuses his practice primarily on #nancing, creditors’ rights, commercial and real estate law. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Banking, Virginia Super Lawyers for Banking and Virginia Legal Elite for Bank-ruptcy/Creditors Rights. He cares about the industry and knows many of the builders personally and professionally.

While Grig may not be able to solve everything in these meetings, he will be able to help builders to see more clearly and possibly remove some of the emotion and inertia that can result when the situation can seem overwhelming.

Grig says in these cases, the worst thing you can do is noth-ing and that basically, if you owe more than the property is worth — you can’t get through that without help from your lenders. At some point, you have to deal with di!erence be-tween current value and current debt.

Grig sees builders who are getting by month to month and hoping for better times without taking decisive action to restructure their debt. "e problem with this approach, says

Grig, is that sooner or later, the money is likely to run out. His focus is on avoiding costly and emotionally draining

litigation and working out solutions with lenders. He’ll ask builders to think about how they will get their business to a point where it can generate positive cash %ow going forward and at the same time, consider how to deal with “old debt.”

One builder member who met with Grig reports that within days of his meeting, he put several of Grig’s recommenda-tions into action. "e builder reports that Grig “came up with things that as a builder you typically wouldn’t think of.

“Some of the things I thought I was doing right were things I shouldn’t have been doing. We came up with a plan to change the way I was approaching things and doing things,” said the builder.

For more advice from Grig, check out his column on page 22.Or, see the sidebar below with the times and dates of his

availability to meet. In the meantime, TBA will continue to strive for ways

to add relevance and value to our members during this slow recovery. It’s important to remember that we are all in this together — builders, bankers and suppliers. Together we will get through to the better times ahead.

Hang in there,

Free Debt Restructuring Consultations

If you would like a one-hour consultation with TBA General Counsel Grig Scifres, schedule a time with Dee Fain at 305-9017 or [email protected].

Available dates/times: Fri., Sept. 18, 8:15–11:45 a.m.Mon., Sept. 21, 1:30–6 p.m.

Mon., Sept. 28, 8:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m. Wed., Sept. 30, 1:30– 5:30 p.m.


Diamond $10,000

Virginia Natural Gas

Dominion Virginia Power

Fulton Bank/Fulton Mortgage

TowneBank

The Ainslie Group

SunTrust Real Estate Finance Group

Bank of America

Tidewater Home Funding

Beach Ford Inc.

The Virginian-PilotSykes, Bourdon, Ahern & Levy P.C.

Bank of Hampton Roads

Williams Mullen

William E. Wood & Assoc.

Kotarides Builders

Napolitano Homes

Clark Whitehill Enterprises Inc.

Area Builders of Tidewater Inc.

Terry/Peterson Cos.

Hearndon Construction Corp.

Ashdon Builders Inc.

L.R. Hill Custom Builders Inc.

Miller Custom Homes

Joey Corp.

Greenbrier Lighting

Associated Development

Real Estate Information Network Inc.

Gateway Bank & Trust Co.

Reese Smith Construction

iLevel by Weyerhaeuser

The Closet Factory

Wells Fargo

Monarch Bank/Monarch Mortgage

Superior Equipment Sales Inc.

Cox Communications

Columbia Gas of Virginia

Platinum $5,000

Gold $2,500

!ank you to the following companies for their support of the shelter industry:

2009

Cornerstone Foundation Members


By Mary Prier, APR

Some members of Tidewater Builders Association have been busy this summer speaking up for the industry on a number

of critical issues that could have a major impact on builders and developers.

Mandatory sprinklers: Do as I say, not as I do

The public hearing in Richmond was packed with those for and against making #re sprinklers a mandatory component of every new home built in Virginia.

When it was his turn to speak, past TBA President Je! Ainslie asked those in favor to stand. "e #re marshals and sprinkler manufacturer representatives on hand stood to be counted. He then asked those who have sprinklers in their own homes to remain standing — all but one took their seats.

Ainslie was joined on the speaker’s platform by builder Bobby Tyler and backed by a contingent of other builders from Hampton Roads, including incoming Home Builders Association of Virginia President Michael Newsome.

Newsome pointed out that the industry is not against added cost at the expense of safety, but that it has already in-corporated numerous safety measures that have dramatically reduced the risk from #res.

The Board for Housing and Community Development voted 9 to 2 to change the mandate to an option in the pro-posed 2009 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code Update and to include a methodology for the installation of sprinklers for those who choose them.

This was the #rst step in the process, but a big step for the housing industry. A #nal vote will be taken on the issue in March.

Money down the drain? New stormwater regs Meanwhile, public hearings are under way on proposed

new rules governing stormwater runo!.A group of civil engineers analyzed the e!ects of applying

the new regulations to previously designed projects. "eir results revealed that it would cost a lot more money to build homes and commercial buildings with no signi#cant im-provement to the Chesapeake Bay. "e industry maintains it’s being disproportionately a!ected by the proposal in relation to the e!ect it has on pollutants.

The HBAV has submitted a counterproposal that would assess fees on the industry to help o!set the cost of cleaning

Members make their (our) voices heard

up the bay.Thanks to Andy Herr, vice presi-

dent of land development for Terry Peterson Cos., who coordinated the analysis, as well as the following con-tributors: Bob Cosby, AES Consulting Engineers; Chris Parker and Michelle Virts, Timmons Group; Mike Hess, Miller Stephenson and Associates; Mike Bumbaco, Kerr Environmental; Ted Miller, Kimley Horn and Associ-

ates; Scott Davis, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.; and Kelly Holloman, Landmark Design Group.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is evalu-ating more than 3,000 public comments. A special meeting of the Soil and Water Conservation Board is set for Oct. 6 to vote on the regulations.

Stimulating the economy with home buyer creditTBA leadership has also been voicing support of a national

initiative to extend the $8,000 federal #rst-time home buyer tax credit, which is set to expire on Nov. 30.

Personal meetings have been held with Congressional representatives Randy Forbes, Glenn Nye and Bobby Scott to ask them to extend the credit for another year and to make it available to all home buyers.

The National Association of Home Builders maintains that if Congress extends the tax credit program, it would spur 383,000 additional home sales, and create nearly 350,000 jobs.

Chinese drywall saga continuesThe NAHB Chinese Drywall Task Force met with Con-

gressional representatives who serve on the Chinese Drywall Caucus in an ongoing e!ort to resolve unanswered questions about the product, reported TBA past President John Ainslie.

The product, imported from China from 2004-08, is be-lieved to contain high levels of sulfur that emit foul odors and corrode copper components in the home.

The task force is working with various building health and forensic scientists to develop an inspection and remediation protocol to e!ectively identify and remediate the problem. "e goal is to have these standardized protocols accepted and endorsed by a government agency, such as the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Meanwhile, a class-action lawsuit in Louisiana is expected to act as a precedent in determining liability.

Issues and Actions


Members make their (our) voices heard

Headliners

Call Miss Utility at before you dig.

Allow required time for marking.

Respect the marks.

Excavate carefully.

Dig WithC.A.R.E.

KeepVirginiaSafe!

Whether your project is big or small, one free and easy call gets the underground utility lines marked and helps avoid costly damages, fines and even personal injury. So, please call 811 and dig with C.A.R.E.

This message brought to you by theVirginia State Corporation Commission

Put on your dancing shoes and follow the yellow brick road

Get set to enjoy an evening “Some-where over the rainbow” at the an-nual Builders Ball and installation of o&cers, set for Friday, Dec. 4, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hilton.

The event will feature a sit-down dinner and the installation of Bill

Halprin as 2010 president of Tidewater Builders As-sociation. Halprin is senior vice president of S.L. Nus-baum Realty Co. and past recipient of the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council’s Executive of the Year Award.

Get out your ruby red slippers (or your dancing shoes) and come out for an evening of fun, friends, #ne food and the Top 40 sounds of the six-piece band, Fast Forward. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and reservations cost $75 per person. A block of rooms is being held for reservations at $129 a night.

For more information, contact Stacey Turner at 305-9042 or [email protected].

HBAV installation coming to Virginia BeachThe Home Builders Association of Virginia is heading to Vir-

ginia Beach for the installation of our 2010 state president, Michael Newsome of Clark Whitehill Enterprises Inc. Newsome is a TBA past president and current chairman of the TBA Scholarship Foun-dation.

In lieu of a formal event, Newsome will celebrate his installa-tion with a luncheon at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hilton on !ursday, Nov. 12, which o!ers a panoramic view of the ocean-front.

The installation luncheon will kick o! with a gathering at 11:30 a.m., followed by a meal at 12:30 p.m. "e installation ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m., immediately followed by a dessert reception.

Tickets cost $40 per person. Make your reservations by contact-ing HBAV at 804-643-2797 by Nov. 2.

Strength in numbersHelp build a stronger association in the fall membership drive

Nov. 18-19. Not only can you win great prizes, but you’ll also net-work with other members and enjoy post-drive festivities. Get on a recruitment team now by contacting Stacey Turner at 420-2434 or [email protected].


I’ve been in the housing industry more than 50 years and I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs. One thing I know for certain is that no one knows how long a buyer’s market will last.

Usually, when we get into a downturn, people wait too long to make a decision and end up buying when prices and interest rates are increasing.

As you pointed out in “From glum to glim-mer, market remains rough” ( July 23, 2009), a number of indicators, such as in-

creasing sales volumes and prices, are pointing to a possible bottom in the Hampton Roads housing market.

Your assumption it’s likely to remain a buyer’s market “for some time” could persuade potential home buyers to lose out on the op-portunities available in today’s local housing market.

For those who have secure employment and the #nancial resources, it’s a good time to buy.

I believe we are currently bouncing along the bottom of the housing market. Prices could go down more, but it would be a gamble to wait.

Today’s interest rates are as low as anyone can remember. "ey may %uctuate from week to week, but no one knows when they’ll just continue to increase. "e same is true of in%ation. We know it will come back; it’s just a matter of when.

An $8,000 tax credit for those who haven’t owned a home in three years expires Nov. 30. "is is like the government giving you $8,000 to buy a home.

When I presided over the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in 1982, it was one of the worst periods on record for the industry. Interest rates for home mortgages were at 17 percent. Unemployment was about 11 percent. Still, people bought more than 1 million units representing all types of housing. Even in that market, people wanted and needed a home.

This year, we’re on track to sell only about 500,000 units nationally, whereas a typical year would see the industry mov-

ing 1.5 to 1.8 million units, a trend that makes us believe there is pent-up demand from people waiting on the sidelines for better economic conditions.

Our economists at NAHB predict that by 2013, our pop-ulation will include 83 million people in the 25-44 year age range — the prime home buying age. "ese growing house-holds will create additional demand.

Locally, our builders did not create a huge inventory of un-sold homes as they did in some other markets. With today’s tight #nancing, they are not developing land or building

many additional inventory homes. When the demand for new homes exceeds our supply, there will be a gap and prices will increase.

Our builders construct houses, but when families move in, they become homes. Most people still want to own a place they can call home. "ey want the “white picket fence” where they can raise their family and become part of a community.

They will realize long-term bene#ts from home ownership, such as deductible mortgage interest and growing equity each month, as well as an increase in value over time.

We proved in the ’80s that our industry could get more people back to work in a

short period of time than any other industry because of our tremendous ripple e!ect. Suppliers and subcontractors as well as landscapers and even furniture companies enjoy the spin-o! bene#ts from a healthy housing market.

We can help tackle unemployment by getting the housing industry back on track, and spreading the word that now is a good time to buy.

Frederick J. Napolitano Sr. is a past president of the National Association of Home Builders and a member of its Hall of Fame. He has served on the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. advisory boards and chaired the Federal Home Loan Bank Advisory Council. He is also a past president of Tidewater Builders Association and chairman of the board of Pembroke Enterprises and Napolitano Homes, as well as a partner in Terry/Peterson Development Corp. He is also recipient of the TBA Stanley Award for lifetime achievement.

By Frederick J. Napolitano Sr.

The following guest column was published in !e Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday, July 29, 2009.

Our builders con-struct houses, but

when families mo"e in, they become

homes. Most people still want to own

a place they can call home.

Fred Napolitano Sr.


SEPTEMBER 2009 1

Presented by

Join us at the preview party. Tickets are on sale now for this year’s Homearama Preview Party, which is business casual, at Culpepper Landing in Chesapeake on Friday, Oct. 2.

Enjoy the “Taste of Virginia” cuisine, courtesy of Farm Fresh catering division Fresh Events, and spirits, courtesy of Afton Mountain Winery, while listening to the sounds of Skip Friel & The Resonators. And don’t forget to visit the Charity House, built by The Walters Company Inc.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at Culpepper Landing, Chesapeake. Tickets cost $50 prior to Sept. 18 and $55 after-ward. Proceeds to benefit The Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.

Order your tickets online at www.tbaonline.org or call 420-2434

Homearama details:Oct. 3-18 noon-9 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. noon-10 p.m. Fri. & Sat.

COST: $10 general admission$8 TBA member advance tickets$7 TBA member (more than 20 tickets)$6 TBA member (more than 50 tickets)$5 TBA member (more than 100 tickets)

Discount coupons and more information at www.homearama.tv

Join us at Homearama 2009, where 12 custom showcase homes create a streetscape reminiscent of Main Street America, with classic interpreta-tions of traditional architectural styles.

It’s Tidewater Builders Association’s annual “buy now” campaign designed to stimulate interest in housing in all price ranges. Homearama, now in its 28th year, returns to Chesapeake for the 15th time, this year at Culpepper Landing near Deep Creek.

As usual, the event showcases the latest in home design and innovation, including: The area’s first certified EasyLiving Home A customized modular home, con-

structed in a factory and assembled on site

The Chesapeake House, with products and décor that reflect the city’s culture and heritage The Christmas House and The

Thanksgiving House, with ideas for holiday decorating The Green House sponsored by

Virginia Living magazine, with energy- efficient features The Man Cave, sponsored by DIY

Network and Cox Communications, of-fers visitors a chance to win their own man cave makeover

Don’t miss dates:

Oct. 5: Military Appreciation Day – buy one, get one free admission with a valid identification card

Oct. 5: A Taste of Chesapeake, sponsored by Columbia Natural Gas and HR Magazine, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., will allow guests to sample cuisine from Chesapeake restaurants Oct. 6 and Oct. 13: “Two for Tues-

days” offers two-for-one admission with a Cox Communications invoice Oct. 7: Realtors Day – free for

realtors showing a business card, with breakfast from 9:30-11 a.m. Oct. 17: “Kidarama” from noon-

2 p.m. features children’s activities from The Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters Oct. 19: The Homearama Furniture

Sale from noon-6 p.m., allows visitors to come back to purchase their favorite furnishings and décor

Make yourself at home


8 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 2 SEPTEMBER 2009

Homearama 09

1

The “bright idea” HouseBuilt by Simpson Builders Inc.

Howard, Mary-Dolph and Page Simpson

2,542 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, with 1 half bath

2

The elizabeth: T!" C!"#$%"$&" H'(#"

Built by )e Widener Corp.Erin Widener Speckhart

2,414 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, with 1 half bath

3

The thanksgiving HouseBuilt by Definitive Homes Inc.

Mike Brunick and John Reddecli*

2,502 square feet, 3 or 4 bedrooms and 3 baths

SECOND FLOOR

The doverBuilt by Vintage Homes

T.E. Jones

2,380 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths

5

The lindsayBuilt by Vintage Homes

T.E. Jones


4

The crow’s nestBuilt by Next Level Group L.L.C.

Sam Cohen and John W. “Chip” Iuliano


6


SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 9 SEPTEMBER 2009 3

Homearama 09

SECOND FLOOR

7

morningside manorBuilt by Next Level Group L.L.C.

Sam Cohen and John W. “Chip” Iuliano


8

The elderberry: A C!"#$%&'$ T"'(#%#)*

Built by WATAB Construction Corp.William “Bill” Brice

3,011 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths

9

The easyliving homeBuilt by +e Walters Company Inc.

Herb Watson


The whitaker: W,-.)&, H)&,

Built by SGB HomesScott Brooker


11

10

12

The sydney lambert: T!"#$%&#' B(!)"#'* A**+,!%&!+- C.%'!&/ H+(*# &+ 0#-#1!&

T.# C.!)"'#-’* H+*2!&%) +1 T.# K!-3’* D%(3.&#'*

Built by +e Walters Company Inc., Herb Watson3,600 square feet, 5 bedrooms and 4 baths, with 1 half bath

The walnut cottage:

Built by Stephen Alexander HomesAlex, Stephen and Steve Quick

3,444 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, with 1 half bath



On a hot August day, 6-year-old Sydney Lambert wielded a child-size shovel to take part in a tree planting ceremony to dedicate the Homearama home that bears her name. A few weekends later, a Chesapeake couple visiting the site during a Dusty Boots open house fell in love and bought the home.

The proceeds from the sale of this special Homearama home will be con-tributed to The Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughter, which served as a home away from home for Sydney when she was an infant battling cancer.

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Victorian

HOUSE SIZE: 3,600 square feet, 5 bedrooms and 4 baths, with 1 half bath

ABOUT THE HOUSE:



Built by veteran Homearama builder Herb Watson of The Walters Company Inc., the Charity House, named “The Sydney Lambert,” will be among the 12 showcase Homearama homes at Chesapeake’s Culpepper Landing from Oct. 3-18.

In 2004, Sydney’s stomach became very distended and her mother rushed Sydney to a nearby hospital where a large growth was discovered in her abdomen.

She was sent to CHKD, where surgeons discovered that the tumor had burst, spilling malignant cells into her stomach.

Sydney underwent chemotherapy, which meant periodic eight-day hospital stays over six months.

Treating babies with cancer requires an extensive team of professionals who focus on children, something that’s usually found only at children’s hospitals.

During the six months in and out of CHKD, Sydney stayed on track developmentally.

“She learned how to walk when she was in the hospital. I’d walk behind her, pushing her IV pole,” Kim Lambert said.

“You’re so excited and so happy it’s over, but it’s bittersweet because you’re leaving behind all these great people who’ve taken care of your child – and you,” she said. “When Sydney got sick, I felt so blessed to have these incredible people and CHKD right here, so we didn’t have to travel out of state during the months Sydney was being treated.”

Now Sydney is thriving. She loves gymnastics and cheerleading, and according to her mother, “never stops talking.”

“You don’t know how to thank them enough other than to show them what a great kid she’s become,” Kim said. “You just want those wonderful people to know, ‘Hey look, all your work paid off, look at her now.’ ”

On Aug. 4, Sydney was the guest of honor at the tree planting ceremony to dedicate The Sydney Lambert. She was joined at the ceremony by her family, Tidewater Builders Association President Pete A. Kotarides; Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff; Culpepper Landing

CONTRIBUTORS:

of all the subcontractors and suppliers donating their skills and products. A big thanks goes to the following donors:

Archimages

Architectural Stained Glass

Brickstone Studios

Floorcrafters

Florida Tile

Great Bridge Furniture

Robinson Development Group

Titan America

PROMOTIONAL SPONSORS:

developer and vice president of Robinson Development Group Tim Culpepper; senior vice president of community relations for CHKD Beth Duke and Charity House builder Herb Watson of The Walters Company Inc.

Watson, who built the Charity House for the 2008 Homearama, was pleased to be able to take part in the event again this year.

“We agreed to build the Charity House again for a couple of reasons,” said Watson. “No. 1, I think the charity that we are working for is an out-standing organization. A lot of people in Hampton Roads have children that have been there and you get to see some real results, as seen in Sydney. Secondly, we did it last year and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. I got to know a lot of good people in the trades, many of whom I had never met. As a company, we felt like we were doing something that would benefit the community.”

Watson was able to get contributions from suppliers and subcontractors to help increase the proceeds available to the hospital after the sale.

“CHKD means a lot, and has meant a lot to us personally,” said Watson. “It impacts the lives of so many people here in Hampton Roads and it’s the right organization to be supporting. It’s easy to see success stories. I’ve seen my own children come out of the hospital there, and we saw a cancer

survivor this morning, and last year, we had a young man who has been in the hospital every year of his life,” said Watson about his affiliation with CHKD. “And he’s getting better all the time.”

As for Sydney, “she is a lovely young lady,” said Watson. “I’m just amazed. Her parents are so lucky and fortunate to have the organization such as CHKD and to have their children so healthy.”



Homearama 09

A modular experience

Builder introduces a green modular home to Homearama



Homearama 09

Easy to live in… today and tomorrowH!"#$%$"$ &'()*#% &%(+,- .(%-/ E$-0L(1(+, H!"# /! H$"2/!+ R!$*-

By Sara Steil

Imagine never having to retrofit your home to meet your changing family

and physical needs. Now imagine that those upgrades to your home, which is

also more accessible, can cost little to nothing since they were incorporated

into the home when it was built.

That’s the basis for the EasyLiving House, designed by veteran Homearama

builder Herb Watson of The Walters Company Inc.

A&!'/ /3# 2%!,%$"The EasyLiving Home program is

operated by a nonprofit coalition of organizations committed to making homes livable for everyone, including the AARP, Home Builders Association of Virginia, Virginia Housing and Development Association and Virginia Board for People with Disabilities.

According to EasyLiving Home project coordinator Rhonda Allison, an EasyLiving home is “a visitable home.”

“Anyone can visit you whether they have a wheelchair, a walker or a baby stroller that needs to come in,” she said. “Anyone can come in and be comfort-able in your home.”

A44#--(&()(/0Though you may be healthy now,

there may come a time in the future when you or a family member may have limited mobility. An EasyLiving home takes this into account and groups the most essential living areas on the first floor to make it easy to move about, as well as move heavy items without having to navigate stairs and doorways.

“You should be able to function in

your home,” said Allison. “What people don’t realize is how versatile an Easy Living Home is.”

A&!'/ /3# 3!"#-To be considered an EasyLiving

Home, the house must meet the following criteria:

no more than ! inch from a driveway, sidewalk or other firm route into the central living area.

passage space for every interior passage door on the main floor and the exterior door that provides a step-free entrance.

bedroom, a kitchen, entertainment area and one full bathroom with sufficient maneuvering space.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a person with disabilities… or a person who enjoys the ease of carrying groceries into a house with a zero-step entrance – access is for everyone…” said Teri Barker, Virginia Board for People with Disabilities.

For more information about an Easy Living Home, visit www.easyliving-home.org.

Beauty and functionality

merge in EasyLiving House

For Homearama builder Herb Watson, building the EasyLiving Home at Culpepper Landing was a way to merge beauty with unforeseen circumstances.

“We need to plan for our eventual demise, as well as being able to accom-modate for everything that may happen in life,” said Watson. That’s the idea behind his EasyLiving house.

More importantly, it’s a home that will not need to be refitted to accommodate your family’s changing needs.

It will also be the first EasyLiving Home in Hampton Roads and will join only three other EasyLiving certified homes in the state.

The EasyLiving House features five bedrooms, and four and a half baths, as well as a gallery that will “overlook an English garden with a concrete water feature.”

The first floor has a “magnificent master suite with a terrace overlooking raised gardens,” said Watson. In addition, the master bath is wider for maneuver-ability and is equipped with a sunken shower and pedestal sinks. Ceramic tile, a freestanding tub and magnificent décor complete the bathroom.

The 3,500-square-foot home has multiple rooms of hardwood flooring, has been equipped for an elevator and also features an interior fire suppression system.



Landscape ArchitectureLand Planning

Engineering757 935 9014

www.landplanningsolutions.com

By Esther Diehl TurnerLand Planning Solutions

Land Planning Solutions, LPS, is a multifaceted planning #rm based in Su!olk that specializ-es in conceptual design, rezon-

ing, preliminary and #nal engineering, project management, landscape and architectural design.

Melissa Venable, the principal of LPS, graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in landscape architecture and planning and gained a formidable amount of experience work-ing in the Washington, D.C., metropol-itan area before coming to Hampton Roads. "e professionals at LPS form a team with more than 50 years of plan-

Mixed-use projects are picking up steam

Current demand is keeping land-planning service busy

ning and engineering experience.As a result of today’s market, LPS

has found itself working on a wide vari-ety of projects, o$en recon#guring pre-vious iterations of land plans, as well as adjusting the product size and elevation to better #t the current demand. Over

the past few months, LPS has observed a noticeable increase in sales, which seems to have a direct correlation to a project’s pricing and location. Unique projects with a mix of housing styles and commercial uses have continued to sell due to their variable products and pricing.

Mixed-use projects like Culpepper Landing, the 2009 Homearama site, have continued to generate activity.

LPS currently is working as a mem-ber of the Architectural Review Team for Culpepper Landing, as well as having designed the sales center, club-house, neighborhood entry feature, park play area and the private residen-tial landscape and courtyard designs for the Vintage Homes sites. LPS also is revising the plan for the Mercantile District and creating attractive eleva-tions for the commercial buildings that will blend with the existing homes and enhance the neighborhood.

The design process for LPS is an exercise that considers many variables, not just a simple “make-it-#t” philoso-phy. "e thoughtful consideration of the current buyer’s needs, as well as the projected needs of future generations, leads LPS to create spaces that are not only attractive and impressionable but long lasting, too.

When considering a home purchase, the buyer takes a moment to ask him-self, “Could I live here? Will my chil-dren be happy here? What about my grandchildren?”

The team at LPS asks themselves these questions everyday and has heard some of their most successful clients do so as well. When response to cur-rent #nancial needs is combined with research and study for future demand, LPS has found creating places can be highly sought a$er.

The thoughtful considerationof the current buyer’s needs, as well as the projected needs

of future generations, leads LPS to create spaces

that are not only attractive and impressionable

but long lasting, too.

Advertorial


I have enjoyed working with plants for years. As a youngster, I worked with my grandfather in propagation of English Boxwoods and other plants. I did several

design jobs and installs for friends before going into business and now I am the land-scaper for Culpepper Landing. I have seen #rsthand some major changes that it has undergone in the past year and a half.

I take a personal interest in my proper-ties and the upkeep on them, and with the size and elements surrounding Culpepper Landing, the project is a constant under-taking.

In the landscapingSince Culpepper Landing is an Eliza-

beth River Project River Star Award re-cipient for its 150-acre conservation area, I am using natural and environmentally friendly products in the landscaping. "e Eliza-beth River Project is an organization aimed a reducing pollution in the Elizabeth River.

Given the surrounding wildlife and conservation area, Culpepper Landing is adopting sustainable measures when possible, such as using pervious materials in the driveways and organic fertilizers and native plant species in the landscaping. "e use of native plants means that they will adapt to and grow hardier because they are original to the climate. Such plants include numerous varieties of holly’s, maples, oaks, river birches, roses and azaleas.

One such organic fertilizer that we are using on the turf areas throughout Culpepper Landing is corn gluten. Corn gluten is a product developed by the University of Iowa that o!ers a non-toxic, yet e!ective alternative to traditional, chem-ical-based products for weed control. Since the corn gluten acts as a pre-emergent, Culpepper Landing has few weeds.

Additionally, my crew mows no less than 3' inches in height to help conserve moisture and therefore reducing the frequency of turf watering and weed germination. Air, light and water are essential to growth and if any of those compo-nents are missing, the growth will be stopped.

RecyclingRecycling isn’t limited to your household items. In fact,

there are several ways in which I am incorporating recycling into the landscaping at Culpepper Landing.

With all of the new construction under way at the develop-ment, I wanted to try using recycled wood scraps as mulch.

By Fred Sayers, L&F Landscaping

Earth-friendly landscaping on display at Homearama

Shades of Green

While the waste and blowing winds surrounding the property have put those plans temporarily on hold, I am researching several other grinding ma-chines that are made for the sole purpose of grinding construction debris into #n-er mulch for rough areas of landscaping.

Recycling in landscaping doesn’t stop there, either. Instead of discarding spent annual %owers, we are recycling those, too. First, we allow the %owers to dry out. "en, we till and reuse them in new or existing beds.

We will also be splitting and trans-planting some of the perennials in most of our beds throughout the property as they mature since perennials will multiply throughout the years.

Did you know that aside from a nicer looking lawn, grass clippings also can be recycled?

We regularly bag the grass clippings and then spread them on the bare areas around Culpepper Landing to help keep the dust down. At a later point, we will make a compost area for clippings, so that we can use them for repairing the damaged turf areas.

Several months back, we even had someone leaving bags of leaves in the back streets of Culpepper Landing. It seemed that every Monday morning I was #nding 15-20 bags of leaves or yard debris. Looking at it as a positive note, I would collect the bags; dump the contents out and till it into the ground on one of the back lots. As a result, it will be ready for use in our new beds in a few months.

Limited use of chemicalsThough we are using a natural product in the landscaping,

we do employ our own spray technicians for chemical spray-ing, when necessary. I have seen way too many situations were overspray or misused spray gets into the soil and does damage.

Fred Sayers is a member of Virginia Nurseryman and Landscap-ers Association. L&F Landscaping o#ers landscaping services, in ad-dition to pavers, mulching, aeration, sodding, light irrigation repairs and power raking. For more information, contact Sayers at 757-403-2883 or [email protected].

The Green Building Council meets on the %rst !ursday of each month and is open to anyone interested in Green Build-ing. !e next meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Oct. 1, in the TBA boardroom.

As a recipient of the Elizabeth River Project Riv-er Star Award, Culpepper Landing is adopting sustainable measures, such as using pervious materials in the driveways and native plant spe-cies in the landscaping.


Being a partof the community. It takes morethan having a branch here.


Builder Services Success Story

Builder in limbo afterzoning change

Hopefully we didn’t miss a thing. Because we’ve done everything we can to serve architects, builders and contractors. We even have a separate showroom just for you. And we’re equipped to serve everything from custom homes to multi-family projects. When your next project is ready for appliances, call us. We won’t miss a thing.

Top brands. Low prices. Factory authorized service.Experienced people. What did we miss?

Ed DeVries andTom Huxtable.

Sales professionals at East Coast Appliance

Builder Direct.

Party impacted: J.F. Jackson III General Contractor Advocate: Jack Jackson Issue: Jackson purchased #ve lots in 2001; however, new city zoning in 2006 le$ him unsure of the value of his lots. Wanting to develop the land, Jackson turned to Builder Services for help in determining how his lots could be devel-oped in compliance with the new zoning. Resolution: Builder Services was able to locate the proper code for Jackson’s lots. With the new zoning ordinances, Jack-son ended up with more lots. Jackson was able to supply his surveyor with the

correct information s to move forward. Comment: “Without the proper in-formation, I would have ended up with one lot instead of two,” Jackson said. If something were to arise, I would de#nitely use Builder Services. "ey are probably the best source in town and they’re a lot cheaper than a lawyer. Plus, they know what they are talking about and if you get it from them, it’s correct.”

If you or your company has a building or development issue you would like help resol"ing or a question you need answered, contact Builder Services Specialist Patrice Kyle at 305-9015, or [email protected].

Jackson

TBA Home & Flower Show selected for

national seriesTidewater Builders Association’s Mid-

Atlantic Home & Flower Show has been selected for USA Exposition’s “National Home and Garden Show Series™” for 2010, a designation with the potential to attract national marketing support.

It is one of 30 of the nation’s top in-dependent home shows joining forces with USA Expositions, a Cleveland-based marketing company, to launch PremierHomesShows.com and the national series as a vehicle to combine their resources and their reach.

“It can be di&cult for an organiza-tion with one or two events to compete against large consumer show companies for marketing dollars from national manufacturers and retailers,” said TBA President Pete A. Kotarides. “A series like this levels the playing #eld for in-dependent show producers, including associations like ours.”

The local event joins those from Se-attle, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Houston and others in this collaborative e!ort to gain access to national companies.

“"is premier 30-show portfolio provides a collective media expendi-ture/sponsorship bene#t of $5 mil-lion and direct access to more than 1.5 million show attendees,” said Brian Roggenburk, president of USA Expo-sitions. Only one show in each market was selected, he added. “"e shows we selected were based on quality exhibits, quality gardens, attendance, promo-tions and advertising and the overall experience for show visitors.”

The series has partnered with Bet-ter Homes and Gardens to provide a full-year subscription to online ticket buyers during 2010 and will pursue au-tomotive and home improvement part-nerships for the local events.

The Home & Flower Show is set for Feb. 5-7 in the Virginia Beach Con"en-tion Center. For more information on how you can participate, call (757) 420-2434 or visit www.tbaonline.org.


And the winners are...

TMHC annual banquet goes under the big top to honor top performers

By Sara SteilThe 25th year of Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council’s Associates’ Show-

case, Awards Banquet and RAM Graduation on July 23 was nothing less than fun-filled. The largest annual banquet for TBA kicked off the evening “under the big top” with the Associates Showcase where Carousel Signs and Designs Inc. took home the award for Best in Show. After hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and networking at the trade show, the participants got down to business and awarded several TMHC members and communities for their efforts, and recognized the winners of the TMHC Olympics.

John Davis, center, of Lawson Realty Corp. took home the honor

of the Gordon A. Poole Regional Property Manager of the Year

Award. With Davis are TBA President Pete A. Kotarides and TMHC

Chairwoman Debbie Gordon.

Jocelyn Fetzer, publisher of

Hampton Roads Apartment

Book, was honored as the

2009 Associate of the Year

for her work supporting

the Tidewater Multifamily

Housing Council.

The Peggy B. Cowan

Property Manager

of the Year Award went

to Amy Thompson, of the

Lawson Realty Corp.

Jamie Fisher of Ripley

Heatwole Co. took home

The Apartment Book’s

Leasing Consultant

of the Year Award.



merit aWARDS Merit Awards were presented to seven individuals for

their outstanding performance in the industry throughout the year.

Caroline Forehand, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.’s multifamily marketing director, was named 2009 Multifamily Executive of the Year. Forehand began her career in the multifamily industry as a lifeguard and has since worked her way from property management to marketing. She “maintains a high standard of excellence for the company and maintains the company’s excellent reputation,” said William Halprin, senior vice president of S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. “She works tire-lessly to maintain an efficient and effective team and helps to support and assist all of the communities.”

Forehand lived up to her award and was not able to make the festivities, as she was working on a property out of state.

Jocelyn Fetzer, publisher of Hampton Roads Apartment Book, was honored as the 2009 Associate of the Year for her work supporting the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council.

“We can always count on Jocelyn to volunteer her time and talent in our many activities,” said Sharon Hamilton- Taylor of Lawson Realty Corp. “In addition, her work with the 3Ms Committee has helped to make it a success each year.”

Debbie Gordon was awarded the Chairwoman’s Plaque for her efforts in leading the TMHC Council for 2008 and 2009.

Additional 2009 Merit Awards winners include:Gordon A. Poole Regional Property Manager of the Year Award, John Davis, Lawson Realty Corp. Peggy B. Cowan Property Manager of the Year Award, Amy Thompson, Lawson Realty Corp.The Apartment Book’s Leasing Consultant of the Year Jamie Fisher, Ripley Heatwole Co. 2009 Maintenance Supervisor of the Year Rick Zimmer, Lawson Realty Corp.Rebecca Hughes/Sam Shetsul Maintenance Employee of the Year Award, Trent Church, Lawson Realty Corp.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE In addition to Merit Awards, the winners of the 2009 Awards

of Excellence were also presented to outstanding properties in South Hampton Roads based on criteria including the year of the property’s completion, signage, maintenance and landscaping. With 94 communities vying for recognition, the 2009 Awards of Excellence first-place winners, presented by TMHC Chairwoman Debbie Gordon, include:

Communities completed as of 2001 and after Belmont at Greenbrier, Kotarides Property ManagementCommunities completed between 1996 and 2000 Mill Creek Apartments, Ripley Heatwole Co. Inc.

More than 600 TMHC members and guests participated in the festivities, which

went late into the evening at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

(contnued on page 20)



Communities completed between 1991 and 1995 Taylor Pointe Apartments, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.Communities completed between 1986 and 1990 Mission College Apartments, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.Communities completed between 1981 and 1985 Holly Point Apartments, Drucker & Falk LLCCommunities completed between 1976 and 1980 Kingsbridge Apartments, Lawson Realty Corp.Subsidized communities Park Terrace Apartments, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.Renaissance Awards for communities completed in 1971-75 Wellington at Western Branch, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.Renaissance award for communities completed in 1966-70 Colonial Arms Apartments, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.Renaissance Award for communities completed in 1961-65 Colony Point, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.Renaissance Award for communities completed in 1960 and before Archer’s Green Apartments, Signature ManagementAdults/Senior Housing The Orchards at Belleville Harbour, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.Adults/Senior Housing completed before 1995 Old Donation Apartments, Ducker & Falk LLC

2009 ram school grads The banquet, which also drew more than 600 members

and guests, also honored the 42 graduates of TMHC’s Registered Apartment Managers, RAM, program. The graduates completed a 40-hour basic RAM training program in on-site management, the first step to acquiring the RAM designation, a Department of Housing and Urban Development approved certification program administered through the National Association of Home Builders.

The graduates, by company, are:Bonaventure Realty Group LLC: Steve Meilleur and Yvonne M. WaltersFrye Properties: Kelly Y. Brunson and Sandra A. Matthews Clark Whitehill Enterprises Inc.: Russell A. Bryson and Phillip S. LewisGreat Atlantic Real Estate/Property Management: Christa Gilbert and Jeff PillowKotarides Property Management: Jeffrey G. Garlock; Rebekah Kantowski; Michael A. Kniskern; Chantal Reed; Cortney Schulte and Angela UnderwoodThe Lawson Cos.: Shira Ali; Kimberly Petrice Boone, Chantel Brace; Jamie Brown; Janice Butler-Harris; Cecilia Luz Collins; Emma Rosemary Cruz; Kimberly P. Dickerson; Thomas Formisano; Hope Hallaman;

Emcee Chris Dembitz, center, awarded Ripley Heatwole Team 2 the first-place award for their sweat and tears at the annual TMHC Olympics.

RAM graduates lined up “Under the Big Top” in preparation of being awarded their certificate of completion.

From left to right: 1) Missy Yeary and Jay Foley of Carousel Signs celebrate their Best in Show Award for their display at the Associates Showcase. 2) Heritage Woodworks’ Anne Harvard Smith, Gordon Harrison and Jake Bradshaw kick off the Associate Showcase festivities in costume. 3) TMHC members were ushered into the greatest show on earth with popcorn and goodie bags from The Apartment Book. 4) Entertainment included a local street performer making the rounds on stilts.

4321



big thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors:

Apartment BookAmerican Furniture Rentals Inc.Appliance WarehouseApartments.comCarousel Signs & Designs Inc.Causey Contracting Inc.Central Wholesalers Inc.CoinmachFirst Atlantic Restoration Inc.FloorcraftersGeorge G. Lee Co. Inc.Hampton Roads Security Corp.HD SupplyHeritage WoodworksLexisNexis Resident DataMove.comODU Off-Campus Housing ServicePerformance PlumbingSentorian Investigations & Executive ProtectionVerizon Enhanced CommunitiesVirginia Housing Development AuthorityWilmarYoung’s Flooring

Rosvellann Diones Jackson; Aisha Miller and Christina Speight Montgomery Meredith Construction Co.: Page G. Lea Jr. Norfolk Development & Housing: Aline E. Rogers Ripley Heatwole Co. Inc.: Salesha Lankford; Brittany Murray and Rebecca WalkerS.L. Nusbaum Realty Corp: Tonya Renee Dudley; Thomas Goodwin; Taylor Hughes; Yashana Purvis; Myra L. Silvera; Melisa Skinner and Jessica Studeny W.H.H. Trice and Co.: Colleen Garland and Dawne Langston Dessirrae Johnson

tmhc olympic winners The winners of the TMHC Olympics, which were held

on June 12 at the annual TBA Festival in the Park, were also announced. They were:

First place: Ripley Heatwole Team No. 2Second place: Breeden Company Team No. 2Third place: Great Atlantic Real Estate/Property Management Team No. 2

Lawson Realty is proud of our Merit Award winners!

MERIT AWARDS:Regional Property Manager of the Year: John Davis

Property Manager of the Year: Amy Thompson, Ghent Village Apartments

Maintenance Supervisor of the Year: Rick Zimmer, Ghent Village Apartments

Maintenance Employee of the Year: Trent Church, Forest Cove Apartments

Lawson Realty is proud of our Awards of Excellence winners!

PROPERTY AWARDS:Communities Built between 1976-80: Kingsbridge Apartments (Winner!)Greenlakes Apartments (2nd runner up)

Subsidized Communities: Hunters Point (1st runner up)

Renaissance Communities Built between 1971-75: Harpers Square (1st runner up)



Counsel ’s Insights

By C. Grigsby Scifres

Access to capital and debt restructuring

Jesse JamesB U S I N E S S AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E

for Tidewater Builders Association757.572.5813

jesse. james@spr int .com

Contact me on how you can save 22% off your monthly bill.

Access to capital is essential to the viability of any business. Current economic and market conditions have limited the

availability of traditional sources of cap-ital for builders. Many have questioned whether #nancing is available even for good deals that meet conservative un-derwriting standards. "is column will provide a few observations on accessing debt capital and restructuring business indebtedness.

Market and regulatory pressures on #nancial institutions have changed the landscape for builder #nancing. Financial institutions have pressures on

their balance sheets and loan portfolios that cause them to reduce exposure to residential real estate. "ese pressures include a need to grow interest and fee income and deposits. Renewals of existing credit facilities will include in-creased pricing, rate %oors and current appraisals of collateral. Builders would be well advised to be more proactive participants in the process of valuing lot and completed home inventory.

Consider asking to meet with the ap-praiser to provide input on value and market conditions. Ask which compa-rable sales are being used and make sure that any distressed sales are excluded. Suggest comparable sales that the ap-praiser should consider. In certain circumstances, it also might make sense to select an appraiser from the lender’s approved list and engage him as your own consultant.

A key requirement of accessing capi-tal and negotiations with any creditors is accurate and up-to-date #nancial reports. Make sure your #nancial re-ports, both business and personal, are current and accurate (including balance sheet, income statement and cash %ow projections). If there have been any ac-counting irregularities, #x them. Make sure that your cash %ow projections are credible. All tax #lings and pay-ments should be done on time, without exception. If your company lacks the internal capability to accomplish these things, then engage a capable CPA.

Take a thorough, objective look at your business model and operations. If you are not generating positive cash %ow (excluding the carrying costs of stale inventory), then your business model needs to be #xed. Only inject cash when you have restructured your business operations and your debt and balance sheet so that you can maintain a positive cash %ow for the next 18 to 36 months, even if market conditions do not improve. Cash is your key sur-vival tool. Do not waste it by funding a business that no longer can maintain a

Cash is your key survival tool. Do not waste it by funding a business that no longer can maintain a positive cash &ow and be successful.


By Mary Prier, APRAs investigators try to determine

the source of problems with drywall imported from China, a task force ap-pointed by the National Association of Home Builders is on the case.

TBA past President John Ainslie is one of 10 stakeholders chosen for the group, which will determine how NAHB can best advocate on behalf of members dealing with Chinese drywall problems. "e task force will also be a resource for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the lead agency investigating Chinese drywall.

Ainslie, president of production at Ainslie Group and a builder developer in Hampton Roads since 1984, also serves on the Virginia State Building Codes Technical Review Board, an appointment from former Gov. Mark Warner.

Drywall imported from China from 2004 to 2008 is believed to contain high levels of sulfur and/or other contami-nants that emit foul odors and corrode

Counsel ’s Insightspositive cash %ow and be successful.

Addressing stale inventory, and the related carrying costs, is a central chal-lenge facing developers and lenders alike. Evaluate whether you (and your lenders) would be better o! #nding the fastest way to convert inventory to cash rather than following the traditional sale process. Absorption times, coupled with declining values, require an ag-gressive strategy. Because it’s likely that values are less than the debt-encumber-ing inventory, you need to involve lend-ers as participants in a solution.

Here are a few guidelines to consid-er when restructuring business debt.

Be prepared for meetings, be con-servative in your proposals and do not agree to unrealistic proposals or unachievable deadlines

If you draw a line in the dirt, then mean it — do not get caught bluffing

Remember that positive cash "ow is paramount — pro#t and loss are irrelevant

Do not try to solve problems one at a time — you will run out of assets

Understand the tax consequences of your strategy and the potential value of tax losses

Perception and credibility are key – your creditors must trust you, believe that you want to help #x the situation and believe that you are capable of #xing the situation

Understand as best you can the objectives of your lenders and any key vendors — determine what the creditor representative needs to rec-ommend or accept your proposal

In most situations, existing owner-ship and management are better o! having someone else negotiate the deal for them. If you cannot negotiate or sell the deal, then get someone else who can.Sci$es, a partner in Williams Mul-

len, is Tidewater Builders Association’s general counsel. For additional infor-mation, contact Sci$es at [email protected] or (757) 473-5370.

Roll-off containers for easy removalHeavy/industrialLight/residentialMany sizes available

Available in many sizes to meet your needs.

WASTE REMOVAL

BOXX SYSTEMS is a locally owned and operated company serving both commercial and residential customers throughout Hampton Roads.

Take the hassle out of waste removal – new construction or renovations. Enjoy the ease of onsite roll-off containers available in four convenient sizes and mobile storage units.

Call us today for your storage or waste removal needs: 757-465-2699 or go to www.465boxx.com


Shop Talk

napolitanohomes.comnapolitanohomes.comnapolitanohomes.comlove where you live

Dragas honored for work in workforce housingHabitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads, Habitat SHR, named "e Dra-

gas Cos. the #rst recipient of its “Dream Builder Award,” which honors individuals, organizations and companies that continually commit time, resources, leadership and vision to the advancement of a!ordable workforce housing in South Hampton Roads.

“"e Dragas Companies has proven that it is possible to build beautiful homes that working families can a!ord to buy, and they have proven that a!ordable housing can be pro#table,” sid Paul Shelton, president of the Board of Directors of Habitat SHR. Helen Dragas, the president and CEO of "e Dragas Cos., will be presented the award at Habitat SHR’s 5th annual Tool Box Bash on Oct. 10, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. For more information on the Tool Box Bash, call 640-0950 or visit www.toolboxbash.org.

JES wins top industry awardsJES, a regional foundation repair com-

pany, recently won seven awards at the Basement Systems/Foundation Support-works International Convention, in Hart-ford, Conn.

Among the awards received were sev-eral honors for being ranked the No. 1 and No. 2 dealer among the Top 50 Foundation Supportworks and Base-ment Systems dealers in the world.

JES also was recognized as a mem-ber of the Foundation Supportworks Visionary Club for contributing to the development of the national network of Foundation Repair Contractors.

JES specializes in foundation and structural repair, basement water-proo#ng, crawlspace moisture control, basement #nishing systems and home remodeling.

Amidon named to board of Home and Garden Show Executives International

Sandra Amidon, sta! vice president of Homearama, Home Shows and Special Projects at Tidewater Builders Association, was elected to serve on the board of di-rectors of Home &

Garden Show Executives International, HGSEI.

HGSEI was formed in 1955 to pro-mote excellence and professionalism in home and garden shows. Its members represent more than 50 consumer events across the country designed to provide exhibitors with cost-e!ective sales and marketing opportunities through per-son-to-person contact.

Amidon produces the annual Mid-Atlantic Home & Flower Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Cen-ter, now in its 30th year, and the annual Homearama showcase of homes, now in its 28th year.

Amidon

Helen Dragas, center and CEO

of The Dragas Cos., will become the first company

honored by Habitat for Humanity with its “Dream Builder

Award.”


Shop Talk

Get the home loan you need from the bank you trust.

Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender © 2009 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. 00-62-0118D 06-2009 AR72208

Hampton Roads Office757.493.6100One Columbus Center, Suite 240Viginia Beach, VA 23462http://mortgage.bankofamerica.com/aleciahfisher

TBA member among the top pool and spa builders nationwide

Dominion Pools, in conjunction with Siska Aurand Landscape Ar-chitects, were honored with #ve na-tional ASAP Awards of Distinction for Region 2 during 2008-09. Gold and silver awards were given in the categories of pools 2,000 square feet and over and well as 2,000 square feet and under.

They also received the top honor of the Gordon W. Rudd Award of Excellence, which is presented annu-ally to recognize and reward the most beautiful and creative installation of pools and hot tubs across the Re-gion 2 area, which includes Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. "ere were more than 90 entries in the Gordon W. Rudd Awards of Excellence com-petition.

TBA member joins Tech alumniMSA, P.C. President and CEO Robert S. Miller III, P.E., FNSPE

was named to the Virginia Tech Via Department of Civil and Envi-ronmental Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Miller is a 1967 graduate of Virginia Tech’s Civil Engineering program.

MSA, P.C. is a regional consulting #rm specializing in environ-mental sciences, development planning, land surveying, civil and

environmental engineering and landscape architecture. To submit items for Shop Talk, e-mail the items to Sara Steil at [email protected]

or by fax at 420-5539.

Miller


Welcome new members

ASSOCIATESBath Fitter/Snyder Home Services Inc.Baths; kitchensJoe Raab .......................... (757) 857-1126www.snyderhomeservices.com

Blackwater Electric Co. Inc.Electrical subcontractorsKimberly L. Hart ................ (757) 549-9422www.blackwaterelectric.com

Bonded Builders Warranty GroupAdditions; insurance (general/home warranty/workers’ comp)Joe Pushak ...................... (703) 582-7727

Concrete AmericaConcreteBen Hughes ..................... (757) 739-3252

DbD, LLCArchitect/building designers; construc-tion management; space planning; project managementDana Franson ................... (516) 456-5423www.designbydana.com

Daves Agency, State Farm InsuranceInsurance (general/home warranty/work-ers’ comp); mortgage/financial companiesJohn C. Daves, Jr. ............ (757) 547-3500 www.johndaves.com

Fehr Mark Inc.Building materials; decks; fencesMark Harrison ................... (570) 739-4422

Granicrete of Hampton Roads, LLCCounter tops; decorative concrete; flooringDenise Kilgore .................. (757) 966-6826www.granicretehr.com

Majestic Marble & GlassBaths; glass products/mirrors; kitchens; marble (cultured & imported), stone, graniteBobby Medlin ................... (919) 865-3000www.gomajestic.com

Orkin Pest ControlExterminatingCaitlin Kalafsky ................. (757) 460-2466

Pinkston GeothermalHVAC/mechanical subcontractors; other services; water & sewer system supplies/well drillingJeff Stagg ......................... (804) 749-1964http://www.fox43tv.com/generic/news/

Premier Appraisal Group Inc.Real estate appraisalsEvan Richardson .............. (757) 212-3660www.pagnorfolk.com

ServPro of Chesapeake/ServPro of HamptonAllen Alewine .................... (757) 523-9700www.servproofchesapeake.com

Streamline Exteriors Inc.Siding; WindowsAaron Bell ......................... (757) 897-6590

Tidewater Realty LLC dba Exit Realty ConsultantsReal estateDeborah M. Williams ......... (757) 227-3444www.exitrealtyvirginiabeach.com

Tye & Associates LC, AlanEquipment rental/salesPatrick Dorn ..................... (703) 560-7011www.alantyelifts.com

BUILDERSBill Ore BuildersBuilders/developers; home automation; home theater; Structured wiringLes Ore ............................ (757) 431-1210www.hometheatersbydas.com

Kroll Enterprises Inc.Builders/developersJeff Kroll ........................... (757) 430-8382

MG Homes LLCBuilders/developersKevin Maume .................. (757) 631-6100

ASSOCIATESAdalay BayAdvance MortgageAdvance Title & AbstractAegean Pools Inc.American Insulation Service LLCAmpmor Electric Corp.Anthony & Sylvan PoolsAppliance WarehouseAtlantic Community Management Corp.Atlantic Elevators of VirginiaBabb Inc., JasonBay Shore ConstructionBecraft Plastering Inc.Built to LastCBN Land DevelopmentCentral Plumbing & Heating Inc.Chesapeake Bay Cabinet CompanyChesapeake Bay ContractorsCintasClark Roofing & Siding Inc.Coastal Pest Control LLCCrestline Realty Corp.Custom Closets & InteriorsCustom Home Designs Inc.

Custom Stone Company Inc.Diamond Hill Plywood Dickerson & Smith Law GroupDonahoe & Associates Inc., Stephen D.Envision/Elchin Construction Inc.FerrellgasFloyd’s Tree ServiceGreat Atlantic Real Estate/Property ManagementGreat Bridge BuildersGreenbrier LightingGriffin, Pappas & Scarborough PCHayden Custom HomesHBAV Benefits GroupHD SupplyHeritage BankHibbs, Inc., Evan C.Horton & DoddICI PaintsIndoor Air Systems IncInternational Tile & Marble Ltd.Jennings Paint Co.Landworks UnlimitedLawrence Painting Corp.Lawrencevill Brick Masonry SupplyLowery ConstructionLoyola Enterprises Inc.

McCallum Testing Laboratories Inc.McGeein Inc./McGeein Construction Co.Mid Atlantic Fire ProtectionMid South Building SupplyMidgett Inc., RLMill End Carpet ShopMosaic Tile Co., TheMove.comNational Housing Corp.Newell Lawn Service LLCNorbordNorfolk Redevelopment & Housing AuthorityOutdoor DesignersPrecision Spinal Care Inc.Priority Chevrolet/Priority AutoGroupPristine Pools LLCQuality EnterprisesQuality Stone ConceptsREICO Kitchen & BathRSVP PublicationsSavant LivingSicash/Palms AssociatesSign WorksSinnen-Green & AssociatesSolar ServicesSouthern Tile Distributors Inc.

HERE TO STAY


Sprint/NextelTaylor Plastering Inc., ScottTidewater Block LLCTidewater Insulators LLCTidewater Interior ProductsTidewater Interior Wall & Ceiling Inc.Tidewater Mortgage Services Inc.Tres AmigosVanasse Hangen Bustlin Inc.Virginia Beach Community Development Corp.Virginia Service Company Inc.WAVY-TV 10WilmarWinn NurseryWisco Vinyl/Aluminum Corp.

BUILDERS3MG Construction Inc.Affordable Homes LLCAnderson Builder Inc., CharlieBalance Builders Inc.Baymark Construction Corp.Belfor-USABenson Builders Inc.BIL-MAR Construction Ltd. t/a SE Page Custom Homes

Blount Custom Homes Inc., RLBlue Marlin Development LLCCape Construction Co. Inc.Crestline Homes LLCDebord Custom Homes Inc.DeFord Companies Inc.Dragas Companies, TheDragas HomesDunleavy & Sons, T.J.East West PartnersExecutive Homes Corporation of VirginiaFranciscus Homes Inc.GBK BuildersGolden Heritage Homes LLCGraf Construction Co. Inc.Harbor Group Management Co.HDS Drywall Service Inc.Hohmann BuildersJ-Lynn Co. Inc., TheKres HomesL&M Contractors Inc.McQ Builders LLCMEB General ContractorsMiller Builder Inc., NBMitchell Homes Inc.Moody Development

Napolitano HomesNorfolk Building Corp.Oasis Homes LLCOcean Bay HomesPreston Homes Inc.Princess Anne Builders Inc.Property Endeavours LLC dba SGB HomesR. Savino Custom HomesResidential Concepts Ltd.Richardson HomesRio Vista Two S, Inc.Ripley-Heatwole Co. Inc./RH BuildersRoseland Management Co. LLCSalder Building Corp.Signature Management Corp.Simpson BuildersSoutheastern Environmental & Construction (SENCON)Summit Construction Corp.Terry/Peterson Residential CosTJL EnterprisesWATAB BuildersWaverton Associates Inc.Wendell Homes LLCWermers Development Inc.Wirth Development Corp.Wyles Builders Inc., MJ

Big Picture

TBA President Pete A. Kotarides, center, confers with Towne-Bank Mortgage representatives Mike Poole, left, and Ben Newell, right, after the Builder Breakfast forum. The event sponsors told builders about a new reverse to purchase mortgage program that allows buyers over the age of 62 to purchase a new home without taking on a monthly mortgage payment.

TBA President Pete A. Kotarides took part in a “confidence” TV campaign produced by Cox Communications to encour-age confidence in the region’s economy. The campaign, which began on Sept. 7, features community leaders tout-ing the benefits of living in Hampton Roads. To view the campaign, visit www.youtube.com and search for “Cox Hampton Roads Confidence Campaign.”

Lindsey Rosson, right, tops off a hot dog

with relish. Homeara-ma subcontractors were treated to hot

dogs, chips, cookies and more, courtesy of Fairway and MidSouth

Building Supply Inc., at Culpepper Landing

on Aug. 4.


TBA Calendar

BB&T ..................................................... 16

Bank of America .................................... 25

BIIA ...................................................... IBC

Boxx Systems ........................................ 23

Breeden Co. .......................................... 21

Closet Factory ....................................... 25

Dominion Virginia Power ....................... 24

East Coast Appliance ............................ 17

Ferguson Enterprises .......................... IFC

International Jet Charter ....................... 25

Advertisers’ Index

OCTOBER1 Green Building Council meeting

2 Homearama Gala Charity Preview

3-18 Homearama at Culpepper Landing,

Chesapeake

13 Remodelers Council meeting

15 Developers Council meeting

20 TMHC Associates meeting

21 TMHC Executive Committee meeting

NOVEMBER4 New director orientation

5 Green Building Council

Remodelers Council meeting

12 HBAV Board of Directors meeting/

Installation of 2010 Officers/

Hall of Fame Induction, Virginia Beach

13 2010 Executive Committee planning

session

16 TBA Executive Committee meeting

TBA Board of Directors meeting

17 TMHC Associates meeting

18 TMHC Executive Committee meeting

Land Planning Solutions ........................ 14

Lawson Realty Corp. ............................. 21

Miss Utility ............................................... 5

Napolitano ............................................. 24

ProSource .............................................. 23

RSVP ..................................................... 28

Spivey Rentals ....................................... 28

Sprint ..................................................... 22

Superior Equipment Sales .................. BC

Virginia Natural Gas .............................. 19


PRSRT STDUS Postage

PAIDNorfolk, VA

Permit No. 2

For a Janitrol dealer near you or learn

more about the products we carry,

Call Toll Free: 800-325-3709

www.seshvac.com

R-410AREFRIGERANT

LIMITED WARRANTY

COMPRESSOR

LIFETIME

Wholesale Distributed by:

Limitations and restrictions apply.

Chilling Out

Doesn’t Get

Any Better

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the lazy days of summer. Let Janitrol keep you cool. Plus, all Janitrol systems with R-410A refrigerant provides instant money-saving comfort, as well as, giving you all the added benefits of an environmentally friendly minded refrigerant.

Paradise is more affordable than you think. Install a high efficient Janitrol system and beat the high cost of cooling your home.

PARTSLIMITEDWARRANTY

10YEAR

Documents

The Tidewater Builder - Sept/Oct Issue