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In 1965, local builders got together and talked about the future of housing. At the time, Oregon didn't even have a building code, (and wouldn't until 1974) let alone a planning code. Just about anyone could build just about anything, just about anywhere, with any materials they could find. It's a testimony to the craftsmanship of those early builders that we have as many buildings as we do from those days of "anything goes" construction. Your builder neighbors looked ahead and saw that the Rogue Valley was going to grow so they created the Home Builders Association of Jackson County to provide the organizational framework for the expansion that would surely come. And come it did.
For over 50 years now, the Home Builders Association of Jackson County (HBAJC) has served our local residential construction industry. Your HBAJC is the reason that home construction in Southern Oregon is safe, comfortable and sustainable today. In recent years, we have also been working with commercial construction to keep up with changing times and the regulatory zeal of our legislators. In 2015, we realized that our work and our reach had outgrown our original mission and our name. We needed a new plan and a new name that recognized the expansion of our services to commercial construction firms and their partners, so we filled that need. In August, the HBAJC became the Southern Oregon Builders Association. SOBA is now your primary source for construction related education, advocacy and policy in Southern Oregon.
The Southern Oregon Tour of Homes is a wonderful example of SOBA serving the needs of our community. For two weekends this September, you are invited to the best homes built by the best builders. From fam to glam, big to small, you'll see it all. Showcase homes for you to view at your leisure, on your schedule, courtesy of SOBA and our sponsors. We are excited for you to take the Tour and see what an amazing job your fellow SOBA members are doing!
No one knows what the next 50 years may bring but we do know that SOBA will continue to work towards building a safe, affordable and sustainable community for all of us.
To your success,
Brad Bennington,
Executive Officer
Southern Oregon Builders Association
Email: brad@sobuilds.com
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This is the Last Weekend to take the Tour!
Tour of Homes Ribbon Cutting
Thank you to everyone who came to our Tour of Homes Ribbon Cutting!
A very big thanks to Willamette Valley Bank Home Loan Center for hosting
this event and congratulations on your new location at
611 Medford Center!
Stop by our office for a Tour Guide or
go to
our website to see all the great homes on the Tour!
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Expanding the Vision
Since 1965, the Home Builders Association of Jackson County (HBAJC) has served our local residential construction and related businesses.
In 2015, we saw that our work and our reach had outgrown our original mission. A new strategic plan recognized the expansion of our services to commercial construction firms and their partners. With this new expanded scope of operation a re-branding effort was necessary including renaming the organization. This August, the HBAJC will become the Southern Oregon Builders Association (SOBA).
We're excited about the comprehensive products and services we offer to both residential and commercial contractors and businesses and we look forward to serving our growing community as we build a better and safer community for all of us.
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SOBA Member Madness - Join the Battle for 300 Members!
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Membership Mixer at DANCIN
Thank you to everyone who came out to DANCIN Vineyards for our August Membership Mixer!
We were fortunate to have Tracy MacMaster from NAHB and Ginger Harville from OHBA here to help us understand the products and services that our state and national association provides its members. It was a fun summer evening drinking great wine, eating delicious food and learning more about our industry and our association!
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SOBA presented Congressman Greg Walden with Defender of Housing Award
Congressman Greg Walden made a stop at SOBA's office to receive the prestigious 2016 Defender of Housing Award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
The 2016 Defender of Housing award recognizes federal legislators who have, through their voting record and accessibility, demonstrated strong support for housing and NAHB position on key issues facing home builders, remodelers, and home owners. Nominated by state and local HBA leaders, each candidate is reviewed by a select group of NAHB Federal Government Affairs Committee members before being chosen for this national award.
We were honored to be asked to present this award to Congressman Walden and even more honored when he sat down to talk with us about important issues in our industry! See more photos on Facebook.
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Thank you to our Southern Oregon Tour of Homes Partners!!
SOBA has created the Southern Oregon Tour of Homes in an effort to highlight the
great work of our builders, subcontractors and every facet
that goes into
new home construction.
We could not do it without the help of our wonderful partners who help sponsor this event and make it possible for thousands of people to participate in this incredible event!
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Under EPA's recently finalized National Pollution Elimination System (NPDES)
E-Reporting Rule, your state can either replace its paper-based systems with a state-run electronic reporting program or require permittees to report to feds directly using EPA's NPDES
Electronic Reporting Tool.
Five states said they'd rather EPA handle these required stormwater reports.
Builders and developers applying for coverage under a state or EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) must now submit general permit forms such as Notice of Intent for coverage (NOI), Notice of Termination (NOT) and Low Erosivity Waivers (LEWs) by uploading them to a website. The rule does not require the electronic submission of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, or SWPPPs.
According to
EPA's new guidelines, builders in states and territories where EPA is the primary permitting authority (Idaho, New Mexico, Massachusetts and New Hampshire), will continue to report directly to EPA using NeT and EPA's existing eNOI system.
Now, builders in Georgia, Nebraska, Oregon and Rhode Island will need to use these tools to report to EPA directly as well. North Carolina chose to require builders to only report their LEWs directly to EPA - the NOI and NOT will continue to go to the state.
Read More.
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New Data Available on Fire Sprinkler Mandates
NAHB Now
Voting members of the International Code Council will once again consider an amendment to move the requirement to install fire sprinkler systems in one- and two-family homes from the main body of the International Residential Code - where it has been since 2009 - back to the appendix.
It makes a difference because when a requirement is part of the main body, it's much easier for states, counties and local jurisdictions to adopt it lock, stock and barrel when it comes time to update the building codes.
Read More
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Photo by
Michael Lloyd,
The Oregonian
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The Bulletin
Attacking Oregon's rising housing costs and spurring affordable housing development has been central to the Legislature's work for the past two years, but a top Democrat promised to elevate the issue. Calling Oregon's housing crisis "a man-made emergency that demands bold action," House Speaker Tina Kotek said at a Portland gala put on by affordable housing organizations that she plans to bring measures to the House floor in 2017 that will likely make for a difficult debate.
READ MORE
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Home prices climbing in Jackson County as supply falls
Mail Tribune
The inventory of existing homes for sale in Jackson County is dwindling like stream flow in late summer. Southern Oregon Multiple Listing Service reported 1,397 homes were available on Aug. 31, 2014. Last year, the number slipped to 1,144, with the latest measure falling to 1,055. Mortgage rates are inviting, employment is thriving and the local economy is growing. Yet, the pace of home sales slowed by 15.7 percent during the summer months traditionally given to buying and selling
READ MORE
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4-hr REFRESHER Class
Need to become RRP Certified?
Do you work on structures,pre 1978, where you would be disturbing paint? If so, sign up now for this EPA-Certified class!
4-Hr REFRESHER Course:
October 5
8am-12pm
Cost: $150 for Members and $200 for Non-Members
Qualifies for (8) Series B Credit Hours
We must obtain a minimum number of students in order to hold the class.
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Next Lead Based Paint Classes:
8-hr INITIAL Lead Based Paint Class
Need to become RRP Certified?
Do you work on structures,pre 1978, where you would be disturbing paint? If so, sign up now for this EPA-Certified class!
8-Hr INITIAL Course:
October 12
8am-5pm
Cost: $175 for Members and $225 for Non-Members
Qualifies for (8) Series B Credit Hours
Space is limited to register today!
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NAHB Member Discounts
As a benefit of being a member, you have access to discounts and savings opportunities offered by many top companies. All programs, rates and prices are subject to change without notice.
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Associate Member Directory for Member Rebate Program
-Sign your company up today!
Associate Members:
We are introducing the new
Member Rebate Program
Associate Member Directory
This is exciting news because now your company can get exposure to the builders and remodelers who use
these products
.
If you Supply or Install any of our 50+ participating Manufacturers, register for a free listing on our Associate Member Member Rebate Program directory.
All Associate Member Directory listings will be hyperlinked to your business w
ebsite.
Remember: The MRP Associate Member Directory is brand new - be the first business to be listed and help builders and remodelers find you!
If you have any questions about the Member Rebate Program call (541-773-2872) or
email us and we will be happy to go over it with you!
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SOBA Featured Company:
Technology Design Associates
Today's technology is amazing and a little daunting at the same time. Home automation is the future of new home design. If you would like to learn more about home automation, design it into your current or new house, call our featured member of the month: Technology Design Associates. These professionals will help guide you
& your home into the future!
Technology Design Associates is your LOCAL HOME TECHNOLOGY EXPERT.
They specialize in transforming a house into your home by simplifying the day-to-day control of your home's systems (Network, Video, Audio, Heating and Cooling, Security, Lighting, Cameras, Shades, and more).
Whether you want to operate your home from a remote, tablet, smart phone, or from the internet anywhere in the world, our simple interface will make running
all of the systems "Everyday Eas
y". From basic networking to complex home theater systems to whole-home integration,
they work with you to design, install, and support your dream home. Bring the future to your home today with Technology Design Associates!
Contact Technology Design Associates
Ron Wanless
(541) 948-5095
1314 Center Dr.,
Medford, OR 97501
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New $6 billion tax on Oregon sales threatens Oregon's
consumers and home builders
By John Tapogna, President of ECONorthwest
In late May, the Secretary of State certified that sponsors of Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28) had submitted more than enough petition signatures to qualify their $6 billion tax on Oregon sales for the November General Election ballot.
Like virtually every Oregon industry and every Oregonian, there's good reason for home builders to take a close look at IP 28 and how it will affect them.
The language of IP 28 is simple. It modifies the corporate minimum tax rates passed by voters in 2010 for C-corporations with total annual Oregon sales of $25 million or more, requiring them to pay "$30,001 plus 2.5% of the excess over $25 million."
According to economists in the nonpartisan Legislative Revenue Office (LRO), that change will increase state tax revenues about 25 percent, or more than $6 billion per biennium. Read More.
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(Oregon Home Builders Association opposes IP 28 and has joined the coalition working to defeat it. If you and your company have not yet joined, we encourage you to please add your name and your company to the coalition at
DefeatTheTaxOnOregonSales.com
.)
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Master Builder Program Description
The Certified Master Builder (CMB) program was created in 1997 as a pilot program in Marion County and the City of Salem. In 2001 the Legislature expanded the program statewide, allowing building officials around the state to grant certain privileges to Certified Master Builders with regard to plans review and inspections. A certified master builder may perform portions of plan ...
Read more
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Unlock The Value of Membership: NAHB
The National Association of Home Builders
exists to serve its members.
Fighting for housing on major policy issues, providing excellent educational programming, and creating outstanding networking opportunities are just some of the ways that NAHB fulfills that mandate.
And the proof of its success is in the numbers. In 2014, NAHB's actions on the legislative, codes, regulatory and legal fronts, as well as in other arenas, provided members an estimated savings of $6,882 per housing start as the association resolved numerous issues affecting home builders.
NAHB urges members to take advantage of the many resources that it offers.They are designed to help you build a better home, build a better business and work in a policy environment that enables your business -- and those of your associates in the home building industry -- to thrive.
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Like us on Facebook!
Join us on Facebook for all the latest association news and activities.
Find out when the next Membership Mixer is or the next Lead Based Paint Class.
We would love to see what you and your company are up to. Send your pictures to
jessica@sobuilds.com with a small caption for us to post on our Facebook page.
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NEWS from the CCB:
Exemptions from continuing education
As of July 1, this is a summary of all contractors that are now exempt from continuing education.
This list applies to both residential and commercial contractors.
* Architects (if an owner or officer is a licensed architect)
* Developers
* Engineers (if an owner or officer is a licensed engineer)
* Electricians (if an owner, officer or employee is a licensed electrician)
* Plumbers (if an owner, officer or employee is a licensed plumber)
* Boiler contractors
* Elevator contractors
* Renewable energy contractor
* Pump installation contractors
* Limited sign contractors
* Landscape contractors who are construction contractors
* Home inspectors (must still complete continuing education for the home inspector certification but no longer for the CCB license) `
* Master builders (if actively licensed as such through the Building Codes Division)
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Southern Oregon Builders Association
1006 East Jackson St., Medford, OR 97504
Phone: 541-773-2872 Fax: 541-773-1189 www.sobuilds.com
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