WEST GEORGIA HOME & GARDEN EXPO April 30 - May 2, 2010 Westside HBA and the West Georgia Board of REALTORS are sponsoring a West Georgia Home & Garden Expo on April 30 through May 2 at the Douglasville Pavilion, 2849 Chapel Hill Road, Douglasville, GA 30135. (Target Shopping Center) The expo facility is a 40,000 square foot area, carpeted throughout, air conditioned and well lighted.  We are estimating that traffic will exceed 5,000 due to the promotional activities and excellent high visability location, just across from Arbor Place Mall at I-20, Exit 36. Currently we are working with EXHIBITORS to assign booths and address their needs.  If you would be interested in exhibiting, we are offering a 10% "Early Bird" discount on all booth space booked and paid for by Feburary 12th.  Don't miss out on the best pricing and the best booths. Click on the link below for information on EXHIBITING or if you are PLANNING TO ATTEND. West Georgia Home & Garden Expo
NEW 2010 PROGRAMS FOR MEMBERS Builder Helper, Builder Homesite and Code Coach Click on the link below to see information on WHBA's 3 NEW MARKETING PROGRAMS for 2010.  The Builder Helper program is designed to assist Builder and Associate Members work together to provide more efficient bidding under the "Do Business With A Builder!" program at no charge.  The Builder Homesite Program offers Builder Members the opportunity to promote their homes and projects through the WHBA website, again, at no charge. Finally, WHBA offers its membership access to the Code Coach program which is a program that allows builders and subs to access code information online. Click on the link below for additional information on these new programs. New Program Link
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Dear Membership: On behalf of the Westside HBA Leadership and staff, I would like to personally thank our membership for their support of our local Home Builders Association!  Our members are an integral part of a vibrant and progressive organization that has one fundamental goal in mind: To Make Our Local Housing Industry The Best That It Can Be! I am sure you will agree that 2009 has been one of the most difficult years we have ever had in the housing industry..  There have been numerous changes that we have had to adapt to in order to succeed.  At WHBA, that is what we do. Adapt, overcome, and improvise.  Though this was a hard year, we look forward to 2010 and we are glad you are here to help us Build Stronger. Below are some things to look for in the coming year. Building Stronger Education.    - Knowledge is the first leg of our “Three Legged Stool” Program and will continue to be a major member benefit for our membership.    - WHBA’s implementing the Certified Professional Builder Program with appropriate continuing education courses.    - WHBA will be increasing its educational offerings next to meet the soon to be implemented "required continuing education courses" for licensed builders.    - WHBA will continue to offer courses on appropriate timely topics such as 2009 Code, Sprinkler Requirements, etc. Building Stronger Public Policy.    - Working at the local and state level we keep onerous regulations and legislation at bay. WHBA's Political Action Program closely follows all the issues that impact your ability to earn a living. Building Stronger Marketing.    - Marketing is the second leg on our "Three Legged Stool" Program.  For 2010, we are implementing 3 new programs for our membership.  They are 1) Builder Helper - a free bidding and estimating construction management program, 2) Builder Homesite - a free listing service for new construction homes on the WHBA website, 3) Code Coach - a comprehensive code resource available for home building professionals.    - Partnering with the West Georgia and West Metro Boards of REALTOR, WHBA will be producing a 2010 "Westside Homebuyer's Directory" promoting the industry in Douglas, Carroll and Haralson Counties. Building Stronger Networking And Support Services.    - The third leg of our “Three Legged Stool” Program is our Spiritual Program.    - WHBA sponsors an Association Chaplain Program and a Tuesday Morning Support Group for its members.    - Member mixers, tailgate parties, golf tournaments, and recognition banquets all give you an opportunity to network, have fun, and make friends.  WHBA will always be the "place to be" when it comes to socializing and expanding your network of colleagues and friends. In short, WHBA is going back to what it does best; Education, Public Policy, Marketing, and Networking.  With that as our focus we promise to deliver excellent programs that will help our membership thrive in 2010 as we crawl out of this recession.  We are truly glad that you, our members, are with us and look forward to many years working with and for you!  Thanks for being a member! Sincerely, Jeff Camp President, WHBA
FEBRUARY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING METRO STUDY YEAR-END REPORT Tuesday, February 9, 2010 LOCATION: Pro-Build, 100 Industrial Court East, Villa Rica, GA 30180 DATE & TIME: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:30 - 1:00 PROGRAM:  Pro-Build will sponsor the presentation of the 2009 Year-End SMART NUMBERS Report.  The report will be presented by John Hunt.  LUNCH SPONSOR:   David Busch, Certainteed Siding - Take a moment to say Thank You to our Lunch Sponsor. SPECIAL UPDATES:   2010 WESTSIDE HOMEBUYER DIRECTORY - For 2010 we will be producing a DIRECTORY jointly with West Georgia Board of Realtors and also West Metro Board of Realtors.  In addition to being our DIRECTORY, it will also be a marketing tool for the Westside Market. 2010 WESTSIDE HOME & GARDEN EXPO - WHBA, jointly with West Georgia Board of Realtors hope to announce the details of this new program for late April.  "LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING"
NEW HOMES FOR SALE BY WHBA BUILDERS! Westside Home Builders Association posts the "Homes for Sale" by its Builder Members.  Click on the link below to see the New Homes currently available.  The photo to the left is the WHBA EarthCraft Certified Showcase Home for 2010.  This home represents a program designed to educate both our membership and local homebuyers on the options available in the area of Energy Efficiency while also insuring that Affordability is maintained.  EarthCraft Certified Homes in this subdivision start at under $200,000 and reflect the committment of WHBA to Affordable Housing. Many of our Builder Members are Certified Professional Home Builders and also EarthCraft Builders.  When seclecting a builder, always require that they are a member of WHBA and as what Certifications they have received. HOMES FOR SALE
WESTSIDE HBA MISSION STATEMENT WE ARE A PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATION COMPRISED OF BUILDING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS WORKING TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF SENSIBLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND QUALITY CONSTRUCTION/DEVELOPMENT.
2010 HOMEBUYER DIRECTORY Today, more than ever, it is vital that WESTSIDE housing industry professionals work together to survive the economic challenges with which we are faced. With this in mind, the Westside Home Builders Association, West Georgia Board of Realtors and the West Metro Board of Realtors are collaborating on an exciting new project – the 2010 Westside Homebuyer’s Directory! A full color, 44-page professionally designed and produced publication, the Directory will serve as a product and services resource guide for our members. In addition to information on our association and its membership, the Directory will include articles and information to promote our members, industry and community to housing consumers. The Directory will be divided into separate sections promoting each association and its membership. Members will receive a complimentary listing in the Directory as follows: BUILDER MEMBERS Company, Name, Address, Phone, Fax, Email & Website Address ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Listed by Business Category & Will Include Company Name & Phone Number CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
WESTSIDE "GOES GREEN"! Thinking It Might Be Time To Buy? You will NEVER see a better time in YOUR LIFETIME to buy a home!  With all the FORECLOSURE OPTIONS available and INTEREST RATES as low as they are, Westside "Goes Green" will offer you an even better opportunity.... The opportunity to get a great buy, have it upgraded to EarthCraft Certified Standards with regard to energy efficiency and receive a Soft Second Mortgate of up to $20,000 to pay for the EarthCraft Renovation. Click on the link below to learn more about this FANTASTIC opportunity!  The second link is to the NAHB Movie on Green Homes.  Click that link to see the 4:12 movie. TELL ME MORE ABOUT DOUGLAS "GOES GREEN"! Click Here To View The Green House Guide Movie- 4:12
Southern Building Show May 13 - 15, 2010 Click on the link below to go to the website for the Southern Building Show.  The 2010 Southern Building Show is May 13-15, 2010, at the World Congress Center here in Atlanta, Ga. Southern Building Show May 13-15, 2010
WHBA Twitter Link WHBA now has a Twitter site.  Click on the link below and begin Tweeting with your fellow members and to receive association updates and information. This site is for association and construction industry use so please do not post unrelated personal messages on the site. Click Here
Announcing a Southface class on Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair and Painting A rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices was issued by the EPA on April 22, 2008.  The rule is aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Click on the link below for information on the upcoming Southface Class on Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair and Painting. Lead Safety Class
Greenprints 2010 is JUST AROUND THE CORNER! Green Tradeshow - March 1 & 2 As sustainable design practices gain momentum, manufacturers and service providers seek new ways to set their products and services apart. The Greenprints: Sustainable Communities by Design Conference and Green Trade show attracts a sophisticated audience of design and construction professionals, specifiers, developers and building owners who want to stay ahead of the latest trends. The Green Tradeshow will be held in the Georgia Halls of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel.  For more information click on the link below. Greenprints Link