Last Friday, Shannon spoke with Alison Morton, director of development at Kindering, about the great work their organization does and how the MBA's Painting a Better Tomorrow program helps their mission.

More about our community stewardship programs

4th Annual Green Genius Awards for Brokers

By Krystal Meiners, Director of Marketing, Green Canopy Homes

The Green Genius Awards are the region’s first and only awards to honor real estate brokers who are helping to transform the Pacific Northwest into a hub for greener living and a leader in sustainable community development. The winners of the Green Genius Awards were announced at the Built Green Conference and Awards Ceremony on September 13th.

This year’s conference was attended by a veritable mix of green home builders, real estate professionals, policy makers, architects, and green home technology and materials experts. The Conference took place at Cascadia College in Bothell and kicked off with an inspirational keynote from famed natural capitalism expert, Hunter Lovins. Conversations spanned technology, community, and the growth of the real estate market. Green Genius Winners were selected based on objective data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service as well as qualitative criteria for their marketing and sales efforts – all of which was vetted by the Green Genius Awards Committee which included staff from Built Green, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and Green Canopy Homes.

“Real estate agents translate the value of green building to the market. As such, these professionals are ‘agents of change and transformation’ for a society that is in desperate need of a massive market shift to have a green future…or frankly, any future at all,” says Krystal Meiners, the Director of Marketing for Green Canopy Homes, which created the Green Genius Awards in partnership with Built Green in 2012.

The Green Genius winners from 2016 included the following high-impact professionals:

Photo credit: Alabastro Photography

By Kevin Kok, B/S/H Home Appliances

Q: We haven't upgraded our kitchen in more than a decade. What cool new appliances are we missing out on, and how do we choose from all the options available nowadays?

A: Making the right appliance selections in the kitchen will make or break your space. Modern kitchen appliances exist to make our lives easier, but how do you make the right choice?

Your kitchen layout may already work for you, but it's easy to increase the functionality and appearance with quick and easy upgrades. Many modern appliances are designed to replace older appliances with little to no modification of cabinetry or countertops.

Some built-in appliances require extra measurements, but a professional installer can make adjustments for you. Built-in appliances will give you a more tailored look and feel.

Your tired kitchen appliances can be exchanged with a quality suite (slide-in convection range, dishwasher, microwave hood, and refrigerator) from premium companies like Bosch for under $5,000.

Many new homes and remodels feature luxury brands such as Thermador; these culinary enthusiast spaces can easily reach the $30,000 range for appliances alone. Builders are investing in products and brands that consumers know and trust, which leads to a shorter time on the market. Will your home compete with these new offerings if it is going on the market?

For any timeline or budget, here are key considerations for selecting appliances:

Surface cooking

Consider the new options on the market. Induction cooktops are the fastest-growing segment of today's market for good reason: Induction provides more power, control, and safety than gas, along with the best cleanability and features like adjustable shape burners and countdown timers.

Gas cooktops have come a long way in recent years, with higher outputs and ultra-low simmer technology like Thermador's ExtraLow. Today's electric cooktops are more powerful and durable, making them an excellent economical choice.

Refrigeration

Greater cubic footage does not always equate to better storage. In our home, we upgraded to an integrated refrigerator. The interior layout provides better management of items we regularly use in less space and makes our average-sized kitchen feel bigger with features like gallon-sized door storage. Our new refrigerator has a separate refrigeration system for the freezer, which keeps dry air out of the fridge and increases the quality and time of fresh food storage.

Choosing an Energy Star model decreased our energy bill, too.

Oven cooking

Oven features have advanced significantly. Temperature probes control the time and temperature for you and advanced cooking modes remove the learning curve with methods like sous-vide. Be aware—there are still some models without a self-cleaning feature. Convection is still common, but be sure you're getting true convection with an additional element around the circulation fan.

It's not all about cooking features, either: Upgrades such as side-hinged doors are an example of great ergonomic advancement.

Is a non-conventional oven what you need?

Steam ovens aren't just for fish or vegetables—many steam ovens also combine true convection heating and often become the oven of choice inside the home. Think about it: You can bake flaky biscuits and steam perfect salmon all in the same oven.

Speed ovens use convection and microwave technology together for faster, more thorough cooking results. Speed ovens can also add space by combining two separate products in one space.

Dishwasher

Everyone wants a quiet dishwasher and decibel ratings are a good start. Keep in mind, however, that manufacturers don't always test the same, so don't let that number be the only factor.

Flexibility of the interior is key—many modern dishwashers feature a third rack that can greatly increase what you can wash. Options like fold-down sections and racks that adjust up and down can help you do more with less. And leak-protection systems on some models provide an added measure of protection for your home.

Ventilation

Possibly the most undervalued appliance in your kitchen is the hood. Most people I consult don't use their hood because it's noisy and non-effective. Cooking gives off heat, grease, steam, and other contaminants that can settle anywhere you smell your food. While there are many different designs, a good capture area and the right sized blower will determine effectiveness.

Installation is also crucial—no hood will provide good results if you're pushing the air out through wrong-size or too-complex venting. Keep your home healthy and clean; invest in a good hood.

 

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Kevin Kok is builder sales manager at B/S/H Home Appliances, a member of the of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBA's more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By Noah Haglund, The Everett Herald

Everett, Wash.—A united Snohomish County Council passed a budget Monday that staves off most public safety cuts with help from a modest property tax increase.

The spending plan for 2017 followed the contours that council Chairman Terry Ryan had recommended a week earlier. Ryan's budget, in turn, hewed closely to a $238 million plan that Executive Dave Somers unveiled in September, though the council softened cuts to key sheriff's office programs.

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Shannon talks to new member Vikram Deol of the Deol Group about MBA events and other member benefits.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sharon Couts
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
425.499.1723

Bellevue, Wash.—November 14, 2016—Seattle was recently named the “crane capital of America” by a Seattle Times article, with 58 cranes currently in operation, an increase of 38 percent in the past year. And these numbers don’t even include cranes located in Bellevue and elsewhere in the Puget Sound area. With more cranes, more possibilities exist for accidents. That is why, beginning in February 2017, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA) and Buildsafe Solutions will be offering free two-day Qualified Signal Person Certification for Mobile Cranes classes. The classes are made available in thanks to a $127,688 grant from State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries’ Safe and Health Investment Projects (SHIP) program.

“We are excited about receiving this grant,” said Shannon Affholter, executive director of the MBA. “Construction site accidents have a huge impact on the construction industry, families, and for anyone affected. We want to prevent accidents. These safety classes teach us how to run equipment properly and keep everyone safe.”

The trainings are free to employers and employees in the construction industry and provide 16 clock hours as well as crane certification. Topics will include crane management, high risks, crane foundations, load charts, range diagrams, crane dynamics, rigging oversight, and signaling, and will provide for a mobile crane signaling protocol and certifications required by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

 

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About the MBA

Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA) has grown to become the largest residential home builders association in the United States. With 2,800 member companies, the MBA is dedicated to membership value, government advocacy, financial stewardship, and promoting the residential building industry in the Puget Sound Region. The Association and its members address many of the concerns and issues affecting the residential housing industry. If you are looking to buy, build, remodel, or maintain your home, trust the MBA for industry professional referrals and practical information to get the job done. mbaks.com

ABOUT THE SHIP PROGRAM

The goal of the SHIP program is to identify, fund, and assist with the implementation of safety and health projects designed to eliminate workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, because one injury, one illness, one fatality, is one too many.

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A MULTIFACETED CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRM

Land Development Consulting (LDC) is a consulting, engineering, surveying, and planning firm based in Woodinville. The company was founded in 2003 and currently employs 43 people.

LDC works in three different market sectors:

1. The first is civil engineering related to residential land development in the Puget Sound area, which includes surveying, permitting, and road and utility work for builders.
2. The second sector is helping cellular companies, such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, with tower siting and installations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Texas. “It’s interesting and challenging work,” says Mark. “We’re often designing small cell systems in localized environments, like the Gorge Amphitheater and Seattle Center.”
3. LDC’s third area of work is in public works, specifically design and construction for large municipal projects.

Mark has several roles at LDC. As the director of engineering, he manages the day-to-day operations of the firm from a technical and financial aspect. He is also the de facto CFO and manages the company’s benefit and health insurance packages.

LDC HAS ENJOYED 13 YEARS OF MBA HEALTH TRUST BENEFITS

“We’ve been using the MBA Health Trust since the inception of our company. And over the past five or six years, as we’ve really been growing, we’ve shopped MBA’s pricing several times. Every single time, the competitor packages were not nearly as strong. They may have been cheaper, but the MBA always provided the best overall value.” Last year, Mark says, the MBA plan was “almost 9 percent less expensive and provided 20 percent lower deductible costs for individuals and 40 percent lower for a family.”

AFFORDABLE PLAN FOR THE COMPANY, ITS EMPLOYEES, AND THEIR FAMILIES

Mark says that the MBA has evolved with market conditions. LDC was able to transition from a PPO plan to an HSA plan four years ago to ensure more affordable health insurance for the company, employees, and dependents. Mark says, “95 percent of our employees are now on an HSA plan. It was a seamless transition. The MBA team walked us through the entire process and taught us to communicate it to our employees. The plan is working really well. There are no complaints from our employees and all the doctors who were previously available still are.”

REDUCING FINANCIAL STRESS

Mark adds that the HSA plan has saved his company enough money to increase its coverage for dependents. “Our goal,” he says, “was to reduce the financial stress on our staff’s families and the MBA Health Trust helped us do that. Overall, we get much better coverage for a much better cost. And we are now able to provide 50% of dependent coverage.”

Mark’s firm works closely with EPK, the administrator of the Health Trust plans. “They’re great to work with,” he says. “Every year they give a lunchtime presentation about what to expect for the coming year. They have continuously stepped up to the plate and provided the service we’ve needed for the plans we adopt.”

MBA MEMBER BENEFITS ALSO INCLUDE THE GRIP PROGRAM

LDC takes advantage of additional benefits provided by the MBA, including the GRIP program, which helps improve safety and reduces the overall cost of workers’ compensation for MBA members. “That service has been a huge asset in getting our safety procedures up to speed to make sure we are compliant,” Mark says.

By Martha Rose, Martha Rose Construction Inc.

Most homebuyers interested in purchasing a new home will go to a new housing development and select from a choice of floor plans, typically with few upgrades or options other than paint shades or choices in tile and carpet. Although these are customizations, there are very few and don't always give the homebuyer the options they require in what some call a "custom" home.

There are often personal reasons to have a custom home built where the buyer is involved at every level, from buying a lot to working with a custom builder from the ground up. While exciting, this process can be stressful and a bit overwhelming. Here are some helpful suggestions to guide you through this adventure so you can arrive at your new doorstep intact and satisfied with your experience.

Some custom builders offer homes that are designed but not yet built and they come with a greater choice of finishes and optional upgrades than homes that have already been built and are in the finishing stages. This format is relatively simple and frequently the buyer is able to look at other homes already built with the same floor plan. This choice allows you to personalize your new home on a tighter budget because there are fewer unknowns.

A from-the-ground-up custom home is a collaborative effort between the owners, the architect, and the builder. The home can be designed exactly for the site and will account for the terrain, orientation, and those features the owners deem important for their lifestyle. As one of the most expensive new home options, this choice allows a homebuyer to truly build their dream home.

No matter which kind of new construction is right for you, it's a good idea to start your journey by looking at many new homes to to get a sense of what you like and to become familiar with trends in new home construction. Interview several architects and builders and choose a team that reflects your values. Create a list of your needs and then a list of features that you'd like but that aren't mandatory. It is a rare homebuyer who can afford every item on their wish list, so it is important to prioritize. Your budget should include the cost of the land and utility installation, along with permits and other fees associated with putting the entire project together. While a custom home is tailored to meet individual needs, consider some features that have universal appeal. Here are a few examples:

• Healthy materials coupled with a heat recovery ventilation system benefit anyone with allergies and chemical sensitivities.
• Upgrade the energy efficiency of the home by adding thicker attic insulation and triple-glazed widows for a modest sum that pays for itself through lower energy bills.
• Level entries, open floor plans, and wider stairs allow your home to accommodate family and friends of all ages. Wide stairs, for example, make for an easy addition of a chair lift, should it ever be needed.
• Photovoltaic panels on the roof provide some of the electricity for the home and will qualify you for a federal tax credit and state utility credits.

Once the project is underway, it is best to make as few changes as possible. This enables the builder to keep the project ahead of schedule with material selections and keeps the process moving smoothly. Keep in mind, the world of construction consists of solving problems, one after another after another. A good general contractor is unfazed by these bumps in the road, which can be unnerving to the homeowner. Keep your sense of humor close by and expect the unexpected!

Once a home is completed, there are always a few details that fall into the if-I-could-do-it-all-over-again category, but with thoughtful planning, you will experience less of them and have a home you enjoy for many years to come.

 

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Martha Rose is the owner of Martha Rose Construction Inc. Martha, known as the "Queen of Green," is a national leader in the green building movement. Her interest in energy efficiency and sustainable building practices dates all the way back to the 1970s and is currently her main focus. Today, Rose is striving toward building zero-energy spec homes. Rose is a contributing writer to HomeMatters, a consumer publication of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

By Mike Richards, The Lens

Washington state lawmakers are indicating that a priority in the 2017 session will be mitigating or reversing a recent State Supreme Court ruling seen as effectively barring development on properties where well water is required.

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This week, Shannon talks to incoming MBA Board President, Mike Walsh of Terrene Homes, about the MBA's focus and priorities for 2017.

More about the MBA Board