May 2019 Associate Spotlight – Counterkraft
Louis E. Selig – Owner
Carol Hughes – Sales & Marketing
Counterkraft is Brevard County’s premier source for luxury custom counter-tops for over 20 years. They specialize in quality quartz, granite, Dekton and solid surfaces. Counterkraft’s attention to fine detail, premier craftsmanship, fair pricing and unmatched customer service is what sets them apart from their competition. They work with each client and building professional in their newly expanded showroom to bring style and sophistication to every space.
Our award winning craftsmen are the only authorized Dekton fabricators in Brevard County. Counterkraft assists you with those discerning, upscale clients by offering this large format ultra compact surfacing option demanded worldwide.
“With an investment this important… Choose Counterkraft”
Call or Email for more information
(321) 456-5928
Carol@counterkraft.com / Lou@counterkraft.com
April 2019 Associate Spotlight – Space Coast Business Magazines / Space Coast Living
Jeff Piersall with Space Coast Business Magazines
Lori Reader with Space Coast Living
Space Coast Business Marketing has been in business for 15 year sand members of the HBCA since January 2019. Space Coast Business Marketing joined the HBCA to build relationships with the HBCA and their members for the Parade of Homes. Also, to help companies with their marketing efforts.
Space Coast Business is a full service marketing company offering photography, copy writing, creative collateral materials and design and comprehensive marketing campaigns. Space Coast Living &Business Magazines have more than 110,000 readers each month. They make companies famous in Brevard through trust, repetition and building a relationship.
Call 321-622-5986 or email for more information
Jeff@spacecoastmagazine.com / Lori@spacecoastmagazine.com
FANtastic Follow-up: Convert More Prospects to “Preferred Purchasers”
Nationally Recognized Speakers – Learn from the Pros
Meredith Oliver, MRIM, CSP
A Wide Disparity in State Property Taxes
There is nearly an $8,000 difference between what residents of the state with the highest property taxes pay compared to those who live in the state with the lowest rate.
NAHB analysis of data from the 2017 American Community Survey and U.S. Census Bureau shows that in 2017, New Jersey continued its perennial distinction as the state with the highest average annual tax bill per home owner. Garden State home owners paid an average of $8,485 in real estate taxes in 2017.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Alabama ranked 50th among home owners in average real estate tax paid per year. There, the average real estate tax bill totaled just $678.
The top five states with the highest average annual property taxes are all located in the Northeast:
| Rank | Average Real Estate Taxes Paid Per Year |
| 1. New Jersey | $8,485 |
| 2. Connecticut | $6,349 |
| 3. New York | $6,054 |
| 4. New Hampshire | $5,713 |
| 5. Massachusetts | $5,192 |
The states with the lowest average annual property taxes are primarily located in the South:
| Rank | Average Real Estate Taxes Paid Per Year |
| 50. Alabama | $678 |
| 49. West Virginia | $812 |
| 48. Mississippi | $967 |
| 47. Louisiana | $1,005 |
| 46. Arkansas | $1,012 |
NAHB economist David Logan looks at the national picture and provides further analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.
Find out where your state stands on the list.
Labor Department Issues Proposed New Overtime Rule
The Labor Department has issued a proposed new overtime rule that would raise the overtime salary limit from $23,660 to $35,308.
This means that any professional, administrative and executive employees making under $35,308 would be due time and a half if they work more than 40 hours a week.
However, this proposal has not yet been published in the Federal Register and could be subject to modifications. Once published, NAHB will review the proposed rulemaking and submit comments on the proposal.
NAHB opposed the Obama-era rule that would have raised the overtime threshold to $47,476 because such a drastic jump would result in real hardship for the nation’s small business community. We joined other business groups in filing a lawsuit to challenge this rule. As a result of these efforts, the rule was never implemented because a judge issued a preliminary injunction against it.
Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta testified at his Senate confirmation hearing two years ago that he would prefer a more modest salary threshold for overtime pay than previously proposed. He suggested a threshold of around $33,000, which would be more in line with inflation.
For more information, contact Felicia Watson at 800-368-5242 x8229.
March 2019 Parade of Homes™ Builder Spot light
The Parade of Homes™ Beautiful Homes Tour will feature Joyal Homes and LifeStyle Homes in the 2019 Showcase Community, Valencia in Addison Village.
Valencia in Addison Village is one of Viera’s newest neighborhoods designed for the enjoyment of living. Join us March 16-24 to experience this modern, beautiful gated community with the one and only, official Parade of Homes™.
