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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-12-15 Thompson, Affordable Housing Public Comment November 12, 2015UW( RD RE:UDC revisions, Affordable Housing Ordinance 1922 NOV 12 2015 Commissioners: DEPIRTMENT OF Glad to see the whole team back following the election. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Have attached documentation to provide additional insight to your upcoming decisions and guidance on the UDC revisions and Affordable Housing. This is a request to delay Affordable Housing Ord 1922 initiatives until the revised UDC has been implemented and tested under current market conditions. More specific details were addressed in my Nov 10 email. The issues of City investment, both monetary and policy, towards Housing and UDC are complex but not unique across the country. The last housing debacle, resulted from our leaders saying "everyone has a right to purchase their own home" led to unanticipated consequences. Many who received home loans simply did not have the fiscal responsibility to follow through on their mortgage commitments. Please see the attached e-mail I received from a person who persevered and purchased an affordable Bozeman home. Isn't this the type of person we want to support in our community? If the City chooses to share in the investment hurdle for first time affordable home buyers, it (the City) has a fiduciary responsibility to see a reasonable return on its investments. Certainly we require the same of the Impact Fee allocations, why not our affordable housing provisions. 0% financing does not reflect good monetary policy by our elected officials. The consultant states that 18% of homes for sale, in the "affordable range" does not meet the critical supply for first time buyers. Economic theory would hold that if excessive profits are available to home builders, others would enter the market and undercut those profit margins. However, we can easily see that the number of affordable homes on the market reflects the lack of qualified buyers for lower priced homes. As Commissioner Taylor pointed out during the hearing on the Stuckey property rezoning, "it is the sellers who are the problem". As a result the smaller 'more afford able'homes in desirable locations are being snapped up within days and above the asking price, with the lots repurposed for McMansions. This loss of affordable homes for modest incomes could be addressed in the revised UDC. Bozeman's cost of living is not out of line with many communities across the country, see attached article which compares our cost of living across 39 cities. What is not addressed in Ord. 1922 is our rapidly increasina tax structure. If a northside Bozeman 600 Sq Ft 1 bdrm home currently assessed at$203,500 has annual expense of$2,000 in taxes +$800 insurance, how will State assessors adjust property values to keep homes and taxes affordable?Especially if new 'affordable'homes are mandated to have the same features, number bedrooms as their neighbors. Enforcing affordable housing initiatives will also carry the cost of additional staff or further delays in Planning process and approvals. Thank you for your respectful consideration of these issues. George Thompson, 12 Hill St, Bozeman - ,� _ - r -i .. 'I � r -. ', � _ _ .� i, �11 �; _ i • '.. ., . ;, - ,,,; ., ,. � , ,, ; .� ri . .ti How will our livin This chart provides comparisons in costs of care, transportation, utilities and miscella- from Indianapolis, IN, to Colorado Springs, y g living between major U.S.cities and popular neous goods and services and is based on a CO,your cast of living would increase by 4 costs change if you retirement cities. The differences were cal- national average of 100.The chart estimates percent. Retiring from San Francisco, CA,to 1,4.11 culated using The Council for Community and how much living costs will change if you Springfield,M0,would decrease your cost of Vi �+ 'Iiretire to another town Economic Research (C2ER)Cost of Living move from a city listed at the left to a city list- living by 50,percent.Living costs change;use j HOW 100 CITIES CO a or state? Index, which covers housing, food, health ed across the top. For example, if you move these comparisons only as a guide. o• � � a c o Coll v TO � � y y cs y °. �c ,� ti• y �+• h ` H m ro �• a. V m �• o q o, m' m S a v Tc' �p ¢, $i o ` ` zS a,• io ` a � Q � � m c oc °�i ¢t a E' O c' _c VO Q j o S r a O Q ° P Q c o ` o c ci° m o ° a a Q m o a a c sg c r m a m m ro y a o c c O ro h ` O mc• 'E a �� is r? m m m a 'cc F n a° c o 00 tic ti m o c ar ao J o�' �m �� ti° �ro +�° FROM Q Q Q Q Q mro m� m v° m� cr c>Q v° c° oro o� o° �' Q' 1f' c�ro zro z x° a > > 9 z Z Albany,NY 18 15 13 22 16 5 0 -19 -23 -11 -12 -18 -14 -18 -4 -4 -25 -15' -1 -11 -15 -26 32 -19 -25 -21 -27 -13 -17 -11 -4 -19 -21 -25 -18 -17 -28 -11 -14 -16 -11 0 15 -16 -25 -21 -7 21 21 19 24 26 -10 -19 -29 -23 8 -30 -33 20 -35 -30 -24 -27 -30 i i -17 -30 32 -36 -301-28 -38 -23 -26 -27 -23 14 -1 -27 -36 -32 -20 -32 -32 -30 -34 9 22 30 29 -33 20 30 33 31 35 30 24 -27 30 Anchorage,AK 29 27 25 -33 -27 -18'-14 -30 -33 -23 -24 -29 -26 -29 -17 -17 -36 -27 -14 -23 -27 -36 14 -30�-36 32 37 25 -4 23 10 -7 -9 -14 -61 -4 -17 2 -1 -3 3, 15 32 -3 -14 -9 7 -9 -9 -7 -12 45 4' -7 -5 -11 6 -7 -11 -8 -13 -6 1 -2 -7 Atlanta,GA -5 -2 0 -10 -3 91 15 -7 -11 3 1 -5 -1 -5 10 10 -14 -2 14 2 2 15 52 7 14 9 16 0 4 3 Baltimore,MD -16 -13 -12 -21 -14 -4 2 -18 -21 -9 -11 -16 -13 -16 -3 -3 -24 -13 1 -10 -13 -25 34 -18 -24 -20 -26 -12 -15 -9 -3 -18 -20 -24 -17 -15 -27 -10 -13 -14 -9 I 2 17 -td -24 -20 -51-20 -20 -18 -22 29 -8 -18 -16 -21 -6 -18 -21 -19 -23 -17 -11 -13 -18 Bergen-Passaic,NJ -28 -25 -24 -32 -26 "129 12 29 -32 -22 -23 -28 -25 -28 -16 -16 -35 -25 -13 -22 -25 -35 15 -29 -35 -31 -36 -24 -27 -22 -16 -29 -31 -35 -28 -27 -37 -22 -25 -26 -22 -12 1 26 35 -31 -26 -31 -31 -36 -40 11 -21 -36 -35 -32 -27 -36 -39 -37 -40 -35 -31 -33 -36 Boston,MA -35 -33 -31 -38 -33 -25 -21 -36 -39 -29 -31 -35 -32 -35 -24 -24 -41 -33 -22 -30 -33 -42 4 -361-41 -38 -42 -31 -34 -29 -24 -36 -38 -41 -35 •34 -43 -30 -32 -33 -29 -21 -9 -33 -41 38 26 38 -38 -36 -40 0 -28 -36 -35 -39 -27 -36 -39 -37 -40 -35 -31 -33 - 13 21 4 8 6 4 -2 2 2 14 14 -11 1 18 5 1 13 56 4 11 6 14 3 1 6 14 -4 -6 -11 -3 -1 -15 5 2 0 6 19 36 0 -11 -6 10 -6 -6 4 9 50 7 4 2 S 9 -4 -8 ! -5 -10 -3 4 1 4 Charlotte,NC -2 1 3 -7 0 6 21 22 27 20 18 29 13 16 17 12, 2 13 -17 -27 -22 -9 -22 -22 -21 -25 24 11 21 -19 -24 -9 -21 -24 -22 -26 -20 -14 -16 -21 Chicago,IL -19 -16 -15 -23 -17 -7 2 -21 -24 -12 -14 -19 1-16 -19 -6 -6 -27 -16 -3 -13 -16 -28 29 -21 -27 -22 -28 -15 -18 -12 - 3 7 8 8 16 4 12 0 4 17 49 9 16 11 18 2 6 1 8 -9 -11 -16 -8( -6 -19 0 -3 -5 1 13 30 -5 -16 -11 5 -11 -11 -9 14 43 2 9 7 -13 4 -9 -13 -10 15 -8 1 4 9 Cleveland,OH -7 -4 -2 12 5 7 13 9 13 1 1 71 16 -2 -4 -10 -1 1 -13 7 4 2 9 21 39 2 -10 -4 13 -4 -4 -2 -7 53 10 -2 0 -6 12 -2 -6 1 -3 9 1 6 3 2 Dallas,TX 0 3 5 5 2 15 21 -2 -6 9 6 0 4 0 16 16 -10 3 120 7 3 -11 60 -2 -10 -4 -12 5 1 9 Denver, -14 11 9 18 12 -1 5 16 19 6 -8 -14 10 -14 0 0 -22 11 4 -7 -11 -23 38 -16 -22 -17 -24 -9 -13 -6 0 16 -17 22 -15 13 -25 7 10 12 6� 5 20 -12 -22 17 -3 -17 17 -16 20 32 6 16 14 -19 4 16 -19 1-17 - 15 -8 11 11 De 12 20 1 -1 -7 2 4 -10 11 8 5 12` 25 44 5 -7 -1 16, -1 -1 1 -4 58 13� 1 3 -3 15 1 -3 1 0 5 2 10 7 t Des Moines,IA 3 7 9 -2 5 19 25 1 -3 12 10 3 8 3 20 20 -7 7 24 11 7 8 65 1 7 1 9 9 4 Detroit,MI -1 2 4 -6 1 14 20 -3 -7 7 5 -1 3 -1 15 15 -11 2 19 6 2 -12 58 -3 -11 -5 -13 4 0 7 15 -3 -5 -11 -2 0 -14 6 3 1 7. 20 38 1 -11 -5 12 -5 -5 -3 -II 52 8� -3 -1 -7 11 -3 -7 -4 -9 -2 5 2 -3 10 7 9 14 6 4 17 2 1 3 3' 15 32 3 -14 9 7 -9 9 7 12 45 4. -7 -5 -11 6 7 111I -8 -13 -6 1 -2 -7 Houston,TX -5 -2 0 -10 -3 9 15 -7 -11 3 1 -51 -1 -5 10 10 -14 -2 14 2 2 15 52 7 14 9 16 0 4 3 ( 21 2 0 -6 3 6 -9 12 9 7 13 i 27 46 7 -6 0 18 0 0 2 -3 60 14 2 4 2 17 2 -2 1 -4 3 11 8 2 Indianapolis,IN 4 8 10 -1 7 20 27 2 -2 13 11 4, 9 4 21 21 -6 811 26 12 8 -7 67 2 -6 0 -8 10 6 13 Kansas City,MONKS 1 4 6 -4 3 161 23 1 -5 10 8 1 5 1 17 17 -9 411 22 9 4 -10 61 -1 -9 -3 -11 6 2 10 17 -1 3 9 O 2 12 9 5 3 10 23 41 3 9 3 14 3 -3 1 6 55 11 -1 1 -5 t3 -1 -5 2 8 0 8 4 1 LosAngeles,CA -32 30 28 -36 30 -2211-17 -33 -36 -26 -28 -32 29 -32 -21 -21 -38 -30I-18 -27 -30 -39 9 33 -38 35 -40 -28 31 26 -21 -33 -35 -38 -331-31 -41 -27 -29 -30 -26 1-17 -5 -30 -38 -35 -23 -35 -35 -33 -37 4 -25 -33 -32 -36 -24 -33 -36 34 38 -33 -28 -30 33 Miami, A -32 -30 -28 -21 -30 41i 1 19 22 10 12 17 13 17 4 4 25 14 0 11 14 26 33 -19� 25 -20 -27 -12 -16 -10 •4 -19 -20 -25 -18j 16 -27 -11 -13 -15 -10} 1 16 -15 -25 -20 -6,-20 -20 -19 -23 27 -9 -19 -17 -22 -7 -19 -22 -19 -24 -18 -12 -14 -19 11 20 14 3I 3 17 21 8 10 15 12 15 2 2 23 13 2 9 13 24 35 17 23 19 25 11 14 8 2 17 -19 23 16, 14 -2G 9 -12 14 8 3 18 14 23 19 5 19 19 17 22 30 -7 -17 15 -21 5 17 21 18 23 16 10 13 17 Minneapolis,MN 15 -13 I 16 29 30 34 28 26 36 '22 24 26 -21 -12 2 26 -34 -30 -18 -30 -30 -29 -33 12 -20 -29 -27 -32 -19 -29 -32 -29 -33 -28 -22 -25 -29 NJ -27 -25 -23 -31 -26 -16I-12 -29 -32 21 22 27 24 27 16 16 34 25 12 22 25 35 16 29I 34 30 -13 23 26 21 1 0 -14 6 3 1 7 20 38 1 -11 -5 12 -5 -5 -3 -8 52 8 -3 -1 -7 11 -3 -7 -4 -9 -2 5 2 -3 Newark, 15 -3 -5 11 -2� New Orleans,LA 1 2 4 6 1 14I 20 -3 7 7 5 -1 3 -1 15 15 -11 2 19 6 2 -12 58 -3 11 -5 13 4 0 7 NY 41 44 43 -6 45 141 34 47 -7 41 42 46' 43 46 37 37 -51 -441-35 -42 -44 -51 -13 -47 -51 -48 -52 -43 -45 -41 -37 -47 -48 -51 -461•45 -53 -42 -43 -45 -41 34 -24 -45 -51 -48 -39 -48 48 47 50 17 40i 47 46 -09 39 47 -09 47 -61 -58 -55 -44 -47 I NYC-Brooklyn, -50 -58 -59 -61 -58 -57 -63 -54 -55 -56 -54�-48 -40 -56 -61 -59 -52 -59 -59 -58 -60 -35 -.531-58 -57 -60 -52 -58 -60 1-59 61 58 55 56 58 t NYC Manhattan,NY 57 56 55 60 56 51� 48 58 60 54 55 57�-55 57 -50 -50 -61 -56 -49 -54 -56 -62 -32 -58 -61 -59 -62 -55 -57 -54 C" OK 4 8 10 1 7 20 127 2 2 13 11 4 9 4 21 21 6 8 26 12 8 -7 67 2 -6 0 -8 10 6 13 21 2 0 -6 3 6 -9 12 9 7 131 27 46 7 -6 0 18 0 0 2 -3 60 14; 2 A -2 17 2 -2 1 4 3 11 8 2 Oklahomaity, 17 -1 -3 -9 0 2 -12 9 5 3 10 23 41 3 -9 -3 14 -3 -3 -1 6 55 11 1 1 `=5 13 1 -5 2 -8 0 8 4 -1 Omaha,NE 1 4 6 -4 3 161, 23 -1 -5 10 8 1 5 1 17 17 -9 41 22 9 4 -10 61 1 9 3 11 6 2 10 Orlando FL 4 1 1 9 2 10 16 6 10 4 2 4 0 4 11 11 -13 -1 15 3 -1 -14 53 -6 -13 -8 -15 1 -3 4 11 6 8 13 5 3 16 3 0 2 4 16 34 2 13 8 8 8 8 6 11 47 5 6 4 10 7 6 10 7 12 -5 2 1 6 I 8 23 -24 29 22 20 31 -15 18 -19 -14I -0 10 -19 -29 -24 -11 -24 -24 -23 -27 21 -13 -23 -21 -26 -12 -23 -26 -24 -28 -22 16 18 23 Philadelphia,PA -21 -18 -17 -25 -19 -9 I -4 -23 -26 -14 -16 -21 -18 -21 -8 -8 -29 -18 -5 -15 -18 -29 26 -23 29 24 30 17 20 14 Phoenix,AZ -2 1 3 -7 0 13� 19 -4 -8 6 4 -2, 2 -2 14 14 -11 1 18 5 1 -13 56 -4 -11 -6 -14 3 -1 6 14 -4 -6 -11 -3 -1 -15 5 2 0 6i 19 36 0 -11 -6 10 -6 -6 -4 -9 50 7 -4 -2 -8 9 -4 -8 � -5 -10 -3 4 1 -4 uc g -8 10 -15 -7 -5 -15 1 -2 4 2 14 31 -4 -15 -10 6 -10 -10 -8 -13 44 3 -8 -6 -12 5 -8 -12 1 -9 -14 -7 0 -3 -8 15 -3 13 1 -3 -16 50 -8 -15 -10 -17 -1 -5 2 Pittsburgh,PA -6 -3 -1 -11 -4 8 i 14 -8 -12 2 0 -6 -2 -6 9 9 I 4 -19 -21 -25 -18 -17 -28 -11 -14 -16 -11 1 0 15 -16 -25 •21 -7, -21 -21 -19 -24 26 -10;-19 -18 -23 -8 -19 -23 -20 -25 -18 -12 -15 -19 Portland,ME 25 -18 15 13 22 16 -51 0 -19 -23 -11 -12 -181-14 -18 -4 -4 -25 -15 -1 -11 -15 -26 32 -19,-25 -21 -27 -13 -17 11 Providence,Rl 23 20 19 27 21 11 7 25 28 16 18 23 20 23 11 11 30 20 7 17 20 31 23 -25 -30 -26 -32 -19 -22 -16 -11 -25 26 30 24 22 33 17 20 -2i 16 7 7 21 30 26 13 -26 26 25 29 18 16,-25 23 28 14 -1 -5 25 -8 24 18 20 -1 17 -1 -3 -9 0 2 -12 9 5 3 10 23 41 3 -9 -3 14 -3 -3 -1 -6 55 1 5 13 1 5 -2 8 0 8 4 1 St Louis,MO/IL 1 4 6 -4 3 16 123 -1 -5 10 8 1 5 1 17 17 -9 4 22 9 4 -10 61 -1 -9 -3 11 6 2 10 1 L 5 7 12 4 2 15 4 1 1 5 18 35 1 12 7 9 7 7 5 10 48 6I -5 -3 -9 8 -5 -9 -6 -11 -4 3 0 -5 Salt Lake City,LIT -3 0 2 -8 -1 11 118 -5 -9 5 3 -3 1 -3 12 12 12 0 16 4 0 13 55 5 1 12 7 -42 1 -2 5 San Diego,CA -35 -33 -31 -38 -33 -25�-21 -36 -39 -29 -31 -35 -32 -35 -24 -24 -41 -33 -22 -30 -33 -42 4 -36 -41 -38 -42 -31 -34 -29 -2d -36 -38 -41 -35 -34 -43 •30 -32 -33 -29 -21 -9 -33 -41 -38 -26 1-38 -38 -36 -40 0 -28 -36 -35 -39 -27 -36 -39 �'-37 -40 -35 -31 -33 -36 g _3g �$ 49 52 47 46 53 43 -44 45 42 35 26 -45 52 49 40 -49 -49 -48 -51 -18 -41 -48 -47 -50 -40 -48 -50 1-48 -51 -47 -43 -45 -48 San Francisco,CA 1-47 -45 -44 -49 -45 -39 -35 -48 -50 -42 -43 -47 -44 -47 -38 -38 -52 -45 -36 -43 -45 -52 -15 -48 -52 -49 -53 -44 -46 -42 22 34 _49 -52 -34 -32 -41 -43 30 -31 -42 -19 6 -31 -52 -36 -24 36 -36 34 38 3 26 34 33 37 25 34 37 -35 -39 -34 -29 -31 -34 Beattie,WA 33 31 29 36 31 23� 19 34 37 27 29 33 30 33 22 22 39 31 19 28 31 40 7 34 39 36 41 29 32 27 26 _3g -39 -43 -37 -36 -45 -32 -34 -35 -31 -23 -11 -35 -43 -39 -28 39 -39 •38 -41 -3 -30 -38 -36 -41 -29 -38 -41 39 -42 -37 -32 -34 -38 Stamford,CT -36 -34 -33 -40 -35 -27 -23 -38 -41 -31 -32 -36 -34 36 26 26 43 34 24 32 34 43 1 38 43 39 44 33 -36 -31 -34 -24 -32 -34 -43 1 -38 43 -39 -44 -33 36 31 26 3II 39 43 37 -36 45 32 34 35 31 23 11 35 43 39 28' 39 39 38 41 3 -30I-38 36 41 -29 38 41 -39 -42 37 32 34 38 Washington,DC -36 -34 -33 -40 -35 -271-23 -38 -41 -31 -32 -36 -34 -36 -26 26 43 3 -13 -15 -20 -12 -10 -23 -5 8 -9 4 8 24 -9 -20 -15 0 -15 -15 -13 -18 36 -3 -13 -11 -17 -1 -13 -17 -14 -19 -12 -6 -8 -13 Wilmington,DE 1-11 -8 -7 -16 -9 2 8 -13 -17 -4 -6 -111 -8 -11 3 3 -20 -8 7 -5 -8 -21 42 -13 -20 -15 -22 -7 -10 -4 s«,r, c2FF g'or' .1COM1*1oe1�~01M November/December 2015 71 70 Where to Retire DAILYCHRONICLE.COM TUESDAY, DECE BER 27, 2015 BIG SKY BLISS ,v Bozeman has been named the I Ith-best mid-sized American city by Livability.com. ADR,AN SANCHEZ{,ONZALEVCHRON1aR Four Montana cities r a e most- Iivabledisting weighted score drawn from eight catego- By ERIC DIETRICH ries:economic vitality,health,housing Top 20 MOST LIVABLE CIT Chronicle Staff Writer affordability,civic engagement,educa- 1.Madison,W sconsin tion,recreational amenities,demograph- 2.Rochester,Minnesota Bozeman has been ranked as the 11 th- is diversity and transportation cone- 3.Arlington,Virginia best mid-sized American city to live in nience.Data was drawn from sources 4.Boulder,Colorado by a""Top 100 Best Places to Live"index including the U.S.Census Bureau and 5.Palo Alto,California published this month by Livability.com. nonprofits like Americans for the Arts. 6.Berkeley,California Three other Montana cities made the In addition to civic engagement,Box- 7.Santa Clara.California list:Missoula,Helena and Billings. eman scored comparatively well on the S.Missoula,Montana Bozeman also scored second nation- ranking-measure of health and educa- 9.Boise,Idaho wide by the study's civic engagement tion but scored poorly on its diversity 10.Iowa City,towa measure,placing just behind Helena. measure.The city'.s housing affordability 11_Bozeman,Montena "I think for a Montana city of40,000, _ s_core yvas in the mil die o th pac]c.r 12-Asheville,North Carolina were doing quite well."said City Com r Missoula scored better than Bozeman 13.Ann Arbor,Michigan missioner Chris Mehl,who also works at but still below average on the diversi- 14.Bellevue,Washington local think tank Headwaters Economics. ty ranking,slightly better on housing 15 San Mateo,California On the other side of the divide,Mis- affordability and substantially lower on 16.Santa Barbara,California soula was ranked at eighth-most-livable civic engagement and education scores. 17.Overland Park,Kansas but bested Bozeman's overall score by Mehl pointed to Bozeman's economic 18 Salt Lake City,Utah only four points,668 to 664. vitality,Bozeman Deaconess Hospital 19.Rockville,Maryland While the study's authors caution and Montana State University as drivers 20;Eugene,Oregon against making direct year-to-year com- of the strengths reflected in the study. parisons because of changes in the rank- As more people move to the city for ing methodology,both cities moved up jobs or come to MSU to study and decide "+l'-L;_fi.i�_ "taf i compared to last year's listing, Bozeman to stay,he said,he expects the city to See the iist at httpJ/livabilhy up 12 places from 23rd and Missoula up become more diverse. from 61st. com/best•placeshof, iUQ best- The livability,indexes represent a More MOIVTAMA A8 places-tc-live/2015/ranking-data ' ;,T,�r3�It it mildl�f, ,e,are _ PRIME Perspectives EDITED BY JOY KILOORE PRIME Regulatory Headaches WE ASKED OUR PRIME ADVISORY PANEL: WHICH REGULATORY ISSUES ARE GIVING YOU THE BIGGEST HEADACHES AT THE MOMENT? THEY WEREN'T SHY ABOUT PROVIDING THEIR ANSWERS TEDIOUS PERMITTING PROCESSES One of our biggest problems is project permitting. Every town has its own construction department and its own way of handling permits.Some require zoning approval,even if the job is just changing bathroom fixtures.Some want drawings for everything—we can't just say we are swapping out a sink,we have to show it in a drawing,which takes time and money to produce.Some want three copies of the application;others only need one.And just when you think you have it figured out,they change it. Some towns Have part-time staff,so we have to work within their sched- ule.Some towns are taking four to six weeks to approve permits. Jay Cipriani,President Cipriani Remodeling Solutions,Woodbury,N.J. INCONSISTENT CODE INTERPRETATIONS One difficult issue is the loose interpretation of the j !! codes by individual code inspectors in some local f jurisdictions.In the end,its a case of,'This is the --way you will'do it,"even if the neighboring jurisdic lion says the opposite.This makes it difficult,if not I impossible,to understand up front what is required, and it often leads to a re-do or fines for the second inspection.Plus,this requires time and rescheduling and creates an unprofessional impression of the contractor.Some inspectors (not all), have become a law unto themselves in practice. Doug Dwyer,President and Chief Security Officer DreamMaker Bath&Kltchen,Waco,Texas THE PROFESSIONAL REMODELER PRIME ADVISORY PANEL PRIME brings together the hest-of-the-hest minds in the remodeling industry. This premier council of industry leaders sets the trends in today's eennomy fi r tmnorrotv's success. 2015 PRIME ADVISORY PANEL MEMBERS: Bill Baldwin,Hartman Baldwin Design/Build.Jay Cipriani,Cipriani Remodeling Solutions;Chris Edelen,Consultant: Sal Ferro,Alure Home Improvements;Joy Kilgore.EBA PRIME:Rob Levin,Statewide Remodeling;Emily Lindus,Lindus Construction;Gary Marrokal,Marrokal Design &Remodeling;Scott Mosby,Mosby Building Arts; Hollie Oilier,American Exteriors;and Joe Smith,LeafGuard Exteriors of Central Iowa. 6 Professional Remodeler ProRemodeler.com OCTOBER 2( i ��`ZSljGf BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE ECONOMY_ ---------- Consumer U.S. home values, rents confidence defying al slowdown weake ns - glob WASHINGTON (AP) n October —U.S.housing appears + to be insulated so far- KA 1 WASHINGTON (AP) from the cooling global —Americans turned economy. slightly more anxious Home values and about the job market this rental prices are steadily month. rising,fueled by strong The Conference demand and a tight sup- Board's consumer confr- ply of available proper- dence index fell to 97.6 ties,a pair of reports in October,down from a Tuesday showed.The nine-month high of 102.6 solid demand drove sales in September. growth early this year "Consumers still rate and spurred additional — --- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS current conditions favor- construction.ably,but they do not The Standard 8 This file photo shows a"For Rent"sign in front of a home in �oor'sl anticipate the economy Case-Shiller 20-city Los Angeles. home 9 strengthening much in price index climbed 5.1 l atn of 9.4 percent out of the 2008 financial the near-term, said Lynn percent in the 12 months annual g p Franco,director of eco- that ended in August—a was the third-largest. crisis. nomic indicators at the level many economists "Prices are rising the Not every area of the Conference Board. view as more sustainable as est in markets and vet there United ted States is tat price benefit- Fewer people surveyed than the sharp double- j rat on are the strongest has slowed in areas at for the business research digit gains at the start of and inventories are the the epicenter of the oil group described jobs as 2014. ti htest;'said Mark and natural gas industry, "plentiful"compared And in September, Vitner,an economist at according to Zillow.Aver to September,with that median rents nationwide measure slipping to rose a seasonally adjusted Wells �annd r°s an excellent llent halved Securities. age oil innthe past year to 22.2 percent from 24.8 3.7 percent from a year example. $44 a barrel Houstons percent. ago,according to real P Those same metro rental costs are up 5.8 reflects the results of two As with home The decline likely estate data firm Zillow areas were anion the percent over the past consecutive jobs reports. pace of rent increases rites,the leaders in the rental e months,down from Employers added just appears more stable than creases tracked by Zillow. annual growth above 6 142,000 jobs in Septem- the sharper increases At the same time,those percent Price apprecia- ber and 136,000 jobs in earlier this year. high rental prices sparked tion has also slipped in August,after routinely Still,while three years some new construction, Dallas and Tulsa. chalking up monthly net of solid hiring and low which has created more Overall in the United jobs gains in excess of mortgage rates have bol- apartments and tempered't States,the housing sector 200,000. stered real estate,further the rental-price apprecia- i has expanded for much Global pressures gains will likely require tion in recent months. of 2015.Sales of exist- have shifted more of better pay for work- The median rent in San ing homes jumped 4.7 the burden for eco- ers.Increases in home Francisco was$3,348 last percent in September to nomic growth onto values continue to exceed month,a yearly increase a seasonally adjusted an- U.S. consumers—an average annual earnings, of 13.3 percent.The nual rate of 5.55 million, uneasy transition in which have risen just 2.2 year-over-year increase in the National Association recent months. Auto percent from a year ago. August was even higher of Realtors said last week sales,home_buying and For now,homes in tech — 14.2 percent. The pace of home con- spending at restaurants hubs with a high concen- The housing market's struction rose in Septem• have advanced.But tration of good-paying overall gains are defying ber and is up 12 percent continued gains will jobs appear to be the the impact of a sluggish so far this year comparec main beneficiaries of ris- global economy. Falling with 2014.But the bulk hinge in part on steady job gains. ing prices.S&P reported commodity prices,weak- of the growth has been Consumer spending that San Francisco and ened growth in China, fueled by condominium: accounts for 70 percent of Denver both enjoved a a strugglirig Europe and apartment build- all U.S.economic activity. 10.7 percent vear over arc tumult in emerging ings.Single family homy But its significance has year jump in home economies such as Brazil construction—the hear increased as the global values, the largest of any have hampered a world of the housing market— economy has struggled. city. Pr�rtlaiid,Orz;gon`;, that is still battling its way was flat in September. f toMEs . T�hS ems}-c.tv� �.✓A-S SHaw�n/� George, Z + a Y1 E I Zoo k IFh 5 �gzST I will revise the information I put together to go up to$225,000. 1 stopped at$200, Bozeman City Limits and did include Days On the Market, actually Cumulative which includes if it was expired previously. We have a forum for the realtors on the 15th which goes from 9am-1 pm, so I will attend that... Jannie Wiseman in our office is another source, she and I discussed this morning We both worked Really hard to own a home" If you want my story for an example of what it takes, feel free to use it" My father died when I was 16. 1 saw my mother struggle with independence, so I decided to learn how to be independent right away" I started working baby-sitting, working in restaurants, a law firm all before college. We weren't poor. I just wanted to get started saving. I am glad I did!I moved to Bozeman after college and started in real estate. 1n order to support myself, I worked at the Voss Inn on the weekends at 5am cooking breakfast and cleaning. I was done by noon, but even at 25 years old, I was exhausted after work. I was able to buy a house a year later by renting out half of it. After being married and having a son; I found myself divorced. For the last 3 years; I worked at least 4 jobs at a time consistently to be able to show steady income on my taxes, bought and lived in a motorhome for 6 months which I was able to turn around and sell for the same amount, a studio basement apartment for 7 months and housesat for a few people to be able to build my home. It has been a struggle as the builder quit leaving me with the house unfinished, but I was able to get it finished by a neighbor builder and move in. I am very proud to be a homeowner again;it was a privilege I worked hard for, it was not a right. They say realtors don't work hard, if you knew the ones in our office, most have them have similar stories, the public just doesn't see it" I worked cleaning homes and still do, it's great exercise and quiet time I work at a therapeutic group home, sometimes 1lpm-gam. I handle marketing for several realtors and I do some work for banks with appraisal assistance. I make a decent income as a realtor, but I want to work as hard as I can to save for mine and my son's future. I have never taken government assistance even though I could have easily needed it, I just got another job, had good karma and 1 or 2 angels help along the way. I will send the data next, city limits up to$225 and county for RD(Rural Housing)financing. Thank you, c071r in,y n t editorial New Ideas Needed for an Underserved Market ome builders are remarkably adept at cre- like to stay in the area they're familiar with,where ating different types of homes as the needs they can remain in close proximity to friends, doc- and desires of the population change. One tors,and other community support systems. has only to look at the recent rising and falling of Some singles are cobbling together solutions, the square footage of newly built housing to see such as sharing homes with others or moving that builders quickly adapt to a changing hous- into cohousing communities. Others remain in ing market.After the recession,houses grew to ac- their homes but join groups such as the Village commodate the higher-income buyers who could Movement, a social network that will find service pay cash or qualify for difficult-to-come-by mort- providers to help with all kinds of needs: plumb- gages. Now that household formations consisting ers,drivers, even invitations to social events. of younger and entry-level buyers are increasing, Home builders can offer better options to what houses are starting to shrink. will surely be an increasingly large segment of The same goes for the shift of single-family homeowners.A good start would be to incorporate builders toward rentals. Long the province of de- universal design features in every home,making all velopers and large construction companies,rental homes available to all buyers. These can be fairly units are now being built by more than 13 percent easy changes, such as wider doorways, offering a of the single-family builders that reported their flex space on the first floor that can serve as a bed- data for our Housing Giants survey for 2014.Very room when needed, and providing grab bars, curb- large companies such as Lennar and Toll Brothers less showers,and varying height countertops in the have gotten a lot of press for moving into rentals, kitchen.These features make your homes more at- but most of the builders that have diversified in tractive to many types of buyers,not just seniors. this way are relatively smaller companies. Another segment of the population could ben7 efit from this kind of entrepreneurial thinking by The singleperson household builders: single-person households. According to _ second largest household type. an article on the subject by George Masnick, a se- nior research fellow at the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Census Bureau numbers from Another possibility is building pocket neighbor- 1940 pegged the share of single persons living alone hoods or compact communities in areas where ag- at 7.8 percent. Numbers in 2013 show that their ing single persons already live.A newer version of share has increased tremendously: At 28 percent, California's bungalow courts,these small commu- the single-person household is now the second nities offer single-family living in smaller homes, largest household type.The only category that out- often with both private and shared green space. numbers it, married couples without minor chil- Sited carefully to ensure privacy, these homes of- dren,comes in just one point higher at 29 percent. fer the best of both worlds—a place to call com- There are singles living alone in all age groups, pletely your own,but with opportunities to estab- but a preponderance of them, 72 percent, are 45 lish relationships with neighbors. years of age and older. Even more surprising, most There are undoubtedly lots of other ideas that in this group own their own homes,with the major- could be viable. Come up with some good ones ity of them living in single-family detached homes. and you might wind up helping this demographic, Often,these homeowners reside in large homes they and the industry as a whole. i shared with a now divorced or deceased spouse or with children who have since gone out on their own. Denise Dersin, Editorial Director They would like to downsize, but they would also ddersin@sgcmaii.com ti ProBuilderxom Professional Buildery 9 Za/j Start DESIGN TRENDS _ MASTER BEDROOM Plan#HWB17S0001 E ,BED RDD M Square Footage 782 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Dimensions 24'w x 44'd Foundation Crawlspace LJ 5 sets$700 8 sets$800 Repro N/A CAD$1,550 PDF$920 This compact English cottage plan I LUVINOROOM would make a splendid guesthouse or a simple primary residence.It features a master bedroom suite, a second bedroom,a large living room with a corner fireplace,a galley a kitchen,and a cozy front porch. You may be surprised at some of the luxurious details,like a large ff_ shower in the bathroom and a box- bay window in front.Built-in storage keeps everything organized.On the exterior,a large stone chimney adds innovative and attractive new designs are to the cottage charm. BUILDING changing that. Take this sweet cottage: at FOR FAMILIES — ust 782 square feet.it won't break the bank to build,and it is compact enough for a small lot. ONE bathroom is easily accessed from both OFObi E the master bedroom and the hallway(avoid- ing the awkward situation of guests having SINGLES CLAIM ONE QOARTER Why you should start paying to pass through the owner's bedroom to use attention to single buyers— the facilities),and it also includes a modern, Of THE MARKET especially older ones large shower and space for awasher/dryer.A second bedroom offers a place either for visi- tors or an office—the latter being especially Ignore singles atyourperil:if you assume all handy for someone segueing into retirement buyers corne with a spouse and children, via part-time work. you're shutting out a significant chunk of see our roundup of other house plan se- today's home-buying market.We're not just lections for single buyers(including a cool talking about millennials,either.—there are contemporary design that will appeal to more people age 50 and up in this demo- city-dwelling millennials) at go.hw.net/ A recent survey brolce down home buyer graphic who are buying homes, and they BDO515-plans.—AURORA zELEDON households by age and relationship status likely have more money to spend, show (better than simply married or not,since a these buyers that you haven't overlooked significant number of unmarried couples them b offering a layout built for one. © Browse plans or order online at live togethers,overall,singles represented Y g Y � P z5%of buyers,with the largest percentages The stock home plan market hasn't always BuiiderHousePlans.com or by phone among those age so and older. had a lot to offer in this category, but some 1-800-634-4773 Source:National Association of Realtors 30 BUILDER MAY 2015 0 BUILDERONLINE.COM ,_hes, cedar siding, and broad eaves.The range of architectural styles s expanded in the last 10 years to include clean-lined,modern houses design e the ones Schechter designs. The tiniest models have sleeping lofts, L _ .t there are also versions with main-level bedrooms. Living tiny doesn't have to mean roughing it.Even a home of less than • 0 square feet can be fitted with a dishwasher, a shower, and a nearly conceiving 11-size propane cooktop and oven. Schechter's Micropolis Houses are i -ger than most tiny houses,ranging from 785 to 1,272 square feet,with,o bedrooms and a deck or screened porch."I started designing the a tiny- house acropolis Houses about eight years ago because I didn't see any modem iy houses," she says. Recently a client convinced Schechter to set up • 000th at a senior housing expo in Chapel Hill."There were other tiny- v 1 a •.J e )use companies there too, but my booth was completely swamped. I uldn't believe the response"Schechter has discovered that the appeal - her little houses goes beyond the 65-to-90-year-old crowd. "I've got- -� n calls from all over the world,many from people in their 30s who are F l % o I/ sot ' The proposed Tiny House Village in Sonoma County,Calif., i will cluster up to 70 tiny homes around a central green. Jay Shafer, founder of Four Lights Tiny House Co., in y _ Cotati, Calif., has been dreaming about building a tiny-house village for 15 years.The dream could soon epending on local building requirements and selected materials,this 308-square-foot become reality now that the Sonoma County zoning atrina Cottage costs roughly$38,000 to$46,000 to build excluding the foundation and department has taken an interest. "Small houses nd.Fiber-cement siding covers 2-by-6 exterior walls. work very well in concert with shared amenities," Shafer points out.The village will include 40 to 70 tiny homes, each up to 400 square feet; a central green that serves as share,"d outdoor space; private storage units; and promihent pedestrian walkways in 'front, with parking in back.The village will be zoned as an RV park but without the wide streets typically used to - I PORCH haul units in and out.The density will range from 16 8'-0"x 12'-6" I to 22 units per acre. Similar to a co-op or co-housing LIVING project, residents will own their homes and the small BED 13'-I I'x 8'-8" lots they occupy and will,pay a set amount per month T-0"x I T-0" to maintain common areas. "Officials and[prospective - _ buyers] are pushing for it harder than I can move it 22'-0" forward myself," Shafer says_ "I just have to get the lass on all four sides;a large,open living room;and a full-size kitchen make for funding, which shouldn't be a problem considering iaximum livability.The porch adds 100 square feet of living space. the demand." He hopes to break ground this year. ProBuildencom Professional Builder 73 &Nr zw6 ti