TAB News Briefs

Star Awards final deadline this Friday

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

The 2012 Star Awards final deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 25 — but don't wait until the last minute. Look at all the exposure you could be getting! Check out last year's Star Awards winners on YouTube. Remember that winners are also featured in Texas Builder magazine. To begin your entry, click here.

New Southern Pine design values become effective June 1

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

As previously communicated, new design values for #2 and lower grade Southern Pine and Mixed Southern Pine 2x4's will become effective on June 1 of this year. These reduced values, developed by the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB), were approved by the American Lumber Standard Committee's Board of Review in January. At the urging of NAHB and other industry stakeholders, an effective date of June 1 was provided to allow the industry some time to transition to the new design values while avoiding project delays and market disruptions.

Texans can save sales tax on energy efficient appliances; Homebuilders qualify

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

The opportunity for Texans to save money on energy efficient appliances is fast approaching. The state's annual ENERGY STAR® Sales Tax Holiday is from Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28, 2012. "As Texans focus on their household budgets, they can save twice on energy efficient appliances purchased during Memorial Day weekend," Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. "Texas shopper" refers to anyone in Texas buying these products on the stated weekend at a store in Texas or from an Internet or catalog seller engaged in business in this state. The term includes homebuilders, real estate developers, dealers, service providers and contractors.

Nationwide housing affordability reaches new record high

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

Nationwide housing affordability hit a new record high for a second consecutive quarter in the first three months of this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), released today. Yet tight lending conditions continue to pose a major obstacle to many prospective home buyers. The latest HOI data reveal that 77.5 percent of all new and existing homes that were sold in this year's first quarter were affordable to families earning the national median income of $65,000.

After dry spell, area's real estate development pipeline is flowing again

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

After several years with a virtually dry construction well, Central Texas' real estate development pump is being primed again. The pipeline of planned projects is replenishing, and construction cranes — the "state bird," as developers jokingly call it — are multiplying in the region. While the local apartment market has been sizzling for nearly two years, other sectors are now picking up steam. Residential, office and hotel projects — and yes, more apartments — are in the works.

Area home sales, median price up in April

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

It's not a boom, but the market for resale homes looks like it's on a solid upswing. The median price of a San Antonio-area home in April rose 6.9 percent to $157,400. And the number of home sales in April jumped 14.3 percent when compared with the same month last year, according to data released Monday by the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

Texas preps for Panama Canal expansion

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

The Texas Department of Transportation is creating a working group focused on making the most of the economic opportunities associated with the opening of the expanded Panama Canal in 2014. Fort Worth-based BNSF Railway Co. is joining other companies and associations on the Panama Canal Stakeholder Working Group, including the Texas Motor Transportation Association and Texas Association of Manufacturers.

MileStone Community Builders wins Austin Business Journal's Residential Real Estate Production Home Builder Award

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

MileStone Community Builders, LLC, announced the company received the Austin Business Journal's Residential Real Estate Awards (RRE) 2012 Production Home Builder Winner of the Year. The Austin Business Journal RRE Awards honor the top residential real estate agents, custom, production and green home builders and master-planned communities in Austin, Texas.

Why this may be the ideal time to buy real estate

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

Well, it's only taken half a decade, but the moribund real estate market is finally starting to show signs of life. If you were thinking about making a move on a piece of property, right now is possibly the best time. You can still take advantage of low prices in most places around the country, and mortgage rates are at once-in-a-lifetime record lows: 30- and 15-year fixed mortgages are around 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

Angered homeowners seek retribution, get frustration

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

Residents of Stablewood Farms on the West Side say no one ever told them that their new homes were built on top of an old sewage treatment plant. Now some homeowners are asking their builder to buy back their homes — and wondering why the city of San Antonio encouraged development there in the first place.

Drought grips area: El Paso County commissioners ban aerial fireworks, water restrictions take effect

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

The sale and use of some aerial fireworks have been prohibited in all unincorporated areas of El Paso County because of the fire danger they pose, county leaders said. County commissioners voted 4-to-1 to ban certain aerial fireworks this Fourth of July season as drought conditions in the region are critical and likely to worsen. Commissioner Dan Haggerty voted against the ban, which includes skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins.

Texas Forest Service conducting 'dead tree census'

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

Crews from the Texas Forest Service will spend the next two months combing the state counting trees killed by last year's historic drought. In an attempt to get a picture of the mortality rate, personnel will survey 700 plots of land, each specifically targeted by agency analysts who studied satellite images of tree canopy across the state. District Forester Todd Nightingale with the Texas Forest Service said of those 700 plots of land, 300 of those are in East Texas.

NAHB to host webinar on top apartment features

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will host a webinar on the top 12 must-haves in today's apartments. When it comes to apartment living, renters have made it clear which features they expect in their homes. Industry experts will discuss these key market trends emerging in interior, exterior and outdoor living and how generational differences affect apartment design.

Poll: Runoff likely for Texas' Republican Senate primary

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

Texas' Republican primary for the U.S. Senate is close -- and could be headed for a July 31 runoff. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst holds a single-digit lead over former Solicitor General Ted Cruz, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Dewhurst had the support of 40 percent of likely voters, followed by Cruz at 31 percent. Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert had 17 percent, and broadcaster and former football player Craig James had 4 percent. Five other GOP candidates brought up the rear.

Higher electricity prices at center of energy debate

22 May 2012 10:57:24 CDT

With the arrival of higher temperatures now boosting energy demand in the state, higher electricity prices aren't likely to prove popular with Texans. But as Dave Fehling of KUHF News reports for StateImpact Texas, some say that's the only way to avoid rolling blackouts.