February 2014
Economic Outlook Good for Our Region but Certain Challenges Remain Missouri Legislative Day March 5 Page 3 HBA appoints committee chairs Page 5 HBA Hosts 2014 Opportunity Forecast Page 6 State of the State Addresses Page 7 NAHB 2014 Priorites Page 12
The Home Show returns with Jennifer Bertrand March 28-30 See more on pages 8 and 9.
HBA members gathered for the 2014 Economic Forecast on January 15 More than 130 people attended the HBA’s Economic Forecast Breakfast on January 15 at the Overland Park Convention Center to hear from David Crowe, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, the National Association of Home Builders, and Chris Kuehl, Co-founder and President, Armada Intelligence. Crowe confirmed that there are clear signs of a turnaround with the data showing consumer confidence on the rise and a looming demand from families who want to move into a new home. The data show that Kansas City is faring better than many other communities across the country. With regard to single-family starts, Kansas City is at 36 percent of what is considered normal. Crowe predicts that Kansas City will reach normal levels by the end of 2015. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is not the price of credit but the availability of credit. Kuehl confirmed much of Crowe’s data regarding consumer confidence, employment and household balance sheets. Crowe stressed that unemployment is a key indicator of the recovery, expressing particular concern for employed workers who are worried about becoming unemployed in the near future. These workers are much less likely to make
big ticket purchases, such as buying a new home. Kuehl also recognized that it has become much harder to find people to work in construction and there is real uncertainty about where the next generation of workers will come from.
David Crowe, NAHB Chief Economist
Start Spring at the Home Show The original Kansas City Home Show returns, March 28-30, to Bartle Hall. It’s been a Kansas City tradition for sixty-six years and together with the Flower, Lawn and Garden Show showcases new opportunities and choices for homeowners to get a jump on spring home and garden projects. Headlining the event is HGTV Star Monica Pedersen, interior design expert, HGTV Dream Home Giveaway host, and author of Make It Beautiful. She will share her expertise in a variety of topics including interior design, design trends, how to add value to your home, staging for the
real estate market, or simply inspiring doit-yourselfers to “Make it Beautiful” on any budget. HGTV’s Cari Cucksey, host of Cash & Cari, also will shine on the Home Show Stage. Cari is an “antiques matchmaker” who gives dusty relics a new lease on life. In addition to hosting her show, Cari runs RePurpose Estate Services, operates the RePurpose Shop, and refurbishes just about anything she can get her hands on. And Kansas City’s own Jennifer Allwood will take the spotlight on the stage. Jennifer is a professional faux finisher and owner of The Continued on page 8