WBA Legal andBuilding Code Hotline

Need for Approval: Overcoming Financing Hurdles

November/December 2010www.wisbuild.org

Delivered to you as a benefit of membership

Scott WalkerReady to Lead

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org2

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Wisconsin Badger Builder, (ISSN 004-232) is a bi-monthly publication of the Wisconsin shelter industry. It is the official publication of the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) and is published by WBA, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI 53701 and additional mailing offices.

All advertising is subject to acceptance by the Wisconsin Badger Builder editorial review committee. The publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered. The contents of all material available in this

publication are copyrighted by WBA unless otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved by WBA, and content may not be reproduced, disseminated, published or transferred in any form or by any means except with the prior written permission of the Wisconsin Builders Association®.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wisconsin Badger Builder, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriptions available through membership in the Wisconsin Builders Association®.

November/December 2010 Volume 27 • Issue 6features

WBA Legal and Building Code Hotline .............................. 5Sponsored by Axley Law Firm, General Counsel Patrick Stevens provides answers to some commonly asked legal questions.

Election 2010 ...................................................................... 5Brad Boycks, WBA Director of Government & Political Affairs, talks about the post-election environment.

Capitol Corner ..................................................................... 6Representative Donna Seidel (D-Assistant Majority Leader 85th Assembly District) discusses the importance of staying the course in these challenging times.

Need for Approval .............................................................. 8Learn ways to overcome financing hurdles, which is key to economic recovery in the housing market.

departmentsPresident’s Perspective ................................................................................ 3Priority #1: Elect Scott Walker Governor.

Executive Viewpoint ..................................................................................... 4Now more than ever.

Government Affairs ...................................................................................... 7Ready to Lead.

Local Happenings ....................................................................................... 10Photos and details of WBA local association events around the state.

News & Events ............................................................................................. 11Mission Statement

A professional trade association, WBA advances the housing industry for members and consumers through government involvement,

education and promotion.

Vision StatementAffordable, innovative and environmentally

conscious homes accessible to all.

Motto“Dedicated to preserving and promoting

the American Dream”

www.wisbuild.org

On the Cover: WBA endorses Scott Walker for governor.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org

Senior Officers 2010President: Jim Kubasta,

Oshkosh (Winnebago)

President Elect: Don Esposito,

Madison (Madison Area)

Treasurer: Gary Roehrig,

New Holstein (Mid-Shores)

Secretary: Craig Rakowski,

Wauwatosa (Metropolitan)

Immediate Past President: Doug

Scott, Janesville (South Central WI)

Associate Vice President: John

Anderson, Appleton (Winnebago)

Associate Advisor to the Senior Officers: Monica Sommerfeldt Lewis,

Chippewa Falls (Chippewa Valley)

Area Vice-Presidents 2010Southeast Area

Mark Benkowski (Metropolitan)

Darryl Spang (Racine–Kenosha)

Northwest Area Clint Doege (Heart of the North)

Monica Sommerfeldt Lewis (Chippewa Valley)

Southwest AreaTony Szak (La Crosse Area)

Steve Treu (La Crosse Area)

Northeast AreaSteve Atkins (Brown Co.)

Scott Browne (Brown Co.)

South AreaBrian McKee (Madison Area)

Bob Renforth (Madison Area)

East Central AreaEd Schmidt (Valley)

Stan Martenson (Valley)

North Area Pam Jewell (Golden Sands)

Mike Richie (Wausau Area)

East Shore AreaDan Schneider (Mid-Shores)

Sean Kelly (Mid-Shores)

State Representative to NAHBRon Derrick (St. Croix Valley)

Area 10 ChairmanWayne Foster (Metropolitan)

Priority #1: Elect Scott Walker

Governor

by Kuba, WBA President

The absolute top priority of our association and my remaining time as your association president

is to help elect Scott Walker as the next Wisconsin governor. We have only a few weeks before we go to the polls on Nov. 2, and we need to continue the push to help Scott Walker cross the finish line this fall.

A core of Walker supporters was formed early this year as a result of the very hard work of Craig Rakowski, who has served as the chairman of the Wisconsin Builders for Walker. Thanks to the Walker win last month in the GOP primary, that group has grown by leaps and bounds and continues to lead the way in fundraising and grassroots activity for our campaign efforts.

While on the campaign trail, Walker often talks about the three things that a successful campaign needs: money, organization and message (M.O.M.). We all agree that Scott’s message is what housing and our state desperately need. His message is that government should not spend more money than it has, smaller government is better government, and that people create jobs, not the government.

Money and organization is where you can really help Scott Walker in the next few weeks to ensure victory on Nov. 2. Many of you have already given to Walker’s campaign, and I thank you very much for your financial commitment. I now ask that you dig a little deeper and make an additional contribution to Walker using the Builders Direct Fund conduit.

For those that have not yet made a contribution to the Walker campaign, please do so as soon as you are able. Every bit counts during these closing weeks. Please contact your local execu-tive officer or Mark Nelson at the WBA office to use the Builders Direct Fund conduit to make personal contributions to Scott Walker.

The Builders Direct Fund conduit allows you to make a personal contri-

bution to state candidates and also allows your local association to get credit towards your fundraising goal. In addition, the WBA gains visibility with the candidates.

Finally, you can help the organizational efforts of the Walker campaign during these closing weeks to contact as many like-minded voters as possible and make sure they vote on Nov. 2.

You may remember the plan that was passed in July and promoted this summer and fall to increase the level of grassroots activity of our membership in Campaign 2010. It is not too late to help make a difference this fall. From going door to door distributing campaign litera-ture, putting up a yard sign and finding additional yard sign locations, to making “get out the vote” calls, there are many opportunities available for members to give a few hours of time to help get Scott Walker elected as governor.

We have an opportunity to get our state back on track by electing Scott Walker as Wisconsin’s next governor. Please take some time to help in these efforts with your time and money in the closing weeks of this critical campaign season. X

President’s

perspective

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 3

You can help the

organizational efforts

of the Walker campaign

during these closing

weeks to contact as many

like-minded voters as

possible and make sure

they vote on Nov. 2.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org4

WBA Staff4868 High Crossing Blvd.,

Madison, WI 53704 • (608) 242-5151

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Deschane, CAE, ext. 11

jdeschane@wisbuild.org

Director of Political & Government AffairsBrad Boycks, ext. 16

bboycks@wisbuild.org

General CounselPatrick Stevens, ext. 22pstevens@wisbuild.org

Director of CommunicationsAnnie Rubens, ext. 19arubens@wisbuild.org

Director of Accounting ServicesKathy Johnsen, ext. 12kjohnsen@wisbuild.org

Accounting & Political Affairs Assistant

Mark Nelson, ext. 25mnelson@wisbuild.org

Event CoordinatorKimberly Fay, ext. 10

kfay@wisbuild.org

WBA FoundationDevelopment DirectorMegan Taylor, ext. 24mtaylor@wisbuild.org

WBA Insurance ServicesMegan Taylor, ext. 24mtaylor@wisbuild.org

Published by

Publisher ........................... Kevin Naughton

Supervising Editor ........... Jennifer McDermitt

Graphic Designer ..................... Jason Gabel

Advertising Sales .......................Jeff Pinwar(800) 935-1592, ext. 118 • jpinwar@printcomm.com

Marsha Suwienski(800) 935-1592, ext. 106 • marshas@wildblue.net

Publication Sales Manager ....... Brenda Poe(800) 935-1592, ext. 115 • bpoe@printcomm.com

Now more than ever

by Jerry Deschane, CAE, WBA Executive Vice President

This month’s cover story focuses on the biggest threat to housing’s recovery: financing. Whether

you’re a developer, builder, remodeler or small business owner, the underlying problem is the same. Lending for real estate has become much more selective than it was, and it’s likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future. Now more than ever the resources of your builders association are critical for success — maybe even survival.

Let’s start with networking. Members have told us for years that the most important benefit of belonging to the association is the ability to talk to other builders, suppliers, and lenders. Sharing ideas at a local membership meet-ing, a state board meeting, or NAHB’s International Builders Show sounds simple, but it is still the best way to uncover a new idea or a resource that you didn’t have before. Far from being alone, you are one of 6,000 members in Wisconsin and over 100,000 members nationally. That’s a big team; use it, and don’t worry if you have been afraid to speak up because you’re embarrassed to admit that your busi-ness is struggling. Welcome to the party — so is everyone else’s!

Next is advocacy. Speaking up for our members is what we do best. Tell us what you need, help us come up with solutions, and we’ll carry the message to Washington or to Madison. There isn’t a week that goes by without NAHB talking to a representative of the Obama Administration about finances and the economy.

At the Badger State level, we’ve re-started meetings with our partners at the Wisconsin REALTORS and Wisconsin Bankers Associations. We have heard interest expressed in this issue from one of Wisconsin’s largest local chamber of commerce, and in the weeks ahead we are going to ask them to get involved as well.

Executive

vieWpoiNt

The solutions to the current finance squeeze may or may not lie with govern-ment, but to the extent that government can help, or can at least get out of the way, your association is in the best position to deliver that message loudly, clearly, and repeatedly.

Finally, we can help you run your shop more efficiently. NAHB has enough busi-ness management resources available to fill a library. They have information on everything from cash flow to succession planning. Go to NAHB.org/biztools for specifics. Our website, www.wisbuild.org, offers you a free Legal & Building Code Hot Line, where you can get infor-mation about laws and regulations that impact your business.

We also have Wisconsin’s best contract for new home builders and the best remodeler’s contract for that business need as well. Lastly, WBA Insurance and our partners have health, life, property and disability insurance products that are tailor-made for the housing industry. It’s all part of your membership.

You’ve survived the downturn. Now it’s time to survive the recovery. Read this month’s cover story, talk to your fellow members, compare notes, and compare ideas. Help us help you by participating in government affairs meetings. Stay involved in your builders association; it’s where the best ideas gather. X

You’ve survived the

downturn. Now it’s time to

survive the recovery. read

this month’s cover story.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 5

Sponsored by Axley Law Firmby Patrick Stevens, General Counsel

The Right to Cure Law does not apply between a general contractor and a subcontractor.

Q. I am a subcontractor and the general contractor claims I did some defective work. The general contractor will not allow me to come in and address the alleged problems. Can I use the Right to Cure law to resolve the dispute?

A. No. The Right to Cure Law sets forth a process to help resolve disputes between “consumers” and “contractors” in regard to residential construction and remodeling. Wis. Stat. § 895.07(1)(g) defines a “contractor” as a “person that enters into a written or oral contract with a consumer to construct or remodel a dwelling.” You do not have an oral or written contract with the consumer, and therefore the Right to Cure law does not apply.

For a copy of a Right to Cure law, and a brochure regard-ing the law, go to: http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivPublications.html

Plan Submittal for minor alterations to a multifamily dwelling is left to the discretion of building code official.

Q. I am making a minor change to a multifamily dwelling, and the local inspector is telling me I have to submit plans to the Department of Commerce. Does the building code require me to submit plans to the state?

A. No, but the building inspector may require you to submit plans. Because this is a multifamily dwelling, it is regulated under the commercial building code. Comm 61.30 sets forth plan review and approval requirements. In regard to minor alterations, Comm 61.30(4) provides: “This section does not apply for minor alterations where the building code official agrees the nature of

the work is such that review and approval of construction docu-ments is not necessary to achieve compliance with this code.” Thus, state plan review is not required if the building code offi-cial agrees that the review is not necessary.

Some cities and villages are required to have “Traditional Neighborhood Development” ordinances.

Q. Are cities required to have “traditional neighborhood devel-opment” (TND) ordinances?

A. Yes, certain cities are required to have TND ordinances. Wis. Stat. § 66.1027 (1)(c) defines TND as “a compact, mixed-use neighborhood where residential, commercial and civic buildings are within close proximity to each other.” This section also required the University of Wisconsin to complete a model TND ordinance by Jan. 1, 2001. Wis. Stat. § 66.1027(3)(a) mandated cities and villages with a popula-tion of at least 12,500 to enact a TND ordinance “similar” to the model ordinance by Jan. 1, 2002.

In addition, this law was amended in 2010 to “encourage,” but not require, cities and villages with a population of less than 12,500 to also adopt a TND ordinance. The law was also amended to require cities and villages with population of at least 12,500 to report to the Wisconsin Department of Administration by Jan. 1, 2011,whether they had adopted a TND ordinance.

Please note that the information contained in this article is general in nature and is not, and should not be, relied upon as legal advice.

WBA members may reach the Legal and Building Code Hotline by calling (888) 947-2458 or logging into the member side of the www.wisbuild.org and submitting your question electronically. X

Once Election 2010 is Over, Then What?by Brad Boycks WBA Director of Government & Political Affairs

Soon the television and radio airwaves will be clear of political advertisements, and Campaign 2010 will come to an end. If you are like most people, you are

not sad the never-ending stream of political advertising will soon disappear for another year or two.

Once the legislature reconvenes in early January 2011, there will be many new faces in both houses of the legis-lature and a new governor. Collectively, the first task at hand will be to pass a balanced state budget by June 1, 2011 — certainly no easy task during these challenging economic times.

With the elections soon over and with time before the legisla-ture gets back to some challenging public policy and budgetary decisions, now is a great time for individual members and local associations to begin focusing on what relationships they need to build to help pass sound legislation during the next session.

Building strong relationships with your local legislators is a very important part of the legislative process. The time between Nov. 3 and January 2011 is a great time to reconnect with legis-lators who have been re-elected and the many new legislators who have been elected for the first time and are getting ready for their first term in the state Assembly or Senate.

Once legislators are sworn in this coming January, they will be assigned new legislative committees, vote on new legislative leadership, hiring new staff and, depending on what the partisan make up of each house is, possibly chang-ing offices.

The start of a new legislative session can be an over-whelming time, especially for those new members of the legislature.

As you plan upcoming events for your business and local association (staff meetings, general membership meetings, and annual holiday parties), consider extend-ing an invitation to your local legislators to attend. These meetings are a great way to reconnect with veteran

members of the legislature that you have known for years and a great way to build up new relationships with new legislators.

Establishing a strong personal connection with your legisla-tors in late 2010 will go a long way to help WBA pass a strong legislative and regulatory agenda during the 2011-2012 session.

Important dates to remember headed into 2011 include: • Jan. 3, 2011: Inauguration of members of the Wisconsin

Legislature and Wisconsin Constitutional officers (governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, and secre-tary of state).

• Feb. 23, 2011: Business Day in Madison. This is WBA’s annual lobby day; please sign up to attend with your local HBA. X

WBA Legal and Building Code Hotline: Did you Know?

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org6

by Representative Donna Seidel (D-Assistant Majority Leader 85th Assembly District)

The health of our economy is paramount to all of us as we have only recently begun to truly understand the severity of the recession. On both the state and national levels, the

loss of jobs during this recession surpassed any single recession in the last 50 years.

As an elected official, I have heard from a number of families in my community that have been profoundly impacted by the recession. These are undoubtedly challenging times, and the future remains uncertain. However, data recently made available from the Department of Revenue gives me hope that there may be light at the end of tunnel in Wisconsin.

Make no mistake: while it may not be occurring as quickly as any of us would like, slowly but surely, our economy is recov-ering. Since December, Wisconsin has added nearly 30,000

Continuing Our EffortsCapitol

corNer private-sector jobs, a figure that places us in the top quarter of states nationally. Wisconsin’s job growth has outpaced many of our neighbors in the Midwest and the country as a whole due in large part to the 11,000 jobs that have been added to our staple manufacturing sector.

As a result, Wisconsin’s current unemployment rate is 7.8 percent — its lowest level since February of 2009 and nearly two points lower than the national rate. Compared with 2009, our July 2010 unemployment rates were either lower or unchanged in all but five Wisconsin counties, all but three of Wisconsin’s largest municipalities, and were lower in all of Wisconsin’s metro areas.

Key economic indicators for 2010 also show marked improve-ment over 2009. Through April, Wisconsin exports have increased nearly 11 percent. Existing home sales increased 16.8 percent in the first quarter of 2010, outperforming both the nation and the Midwest by more than five percentage points. After 13 consecutive quarters of decline, collections from the real estate transfer fee have now increased three straight quar-ters. Wages and salaries in Wisconsin are projected to increase after falling nearly 5 percentage points in 2009, and disposable income is expected to increase nearly 3 percent. General fund tax collections are on target with earlier projections and will exceed 2009 figures by nearly 2 percent. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, Wisconsin’s Gross Domestic Product, our broadest measure of economic output, is expected to grow by more than 3 percent in 2010.

Our current recession was years in the making, and we have to be realistic about the time it will take to fully recover. Over the course of the past two years, we have made a number of diffi-cult decisions to help put this recovery in motion, and we will continue to fight to keep moving forward.

It is critical that we stay the course and allow these policies the opportunity to take hold while at the same time continuing to look for bold new strategies for growing and diversifying our economy. Ideas from individuals of all professional and politi-cal walks-of-life will be critical in ensuring that Wisconsin’s economy continues to recover. I will continue to work tirelessly with anyone committed to ensuring that Wisconsin remains at the forefront of the national economic recovery. X

Capitol Corner is a regular feature for Badger Builder. In this space, a Wisconsin legislator will provide perspective on an issue. Each guest columnist is offered the opportunity to select their primary issue of concern and present their views independent from any guidelines imposed by the Wisconsin Builders Association®. The views expressed by the columnist are solely their opinion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the WBA, NAHB, the locals, or the members. The Badger Builder editorial department welcomes reader feedback to the issues featured in this section in the spirit of promoting continued discussion on the important issues affecting our daily lives. To submit comments, please send them to Badger Builder Editor Annie Rubens, arubens@wisbuild.org. Only comments in writing will be considered for reprint.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 7

Ready to LeadGovernment

AffAirsby Scott Walker, Republican candidate for Governor

When we put our faith back in the people of Wisconsin, instead of the government, anything is possible.

I believe it’s time to get Wisconsin back to work and back to building. I am ready and eager to roll out my ambi-tious six-point plan to create 250,000 jobs and focuses on getting government out of the way of the people.

Through ingenuity, hard work and determination, our people have made Wisconsin a great place to live, work and raise a family. Our companies are recognized as world leaders in every-thing from manufacturing motorcycles to brewing beer.

Wisconsin once led the nation in reform, but today, Wisconsin workers and families are facing tough times. Our state lost 163,000 good-paying jobs last year alone, and today, nearly one in 10 people in Wisconsin are out of work, while thousands more are underemployed or have given up on finding jobs that can support their family.

The status quo is unacceptable, and until we take immediate and significant action to turn around the devastating policies of the past eight years, Wisconsin will continue to lag near the bottom in rankings for job growth.

We cannot just tinker around the edges. It will take dramatic reform to bring 250,000 jobs to Wisconsin. Our plan is clear:

1. Lower the burden of high taxes: I want to lower the tax on employers, lower the tax on income, freeze property taxes and phase out retirement income taxes. States that have a lower tax burden have more jobs and better budgets, and it’s time Wisconsin was a better state in which to do business.

2. Reduce excessive regulations: State agencies should be more responsive to the customer, standards must be science-based and predictable, and agencies must balance efforts to protect our natural resources with the goal to protect our jobs, as well.

3. Eliminate frivolous lawsuits: We need to do more to reduce the cost of litigation, and we need true tort reform to help lower health care costs.

4. Provide a quality education for our future workforce: We need a strong education system with more accountability and better tools to prepare our children for work by utilizing methods to improve public schools and supporting charter, private and home-school opportunities. We should also give our UW System the tools to operate more like a business to pursue economic development.

5. Reduce health care costs: We need to help make the costs of providing health care affordable through market-driven strategies and not government mandates. That means elimi-nating the state tax on health savings accounts. It means full disclosure on medical procedures. And, it means helping employers tap into larger purchasing pools to share the risk.

6. Create strong infrastructure: Reliable energy sources and dependable transportation links are the final piece to our plan.

Our employers need a reliable and clean source of power for our factories, mills and farms. We also need a dependable system of roads and highways to get products to market.

When we reduce the cost of doing business, we’ll help our employers create more jobs in Wisconsin.

Unlike my plan, Gov. Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett still put their faith in the government to create jobs. They

Continued on page 9

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org8

by Jennifer McDermitt

As subtle signs of an economic rebound surface, one of the biggest hurdles to that recovery, at least for the housing industry, is obtaining financing. Consumers are

showing renewed interest, but their interest is futile if builders and their customers are unable to get financing for the projects they desire to build.

“The vast majority of builders in this country operate small, single-family homebuilding firms and they are struggling to obtain acquisition, development and construction financing that will enable them to meet the current level of buyer demand and put more Americans back to work,” said Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI), ranking member of the House Budget Committee, has witnessed the effects of this tight financial market firsthand. “When Congress was in recess during August, I spent the better part of the month visiting businesses throughout Southern Wisconsin. All across the state I heard the same thing from workers, managers and owners alike: that access to financing remains limited and that businesses wanting to expand operations and create jobs are not always able to do so,” said Ryan. “Businesses’ and individuals’ ability to obtain capital and access financing for projects is central to our nation’s economic recovery.”

While it may take more time and more effort, the good news is that builders are not powerless in this struggle. Part of overcom-ing these hurdles is understanding why they are there, and, more importantly, what can be done about it.

According to Kurt Bauer, president/CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association, there has been an intense regulatory reac-tion to the housing market collapse that bankers can’t ignore. “Housing-related projects have been red-flagged by regulators, and bankers need to include in their loan files very detailed data to justify making a loan to someone in the housing/construction sector,” he said. Bauer says banks have to be right in making loan decisions 98 percent of the time. When the economy is strong, it is easier to determine what constitutes a safe and prudent loan. In bad times, like now, that determination becomes muddled.

The Proof Is in the ProposalSo how do builders restore confidence in the financial sector to

ensure approval for the financing they need? First, there is a need to create a better economic environment, which is key to getting banks back to the business of lending. “I have joined my fellow Republicans on the House Budget Committee in calling for a different approach – one that reins in spending, to show that we are serious about getting our nation’s fiscal house in order and one that lowers tax rates,” said Ryan. He feels the government inserting itself as the dominant player of critical industries is creating uncertainty and making economic investors less confi-dent to go forward and commit.

Regardless of when, or how, the economy rebounds, however, we all need to recognize that life as we know it is not likely to be

the same as it once was. “Builders have to realize that the world has changed,” said Bauer. “They need to demonstrate to bankers, who in turn need to show their regulators, that development proj-ects or spec homes make sense in the current economic environ-ment and in whatever market they are proposed.”

Part of proving a project’s viability is creating a great proposal. If a project is rejected more than once, builders need to go back to the drawing board. “We sometimes hear from builders who complain that multiple banks have turned down financing for a proposed development,” said Bauer. “Those builders need to keep in mind that there are close to 8,000 banks in the U.S. and at least 300 operating in Wisconsin alone. If multiple lenders pass on a project, it is more often than not an indication that the project isn’t viable, and that the builder needs to rework the proposal.”

NAHB Plays “Matchmaker” for Members, Financing Sources

With members continuing to face severe financing challenges as they attempt to line up credit for viable residential proj-ects, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has launched the NAHB Finance Forum, a free, online “matchmak-ing” tool that will enable builders and developers to connect and discuss their funding needs with representatives from a variety of traditional and non-traditional capital sources, including investment and private equity funds.

Patterned after the successful Partnership Pavilion held at the 2010 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, which brought together more than 250 project proposals with 30 financial firms, the Finance Forum online networking service is available to NAHB members only.

Through the Finance Forum, participating NAHB members can submit their project information online and the computerized networking system will automatically find “matches” for them with suitable funding sources — based on the type of project, geographic area and the amount of funding needed.

To participate, builder and developer members are required to create specific project profiles and are encouraged to include as much detail as possible in order to enable as many matches as possible to be made. Supporting documents can also be included, as well as company overviews.

Participating members can choose from three different types of desired financing: new, refinancing and recapitalization of existing loans.

With corresponding lenders also submitting their require-ments, the online networking service will then automatically match the members’ needs with lenders’ availability and notify the matching participants. Once a match is made, both the member and lender will be responsible for contacting each other to discuss the funding possibilities.

Members can participate in the forum by visiting www.nahb.org/financeforum and completing the forms on the NAHB website. You must be logged in to www.nahb.org with your user-name and password in order to use the service.

Overcoming Financial Hurdles Key to Economic Recovery in the Housing Market

The Need for Approval

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 9

A Little Faith Goes a Long WayFrom developing a solid proposal to getting matched up with

the right resources, builders and remodelers have the tools to empower themselves in this tough financial market. And, because the housing market has such a profound effect on the nation’s economy as a whole, it is to everyone’s advantage that we get back to business. Bauer said, “Bankers want to make loans and will do what they can to do so. Loans are, after all, a bank’s number one product and the one that generates the most profit — but we must ensure they can be repaid.”

“The Majority has not pursued policies which encourage banks to lend to private sector businesses, and in the midst of a deep recession, this is a serious problem.” said Ryan. “Ultimately, I’d hope that banks recognize that the best medicine for their balance sheets is a thriving private-sector economy where capital is accessible and will continue to lend to worthy individuals and businesses.” X

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Overcoming Financial Hurdles Key to Economic Recovery in the Housing Market

GoverNmeNt AffAirsContinued from page 7believe large government programs, like building a high-speed train between Madison and Milwaukee, will get our jobs back. It costs $810 million and creates only 55 jobs. I know we can do better.

We can turn things around if we follow what I call my “Brown Bag Guide to Government”: don’t spend more than you have, smaller government is better government, and people create jobs, not govern-ment. These principles are embodied in my six-point plan.

Following this guide, we can make Wisconsin the most attrac-tive place in a competitive world to start or grow a business. By putting our faith back in the people, not the government, we can remove barriers to economic growth by lowering taxes, reducing runaway government spending, improving education and putting an end to excessive regulation.

Once we succeed, the economic growth that follows will bring 250,000 jobs to Wisconsin and get our state back to work and back to building. X

The Need for Approval

Local Happenings

Sheboygan County HBASCHBA members contributed over 450 man hours for the construction of “The Barn” from Charlotte’s Web for Bookworm Gardens.

Headwaters BATeam Mid Wisconsin Bank was the winning team from the golf outing. (L to R) Dave Cox, Larry Snedden, Greg Gremban, Darren Rubo.

Brown County HBA The Home Plan Contest was created to encourage students to pursue an education in the building industry.

Valley HBAWBA Treasurer Gary Roehrig, Roehrig & Savola Inc., installs the 2010-11 VHBA President JP Jedwabny, J&S Homes.

Chippewa Valley HBA Cody Filipczak, C & M Properties & Construction, and parents assemble playground equipment at Northwoods Elementary School in Eau Claire.

Heart of North BAHNBA members donated time and talent to help remodel donated office space for the newly-organized Rice Lake Area Free Clinic. Members helped with demolition, framing and dry walling, woodwork, and cabinet installation.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org10

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

1.PublicationTitle:WisconsinBadgerBuilder 2.PublicationNumber:004-232 3.FilingDate:September27,2010 4.IssueFrequency:Bi-Monthly 5.NumberofIssuesPublishedAnnually:6 6.AnnualSubscriptionPrice:$25.00 7.CompleteMailingAddressofKnownOfficeofPublication

(Notprinter):WisconsinBuildersAssociation,4868HighCrossingBlvd,Madison,WI53704-7403ContactPerson:AnnieRubensTelephone:(800)362-9066

8.CompleteAddressofHeadquartersorGeneralBusinessOfficeofPublisher(Notprinter):Sameasabove

9.FullNamesandCompleteMailingAddressesofPublisher,EditorandManagingEditorPublisher:JerryDeschane,WBA,4868HighCrossingBlvd,Madison,WI53704-7403Editor:AnnieRubens,WBA,4868HighCrossingBlvd,Madison,WI53704-7403ManagingEditor:AnnieRubens,WBA,4868HighCrossingBlvd,Madison,WI53704-7403

10.Owner:WisconsinBuildersAssociation,4868HighCrossingBlvd,Madison,WI53704-7403

11.None12.Hasnotchangedduringpreceding12months.13.PublicationTitle:WisconsinBadgerBuilder14.IssueDateforCirculationDataBelow:September/October201015.ExtentandNatureofCirculation AverageNo.No.Copiesof

CopiesEach SingleIssue IssueDuring Published

Preceding Nearestto 12Months FilingDate a.TotalNumberofCopies

(NetPressRun) 6,059 5,777 b.Paidand/orRequestedCirculation (1)Paid/RequestedOutside-County 6,016 5,734 (2)PaidInCounty 0 0 (3)SalesthroughdealersandCarriers, StreetVendors,CounterSales,and OtherNon-USPSPaidDistribution 0 0 (4)OtherClassesMailedThroughtheUSPS0 0 c.TotalPaidand/orRequestedCirculation 6,016 5,734 d.FreeDistributionbyMail (1)Outside-CountyasStatedon 43 43

Form3541 (2)In-CountyasStatedonForm3541 0 0 (3)OtherClassesMailed 0 0

ThroughtheUSPS(4)FreeDistributionOutsidetheMail 0 0

e.TotalFreeDistribution 43 43 f.TotalDistribution 6,059 5,777 g.CopiesnotDistributed 0 0 h.Total 6,059 5,777 i.PercentPaidand/or 99.29% 99.26%

RequestedCirculation

16.PublicationofStatementofOwnershipPublicationrequired.WillbeprintedintheNovember/December2010issueofthispublication.

17.AnnieRubens,Editor,September27,2010.Icertifythatallinformationfurnishedonthisformistrueandcomplete.Iunderstandthatanyonewhofurnishesfalseormisleadinginformationonthisformorwhoomitsmaterialorinformationrequestedontheformmaybesubjecttocriminalsanctions(includingfinesandimprisonment)and/orcivilsanctions(includingcivilpenalties).

Wisconsin Badger Builder • November/December 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 11

LOCAL ASSOCiAtiON PArAde OF HOMeS/HOMe SHOWS GOLF OutiNG/BBW OtHer eveNtS eduCAtiON

Brown CountyMarch 5-6 & 10-13, 2011 Spring Showcase of Homes * Jan. 20-23, 2011 KI Convention Center, Home Expo

GMM Nov. 9, 2010ABCs at the HBA 3rd Tues of month. Continuing Ed offered monthly at BCHBA

Central Wisconsin Feb. 26-27, 2011 Marshfield and March 26-27, 2011, Wisc. Rapids Home Shows

Continuing Ed offered during some GMM’s

Chippewa ValleyJune 11-19, 2011 Parade of Homes * February 25-27, 2011, Eau Claire Indoor Sports Arena Home & Garden Show

See calendar at www.cvhomebuilders.com

Door County March 25 & 26, 2011 Home Show Dec. 9, 2010 Installation & Holiday Party

HBA of Fond du Lac & Dodge Counties Monthly

Golden Sands Feb. 19 & 20, 2011 Holiday Inn & Conventi-on Center Home Show July 19, 2011 • BBW:April 19, 2011

Headwaters www.headwatersbuilders.com

Heart of the North March 5-6, 2011 Home Show Nov. 13, 2010 Installation & Holiday Banquet

Continuing Ed offered during some GMM’s

La Crosse Area

Lakeland July 30 & 31 and Aug 6 & 7, 2011 Parade of Homes * Feb. 26-27, 2011 Home Show June 9, 2011 Dec. 3, 2010 Installation & Christmas

Party See calendar at www.lakelandba.com

Madison Area See calendar at www.maba.org

Manitowoc County

MetropolitanCommerce Approved 12-Hour Course DVD available. $130 for HBA members, $225 for non-members at www.MBAonline.org.

Mid-Shores Feb. 18-20, 2011 Home Show BBW: Dec. 3, 2010 Live Auction Dec. 3, 2010 Installation & Holiday Party

Mid-Wisconsin Feb. 18-20, 2011 Wilderness Convention Center Home Show

Northland Area March 26 & 27, 2011 Spooner High School Home Show

Networking Nights First Tuesday of the month Contact NABA office for location 5:30 pm Social Hour 6:30 pm Dinner with guest speaker to follow

Visit www.northlandareabuilders.com for details

Racine-KenoshaDec. 2, 2010 Installation, Sept. Parade of Playhouses, Monthly Member Mingles

Monthly

Sheboygan County April 1-3, 2011 Home Expo Monthly

South Central Wisconsin Feb. 25-27, 2011 Home Show BBW: Oct. 26, 2010 Silent Auction go to www.scwbaonline.com

South West Wisconsin

St. Croix Valley March 19-20, 2011 Home Show July 18, 2011 Dec. 14, 2010 Holiday Banquet Education classes posted on www.scvhba.com

Valley Feb. 19-27 and Aug. 13-21, 2011 Parade of Homes * March 11-13, 2011 Homes Show BBW: April 5, 2011 Various -- visit www.vhba.com for

schedule

Wausau Area

Winnebago April 8-10 & 15-17, 2011 Parade of Homes * March 11-13, 2011 Home & Garden Show See calendar at www.whba.net

Wolf River April 8-10, 2011 Home & Cottage Show Jan. 11, 2011 Holiday Party, Golden Sands Golf Course, Cecil See www.wolfriverbuilders.com

rev. 9/14/10

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