Bulletin Board Magazine [Volume 4-2025]

Should housing be part of the plan for any successful society? You would think so. But planning is about the last thing on the list in this state. To be honest, as massive a win for our community the 4 round legislation is, this program feels rushed. Imagine ramming 10 years of planning into 6 months? Who suffers the most as a result? Homebuyers, as administrative costs balloon towards 30 or 40% of a new home. Can you imagine? Your million-dollar mortgage paying 300k in soft costs. Additionally, now that we have created a hole in the skilled labor pool, we can expect wages for skilled workers to continue to rise, so we will see how affordability works out for the next generation of buyer in NJ. Our efforts at the grass roots level to make housing affordable matters, and I am committed to supporting all ideas that truly help lower the cost of housing, by creating value as well as supporting vocational programs that address the shortage of skilled labor in our field. th The builders association is a safe space where we can come together and share the stories, secrets, resources but also, to share our successes, and give back. I look forward to continuing to support the great work of organizations like The Collier House Youth Services, The Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as vocational programs like Ocean County Vocational Technical School. I realized that winter day long ago, that we really have an important job. But it’s not easy, and most people don’t understand how difficult it is. The truth is that few people have the talent, grit and determination to take it on. Local trade organizations like the Shore builders are tremendous options to support one another, and address the need for promotion at the grassroots level. Membership growth in this organization will be a focus for me during these next two years. Growing the ranks of remodeling companies and the trade businesses are an area I think we can add meaningful new members. There was a marketing program at one time put out by a local realtor, and the merch tag line said, “ If you’re going home tonight, thank a builder” What a great message. It amplifies the fact that home builders need to promote themselves. We have tremendous representation at the State level but we need strong locals as well. I commit to promoting camaraderie and support for all the locals in NJ in addition to the NJBA. Thank you to my wife Deb, and to Gina and Christine, whose tireless efforts for this association make the idea of the job manageable. Thank you to the officers and board members for dedicating your time and energy to leading our Association. Thanks to the team at American Properties for supporting me in this endeavor, but most importantly thank you to the Builders and Associates who support this organization with your time talent and treasures for entrusting me with this task, I look forward to working with you. Congratulations to Our Newly Installed Officers, & Board of Directors!

Bulletin Board | 4 | www.shorebuilders.org