Here is a new date you will want to get on your calendar now—especially if you are a hunter!. Randy Burson has announced this year’s annual Ingram HOMEPAC Dove Hunt will be on Satur-day September 12th with an added bo-nus of enjoying some good ol’ fashion and award winning cowboy style cook-ing! Johnny and Leonna Adkins of Clyde are the recipients of a Will Rogers Cowboy Award for Chuck Wagon of the Year award which is a national title for the preservation of Western culture. Their wagon was fashioned from a repli-ca of a 1910 John Deere wagon and has true to period nuts and bolts as well as flour and sugar canisters, knives and lanterns! While we are NOT actually pro-moting the Ingram hunt yet—we did want to share this valuable information so that you could reserve the date. As time draws closer, more information will be-come available. Thank you Randy Burson for chairing this event and thank you INGRAM CONCRETE for sponsoring the entire hunt including the fabulous oppor-tunity to step back in time and experi-ence a long forgotten Western culture.

Big Country HBA 4398 Crawford Drive

Abilene, TX 79602 325-698-4232

FAX 325-692-5844

In this issue:

President’s Pen

Luncheon Notice

Permits Issued

Partners

Welcome New Members

HOMEPAC

2015 Tax Deduction

TAB Construction Contracts

PWB

Pocket the Savings

Highlights

Clay Shoot

Capitol News

This N That

Texas Sales Tax Holiday

Millennial Homebuyers

2015 President Wesley Stockard

441 Lone Star Drive Abilene TX 79602

325-669-2463 wes@stockardhomes.com

Up next is our annual Habitat Sporting Clays Shoot which of course helps HBA support our industry sister Habitat for Humanity ABILENE. Since 2007, HBA has been able to donate $64,697.00 to Habitat Abilene! This event is starting to come together and all indications point to another great year. If you haven’t signed up to shoot, you still have time but only 3 slots re-main open for 8:30. If you want that time, I hope you are the first 3 to call in!! Well over 200 shooters have signed up. A special thanks to Mike Ward and his committee for all their hard work. If you have questions about the shoot, please give Mike a call 325-669-4040. Mark Aldriedge and his Golf Committee are gearing up for another successful story there. Mark your cal-endars for September 16th. To partici-pate or sponsor, give him a call 325-660-2880. Watch for information and sign up quick! A number of us will be attend-ing the Sunbelt Builders Show the end of this month. We are to converge at the Gaylord Texas in Grapevine and hopefully we will have some good infor-mation to pass on next month. Our next luncheon is Thursday August 6th at the Abilene Country Club. Hope to see you there! Wes

Luncheon NoticeLuncheon NoticeLuncheon Notice Thursday Thursday Thursday

August 6thAugust 6thAugust 6th Abilene Country Abilene Country Abilene Country

“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”

-Aristotle

PRESIDENT PEN

BY

Wesley Stockard

August Newsletter Sponsor

“To promote and protect the home building industry.”

Sunbelt

Builders Show

CLAY SHOOT Saturday August 8th!

Inside City Limits:

Abstract Construction 23 Mesa Ridge 220,000

Tony Conder 2317 Preston Tr 330,000

Abilene Glass & Mirror 2301 Biltmore Ct 600,000 Troy Davis Homes LLC 518 Running Water Tr 165,000

Jim Loudermilk 7125 McLeod Dr 200,000

Alanis Lavilla Homes 341 Mill Creek Dr 200,000

Clift Construction Co 2101 South Ridge Crossing 350,000

Habitat for Humanity 1925 Merchant St 78,809

Lantrip’s Custom Homes 4901 Big Bend Tr 206,900

Lantrip’s Custom Homes 349 Mill Creek Dr 222,900

Cordova Homes Inc 3033 Paul St 150,000

Cordova Homes Inc 7057 McLeod Dr 200,000

Cornerstone Enterprises 718 Edward Ct 330,000

Troy Davis Homes Inc 317 Mill Creek Dr 229,448

Lantrip’s Custom Homes 382 Southlake Dr 216,900

Thornton Custom Homes 8133 South Rdg 330,000

Cordova Homes Inc 3601 Patty Lynne 232,000* Abilene Fine Homes LLC 3418 Firedog Rd 139,000

Cornerstone Enterprises 3049 Legends Tr 180,000

Abstract Construction 23 Mesa Ridge 220,000

Bailey 1403 Tanglewood Rd 350,000

Cornerstone Enterprises 3017 Legends Tr 180,000

Cornerstone Enterprises 3025 Legends Tr 180,000

Donahue 509 Running Water Tr 191,000

Sanford Construction LLC 1549 Lyle Acres Dr 130,000

24 SFP issued 5,600,357

*01 Multi-family 232,000

Outside City Limits:

Austin Garner 157 Wait Station Av Tuscola

Brad Butler 226 B Braune Rd Abilene

Austin King 710 CR 618 Tuscola

Ethan White 3709 Potosi Rd Abilene

Ron Boyd 273 Weathersby St Tuscola

Platinum Builders 254 Weathersby St Tuscola

Russell Graham 650 FM 2035 Merkel

Lantrip’s Custom Homes 125 Lindley Crt Tuscola

Carlos Gonzales 417 CR 692 Buffalo Gap

Jeff Arther 198 Huron Dr Abilene 10 SFP issued

34 permits issued this time frame

PERMITS ISSUED: June 12—July 17, 2015

Page 2

THANK YOU Moutray &

Associates Insurance Agency, Inc.

For our delicious cookies!!

New MembersNew MembersNew Members

Key Property Management Key Property Management Key Property Management

& Real Estate& Real Estate& Real Estate

Angie MarsalisAngie MarsalisAngie Marsalis---AlcalaAlcalaAlcala

Thornton Custom HomesThornton Custom HomesThornton Custom Homes

Trey ThorntonTrey ThorntonTrey Thornton

T. Johnson Homes, LLCT. Johnson Homes, LLCT. Johnson Homes, LLC

Travis JohnsonTravis JohnsonTravis Johnson

To view all our members visit To view all our members visit To view all our members visit

www.bigcountryhba.comwww.bigcountryhba.comwww.bigcountryhba.com

Meet your new Assistant

Executive Officer DANA LEE

Dana comes to us from Snyder, by way of Dyess

and her husband! Dana and Brandon have a

beautiful little daughter who is just fixing to turn

the BIG “4”! Please help us welcome Dana to

HBA! Email her at dlee@bigcountryhba.com

Page 3

2015 TAX DEDUCTION

In 1993, the U.S. Congress enacted the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act that contained provisions affecting

trade associations. The Act provided that taxpayers will no longer be able to deduct from their federal income taxes

any portion of the association dues attributable to that association’s “lobbying activities” as an ordinary and neces-sary cost of doing business.

For 2015, NAHB estimates that the non-deductible portion of national dues-the portion that is applicable to

lobbying is 11% or $20.02 that will not be eligible as a business expense. For 2015, The Texas Association of

Builders estimates that the non-deductible portion of state dues is 76% or $91.20. For an affiliate member 76% or $20.52 is not deductible as a business expense.

Therefore, the total amount of 2015 state and national dues for a member that is not deductible as a busi-

ness expense is $111.22, and for an affiliate member the amount is $20.52. ********************************************************************************************

501(c)6 Organization The BCHBA is recognized as a 501(c)6 organization and contributions made to a 501(c)6 organization are not tax deductible. Please contact your personal accountant for possible deductions as a business expense.

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

www.texasbuilders.org

TAB HOMEPAC

CONTRIBUTORS 2015

Capitol Club

Gene Lantrip

Diamond Key

Aaron Waldrop

Platinum Key

Tommie Harendt

Don Faulkner

Frank Langley

Top Golf

Gene Lantrip

Jerry Carter

Lone Star

Wesley Stockard

Contributions

Mark Aldriedge

Gerald Johnson

Debbie Hurt

Scott Olson

Don Faulkner

Phil Watkins

Tim Akens

Bill Brabbin

Tommie Harendt

Randy Burson

Dennis O’Dell

Frank Langley

Jerry Carter

Mike Mishler

Ryan Holms

Wesley Stockard

Cory Withers

Mike McLean

Washer Tournament

Graham Langley

Frank Langley

Gene Lantrip

Kristie McBrayer

Tike Davis

Jeremy McBrayer

Zane Wright

Scott Olson

Tim Akens

Don Faulkner

Heather Shipley

Mitzi Merchant

Rusty Buckley

Scott Hale

Rhonda Hatchett

Russ Harrold

Ryan Holmes

J C Cruz

Jeremy Gonzales

Rachel Harrod

Abbey Wesson

Tammy Withers

Misti Collier

Dennis O’Dell

Wesley Stockard

Randy Burson

HOMEPAC works to

ensure that the voice of

the home building and

development industry is

heard by lawmakers.

The strength and ability

of our industry to impact

public policy decisions

affecting your business

depends solely on your

participation and contributions.

Page 4

Professional Women

in Building by

Amy Forrest

‘Thank you!’ to my board members and committee

chairs. They have all been working so hard and I

cannot appreciate them enough! This year would not

be what it has been without them.

We will be celebrating summer later this month with

a pool party where we will be raising money to buy uniforms for students at Clack Middle School. Sep-

tember we will be finalizing details for our Building

Hope 5K and we hope you all can join us for the big

day October 3!! Thank you to everyone who has

already partnered with us this year but it’s not too

late to be a sponsor, if you are interested please ask

any PWB member for more information or to get an

entry form.

We have a number of members who are battling ill-

ness or who have loved ones dealing with some seri-

ous health concerns. Please keep them in your pray-

ers.

See you all on the 8th at the Clay Shoot!

Amy Forrest

Highlights

Highlights of Annual 2014 Characteristics of New Housing

Of the 620,000 single-family homes completed in 2014:

565,000 had air-conditioning.

64,000 had two bedrooms or less and 282,000 had four bedrooms or more.

25,000 had one and one-half bathrooms or less, whereas 221,000 homes had three or more bathrooms.

184,000 had vinyl siding as the principal exterior wall material.

263,000 were one-story homes.

522,000 had a public sewer system and 95,000 had an individual septic system.

The median size of a completed single-family house was 2,453 square feet.

Thank you

FOUNDATION PARTNERS!

Thank you

CLOSING PARTNERS!

Page 5

MEDIA SPONSOR DINNER SPONSOR

Lawrence Hall Abilene

Lawrence Hall Anson Hanner Chevrolet Baird

Toliver Brothers Ballinger

Bailey Toliver Haskell Bruner Auto Group Brownwood

Two Courses

North Course & South Course

Lewis Class Scoring

One High Point Winner Each Course

We THANK these SPONSORS! TITANIUM SPONSORS

Don Faulkner Construction Lantrip’s Custom Homes Inc

Morrison Supply Taylor Electric

Countryside Homes LLC INcounters

PLATINUM SPONSORS First Financial Mortgage

AEP Texas Lamar Outdoor Advertising

KTAB/KRBC TV Bill Reed Distributing

Ingram Concrete McLean Homes

Big Country Stone Mockingbird Hill

Junction Builders LLC TYTAN Heating & Cooling

Scott Olson Homes Suddenlink

Security Title Co Air Tech Heating & Air Conditioning

Anderson Tile Sales

GOLD SPONSORS First Abilene Federal Credit Union

Buffalo Gap I & E Pinnacle Granite Solutions

Atmos Energy Chick-Fil-A

Recovery Equipment Inc Big Country Title First Texas Title Harris Acoustics

KEAN 105 The Gunslinger Firearms

First Bank Texas SILVER SPONSORS

Acme Brick Tile & Stone Strong Ready Mix LTD BRONZE SPONSORS

ASG Security Buzzi Unicem

STATION SPONSORS All American Doors

Prosperity Bank Weathersby Roofing Inc

Texas Association of Builders PrimeLending CBS Insurance

McCoy’s Building Supply Center (2) Mark Aldriedge Custom Homes LLC Tommie Harendt Construction Inc

SMC Technologies West End Roofing, Siding & Windows

PRESENTING GUN SPONSORS Ingram Concrete Alamo Concrete

Buzzi Unicem Martin Marietta Materials

Thank you for

supporting Habitat

for

Humanity!

*Sign-in is 30 minutes before requested shoot time!

*$150.00 per Shooter, includes 2 dinner tickets.

(Chicken & Ribs with all the fixings!) *Additional Dinner tickets $10.00,

Each

Cocktails 6:30 PM Dinner 7:00 PM Awards 7:30 PM

EXHIBIT HALL Abilene Civic Center

1100 North Sixth Street Abilene, Texas

BOARD GAME LIVE AUCTION

SILENT AUCTION Shooter or Representative

MUST BE PRESENT to claim a prize!

Page 6

Governor Signs TAB Priority Bills

HB 1736 - Energy Code Bill Relating to building energy efficiency performance standards. Establishes a 6 year minimum cycle for energy code updates by the State of Texas for residential construction. Sets reasonable alternate per-formance path Energy Rating Index scores for compliance with the state energy code. Signed by the Governor on June 16. Effective immediately. The 2015 code will be implemented Sept. 2016. HB 1455 - Condo Owner Protection Bill Relating to procedures required before a condominium association files a suit or initiates an arbitration proceeding for a defect or design claim. Provides condo unit owners with notice and an opportunity to vote on construction defect litigation brought by a condo board. Provides builders/developers with a right to make repairs prior to litigation. Signed by the Governor on June 17. Effective Sept. 1, 2015. HB 32 - Franchise Tax Relief Bill Relating to decreasing the rates of the franchise tax. Reduces the franchise/margins tax rate by 25%. Signed by the Governor on June 15. Effective January 1, 2016. HB 74 - Tax Credit Rural Definition Bill Relating to financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Af-fairs (TDHCA) in certain rural areas. Directs TDHCA to develop rules to re-define certain "rural areas" for housing assistance/tax credit development. Signed by the Governor on June 18. Effective Sept. 1, 2015.

SB 900 - TWIA Bill Relating to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency (TWIA). The lack of accessible and affordable windstorm coverage along the coast would have a devastating effect on Texas' economy. This bill allows the opportunity for Texas to address this issue by including incentives to bring private insurance coverage back into the market and by funding TWIA reserves in a fair, consistent and even manner. Signed by the Governor on June 16. Effective Sept. 1, 2015. HB 2187 - Metal Theft Bill Relating to the regulation of metal recycling entities. To address metal theft, the bill requires recyclers to issue cash transaction cards to sellers of metal. Without an issued card a recycler would only be able to pay by check, money order or direct deposit. Signed by Governor on June 19. Effective Sept. 1, 2015.

Capitol News

More people in the U.S.

have moved to Texas than

to any other state in recent

years. The top three places

sending tens of thousands

of homebuyers to Texas are

California, Florida,

and Oklahoma.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has been tracking price pari-ties between states and comparing it to the national average since

2013. The Tax Foundation uses a $100 denomination to gauge

the difference between the states:

Top three states where $100 is worth the most

1. Mississippi ($115.21)

2. Arkansas ($114.29) 3. South Dakota ($114.16)

Top three state where $100 is worth the least

1. District of Columbia ($84.96) 2. Hawaii ($86.06)

3. New York ($86.73)

THIS N THAT

Page 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2015

Texas Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 7 to 9

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar reminds shoppers they can save money on certain items

priced under $100 during the state's annual sales tax holiday. This year, the sales tax holiday is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7 - 9. The law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100 from sales

tax, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend during the weekend. Lists of apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free can be found on the Comptroller's website at TexasTaxHoliday.org.

This year, shoppers will save an estimated $87 million in state and local sales taxes during the sales tax holiday.

The tax holiday weekend has been an annual event since 1999.

Unexpected Facts about Millennial Homebuyers

by Leah Shafer

There are about 79 million millennials in the United States, and their purchasing power is estimated to be $170 billion

per year. This powerful demographic, born from the early 1980s to the early 2000s, now represents the largest group of homebuyers at 32%, taking over from Generation X. We know that millennial home buying behavior is different

than older generations, like texting vs. calling, and extensive use of apps to do their research. But what are the specif-

ic preferences of this new breed of homebuyer?

1. They’re more suburban than we thought

A lot of recent news paints them as urban dwellers and maybe as renters they are. But when they are looking to buy

their first home, more than half of the survey respondents said they want a suburban lifestyle. Even more surprisingly they’re four times more likely to pick a bigger house over living in a more populated community. Even though they

said they want a suburban lifestyle, they want urban amenities like the ability to walk to parks, grocery stores, school

and work. 2. Millennials crave outdoor space

Millennials cite a lot of the traditional reasons to buy a house, such as financial investment. But the “desire to have

outdoor space” is the most important reason they want to purchase a home.

3. They want flexible living spaces When millennials house hunt, 71% rank the ability to customize a new one as somewhat or very important. A chil-

dren’s play space is high on the list or a must-have for almost 4 out of 5 respondents, and 74% said the same thing

when they were asked about having a separate living suite (think aging parents). They also value finished basements and office areas.

4. They’re considering their homes as an income source

According to the Project on Student Debt, in 2013, 7 in 10 (69%) of graduating seniors at public and private nonprofit

colleges had student loans averaging $28,400.00. Compare that with the average debt of approximately $15,000.00 (adjusted for inflation) for Gen X’s 1993 graduates. Not surprisingly , there is a growing interest among millennials

to use their new homes as a source of income. About 35% of those surveyed agreed they would likely rent out a space

in their home to generate income.

Big Country Home Builders Association

4398 Crawford Drive Abilene, Texas 79602