www.elpasobuilders.
com
Weakening Housing Market
Lower inventory, interest rates and rising entry level prices creates lack of buyers
Home prices are high, listings are lean
and potential buyers are frustrated. There
is plenty of demand, but it is not
translating into home sales. Mortgage
applications dropped 2.5 percent last
week, seasonally adjusted, according to
the Mortgage Bankers Association. The
weakness was driven entirely by a lack of
buyers. Total volume was 12 percent
lower than the same week one year ago.
Mortgage applications to purchase a
home fell 5 percent for the week and
were just 1 percent higher compared with
a year ago. Home prices continue to rise
at more than twice the rate of income
growth, and bidding wars are the rule
rather than the exception for entry-level
homes. New buyers are clearly
struggling, and that is apparent in the
type of loans for which they are applying.
“The mix of business changed, with
FHA purchase volume increasing as
conventional and VA volume decreased,”
noted Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at
the MBA. “This indicates that more first-
Total housing starts fell 12.3 percent in
Housing Starts Fall June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate
of 1.17 million units, according to newly
12.3 Percent As Tariffs released data from the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development and
the Commerce Department.
Draw Increased The June reading of 1.17 million is the
number of housing units builders would
Concern begin if they kept this pace for the next 12
months. Within this overall number,
single-family starts fell 9.1 percent to
858,000 units. Meanwhile, the multifamily
sector — which includes apartment
buildings and condos — dropped 19.8
percent to 315,000.
NAHB•ORG Overall, permits — which are a sign of
likely future housing production —
dropped 2.2 percent to 1.27 million units
in June, the lowest level of the year.
Although single-family permits edged up
0.8 percent to 850,000, they remain at
their second lowest reading of 2018.
429
PERMIT NO.
EL PASO TX
PAID
U.S. POSTAGE
PRSRT STD
National, State & Local
Building Industry News
2018: Issue 7
time buyers are entering the market,
even as the market as a whole continues
to be restricted by tight inventories of
homes available for sale.”
FHA mortgages are government
insured. They offer down payments as
low as 3.5 percent but also require
mortgage insurance, which adds to the
monthly cost. FHA loans have long been
the preference of first-time buyers, who
may have lower credit scores.
The type of loan a borrower choses
can make a far bigger difference in the
monthly payment than the weekly moves
in interest rates, which were basically flat
last week anyway. The average contract
interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate
mortgages with conforming loan balances
($453,100 or less) increased to 4.77
percent from 4.76 percent, with points
increasing to 0.46 from 0.43 (including
the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-
value ratio (LTV) loans.
Mortgage rates have not moved much
at all in the past month, which may be
Multifamily permits fell 7.6 percent to
423,000.
“We have been warning the
administration for months that the
ongoing increases in lumber prices
stemming from both the tariffs and
profiteering this year are having a strong
impact on builders’ ability to meet growing
consumer demand,” said NAHB Chairman
Randy Noel, a custom home builder from
LaPlace, La. “This is why we continue to
urge senior officials to take leadership
and resolve this issue.”
While overall production is 7.8 percent
higher than its level over the same period
last year, the June report raises concerns
about a softening in housing production
over the near term.
“The concern over material costs,
especially lumber, is making it more
difficult to build homes at competitive
price points, particularly for newcomers
why refinance applicants are not doing
much either. Applications did move 2
percent higher for the week but they were
still 28 percent lower compared with the
same week one year ago, when interest
rates were lower. Refinance volume has
been anemic for more than a year as so
many homeowners refinanced several
years ago when the average rate on the
30-year fixed was in the 3 percent range
rather than the 4 percent range.
The refinance share of mortgage
activity increased to 36.5 percent of total
applications from 34.8 percent the
previous week.
The critical shortage of homes for sale
is not improving that much, although
more homes are coming on the market
now. Inventory is still significantly lower
than a year ago, and what is available is
usually expensive.
-Diana Olick
CNBC Real Estate Reporter
entering the housing market. Moreover,
the soft permit report does not suggest a
significant increase in housing production
in the near term,” said NAHB Senior
Economist Michael Neal. “However,
consumer demand for single-family
housing continues to increase as the
overall economy and labor market
strengthen.”
Combined single- and multifamily
housing starts fell in all regions of the
country. Starts fell 3 percent in the West,
9.1 percent in the South, 35.8 percent in
the Midwest and 6.8 percent in the
Northeast.
Looking at regional permit data, permits
rose 6.2 percent in the South. Permits fell
1.8 percent in the West, 16.4 percent in
the Northeast and 18.7 percent in the
Midwest.
AND THE
WINNER IS...

CELEBRATING THE
BEST OF OUR INDUSTRY

Real TexaS builder AWARDS

©

EL PASO ASSOCIATION OF BUILDERS

ENTRIES NOW ACCEPTED

BUILDER/DEvELopER
q Best Kitchen Under $250K q Best Website:Builder

Join us as we q Best Kitchen Over $250K

q Best Bathroom Under $250K
recognize the very q Best Bathroom Over $250K
q Best Specialty Room Home Under $250K
best of the q Best Specialty Room  Home Over $250K
q Best Website:Developer
q Best Website:Associate
q Best Promotional Video:Builder
q Best Promotional Video:Developer

El Paso home
q Best  Home Under $250K q Best Promotional Video:Associate
q Best  Home Over $250K
building industry q Best Residential Solar Integration
q Best Integrated Living Space
q Best Electronic Media Ad:Builder
q Best Electronic Media Ad:Developer
at a special q Best Lighting Design q Best Electronic Media Ad:Associate

installation and
q Best Innovative Use of Materials
q Best Pool Design/Water Feature q Best Outdoor Ad:Builder

awards cermony
q Best Community up to 20 Acres
q Best Volume Home Builder
q Best Custom Home Builder
12.7.2018 MULTI-FAMILY
q Best Architectural Design
q Best Design of A Community Space
q Best Urban Multi-family Design
q Best Community Club House
pRoMoTIoN
q Best Print Advertisement:Builder
q Best Print Advertisement:Developer
q Best Print Advertisement:Associate
q Best Direct Mail Piece:Builder
q Best Direct Mail Piece:Developer
q Best Direct Mail Piece:Associate
q Best Sales Brochure:Builder
q Best Sales Brochure:Developer
q Best Sales Brochure:Associate
q Best Social Media Campaign:Builder
q Best Social Media Campaign:Developer
q Best Social Media Campaign: Associate
q Best Outdoor Ad:Developer
q Best Outdoor Ad:Associate
THE EpAB EXECUTIvE CoMMITTEE WILL ALSo
ANNoUNCE THEIR CHoICE FoR:
Builder Member of the Year
Associate of the Year
HoW To ENTER
EARLY BIRD ENTRIES: $100 BEFORE 9/15/2018
ENTRIES $150 SUBMIttED AFtER 9/15/2018
FINAL DEADLINE To ENTER is 10/1/2018
To Enter:
1. E-mail ray@elpasobuilders.com or call
915-778-5387 to request a category form. Check
the categories you plan to enter and return it to
the El Paso Associationof Builders.
2. A submission packet will be sent to you with
specific instructions for each category.
3. Submit your entry and payment by 10/1/2018
For more information call:
915-778-5387
2018 Issue 7
President’s
Message
Edmundo Dena
President
el Paso association of Builders
i want to thank all the members
who have become involved in the
association over the last few
months. our future successes are
being formulated by the excitement
and commitment being made now
by the new members. and as a
bonus their excitement tends to
excite some of us more seasoned
members. it sometimes takes this
to wake up the giant and i’m glad it
is. How did this happen?
commitment from our members to
grow the association.
Part of that growth was on hand
at the new Member Mixer that Ray
and Margaret put together for us.
The idea was to have new
members come and see the
association building, meet each
other, mingle with us seasoned
members and get to know who we
are. let me correct that, get to
Builders Outlook
Future looks bright at
Association
know who they are now. The crowd
was fantastic and as the association
filled up the noise level went up just
like when we do a speed selling
event. it was great. The new
members were impressed with the
place and the people, the executive
team worked the room, and the
food and drinks were flowing. i
want to give Ray and Margaret
some special thanks for making this
happen. it was something special
that a week later we’re still talking
about.
i was able to let the crowd know
that they are involved with a very
powerful group with the knowledge
and respect that has been earned.
i told them that our relationship with
the city of el Paso is good and that
we have a seat at the table with
them. i think that having doug
Schwartz and Ray adauto invited to
3
*
PRINT & INTERNET
PUBLISHING
*
Social Media & WeBSiTe
conTenT ManageMenT
*
e-Mail neWSleTTeRS
coMMUnicaTion
STRaTegY
help select the next BPi director
speaks well of how much respect
the city Manager has for us. our ediToRial SeRViceS
relationship with Tommy gonzalez
and cary Westin has helped us
tremendously. We trust each other
and have a good working
relationship with them. it’s the same
with the staff at BPi. We must trust
that they do the right thing and we
have to deliver that trust.
The future of the ePaB look
promising having met some of new
members. i would encourage all of
you members to come to our
meetings and events. i also want to
see you enter the Real Texas
Builder awards to show off what
you do and well you do it. all these
things bring success to the
association, and more importantly to Get Creative. Make it Snappy.
you. 915•820•2800
www.snappypublishing.com
4
Executive’s
Message
Ray Adauto,
Executive
Vice President
EPAB
The news from around the
country is starting to sound like
what we were hearing in 2007.
That is not good. As you can see
from the reports coming out of
California housing sales and starts
are down and is suffering from
several different factors. First let
me put this into perspective: We
aren’t California, but we are now
the state with the largest growth in
the country. So, from that area we
are what California has been for
most of the last fifty or more years
and that could be a negative.
Secondly our market has not been
as much a housing roller coaster
like other cities, so historically we
tend not to follow those dire up and
down trends. Third El Paso has
buffered itself from problems of
affordability in the past. Now let
me strike each one of these past
passes down for today.
Builders Outlook
Past may provide glimpse into future of housing
In 2007 we had significant
indicators that the mortgage bubble
was getting ready to burst due to
bad lending practices. Lessons
from that bust have apparently not
been learned, according to many
economist, and lending has gotten
people in trouble once again. The
difference, in my opinion, is that the
lending is not housing but rather
auto loans and credit cards. That
multi-trillion-dollar debt directly
affects what consumers qualify for
in a mortgage. The auto loan
industry has a huge sub-prime
portfolio as reported by trade
experts. Couple that with
payments extended to seven years
so that inventory moves and people
can afford the payment, and you
have the credit crisis brewing in
another sector. This is the big
bubble I predict could crash and
disturb housing the most.
Third El Paso is no longer
immune to high prices and
affordability. El Paso is affected
with all the stuff that affects all
markets, including material costs,
transportation, availability, labor,
land, jobs, and government
regulations. As costs go up the
market is forced to pass those
increases onto the consumer and
this is where El Paso gets hit
again. The local market does not
produce the income needed for
higher housing prices. As those
costs go up the market gets tighter
and tighter as finding a qualified
buyer gets harder and harder. El
Paso’s vulnerability to market
conditions is further impacted by
the debt-to-income ratio of the
population. That impacts who
qualifies and it appears that those
other loans have a huge impact on
the ability to buy a house.
2018 Issue 7
While California is a barometer
for the country I believe that El
Paso is just as susceptible as any
other city. The differential is the
lower income and land sales. It
costs so much more for developers
to bring property on line today. The
multiplier of five may have to rise to
5.5 times because material prices
keep rising without warning.
My sense of market is that it is
changing and that we should heed
the past to survive the future. The
American dream of home
ownership is getting harder and
harder. My suggestion is to not fear
it but prepare for the next downturn
which may not be too far away.
 National
2018 Issue 7 Builders Outlook 5

Builder News

Builder
Confidence
remains strong
n Builder confidence in the
market for newly-built single-
family homes remained
unchanged at a solid 68 reading
in July on the National
Association of Home
Builders/Wells Fargo Housing
Market Index (HMI).
“Consumer demand for single-
family homes is holding strong
this summer, buoyed by steady
job growth, income gains and low
unemployment in many parts of
the country,” said NAHB
Chairman Randy Noel, a custom
home builder from LaPlace, La.
“Builders are encouraged by
growing housing demand, but
they continue to be burdened by
rising construction material
costs,” said NAHB Chief
Economist Robert Dietz. “Builders
need to manage these cost
increases as they strive to
provide competitively priced
homes, especially as more first-
time home buyers enter the
housing market.”
Derived from a monthly survey
that NAHB has been conducting
for 30 years, the NAHB/Wells
Fargo Housing Market Index
gauges builder perceptions of
current single-family home sales
and sales expectations for the
next six months as “good,” “fair”
or “poor.” The survey also asks
builders to rate traffic of
prospective buyers as “high to
very high,” “average” or “low to
very low.” Scores for each
component are then used to
calculate a seasonally adjusted
index where any number over 50
indicates that more builders view
conditions as good than poor.
The HMI index measuring
current sales conditions remained
unchanged at 74. Meanwhile, the
component gauging expectations
in the next six months dropped
two points to 73 and the metric
charting buyer traffic rose two
points to 52.
Looking at the three-month
moving averages for regional HMI
scores, the Northeast rose one
point to 57 while the Midwest
remained unchanged at 65. The
West and South each fell one
point to 75 and 70, respectively.
6 Builders Outlook
Mortgage
& Banking
CNBC
• A significant drop in mortgage
interest rates was not enough
to entice homeowners to
refinance their loans.
• Total mortgage application
volume decreased 0.5
percent on a seasonally
adjusted basis compared
with the previous week,
and is 13.5 percent lower
than the same week one
year ago.
• Even those homeowners who
want to tap some of the
newfound equity in their
home, given the sharp rise in
home values, are more likely
to take out a second loan
rather than refinance to a
higher interest rate.
2018 Issue 7
Mortgage applications fall, refinancing hits 20-year low
A significant drop in mortgage interest
rates was not enough to entice
homeowners to refinance their loans
last week. Total mortgage application
volume decreased 0.5 percent on a
seasonally adjusted basis compared
with the previous week, according to
the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Volume was 13.5 percent lower than
the same week one year ago.
Applications to refinance a home
mortgage fell 2 percent for the week
and were 28 percent lower than the
same week one year ago, when interest
rates were lower. The refinance share
of mortgage activity decreased to 37.2 week, with points decreasing to 0.41 government-insured and offer lower
percent of total applications from 37.6 from 0.42 (including the origination fee) down payment options to buyers with
percent the previous week. for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) weaker credit scores.
More than half of all homeowners loans. “A shortage of inventory remains a
with a mortgage today have rates below “Financial market volatility in significant constraint, but it is interesting
4 percent, according to CoreLogic. response to continued worries about to note that applications for government
Even those homeowners who want to trade resulted in both lower mortgage purchase loans fared better on the
tap some of the newfound equity in rates and a drop in applications last week, indicating that first-time buyers
their home, given the sharp rise in week,” said Mike Fratantoni, chief remain in the market,” said Fratantoni.
home values, are more likely to take out economist at the MBA, adding that The critical shortage of homes for
a second loan rather than refinance to a refinances saw one of the weakest sale continues to be the most
higher interest rate. Home equity lines readings in the last 20 years. formidable roadblock to a full housing
of credit are increasing as refinances Lower interest rates are not doing recovery. Supplies are not getting much
decrease. much for homebuyers either. Mortgage better, and home price gains are
The average contract interest rate for applications to purchase a home rose 1 accelerating as buyers compete for the
30-year fixed-rate mortgages with percent for the week but were 1.4 very few good listings on the market.
conforming loan balances ($453,100 or percent lower than the same week one
less) decreased to 4.79 percent last year ago. The only gains were in FHA
week from 4.84 percent the previous purchase applications. FHA loans are
2018 Issue 6 Builders Outlook 7
Economic
Forescast

Tell tale
signs?
Elliot Eisenberg
Economic & Policy
Blog

An inverted yield curve, a situation government reverses course by

where short-term rates are higher than
long-term rates, has preceded each of
the past seven recessions by 8 to 23
months. At present, the yield curve is
very close to inverting. But, rarely have
we had massive fiscal stimulus this
late in a cycle, or a central bank with
vast holdings of long-term bonds. So,
while I'm concerned, I'm not yet on
recession watch.
While wages are increasing very
slowly in response to the remarkably
low unemployment rate, regrettably
inflation is also rising and is at a six-
year high. Real wage growth, which
has been slowing since late 2016, was
flat Y-o-Y in May and declined by 0.2%
in June. This is surprising as we're late
in the cycle and 18Q2 GDP was
probably the best since 14Q3. This will
inevitably hurt consumer spending.
China's economic growth slowed to
6.7% in 18Q2, from 6.8% the previous
three quarters. Given government
efforts to slow debt growth by reigning
in risky lending, along with
decelerations in investment growth,
industrial output, and retail sales,
6.7%, if true, is good. However, add
rising trade concerns and further
slowing is likely, unless the
boosting infrastructure spending,
loosening debt controls, and
demanding more commercial bank
lending.
When tariffs are imposed on
imported goods, a big loser is. . .
exporters! As we reduce imports from,
say, Canada, Canada's economy and
currency weaken, and its' imports from
us decline. And, if, as desired, the tariff
boosts domestic demand for a
protected product (think cars), that
boosts domestic prices and wages,
pushing up inflation leading to higher
interest rates and a stronger currency,
hurting, you guessed it, exports!
Counterintuitive, but true!
May pending sales of existing
houses declined 0.5%, are at a 4-
month low, and have declined Y-o-Y
for 5 straight months. Similarly,
existing home sales in May declined
slightly and through 5/18 are down
1.4% compared to January-May 2017.
They are down Y-o-Y for three straight
months. Lastly, first time mortgage
applications for the week ending 6/29
are down 1% Y-o-Y. Is it rising rates,
higher prices, or tax changes?
nahb.org/MA

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Will you be ready?

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Ruth Rivera
CFPA, C(k)P®
Certified 401(k) Professional

512-796-1205
Email:
rrivera@bukaty.com www.bukatyfs.com
 2018 Issue 7
BUILDERS OUTLOOK • EPAB ON THE SCENE

Member Mixer
Association pulls out
welcome wagon
The first New Member Mixer was by
all means a big success. The EPAB
opened the conference room to a party
that we had for the new members to
meet the leadership and other
members. The invite asked the new
members, who were recruited during
our membership drive, to come and
enjoy some networking while having
some food and drinks. “I can tell you
that from the comments this party was
really appreciated and needed,” said
President Edmundo Dena. “We had a
good time welcoming them,” he said.
With over 60 members mingling at
any given time the association was
noisy and happy. “I have to tell you that
I am so happy to be back,” said Berna
Olague with LOI Engineers. His
enthusiasm was confirmed by many as
the party goers enjoyed some delicious
tacos. “I want to thank Edgar Garcia for
suggesting the cook,” said Ray Adauto.
The leadership took a few moments
to thank and welcome everyone. “This
is a great start to the future of the
association,” said Sam Shallenberger.
He reminded the new associates of the
many ways they can become involved.
“If you like golf or like to get into politics
we can provide you with a place to
practice,” Sam said tongue in cheek.
Members were presented with their
new Member sticker for them to place
on their office door or on their vehicles.

new h o m e s . . .
fo r e l p a s o
f o u n d h e re
easily
February 2017 •
FREE

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First Home
Saturday at
Bassett Place
Home buying event
brings crowds that try
wining $100,000.00
The second annual First Home
Saturday event presented by Sierra
Title and GECU Mortgage went off to
large crowds on Saturday July 7. Over
a dozen members set up information
booths at Bassett Place Mall for the
chance to meet and give the consumers
information on their product or service.
“We had a great turnout and got an
opportunity to not only meet potential
clients, but we also got to know our
fellow members,” said Angelique
Roman, Commercial Escrow Officer.
“We like to give back and again this
year we gave our fellow members an
opportunity for a gift card during the
show,” she continued.
In addition, Sierra Title was the
presenting partner for the $100,000.00
give away that drew the crowds in.
“Our give a way last year was
$25,000.00 but we felt we had to make
a statement this year and up the
chance,” said Ted Escobedo with
Snappy Publishing, the originator of
First Home Saturday. “Nothing lights up
the people like a once in a lifetime free
chance for big money,” he continued.
First Home Saturday is designed to
give consumers information they can
use to buy or remodel a home. The
new rules and requirements for buying
a home were explained by experts like
those from our Presenting Partner
GECU Mortgage. “We have the ability
to answer financial questions about how
to finance a loan for a home or remodel,
giving the consumer a chance to get the
right information from the right people,”
said Danny Galindo with GECU
Mortgage. “We partner with the
association in a unique public mall
bringing the information out to them,” he
said.
Displaying at the First Home Saturday
was Rocky Mountain Mortgage; Minerva
Al-Tabbaa Realtor, Jack White
Specialties; Pacifica Homes; Winton
Homes; First Light FCU; TFCU; Massey
Johnson; Pointe Homes; Hakes
Brothers; Classic American Homes;
Carefree Homes; Citizens Loan Center,
Sierra Title and GECU Mortgage.
“We look forward to doing First Home
Saturday again in 2019 and look for
more members to join in the fun,”
Escobedo said.
10

#
Builders Outlook 2018 Issue 7

Real Texas
builders
www.elpasobuilders.com
©

The El Paso Association of Builders proudly welcomes our newest members

150 Sunset Diaz Services Inc. HVAC J. C. Balcorta Painting Quality Granite
Danny Heredia Emmanuel Diaz Cruz Balcorta Hector Porras
4 Tech A/C Service Dominguez Insurance Agency J. F. Plastering Ramon Romero Painting
Enrique Hernandez Victoria Dominguez Juan Flores Ramon Romero
A + Remodeling & Repairs Eagle Custom Cabinets J.B. Laminates Rey Construction
Martin Arroyos Juan Benabidez Gina Rodriguez Manuel Reyes
A C Refrigeration LLC Eclat Homes & Designs Jack White Building Specialties RGR Roofing LLC
Angel Cabrera Veronica Guerra Claudia Lardizabal Mario Rodriguez
Agustin Favela Concrete Edgars Flooring JFM Stucco (Enterprises) Rito Magallanes
Agustin Favela Edgar Enriquez Jaime Flores (Jose) Rito Magallanes
Alden Roofing and Remodeling EDLR Plastering Jose Moreno Drywall Rosewood Design and Build
Alejandro Dena Eduardo DeLa Rosa Jose Moreno Brianna Barnes
Allbrite Electrical Edmund Esper Investor Juan Carlos Perez, grading S & J Dry Wall, LLC
Carlos Nunez Edmund Esper Juan Carlos Perez Sergio Jalil
Althon Investments, LLC El Paso Audio Video by Design Keller Williams, Mo Goodariz SBNG, P. C.
Jose Luis Martin Joe Gutierrez Agency Tyler Smith
Alvarado Plastering Electrolux Mo Goodariz Segura Framing
& Stucco LLC Adger Colley L O I Engineers Erika Segura
Jorge Enrique Alvarado Elizardo Garica Electric Bernardino Olague Senpai Training and Development
Amelia's Janitorial Service Mario Elizardo Garcia Leon Real Estate Leonardo Corral
Amelia Gomez ERA Sellers & Buyers Jorge Leon Sergio Herrera Framing
Barraza Drywall Corp. Real Estate Lowes Home Improvement Sergio Herrera
Ignacio Barraza Karla Rayos Johnny Rodriguez Serrano's Construction
Bassett Woodworks ESS Envronmental Loyas Shutters Juan Serrano
Danny Murillo Jose L. Garcia Ramirez Alfredo Loya Service Master Commercial
Bella Vista Realty Eze-R-Designs Magicstone Heidi Avedician
Grisel Ortega Leticia Mata Marco Gomez Soil Mechanics
Belmont's Air Conditioning, Inc. Farmers Insurance Mercedes Maravilla Homes Lorenza Escareno
Rafael Belmonte Ruiz Agency Victor Robles Southwestern Prewire
Big A Construction (concrete) Mercedes Ruiz Marlo Building Services Joe Trejo
Thelma Vasquez Felipe Rocha Construction Roberto Martinez St. Mary's Custom Shutters
Border Construction Specialties Felipe Rocha Massey Johnson Dolores Lopez
Ricardo Yvellez Forge Factory Strength & Josie Ledesma StarTech Heating and Air
Bordertown Carpets Conditioning Medlock Commercial Conditioning
Brian M. Abraham Edmundo Portillo Contractors LLC Luis Proctor
Bukaty Financial Companies G & G Enterprises GC Foundation Steve Medlock Stone City Rocks
Group Repair Miguel Sanchez Cano Tile Chris Baca
Ruth Rivera Juan F. Garcia Miguel Sanchez Cano Sun City International Doors
Cabinet Masters Garage Doors and More Minerva Al-Tabbaa Realtor Jorge Carmona
Mike Robles Miguel Moran Minerva Al-Tabbaa Sun West Windows and Glass
Carpet Warehouse Go Pro Refrigeration MOEN Ernie Hernandez
Erez Belkin Humberto Diaz Frank Graf Susan Flores
Castillo Electric Goodman Manufacturing Monster Link Marketing Keller Willams Realty
Jose Del Val Jorge Guajardo Raul Mendoza Susan Flores
Century 21 The Edge Great American Insurance Group Moreno Cardenas, Inc. Vallance Construction LLC
Scott Kesner Julie Tomlison Roberto Moreno Oswaldo Prieto
Citizens Loan Center H P Roofing & Construction New American Funding Value Stone
Jim Easley Heriberto Prieto Tania Guzman Isabel Chacon
CMF Tile Installation Hector de la Canal Summus New Start Insulation Vista del Sol Architectural Design
Carlos Munoz Realty Jose Carreon Luis J. Lopez
D B Innovations LLC Hector De. La Canal Oropeza Concrete VMP Painting
Dan Berry Hector Phillips, fee atty for Sierra Angel Oropeza Victor Prieto
David Hernandez Cabinets Title Padilla Homes W.W. Sales
David Hernandez Hector Phillips Misael Navarrete Eric Hoppes
David J. Ellis fee attorney for Hernandez Roofing Parra's AC & Heating Services Whirlpool
Sierra Title Concepcion Hernandez Aureliano Parra Gwen Walker
David Ellis Home Pros Real Estate Group Pate & Appleby LLP Wolf Air HVAC
DeLa Torre Iron Works Penny Moore Richard De Santos Arturo Alcantar
Alfredo dela Torre Imperial (Roofing) Construction Polar Mechanical LLC X Construction
Designers Mart Alejandro Garcia Francisco Amezquita Emmanuel Chavaria
Valerie Edmiston Iron Snail Inc. Q Martins Plumbing
David Zuniga Jose Martinez
2018 Issue7 Builders Outlook
Special Offers for New EPAB Members
During the El Paso association of Builders Membership Drive on May 23 and 24, new Members who joined during those two days were
offered a spcial incentive package. listed below are the incredible deals that were offered by our members. thank you to all of our
associates who donated their time and resources. nEW MEMEBrS: Please use these valuable coupons for the goods and services
listed below. Offer applies to nEW MEMEBErS Only.  all offers expire 12/31/2018
New Member Offer:
ENgINEERINg CONSULTATION or
FREE RETAININg WALL DESIgN
Value $220.00
1 FREE HOUR one (1) hour consulting session for
Engineering & Development for Residential and/or
Commercial projects OR one Retaining Wall design
up to eight feet (8') in height, valued at $220.00.
Provided by: DEl riO EnGinEErinG
PhOnE: 915-833-2400
New Member Offer:
FREE PROFESSIONAL LEgAL SERVICES
Value $400.00
a simple WILL PACkAgE for husband and wife which
includes a Will, a DuraBlE POWEr OF attOrnEy
and a DirECtivE tO PhySiCianS.
Provided by: DaviD ElliS, attOrnEy
PhOnE: 915-566-2666
New Member Offer:
FREE EIgHTH PAgE ADVERTISEMENT
Value $150.00
1 FREE EIgHTH PAgE AD in the Builders Outlook
newspaper published by the El Paso association of
Builders and mailed directly to all members in print and
electronically.
Provided by:
El PaSO aSSOCiatiOn OF BuilDErS
PhOnE: 915-778-5387
New Member Offer:
$100 REbATE ON TAb bUILDERS CONTRACTS
Value $100.00
$100 off texas association of Builders
Residential Construction Contracts
PhOnE: 915-778-5387
11
New Member Offer:
STAFF TRAININg WORkSHOP or
2 HOURS PROFESSIONAL COACHINg
Value $380.00
FREE TRAININg WORkSHOP IN CUSTOMER CARE
SERVICE (2 hours of the workshop in Spanish), or 2
hours of one on one PROFESSIONAL COACHINg
SESSION.
Provided by: SEnPai traininG & DEvElOPMEnt
PhOnE: 915-303-0743
New Member Offer:
FREE WEbSITE or SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Value $500.00
Choose from: FREE ONE PAgE WEbSITE. (Customer
pays hosting), FREE ONLINE VISIbILITy ANALySIS &
REPORT with One Flier Design (1 hour sit down to go
over report 1 hour of design), or SOCIAL MEDIA
ACCOUNT SET UP (includes Facebook and instagram)
we will design banners and also design one flier to post.
Provided by: MOnStEr link MarkEtinG
PhOnE: 915-861-4788
New Member Offer:
FREE LOgO DESIgN
Value $500.00
1 FREE LOgO professionally designed and unique to
your business.
Provided by: SnaPPy PuBliShinG
PhOnE: 915-820-2800
New Member Offer:
FREE CONSULTATION:
RETIREMENT AND MEDICAL INSURANCE PLANS
Major medical insurance plans through Humana: Get
a no obligation review to see if you can save up to 30%
on your existing plan. Get a no obligation review of your
current 401k plan or establish one through our member
only program from Bukaty financial services.
12
EPAB Membership
Builder members
as of June 1, 2018
Bain Construction
Scott Bain
Bella Vista Custom Homes, Inc.
Edgar Garcia
BIC Homes
Antonio Cervantes
Blue Star Construction
Carlos Villasana
Bowling Construction
Randy Bowling
Carefree Homes
Richard Aguilar
Casas De Leon, LLC
Nick Bombach
Cisco Homes LLC
Francisco Arroyos III
Classic American Homes
Priscilla Hernandez
Crown Heritage Homes
Lydia Mlouhi
Cullers & Caldwell Builders
John Cullers
Cullers Homes
Jason R. Cullers
Dawco Home Builders
Walter O. Lujan
Deal 2 Deal Custom Homes
Delton Deal
Del Rio Engineering, Inc.
Sal Masoud
Diamond Homes, LLC
Valerie Baquera
Donald Ward Builder, Inc.
Donald Ward
E. Valencia Land Development LLC
Eddie Valencia
Edward's Homes, Inc.
Eduardo Fernandez
EPT Bella Custom Dream Homes
Leti & Javier Navarette
EPT Land Communities
David Bogas
Everest Homes
Edmundo Dena, Jr.
Fortune Custom Homes
Javier Andrade
Gaddy Construction
Charles Gaddy
GMF Custom Homes, LP
Frank Torres
Guel Construction
Rudy Guel
Hakes Brothers LLC
Chris Hakes
Hanson Asset Management, LP
Russell Hanson
Homes by Design
Leslie Driggers Hoard C. D. Lee/Britton Insurance & Bonding
Hunt Communities, LLC
Kathy Parry
ICON Custom Builder, LLC.
Carlos Garcia
Industrial Realty Group Incorporated
Brent D. Harris
Central Texas Metal Roofing Supply
JER Custom Homes, LLC
Jorge E. Rodriguez
Kayton Lee Residential, Inc.
Brianna Barnes
Lloyd Hamilton Contruction
Lloyd Hamilton, III
LMJ Construction Co., LLC
Mike Lopez
Loyalty Homes
Gustavo Loy
M A Builders & Design, LLC
Commercial Insurance Brokers, Inc.
Mustafa Ali
Metro Homes, Inc.
Judith Arrunada, Fernando Torres
Millennium Homes
Dan Ruth
Pacifica Homes, Inc.
Juan Jose Vasquez
Palo Verde Homes
Edgar Montiel
Pointe Homes
Carlos Villalobos Demcon Disposal Management, LLC
Porter Homes
Albert Porter
R.C. Baeza & Associates
Robert C. Baeza
R.E. Welch Contractor
Gordon Welch
Rassette Homes, Inc.
Donald Rassette
Santana Custom Homes
Fernando Santana
Southwest Land Development Serv.
Doug Schwartz
Builders Outlook 2018 Issue 7
Updated every month, here is a list of the 2018 EPAB Membership.
Remember to please do buinsess with fellow members.
The Heritage Group E.F. Building Materials, Inc MTI Ready Mix, Inc.
David Bingham Efren Fraire Tony Mullen
Trejo Construction Co. Eagle Roofing Products New American Funding
Juan Trejo Scott Aguilar Brenda Trillo
Tropicana Building Corp. El Paso Building Materials New Era Foam
Bobby Bowling IV Ken Wade George Tollen
Tropicana Development El Paso Disposal Passage Supply
Greg Bowling Irma Parsons John Chaney
Tropicana Homes El Paso Mortgage Bankers Association Patriot Mortgage
Randy Bowling Gilbert Pedregon Randy Bowling
Tropicana Properties El Paso Times Pella Windows
Demetrio Jimenez Sal Hernandez, Justin Riley Jason Bates
Villagi Homes, LLC El Paso Truss Performance Glass & Aluminum
Kristi Eddings Luis Mendiola Hector Hernandez
Will Harvey Development
El Paso Winnelson Perl Mortgage
Will S. Harvey
Jesus Sanchez Steven Sepulveda
Winton/Flair/Accent Homes
Ferguson Enterprises Inc. Pioneer Bank
Herschel Stringfield
Albert Holguin Kathy Carrillo
Fire Smoke n Grill Post Tension Steel
Associate Members
Bill Owen Dennis Moore
as of May 1, 2018
First American Bank Powerfoam Insulation
Louis Sauceda Arnie Pedersen
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
First Light Federal Credit Union Prewire of El Paso, Inc.
James Hebert
Lorenzo Revelez Steven Drury
84 Lumber
First National 1870 Pride industries dba Pride Ascend
Ernie Chavez
Haley Merritt Dr. Lonny Wright
915 Siteworks, LLC
Firth, Johnston, Bunn & Kerr Randall Smith, CPA
Hugo Jasso
Jay Kerr Randall Smith
ABC Supply Co., Inc.
Foxworth Galbraith Lumber Rebath of El Paso/Las Cruces
Larry Eck
Dan Villarreal Lisa Walling
Acme Brick Company
Franklin Building Materials Remcon Self Storage
Steve Bush
Cristina Sheldon Will Harvey
Adams Moulding & Lumber
G2 Ram Electric Richman Group Affordable Housing
Tom Swahlen
Luis Cano Corp.
Area Iron & Steel Works, Inc.
GCC Sun City Materials,LLC Kevin Hoffman
Fred L. Edmonston Jr.
Antonio "Tony" Chavez Rocky Mountain Mortgage Company
Atrium Homes
GECU- Greater El Paso Credit Union Dean Inniss
Ricardo Bocardo Jr.
Danny Galindo Roe, Brad
Bank of Texas
GEPAR-Greater El Paso Assoc. of Bradley Roe
Ray Owen
Realtors Rudolph Chevrolet
Baron Supply
Jason Sanchez Mike Ruffin
David Trammell
Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Saldivar Electric, Inc.
Barragan & Associates
David Michael Jerome Martin A. Saldivar
Benito Barragan
Harris Real Estate Group Sarabias Blue Sanitation
Barrett Airworks
Lane Harris Monica Brown
Alexandro Castro
Haskins Electric Senercon
Beasley, Mitchell & Co., LLP
Charles B. Haskins, Jr. Javier Ruiz
Brad Beasley
Home of Texas Sherwin Williams Paint
BMC Select
Mark Smiley Cruz Lopez
Mike Catalino
Homes of El Paso Sierra Title Company
Boise Cascade
Riley Stephens Angelique Roman
Mike Flores
HUB International Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
Border Construction Specialties
Luis Rosas Ken Donham
Ricardo Yvellez
Inter National Bank Snappy Publishing
Border Solar
Natalie Ojeda Ted Escobedo
Javier Ruiz
Interceramic Tile & Stone Gallery Solar Smart Living
Bukaty Financial Companies
David Holguin Larry Perea
Ruth Rivera
J & H Concrete & Post Tension Southwest Décor El Paso Corporation
Builders Source Appliance Gallery
Jorge Herrera Chris Matthews
Sandra Lucero
Jack White Building Specialties Spectrum Technologies
Claudia Lardizabal Miled Daou
Anthony Landavazo/Lisa Daniels
James L. Ellis, CPA, PC Stewart Title of El Paso
Casa Ford & Casa Nissan
Jim Ellis Cindy Bilbe
Luke Lowenfield
Jimmy Garza Emergency Water Removal StrucSure Home Warranty
CEA Engineering Group
Veronica Buchanan Scott Whisenant
Jorge L. Azcarate
Jobe Materials, LP Su Casa Magazine
Charlie Tellez Bob Skolnick
Co.,Inc.
Joe Bernal Insurance & Financial Sun City Winnelson
Ben Garza, III
Services, Inc. Dean Moore
Centricity
Joe M. Bernal Texas Gas Services
Brent R. Morgan
Keenan Supply Mica Short
City Bank Texas
Nancy Rivas Texas Title Company
Bob Kotarski
LCR Resources, Inc. Steve Raney
City Lights
Ralph Sanchez TFCU
Thomas Brown
L & P Building Supply Yolie Melendez-Estrada
Cognent, Inc.
Denise McConnell The Dorian Group/Ocean Gallery USA
Martin Paredes
Legacy Real Estate Services/TTi Prop. Miguel Angel Mercado
Man. The Home Systems Heating & Cooling,
Ken Foster
Patrick Tuttle Inc.
Conde, Inc.
Lone Star Title Co. of El Paso Jesus Chain
Conrad Conde
Sam Trimble Trane Residential Solutions
Copenhagen Imports
Love Engineering, Inc. Robert Meske/ Kathleen Chacon
Flemming Carlsen
Montez Love TRE & Associates
CQC Testing and Engineering,LLC
Majestic Realtors Linda Troncoso
Jaime Rojas
Patti Mushorn Trim Team
Delek US dba 7 Eleven
MAK Roofing & Construction Juan & Kris Hernandez
Sonja Scanlan
Felix Vizarreta USA General Contractors
Masco Contract Serv dba Gale Insul Javier Olmos
Maria Elena (Nena) Gomez
Tom Harmon Vision Consultants, Inc.
Desert Quest Plumbing
McCoy's Building Supplies Kelly Sorenson
Hector Gonzalez
Doug Danner WestStar Home Loans
Dorney Security
Merrill Lynch Cinco Houghton
John Dorney
Thomas Gabriel WestStar Bank
Dunn-Edwards Paints
Mini Concrete Materials David Osborn
Nathan Gordon
Joe Soto WestStar Title
Monster Link Marketing Rachel Valles
DWS Building Supply
Raul Mendoza
Sabrina Voorhies
Morrison Supply
Sam Shallenberger
2018 Issue 7 Builders Outlook 13

The material that builders have used

for thousands of years is brick. Time
tested, time honored. Your homes
should be made with ACME Brick.

Upcoming Events
August 8-10
Sunbelt Builders Show
Hilton Anatole- Dallas, TX





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August 16
Board meeting 11:00
General meeting 12:00
El Paso Club

Soda Sponsor

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9400 Gateway East
El Paso, TX
79907
(915) 593-1301
(800) 356-9546
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 Tropicana Homes ranked third fastest
14 Builders Outlook 2018 Issue 6

growing builder in national survey

Member News

Tropicana Homes, a leading

homebuilder in El Paso since
1950, announces it ranked third
on Builder Magazine’s 2018 Next
100 List of 10 Fastest-Growing
Up-And-Coming Builders. This is
the company’s first year ranking
in the top five on this prestigious
list ranking builders’ nationwide.
The Next 100 List, published
annually by Builder Magazine,
ranks the top builders in the
country by number of closings
and percentage growth
experienced over a two-year
period. When compared to 2015,
Tropicana Homes ranked third in
the nationwide list with a percent
growth at 92.78% just behind two
Florida and Utah based builders.
“Our team is thrilled to be
recognized as one of the fastest
growing builders in the nation”,
said Randy Bowling, President of
Tropicana Homes. “We’re proud
to live and work in the El Paso
community – the growth we’ve
seen is a great indicator of our
dedication and pride we take in
our homes and the service we
provide to our loyal customers.”
“We’ve experienced
exceptional growth in the past
few years, largely in part to
company reorganization in 2015,
as well as the dedication and
superior work of our current
Tropicana team” said Bobby
Bowling IV, President of
Tropicana Building. “This is an
exciting time of growth not only
at Tropicana Homes, but our
entire Tropicana Building
portfolio, including Tropicana
Properties, Tropicana Realty and
Patriot Mortgage”.
Tropicana Homes has been
building homes in the El Paso
area for 68 years and has been
recognized locally, regionally and
statewide for quality and service.
They have also been awarded
“Builder of the Year” four times
by the El Paso Association of
Builders; in 2009 were named
“Texas Developer of the Year”
and “Builder of the Year” in 2003,
2013 and 2015 by the Texas
Association of Builders. In their
Best of 2012 list, The City
Magazine had Tropicana earning
the honor of Best Homebuilder.
Builder Magazine is one of the
leading sources of information for
the home building industry. With
a comprehensive circulation of
110,000 new-home builders and
their subcontractors, Builder
provides balanced, analytical
coverage of the economy,
housing policy, design,
construction, new products, sales
and marketing, technology, and
business management.
 Builders Outlook 2018 Issue 7 El Paso Disposal
6046 Surety Dr. El Paso, TX 79905
915-778-5387 • Fax: 915-772-3038
■ ExEcuTivE OFFicERS
PRESiDENT
Edmundo Dena
Luis Rosas, HUB International
Brenda Aguirre, Rocky Mountain Mortgage
Sandra Lucero, Builders Source
772-7495
vicE PRESiDENT Ted Escobedo, Snappy Publishing
Sergio Cuartas Jorge Herrera, J&H Post Concrete & Post Tension
SEcRETARY Angelique Roman, Sierra Title
Edgar Garcia Patrick Tuttle, Legacy Real Estate
ASSOCIATES VICE PRESIDENT Sam Trimble, Lone Star Title
Sam Shallenberger Patricia Martinez, Stewart Title
ExEcuTivE vicE PRESiDENT Randall Smith, Randall Smith, CPA
Ray Adauto
PAST PRESiDENT ■ TAB STATE DiREcTORS
Don Rassette Randy Bowling - Life Director
Sam Shallenberger
■ cOMMiTTEE cHAiRS Edmundo Dena
Membership
Ted Escobedo ■ NATiONAL DiREcTORS
Patrick Tuttle Bobby Bowling, IV
Demetrio Jimenez
Finance committee Leslie Driggers Hoard -Alternate
Kathy Carrillo/Treasurer Antonio Cervantes - Alternate
Henry Tinajero
Honorary Life Members
Community Outreach Mark Dyer
Angelique Roman

For All Your Electrical Needs

Wayne Grinnell
Brenda Aguirre Don Henderson
Patricia Martinez Anna Gill
Brad Roe
Land Use Council Rudy Guel
Sal Masoud

Residential Specialists
Past Presidents
Education committed to Serve
Kelly Sorenson Edmundo Dena

Tract Homes • Custom Homes

Delton Deal Edgar Montiel
Frank Torres
■ ADviSORY TO THE BOARD Frank Arroyos
Jay Kerr, Firth, Johnston, Bunn & Kerr Greg Bowling
Randy Bowling
■ BOARD OF DiREcTORS Bobby Bowling Iv
Builders: Doug Schwartz
Delton Deal, Deal 2 Deal John Cullers
J.J. Vasquez, Pacifica Homes Robert Baeza
Leti Navarrete, Bella Custom Dream Homes Mark Dyer
Bud Foster, Southwest Land Development Kelly Sorenson
Kathy Parry, HUNT Communities Rudy Guel
Lee Gillett, Classic American Brad Roe

915-208-9313
Laura Loy, Loyalty Homes Herschel Stringfield
Walter Lujan, Dawco Homes Bob Bowling Iii

Total Customer
Fernando Torres, Metro Homes Pat Woods

800-853-3996
Leslie Driggers Hoard, Homes by Design Carlos Villalobos
Carlos Garcia, ICON Custom

Sal Masoud, Del Rio Development
Fernando Santana, Santana Custom Homes
Chris Hakes, Hakes Brothers
Associates:
Joe Bernal, Joe Bernal Insurance
Henry Tinajero, WestStar Bank
Kathy Carillo, Pioneer Bank
John Chaney, Passage Supply
Satisfaction
EPAB Mission Statement:
The El Paso Association of Builders is a federated professional
organization representing the home building industry,
committed to enhancing the quality of life in our community by
providing affordable homes of excellence and value.
The El Paso Association of Builders is a 501C(6) trade
organization.
© 2018 Builder’s Outlook is published and distributed for
the El Paso Association of Builders
by Ted Escobedo, Snappy Publishing, LLC

2017 Member Of The Year 2017 Associate Of The Year

Don Rassette Charles “Chuck” Haskins
Rassette Homes Haskins Electric

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