Virginia's # 1 Resource for the Building Industry
Virginia E-Builder
December 2018
HBAV's office has moved!

The HBAV headquarters has moved from the historic Stewart-Lee House to the James Center in Downtown Richmond. The move comes after the HBAV Board of Directors approved the sale of the Stewart-Lee House at their meeting on October 4, 2108. The decision to relocate was based on HBAV's strategic initiatives to best promote and protect the housing industry in Virginia. HBAV's new offices are located in the James Center in Downtown Richmond, just 2 blocks from the Virginia General Assembly and State Capital. HBAV's new Mailing address is:
Three James Center
1051 East Cary Street
Suite 603
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Tools for Success
Battle Health Care Cost Increases with Level Funded Benefit Plans The most difficult part of rising health care costs is that the employer must make benefits decisions with little to no data in regards to where the increases may be coming from. In a world where benefits can be one of the highest expenditures for an employer, the renewal process can be crippling. Fortunately, there is an option to help employers break the vicious cycle. Click Here to Read More.
New Member Discounts from NAHB
Don't leave money on the table! NAHB has added Capital One and Amazon Business to their list of member discounts. Discounts also include General Motors and Lowe's! To review the complete list of member discounts, CLICK HERE.
4 Cutting-Edge Communications Tools to Increase Efficiency and Profitability. Communication is the key to everything from a great personal relationship to a profitable business. Encouraging and establishing successful communication is the key to completing projects on time, improving your relationships with customers and partners, and understanding your employees.  Click HERE to Read More.
Government and Regulatory Affairs
HBAV Legislative Agenda Announced
The HBAV legislative committee met on November 8th to work towards finalizing the 2019 HBAV Legislative Agenda. The HBAV Legislative Committee is comprised of HBAV members appointed from the 15 local associations in Virginia. The legislative agenda includes HBAV's top priorities for the 2019 General Assembly as of today. HBAV will review nearly 3,000 pieces of legislation as they are submitted for the 2019 General Assembly and add positions throughout the session. Click Here for the 2019 HBAV Legislative Agenda.
Proposed Changes Construction General Permit
The public comment period relating to the new Construction General Permit regulations will close on December 28th. The current VPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities, also known as the Construction General Permit (CGP), is set to expire on June 30   th   , 2019. Earlier this year, HBAV and several other public and private-sector stakeholders were selected to serve on the Department of Environmental Quality’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to assist the Department in the development of the new Construction General Permit (CGP). The TAC concluded its work in the summer, and the draft regulations are in the process of being published for public comment. You can submit comments directly to the Department of Environmental Quality by contacting Jaime Robb at  Jaime.Robb@deq.virginia.gov   or attend one of the public comment hearing.

Building and Fire Prevention Code Update
The new Building code took effect on September 4  th , 2018. A one-year period is in effect that provides permit applicants a choice of complying with the existing 2012 codes or the 2015 codes. The state publications are posted on the DHCD website here:  2015 Regulations  . The custom versions of the national model codes that incorporate Virginia amendments are in the process of being published by the International Code Council (ICC) and are on schedule to be available late fall. The Mandatory Code Change Training (CCT) schedule can be found here:  Code Change Training Schedule .

HBAV Build-PAC:
Since the General Assembly adjourned in mid March, HBAV has attended 101 fundraisers for members and candidates of the General Assembly that are pro- housing. The HBAV Build-PAC is the vehicle that allows members to financially support the HBAV legislative efforts by supporting candidates for office that are pro-housing. Please consider a contribution to the HBAV Build- PAC. Your contribution will allow the HBAV legislative team to have your voices heard and support candidates that are supporting our industry. Click the link below to support pro-housing candidates! Every dollar helps!
HBAV Events
HBAV @ NAHB's International Builders Show
What: HBAV Member Reception at NAHB's International Builders Show
When: Tuesday, February 19th - 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Encore Hotel
Why: To connect with Virginia members at IBS
Cost: Free Registration - You must Register
2019 HBAV Keystone Club
 HBAV allows firms the opportunity to market their services to members through sponsorships of HBAV programs. This tremendous support allows HBAV to provide additional educational opportunities, improved business networking events, and greater advocacy for our members. HBAV is now accepting 2019 Keystone Club Memberships. Click Here to view the HBAV Sponsorship Opportunities and consider being a member of the HBAV Keystone Club!
Housing Headlines
Sales of newly built, single-family homes fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 544,000 units in October after an upwardly revised September report, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Metrostudy chief economist Mark Boud and his team recently released their analysis and forecasts for the fourth quarter of 2018. The number-crunching indicates smooth sailing for the not-so-distant future with turbulence expected by 2020.

When it comes to  smart home tech , the sheer breadth of products and integrations available can get overwhelming fast. An easy way to get started? 

Twenty Virginia Tech students, four faculty from Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering and College of Architecture and Urban Studies, and the FutureHAUS Dubai modular smart home prototype are headed to the United Arab Emirates for the Solar Decathalon Middle East, held from Nov. 14th to Nov. 28th in Dubai.
Thank you for your loyalty and your support of HBAV.

Sincerely, 
Home Builders Association of Virginia
804.643.2797
Three James Center
1051 East Cary Street
Suite 603
Richmond, Virginia 23219