Louisiana Home Builders Association Newsletter
January 2015         
 

Getting Creative with Your Empty Nest

 

Many baby boomers are finally saying goodbye to their adult children, who are moving out of the house and starting the next chapter in their lives. While some empty nesters are excited about this new phase, it can be a stressful time for others as they deal with this time of transition in their lives.

 

When your kids move out and you're faced with an empty nest, lots of questions come to mind. Should you move and downsize? If you stay, how should you use the kids' rooms? What other changes should you make as you get older?

 

If you've made the decision to stay in your home - at least for now - it's time to figure out how your house can work better for you in this the next chapter of your life.

 

Focus on Small DIY Jobs

With the kids out of the house, you may be surprised at how much free time you have. Use this time to tackle some of those home renovation jobs that have been on your to-do list for a while.

 

Before you begin any project, however, look at your house - room by room - with a fresh set of eyes. Now that your house doesn't need to accommodate a growing family, how do you want to use each of the rooms to fit your new lifestyle? Perhaps the mudroom is no longer needed, but a craft room has always been on your wish list. Now you can focus on making those changes.

 

Create a Home Office

You may be an empty nester, but you are still a very active member of the workforce.  An extra bedroom or den previously used for family activities would be a great place to turn into a home office.  

 

Home offices are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity with more people telecommuting or running their own businesses from their house. 

 

Expand Your Space

Depending on the age of your home, you may find that your master bedroom or bath is too small for comfort.  Expand into space that isn't being used to build the master bath of your dreams or to create a separate seating or dressing area in your bedroom.

 

Incorporating these changes will not only create a home that suits your new lifestyle, they also may increase the value of your home when you decide to finally sell.

 

Many empty nesters hire expert remodelers to adapt their home to make it easy to use and maintain. Stairs often become a problem, but moving the master bedroom and the laundry room to the ground floor can be part of a solution that gives home owners many more years in the home they love.

 

Building professionals who have earned the National Association of Home Builders' Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation have received training on how to build or renovate a home so that the occupants can live in the home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of their age or ability level. While most CAPS professionals are remodelers, an increasing number are general contractors, designers, architects and health care professionals.

 

Call your local or state association to find upcoming CAPS Designation Classes or local certified designees to keep you Aging In Place.

January 7, 8, 9, 2015

 

Wednesday, January 7th

3:00- La Homebuilders Disaster Relief- Natchez

3:30 - Executive Officers Council - Julia

4:30 - Residential Licensing Task Force- Fulton

6:00 - 7:00 - Early Bird Reception - Atrium

 

Thursday, January 8th

7:30 - Senior Officer and Assoc Past VP Breakfasts 

8:30 - Legislative Committee - Julia

8:30 - Associates Council - Fulton

10:00 - Membership Committee - Natchez

11:00 -Education - Julia

11:00 - Legal Housing Task Force - New Levee

1:00- PR Committee - River Bend 1

1:30 - PAC - River Bend 2

2:30 - Energy & Codes - Fulton

3:30- Presidents Council - Julia

3:30 Remodelers - New Levee

 

Installation and Awards Banquet

6:00-7:00 - Cocktail reception - Foyer

7:00 Dinner - Installation & Awards

9:30 - Dancing - music by Soul express

 

Friday, January 9th

7:00   Past President's Breakfast -restaurant

8:00 Board Orientation- River Bend Ballroom

8:30 - 2015 Board of Directors - River Bend Ballroom

 

Marriott @ Convention Center

 





Make this the most wonderful time of the year by registering for NAHB's International Builders' Show (IBS)!

 

Attending IBS pays off year round! At IBS you will make new connections, engage your brain and discover new products. 95% of 2014 IBS attendees say they discovered new products at IBS!

 

See the  list of official IBS hotels with descriptions, rates and location to convention center. 

 

Available via the App Store on iTunes and the Google Play Store. Download the app from your smartphone or tablet at app.buildersshow.com .

 

Click here for the complete schedule: http://buildersshow.com/generic.aspx?sectionID=1541 


Hope to see you there!

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Education
Residential Builders must earn 6 CEU credits each year, even with a multi-year license


** Call your local association for classes that may not listed**
 
Jan. 6
St. Tammany- Membership Luncheon

Jan. 7-9
LHBA Board of Directors and Installation Banquet
Marriott @ Convention Center

 

Jan. 8th

Installation Banquet of 2015 President PETER YOUNG

(No reservations taken after Jan 5th)


Jan. 15
CRBA- General Membership Meeting

Tangipahoa- Awards & Recognition Dinner

Jan. 17-18
Southwest Louisiana Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show

Jan. 20-23
International Builder Show- Las Vegas

Jan. 23-25
Northwest Home Products Show

Jan. 28
New Orleans- General Membership Meeting

Feb. 3
Northshore HBA- General Membership Luncheon

Feb. 5
Northshore HBA- Welcome Event
 
Membership Benefits and Rebates 
GET REBATES FROM SUPPLIES YOU ALREADY USE!

 As an LHBA member, you can be putting money back in to your pocket with our NEW and EXCITING LHBA Member Rebate Program!  It's very simple to sign up, but to collect the rebates you've earned in 2012, you MUST sign up before February 20th!
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LHBA MISSION STATEMENT
Our goal is to provide Louisiana with quality housing that is safe and affordable.

The Louisiana Home Builders Association is comprised of Builders & Associate members which:

  • Represents the homebuilding industry before state & regulatory bodies
  • Serves as the chief advocate of private property rights

  • Educates the general public as to the advantages of utilizing licensed builders

  • Promotes professionalism in the homebuilding industry

  • Promotes economic development & quality of life in Louisiana

www.lhba.org
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Contact Information
Nicole Willems
Louisiana Home Builders Association
660 Laurel Steet
Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 387-2714