Poultry processor Sanderson Farms has opened shop on 17.3 acres in the Lindale Business Park in Smith County.  $18 million for offices & a hatchery.  The total complex will employ 1,700, require 80 contract growers & process 275 million pounds of dressed poultry meat annually.  Sanderson Farms has operations in Smith, Wood, Brazos, Robertson, McLennan & Anderson counties.

Texas’ annual growth rate is 3.1% and the nation’s is 1.6%.  All Texas industries except information had more jobs.  Mining & logging industry ranked 1st in job creation, followed by construction, then professional & business service, then leisure & hospitality and finally transportation, warehousing & utilities.  TYLER is one of 4 other cities and their surrounding cities to GROW.

At the federal level, the National Association of Realtors is pushing for expanded vocational training in construction fields, revised condo defect laws, & more community bank lending for lot development.  Not only would these steps relieve the housing shortage, would keep the economic growth humming at 4% or more.  NOW EVERYONE WINS!!

Consider advocating for more new construction in your community.  Goals:  streamling the housing permit process;  reducing impact fees on new homes;  reducing minimum lot sizes;  expediting local environmental reviews;  promoting the repurposing of outdated commercial buildings into residential units; & encouraging use of prefab, modular housing & accessory dwelling units.  MORE TO COME

The economy is solidly advancing.  For the year, the GDP will exceed 3% for the first time since 2005.  The stock market is at a near all time high, as are wages.  Median home prices have risen 40 % over the past 5 years & are still climbing.  For many buyers prices of homes are just too high.  That is why building is so important!  MORE TO COME.

Basic landscaping and lawn care have the greatest appeal to buyers, according to the 2018 REMODELING REPORT from the National Association of Realtors & National Association of Landscape Professionals.  Outdoor kitchens, pools & lighting may make bigger statements, but just the standard lawn care & a few pieces of furniture & a firepit is all that is needed to SELL you home.

(3)  Things Will Go According to Plan.  “Bad news” happens as you get into the fixer-upper.  Hard to figure everything.  (4)  It Won’t Take Very Long.  You can be stalled waiting for workmen or supplies so things just “drag on”.  (5)  It Will Be Easy to Nail the Design Updates.  Good home design still requires both skill & judgement & things can go wrong.  Some updates are easy, but some take a long time.  JUST PLAN, PLAN, PLAN.

(1)  Easy to Find a Good Fixer-Upper.  A buyer is competing with investors, who have deep pockets.  Look for a property in a good location with “good bones”, where the cost of repairs won’t eat up profits.  Must make decisions quickly.  (2)  I Can Save or Make a Lot of Money.  Must deal with whole house & not a few rooms as on TV.  Often extra fees overlooked, such as closing costs, building permits, dumpsters, insurance, etc.  TV shows are really more stagers, than remodelers.  MORE COMING NEXT ISSUE

EXTERIOR:  (4)  New Roof – 109% cost RECOVERY.  More energy efficient, improves comfort levels & less water damage.  (5)  New Garage Door – 87% cost RECOVERY.  Upgrade to automatic & “smart door” to operate from your phone.  (6)  New Fiber-Cement Siding – 83%  cost RECOVERY.  Durable and long-lasting, can transform the outside of your home.  It is fire, moisture, insect & rodent resistant.  Can be textured to look like wood.  Not cheap, but worth it.  JUST GET OUT YOUR PENCIL & CALCULATOR & FIGURE ALL THIS.  Good luck!

(1)  HARDWOOD FLOOR REFINISH –  100% recovery.  About $3,000.  New floors at maybe $5,500 for a 91% recovery.  (2)  INSULATION UPGRADE – 76% recovery.  For about $2,100 add insulation in attic, crawl spaces, various joints, etc also save 15% on your heating & cooling bills.  (3)  HVAC REPLACEMENT – 67% cost recovery.  If system more than 10 years old, then spend about $7,475 to replace.  Look for “Energy Star” units to cut annual energy bill by more than $115.  MORE TO COME!