Home Builders Bulletin

9/19/2008 - Playhouse Winners Announced

EO2305 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:35:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                             For more information contact:
9/19/2007                                                                                                                                                Valerie Krause
                                                                                                                                                               (269) 473-5035
                                                                                                                                                           swmhba@att.net
PICTURE NOT AVAILABLE                                                                                                         http://www.swmhba.com

THE SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN HOME BUILDER ASSOCIATIONS PLAYHOUSE RAFFLE WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED

    Berrien Springs, MI—The Members of the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association (SWMHBA) raffled off two playhouses donated by members during their general membership meeting on September 18, 2008. Winners of the raffle receive one of two playhouses, delivered free of charge, to a location of their choice in Berrien County.

    Playhouse number 1, donated by Big C Lumber, was won by Robert Krause of Berrien Springs, and Playhouse number 2, donated by Glenlord Home Center, was won by Ingrid Wiskow of St. Joseph. Congratulations to our winners!

   For more information about the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association, please visit www.swmhba.com or contact the office at 269-473-5035.

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ABOUT SWMHBA: The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association is the professional association for members of the housing industry in Berrien County. Builder members consist of residential contractors, remodelers, and developers. Associate members represent all professions that support the home building industry. The SWMHBA exists so that members of the residential construction industry can ethically and efficiently provide our communities with safe, quality, affordable housing and to promote home ownership. It is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

9/19/2008 - SWMHBA establishes Educational Program

EO2305 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:27:00 GMT

THE SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHES AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

    Berrien Springs, MI—The Members of the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association (SWMHBA) are very excited to announce the first course in their new educational program will be the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation course.

    Attendees of the CGP course will gain knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principle into homes, including ways to meet, exceed and verify green building energy efficiency requirements. They will be able to demonstrate to buyers the environmental impact, increased performance and health benefits of green homes. This designation shows potential customers the builder’s commitment to staying current with industry innovations.

    The CGP course is made up of two classes. The first class, Green Building for Professionals will be held December 16 & 17, 2008 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at the Park Inn in Stevensville. The second class, Business Management for Building Professionals is a one day class that will be held in conjunction with the Green Building for Professionals on December 18, 2008 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., also at the Park Inn in Stevensville.

    The two classes give attendees credit for 13 hours of Design & Building Science, 6 hours of Business Management, Estimating & Job Costing and 2 hours of electives towards the 60 hour educational requirement the State now requires in order to apply for a builder’s licenses. Registration can be made by calling the SWMHBA at (269) 473-5035.

    For more information about the CGP designation, education and the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association, please visit www.swmhba.com or contact the office at 269-473-5035.

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ABOUT SWMHBA: The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association is the professional association for members of the housing industry in Berrien County. Builder members consist of residential contractors, remodelers, and developers. Associate members represent all professions that support the home building industry. The SWMHBA exists so that members of the residential construction industry can ethically and efficiently provide our communities with safe, quality, affordable housing and to promote home ownership. It is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

9/19/2008 - Associate of the Year

EO2305 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:21:00 GMT

THE SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR AWARD TO GLENLORD HOME CENTER

Berrien Springs, MI—The Members of the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association presented Glenlord Home Center with the Associate of the Year Award on September 18, 2008 during their general membership meeting. Other associate members nominated for Associate of the Year were: Adams & Son, Best Way Disposal, Big C Lumber and JC Concrete. Congratulations to our 2008 Associate of the Year and all the nominees!

During the general membership meeting on the 18^th, the SWMHBA also presented Greg Powell of Powell Construction Services with the 2008 People’s Choice Award for his Parade of Homes entry located in Island Pointe Marina. As the 2008 People’s Choice award winner, Powell Construction Services was given a plaque and their 2008 Parade entry and will be featured on the cover of next year’s Parade of Homes guidebook.

    For more information about Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association, please visit www.swmhba.com or contact the office at 269-473-5035.

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ABOUT SWMHBA: The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association is the professional association for members of the housing industry in Berrien County. Builder members consist of residential contractors, remodelers, and developers. Associate members represent all professions that support the home building industry. The SWMHBA exists so that members of the residential construction industry can ethically and efficiently provide our communities with safe, quality, affordable housing and to promote home ownership. It is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

8/27/2008 - Parade of Homes Thank-You

EO2305 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:15:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                             For more information contact:
8/27/2007                                                                                                                                                Valerie Krause
                                                                                                                                                               (269) 473-5035
                                                                                                                                                           swmhba@att.net
PICTURE NOT AVAILABLE                                                                                                         http://www.swmhba.com

THE SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION PARADE OF HOMES SEASON COMES TO AN END

Berrien Springs, MI—The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association (SWMHBA) would like to thank everyone who participated in the 12^th annual Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is held the last weekend in July and the first weekend in August every year. This year the Parade featured 11 new homes and 3 remodeled homes from the $189.000 price range all the way up to $2,000,000.

A number of awards were given out to the participating builders prior to opening day of the Parade of Homes. Each award winner was given a plaque to be displayed in the homes during the event. For the price ranges:

Up to $189,000

Best Interior Design award was given to Harbor Habitat for Humanity.

$190,000 to $249,999

Best Interior Design, Best Floor Plan & Best Kitchen and Bath awards were given to The Villas at the River.
Best Exterior Living/Site Design awarded to Traditions by Trudy.

$250,000 to $349,999

Best Exterior Living/Site Design, Best Interior Design & Best Kitchen and Bath awards were given to R. Bibler Custom Builders.

$350,000 to $499,999

All four awards, Best Exterior Living/Site Design, Best Interior Design, Best Floor Plan and Best Kitchen and Bath were awarded to Busch Construction.

$500,000 and up

Best Exterior Living/Site Design, Best Interior Design, Best Floor Plan was awarded to Cornerstone Builders & Associates.
Best Kitchen and Bath was awarded to Inovateus Development.

    Our 2008 People’s Choice award was presented to Powell Construction Services. By filling out a survey and turning it in as they tour the homes on display, the public selects the winner of the People’s Choice award. As the 2008 People’s Choice award winner, Powell Construction Services will be given a plaque and their 2008 Parade entry and will be featured on the cover of next year’s Parade of Homes guidebook.

    “This year’s Parade of Homes was a great success! We could not have done it without the outstanding support of the public, or the builders who participate,” said Valerie Krause, executive officer of the SWMHBA, “Congratulations to all our award winners".

    For more information about the Parade of Homes and the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association, please visit www.swmhba.com or contact the office at 269-473-5035.

8/27/2008 - Playhouse Raffle to Benefit the Humane Society

EO2305 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:11:00 GMT

THE SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION & THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN RAFFLE OFF PLAYHOUSES

    Berrien Springs, MI—The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association (SWMHBA) is partnering with the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan to raffle off two (2) playhouses. Playhouses will be raffled off on September 18^th, 2008 during the first general membership meeting of the season.

    Tickets are 1 for $3.00 or 2 for $5.00 and can be purchased at either the SWMHBA located at 107 W. Ferry St., Berrien Springs, or at the Humane Society, located at 641 S. Crystal Ave., Benton Harbor. The lucky winners will receive one of the two playhouses, delivered FREE OF CHARGE to a location of their choice within Berrien County. Pictures of the playhouses can be seen at the SWMHBA website, www.swmhba.com/playhouse.pdf.

    Two of the SWMHBA’s members donated the playhouses. “Big C Lumber & Glenlord Home Center have always been very generous to the association”, said Valerie Krause, executive officer of the SWMHBA. “We appreciate all the hard work they put into these playhouses and look forward to being able to give them away to 2 lucky families!"

    Proceeds to benefit the Humane Society and the SWMHBA educational program.

    For more information about the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association, please visit www.swmhba.com or contact the office at 269-473-5035. For more information about the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan visit www.humanesocietyswm.org or contact the -office at 269-927-3303.



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ABOUT SWMHBA: The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association is the professional association for members of the housing industry in Berrien County. Builder members consist of residential contractors, remodelers, and developers. Associate members represent all professions that support the home building industry. The SWMHBA exists so that members of the residential construction industry can ethically and efficiently provide our communities with safe, quality, affordable housing and to promote home ownership. It is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

8/11/2008 - NEOC Seminar

EO2305 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                             For more information contact:
8/11/2007                                                                                                                                                Valerie Krause
                                                                                                                                                               (269) 473-5035
                                                                                                                                                           swmhba@att.net
PICTURE NOT AVAILABLE                                                                                                         http://www.swmhba.com

VALERIE KRAUSE

ATTENDS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS COUNCIL SEMINAR

    Berrien Springs, MI—Valerie Krause recently attended the EOC seminar, a five day educational program in Providence, RI put on by the Executive Officers Council (EOC) of the National Association of Home Builders (NAH.

    The seminar focuses on professional development for association management professionals, and this year’s programming had a special focus on doing more with less and maintaining a high level of member service. The Seminar is the only conference that brings together home builder association staff from across the country to share ideas and solutions and to hear from industry experts about what works.

    This annual event attracts more than 350 participants and features more than 60 education sessions exploring new methods, techniques, and technologies to be more productive, increase revenue, and enhance membership services at their association. The EOC membership consists of the association management professionals who manage the nearly 800 state and local home builder association that comprise the National Association of Home Builders.

    The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association represents more than 200 home builders and their associates in the housing industry throughout the Berrien & Cass County areas.

    For more information about the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association, please visit www.swmhba.com or contact the office at 269-473-5035.



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ABOUT SWMHBA: The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association is the professional association for members of the housing industry in Berrien County. Builder members consist of residential contractors, remodelers, and developers. Associate members represent all professions that support the home building industry. The SWMHBA exists so that members of the residential construction industry can ethically and efficiently provide our communities with safe, quality, affordable housing and to promote home ownership. It is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

7/15/2008 - 2008 Parade of Homes

EO2305 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:57:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                             For more information contact:
7/15/2007                                                                                                                                                Valerie Krause
                                                                                                                                                               (269) 473-5035
                                                                                                                                                           swmhba@att.net
PICTURE NOT AVAILABLE                                                                                                         http://www.swmhba.com

THE SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN HOME BUILDER ASSOCIATIONS 12^TH ANNUAL PARADE OF HOMES KICKS OFF NEXT WEEK!

    Berrien Springs, MI—The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association (SWMHBA) is proud to present 11 new and 3 remodeled homes in the 12^thannual Parade of Homes. You will be welcomed into these homes by some of the most prestigious builders in Michigan’s Great Southwest.

    The Parade of Homes kicks off on Thursday July 24^th at 6:00 p.m. and runs July 24^th – 27^th and July 31^st – August 3^rd, 2008. Hours of operation are Thursday and Friday’s from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from noon – 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 for Adults and $3.00 for children ages 4 – 12. Tickets can be purchased at any of the homes on tour in these neighborhoods: Baldwin Landing, Crystal Estates, Hildebrand Hills, Island Pointe Marina, River Run, Signal Point, Stillwater, Victorian Farms, The Villa’s at the River and Washington Crossing.

    We hope you’ll enjoy the show over the two weeks the parade is open. The Parade of Homes would not be possible without the generous support of our Title Sponsor, Glenlord Home Center. We thank them for their continued support! We would also like to thank the Parade of Homes committee members who have donated many hours to make sure your experience is an enjoyable one

    For more information about the Parade of Homes and the Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association, please visit www.swmhba.com or contact the office at 269-473-5035.



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ABOUT SWMHBA: The Southwestern Michigan Home Builders Association is the professional association for members of the housing industry in Berrien County. Builder members consist of residential contractors, remodelers, and developers. Associate members represent all professions that support the home building industry. The SWMHBA exists so that members of the residential construction industry can ethically and efficiently provide our communities with safe, quality, affordable housing and to promote home ownership. It is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the Michigan Association of Home Builders.