Photo Credit: San Diego Museum Council | Do YOU have any news to share? Just email us a title, a short paragraph, a company link, and a jpeg image and we will do the rest! Deadline for the next PPP is August15, 2026. | |
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Dear BIA Member News
Your San Diego SMC hopes your July has been a blast! Hard to believe our great nation just celebrated our 250th birthday. Time sure does fly by.
Your BIA SD membership offers you so many benefits, including this unique PR exposure that goes out to the entire SMC membership, in addition to our general BIA members. So take advantage of this opportunity and be sure to share your news with us whenever good stuff happens.
| | | Four Years Under Bright Skies
July marks four years since Brooke Velazquez founded Bright Sky Recruiting. What began as a vision to build stronger relationships within the construction industry has grown into a trusted recruiting partner, connecting exceptional people with outstanding companies while helping strengthen San Diego's building community one introduction at a time. Congratulations Brooke!
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Ryan Companies' Stephanie Adamczyk Named to San Diego Business Journal's 2026 40 Under 40
Stephanie Adamczyk, Director of Construction at Ryan Companies, has been named to the San Diego Business Journal's 2026 Next Top Business Leaders 40 Under 40, earning the program's Top 40 Changemaker honor. The recognition celebrates leaders who are shaping San Diego's business community and driving meaningful change in their fields. As Director of Construction, she brings the kind of rigor and vision the building industry runs on, and she does it while widening the path for the next generation of women who want to build. Congratulations, Stephanie. San Diego's building community is better for your leadership, and Professional Women in Building San Diego is proud to have you at the table.
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SALES & MARKETING COUNCIL
Q1 & Q2 2026 AWARDS
The SMC San Diego recognized some of our industry's rock stars at their morning event Coffee & Croissants (a twist on the annual "Hops & Homes" event). The event was held at The Baldwin Company's luxury apartment community Enclave at Town Center, with breakfast hosted by The Baldwin Company & Shea Homes. Congratulate these high achievers!
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Most Valuable Trade Partner:
Jason Holmes
Holmes Studios Photography & Video
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Maintenance Supervisor/Technician Support:
Miguel Acosta
The Baldwin Company
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Ambassador Spotlight:
Jessica Peak
Go-Staff
Q1 Recipients Not Pictured
Sales Professional Achievement:
Cathy Killingsworth
Atwood by Shea Homes
Sales/Closing Backlog Volume:
Elizabeth Hunten & Hella Van-Hughey The Hill District by Shea Homes
Property Management Achievement:
Peyman Radsan
The Baldwin Company
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Sales Professional Achievement:
Glenn Dager
Go-Staff
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Most Valuable Trade Partner:
Jeff Landon
Symons Fire Protection
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Q2 Recipients Not Pictured
Ambassador Spotlight:
Meredith Munger
CrossCountry Mortgage
Sales/Closing Backlog Volume:
Elizabeth Hunten & Hella Van-Hughey The Hill District by Shea Homes
Lender Achievement:
Brandon Goldberg
Gold Standard Mortgage
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Sales, Leasiing or Marketing MVTP:
Theresa Batista
The Baldwin Company
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Property Management Achievement:
Maria Haro
The Baldwin Company
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Maintenance Supervisor/Technician Support:
Ricardo Villa
The Baldwin Company
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Costas Grand Opening Success in Chula Vista
The excitement was undeniable at the Costas Grand Opening in Chula Vista. Home shoppers had the opportunity to experience the model homes in person, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The event resulted in both a sale and a hold, reinforcing what many visitors expressed throughout the day—that Costas is exactly where they can see themselves calling home. With its thoughtfully designed homes and desirable location, Costas made a lasting impression on prospective buyers. The models are now open and available to tour by appointment.
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Market Update
This is a feature of the PPP that we will provide periodically, focusing on market trends. Let us know if you enjoy it!
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FEDERAL RESERVE & HOUSING
- Fed held at 3.50%–3.75% at Warsh's first FOMC (June 16–17) in a 12–0 vote.
- Dot plot turned hawkish: median 2026 projection now 3.8%, implying at least one hike. 9 of 18 officials see rates higher this year, while only 1 sees a cut.
- July 28–29 FOMC: approximately 85% odds of a hold. September hike estimates range roughly 52%–65%, and cuts are no longer the market's base case for 2026.
- 30-year mortgage rate at 6.55% (Freddie Mac, July 16), highest since August 2025. Construction loan contract rates at 7.2%–7.4% (NAHB Q1 AD&C).
- NAHB builder confidence fell to 34 in July. 37% of builders are cutting prices, and 63% are offering incentives.
- June CPI cooled to 3.5% YoY with the largest monthly decline since April 2020, but the relief was energy-driven and may reverse with the war back on.
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OIL & ENERGY
- The June U.S.-Iran ceasefire collapsed in July: the U.S. resumed strikes and the naval blockade, Hormuz traffic is again severely limited, and no deal is in place.
- WTI approximately $82/bbl and Brent approximately $88/bbl as of July 17, both up about 16% for the week and roughly 20%–23% above early-July levels.
- National gas prices are back near $4.00/gal. Diesel is above $5.00/gal (AAA, July 16, +$1.28 YoY), continuing to pressure jobsite budgets.
Building materials (excluding energy) are up 4.6% YoY. Within BLS metals categories:
- Steel mill products: approximately +17%
- Aluminum mill shapes: approximately +52%
- Copper and brass: approximately +26% YoY
These increases reflect tariffs, commodity markets, and supply constraints.
- Softwood lumber input prices are approximately +7% YoY in June, although some traded lumber benchmarks remain below year-ago levels.
- Tariffs are still adding approximately $10,900 per new home (NAHB, April 2025 estimate).
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BOTTOM LINE The June ceasefire gave markets and fuel prices a month of relief. July took it back. Oil is climbing again, the Fed’s next move is more likely a hike rather than a cut, and mortgage rates at 6.55% may keep buyers sidelined. Watch the July 28-29 FOMC and whether Brent holds above $90. Those two signals will set borrowing costs for the rest of 2026.
Information provided by Nilay Barefield of Tax & Financial Group
| | Thank You to Our 2026 Prime Sponsors! | | |
NOW ACCEPTING NEXT MONTH'S PPP SUBMISSIONS
People, Props and Properties is accepting submissions for the next edition, please send material by the 15th of the month. All BIA members are welcome to submit for this publication.
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5-7 word title
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45 word body copy
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Plus a key photo and any links (at least 300 pixels wide)
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Email to goSMCSanDiego@gmail.com
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