Posts Tagged Tidewater Builders Association

Homearama to spotlight Norfolk

Aug 12

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

norfolk pure 2, resized

Jennifer Cauldwell from Norfolk Public Utilities is flanked by Norfolk House builders Bill Brice and Les Ore, with a pitcher to serve Norfolk Pure water.

The city of Norfolk is preparing to take advantage of Tidewater Builders Association’s upcoming Homearama showcase of homes as a venue to educate guests about a number of city initiatives under way.

City staff visited the site this week to review their plans.

The public utilities department will be promoting the quality and safety of its tap water – providing “Norfolk Pure” municipal drinking water as an alternative to expensive and wasteful bottled water.  Did you know that for $1, you can fill a 20-ounce sports bottle with Norfolk Pure tap water more than 1,300 times?

The city is also planning to promote its cultural amenities, its history, its “Celebrate trees” initiative and its school pride campaign. The Norfolk Botanical Gardens will create a maze to entertain guests and volunteers from “Keep Norfolk Beautiful” will have a presence during the event.

norfolk house, resized

The Norfolk House is next to a vacant lot that will host a maze.

The Norfolk House will play host to much of the celebration of Norfolk. It’s being constructed by Bill Brice and Les Ore from Bill Ore, L.L.C.  The city will also have a prominent presence in the Exhibit Center.

The Norfolk House is one of nine custom homes that will be on display during the event. Homearama is set for Oct. 16-30 in Norfolk’s East Beach bayfront community.

Brice constructed The Norfolk House at the 2004 Homearama, when East Beach was just getting off the ground.

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Meeting brings together old and new Homearama builders

Jul 30

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

Developer Robert Zirpoli speaks to prospective Homearama builders

Developer Robert Zirpoli speaks to prospective Homearama builders

It was “old home” day of sorts at the informational meeting at the Eagle’s Nest community in Virginia Beach.

Representatives from 15 building companies gathered to hear about plans for Tidewater Builders Association’s Spring Homearama in 2011.

Many were regular Homearama builders during the 80s who haven’t showcased their talent in the event for a decade or more.

Developer Robert Zirpoli, West Neck Properties, led the discussion, telling builders a requirement for brick or stone exteriors is one of the few stipulations they would have.

Real Estate Broker John Savino, whose job is to market the community, reported that three lots have sold in the past two weeks, and he’s confident homes priced in the $500,000s in this community will be marketable in the spring.

The developer has offered discount lot prices of $125,000 to Homearama builders. A lot drawing for those interested in participating will be held August 19.

Builders interested in participating should contact Sandra Amidon at 305-9045 or samidon@tbaonline.org

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Multifamily pros celebrate success.

Jul 23

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

John Taylor, Lawson Realty Corp., was honored with the 2010 Multifamily Lifetime Achievement Award on July 22 at the Associates’ Showcase, Awards Banquet and RAM Graduation, which is hosted by Tidewater Builders Association's Multifamily Housing Council. With Taylor are TMHC Chairman Mike Devine and TBA President William Halprin.

John Taylor, Lawson Realty Corp., was honored with the 2010 Multifamily Lifetime Achievement Award on July 22 at the Associates’ Showcase, Awards Banquet and RAM Graduation, which is hosted by Tidewater Builders Association's Multifamily Housing Council. With Taylor are TMHC Chairman Mike Devine and TBA President William Halprin.

It’s Tidewater Builders Association largest annual banquet. More than 600 people gathered in the Virginia Beach Convention Center Thursday evening for the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council’s awards banquet, where they honored the best of the best individuals and communities.

The event pays tribute to the area’s multifamily housing professionals who make it their job to make their tenants feel at home. It’s also a chance for those who work in the apartment communities – from management to leasing to maintenance — to come together to celebrate another year of achievement.

The event also served as a graduation ceremony for 42 individuals who completed a Registered in Apartment Management (RAM) course earlier this year.

A complete list of winners is available on the Tidewater Builders Association web site. You can view them by clicking here.

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The legacy of Edith Jones lives on

Jul 16

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

STOP CEO Edith Jones speaks to Building Trades Academy graduates last fall.

STOP CEO Edith Jones speaks to Building Trades Academy graduates last fall.

Edith Jones started her career – and her calling — 40 years ago as a nurse with the Head Start program. Since 1991, she led the STOP Organization in fulfilling its mission of removing impediments to self-sufficiency and thus, the root causes of poverty. Her unexpected passing earlier this year was a shock to those who remember her as a woman who got things done.

Her legacy lives on today at the Tidewater Builders Association’s Building Trades Academy. Thanks to her work and the Federal stimulus dollars she garnered for weatherization and workforce training, BTA students were hard at work this summer weatherizing homes for low-income families. It was part of their hands-on education in the construction trades.

When they graduate, they leave with HVAC certification and paying jobs in the construction trades.

Their success will be a testament to a woman who dedicated her life to elevating the lives of low-income children and families.

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Perfect weather greets annual TBA Picnic

Jun 15

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

Women compete in nail driving

Women compete in nail driving

More than 1,200 members of Tidewater Builders Association met up with friends and colleagues among the barbecue, burgers, hot dogs, roast beef, fried fish, fried chicken, deli sandwiches, corn dogs, ice cream and more. Not to mention adult beverages. It was the annual picnic, held Friday, June 11, at Chesapeake City Park.

The event featured a mix of old and new traditions as Kempsville Building Materials returned to its spot at the annual nail-driving contest.

TMHC Olympics require concentration

TMHC Olympics require concentration

Gone was the arm wrestling. But in its place — games like shopping bag ball toss, ladder ball, catch the criminal, a day at the beach, blindfold scramble, toilet brush toss and plumber’s helper relay in the 5th annual Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council (TMHC) Olympics. The event brings friendly but fierce competition to the area’s apartment communities.

Each of the 14 teams was comprised of a regional or corporate executive, a leasing manager, a groundskeeper, a maintenance technician and a property manager for a true team building experience.

It's fun to win at TMHC Olympics

It's fun to win at TMHC Olympics

Each of the 13 games was hosted by a sponsoring company: Young’s Flooring, Floorcrafters, Lexis Nexis, Superior Equipment Sales, ServPro of Chesapeake/Hampton, Kempsville Countertops and Cabinets, Causey Contracting Inc., Cox Communications, Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer, P.C., SAFE Law Practice, First Atlantic Restoration, Apartment Book, and Ferguson Enterprises.

It would be accurate to report that a good time was had by all.

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What’s hot and what’s not in new homes

May 24

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

Brett Warren. Southern Living Custom Builder Program, speaks on trends

Brett Warren. Southern Living Custom Builder Program, speaks on trends

Carpeting is so yesterday. Hard surfaces, whether wood, laminate or tile are all the rage for floor coverings. And wallpaper? Well, it’s back. But now it’s called “wallcovering.” Interesting textures and styles have a place on accent walls and in bathrooms. And white is the hot new color.

Those are just some of the findings reported out to a group of Tidewater Builders Association builders and associate members by Brent Warren, manager of the custom builder program for Southern Living magazine. Warren spoke to the group at the Founders Pointe clubhouse on Friday, just before Homearama gates opened,

For the most part, the showcase homes reflected the “10 Trends for 2010″ that Warren outlined.

The kitchen is still king and where the resources should go, said Warren. Also in are drop-zones for cell phone chargers, coats and book bags to eliminate clutter in the rest of the house. Natural materials, such as stone and brick are in for both exterior and interior accents.

Consumers are cutting back on extravagance in favor of simple elegance, and functional spaces win out over style these days, he added.

Definitely OUT are half walls that separate kitchens from living rooms as well as laminate countertops.

Click here to download the Power Point presentation. Please note: The images, floor plans, and content are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission from Southern Living.

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Chefs warm up chilly Homearama evening

May 18

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

 
Builder Ed Sadler, second from right, with staff from Vintage Tavern. Sadler's Homearama home was the fifth one to sell.

Builder Ed Sadler, second from right, with staff from Vintage Tavern. Sadler's Homearama home was the fifth one to sell.

Outside, it was a cold and rainy and the streets were nearly deserted. Inside, it was a completely different story.

Each of the eight Homearama showcase homes were host to chefs from Isle of Wight area eateries and they were serving up warm hospitality – in large portions. The weather may have hampered attendance, but those who ventured out were well rewarded by the menu.

Imagine scallops wrapped in bacon from Smithfield Station; she crab soup from Cedar Pointe Country Club; tender ribs from Frank N’ Bubbas; rich brownie bites from Lisa’s Sweet Shoppe and boneless wings in hot sauce from AJ Gators. How about piggly sticks with blueberry gastrique and custard bread pudding with bourbon zabaglione from Smithfield Gourmet Bakery?

Visitors line up for J.W. Cowlings

Visitors line up for C.W. Cowlings

The parmesan crusted tilapia from C.W. Cowlings was served by the restaurateur who braved the weather despite expecting triplets any minute.

At the end of the day, it was the homemade biscuits with Edwards Country Ham, marinated shrimp, pimiento cheese and deviled eggs from Vintage Tavern that took home the most votes from visitors, as well as from the food writers and culinary experts who gave them the Critic’s Choice Award.

The evening was sponsored by Hampton Roads Magazine and Columbia Gas of Virginia. Hampton Roads Magazine’s Food Editor Patrick Evans-Hylton led the team of critics and sales and promotions staff organized the event.

Tidewater Builders Association’s Spring Homearama continues through May 23 at Founders Pointe in Isle of Wight County.

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It was “judgement” day at TBA

May 5

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

streetscape with judge

A Homearama judge hard at work

It was judging day in more ways than one for Tidewater Builders Association.

For builders in Spring Homearama, the judging will determine who will take home the coveted Critic’s Choice Awards at the Preview Party opening on Friday evening.

For students in local high schools, the judging will determine who will win scholarship awards from the TBA Scholarship Foundation’s Young Designer Scholarship Competition.

In Isle of Wight County, professional builders, landscapers and designers from outside the area converged on the Founders Pointe neighborhood to select winners in a variety of categories, from best kitchen to best curb appeal to the coveted Best in Show.  Homearama guests will get to judge for themselves in the People’s Choice voting at the event, May 8-23.

Builder Ken Cohen judges student drawings

Builder Ken Cohen judges student drawings

In Chesapeake, stacks of house designs from local high school students filled the TBA board room. It was the first year only Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings were part of the competition. Professional builders and architects selected the winners, who will be recognized at an awards breakfast in early June.

The school that submitted the most entries will also receive a cash award to be used in their drafting program.

On Friday, another panel of judges will select recipients of the Foundation’s annual academic scholarship awards, based on academic achievement, community service and financial need.

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Going the extra mile to go green

Apr 30

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

A class photo from the NAHB Green Building Certification Course

A class photo from the NAHB Green Building Professional Certification Course

Twenty-three people completed the 2-day “Green Building for Building Professionals” in the Tidewater Builders Association board room this week. Most will return tomorrow (Saturday) for the “Business Management for Building Professionals,” course. The coursework qualifies them to apply for the Certified Green Professional designation (CGP) from The National Association of Home Builders. The course was completely re-written last November.

The following professionals completed the course at TBA: George Abaffy, CYC Properties; Byron Black, Sassser Construction; Ed Battelle, VSC Geothermal; Kathy Browning, Design Consultants; Ken Cohen, Cohen Homes; Robert DeFord III, DeFord Companies; John Harris, Real Developments Construction; Edward Hewitt, Oceanside Building; Matt Hovey, Sasser Construction; Gail Johnson, EcoBuilders of Virginia; Allen Loree, Allen Loree Homes; Joe McGraw, Albemarle Contractors Inc.;

Tom Stephanie instructs green building certification course

Tom Stephanie instructs green building certification course

Brennan O’Connor, Sasser Construction; Michael Pender, Blue Marlin Development; Reid T. Pocock, Dominion Building; Greg Richarson, Crestline Homes; Julie Rozelle, Sandbar Realty; Ken Sedlacko, Sasser Construction; Jim Schneider, Schneider Development; Ray Street, Sasser Construction; Robert Tyler, Tyler & Associates; Adam Tyler, Tyler & Associates; and Don Weeks, Golden Heritage.

Serving as course instructor was Tom Stephani, CGP, GMB, MCSP, a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on issues relating to the residential construction industry and is currently the Chairman of the National Sales and Marketing Council. Tom traveled from his hometown of Chicago to conduct the course. He has been teaching green building courses for NAHB for nearly five years.

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Potential buyers at Dusty Boots Open House

Mar 29

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

Builder Mike Newhall , right, points out details in his Homearama home.

Builder Mike Newhall , right, points out details in his Homearama home.

Spring brings fresh hope and optimism for the local housing market as hundreds of potential buyers streamed through homes in various phases of construction during the “dusty boots” preview of Tidewater Builders Association’s Spring Homearama  last weekend. 

The Homearama builders got some valuable face time with potential customers on Saturday and Sunday. 

While some visitors were just curious to see what’s in store for Homearama, others were weighing in on whether any of the eight homes could be theirs.

Sheila Hohmann with Hohmann Builders reported one woman spent over 45 minutes in their Homearama home and came back to take photographs.

Builder Russ Hohmann greets visitors to his Homearama home.

Builder Russ Hohmann greets visitors to his Homearama home.

Even though their Homearama home has already sold, Les Ore and Bill Brice of Bill Ore Inc., said they now have two solid leads of potential buyers who would like to build the home elsewhere.

Builder Eric Sasser said he got to visit with 30 of his past and current customers over the course of the weekend. He also met a couple that indicated they would like to buy his Homearama home when their current home is sold – even if he has to build it for them on a different lot after the show.

One guest told Builder Ed Sadler he owned a waterfront lot and was looking for someone to build his dream home.

East West Communities Senior Vice President Mark Edwards reports he has two consumers sending “buy” signals over Mike Newhall’s Homearama home and a serious prospect for Norman Miller’s as well.

In addition to the home by Bill Ore Inc., the home by Birdsong Builders has also been sold. Spring Homearama is set for May 8-23 at Founders Pointe in Isle of Wight County.

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