Property owners across North Carolina scored another victory on Tuesday when citizens in four counties rejected the proposed land transfer tax referendum that appeared on their ballots. Voters in Ashe, Gates, Orange and Tyrrell counties soundly rejected the referendum, bringing the voting record for the transfer tax to 0-20. This remarkable victory follows the pattern established last November, when the measure was voted down in 16 counties across North Carolina. The victory in Gates County followed the defeat of the same measure in November but, this time, by an even larger margin.
The land transfer tax, also known as the “home tax,” requires property owners to pay an additional tax upon selling their property based on the value of the property. It places an unfair and unreliable tax burden on homeowners and ultimately makes housing less affordable. A last minute special provision was placed into the North Carolina state budget bill in 2007, which granted counties the authority to place a 0.4% transfer tax referendum on their ballots.
NCHBA is vehemently opposed to the land transfer tax and has worked diligently with its partner, the North Carolina Association of Realtors, through the “It’s a Bad Idea” campaign to ensure that these measures would not be approved in these counties. Our attention now turns to repealing this law during the short session of the General Assembly in an effort to continue the promotion and protection homeownership in North Carolina.
NCHBA's share of the campaign came from our Issues Mobilization Fund. However, beating these referenda in 20 counties has been a very expensive undertaking. Please help us "replenish the fund" with your generous contribution. Please contact Jessi Hayes to help us with this effort.
County by County breakdown of May 6 Primary Election results
National Membership Day is Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Join us for an overland membership journey in search of tomorrow's leaders. Grab your khakis, bush jackets and pith helmets - we're going on The Big Hunt. This day is specially designated for all HBAs in the NAHB federation to plan membership drives and report their projected new member totals for the month of May to NAHB. National Membership Day is a great opportunity to demonstrate the extraordinary results that occur in just one day when our federation focuses on membership. Highlights of this effort include double Spike points for recruiting members, a webcast from the National Housing Center in Washington, DC and incentive prizes for recruiting members. National Membership Day is an event your HBA won’t want to miss.
To be eligible for the 2008 National Membership Day competitions and individual recruiter giveaway, all associations must:
1. Complete and return the “Commit to Call” form by April 22. 2008 – Thanks to all our locals for helping us to achieve 100% participation with this commitment!
2. Call in to (800) 899-6242 on National Membership Day, Tuesday, May 20 with your projected number of new members for the month of May, and
3. Submit May 2008 membership reports to NAHB by Friday, May 30, 2008.
Click here for more information and details on the prize structure.
If you have questions, please contact Kathryn Atkinson, NCHBA Director of Membership Services, at (919) 676-9090 or .
NCHBA Legislative Conference and 2nd Quarter Meeting
The NCHBA Legislative Conference and 2nd Quarter Board and Committee meetings will be held at the North Raleigh Hilton in Raleigh, NC on June 3-4, 2008. The Legislative Reception will be held at the North Carolina Museum of History in downtown Raleigh.
Please complete and return the REGISTRATION FORM to NCHBA (click here to download form).
DEADLINE FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS IS MAY 12, 2008. You will not be eligible for the discounted group rate after this date. No exceptions!
DIRECTIONS Hilton North Raleigh
3415 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
From the West: Take EXIT 10 off I-440 (Wake Forest Road) and turn left. The North Raleigh Hilton will be on your left.
From the East: Take EXIT 10 off I-440 (Wake Forest Road) and turn right. The North Raleigh Hilton will be on your left.
For hotel reservations call 1-800-HILTONS ((800) 445-8667).
May is BUILD-PAC month! Throughout the month of May, local associations will be competing against each other to see who can raise the most money for BUILD-PAC. In this critical election year, it is especially important to give so we are able to support pro-housing candidates and fight the battles against our industry.
Local associations are broken down into four groups based on funds raised in the last year. This helps to even the playing field for smaller associations with fewer members by competing against other small associations. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each category in each group and will be given as followed:
National Membership Day is Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Join us for an overland membership journey in search of tomorrow's leaders. Grab your khakis, bush jackets and pith helmets - we're going on The Big Hunt. This day is specially designated for all HBAs in the NAHB federation to plan membership drives and report their projected new member totals for the month of May to NAHB. National Membership Day is a great opportunity to demonstrate the extraordinary results that occur in just one day when our federation focuses on membership. Highlights of this effort include double Spike points for recruiting members, a webcast from the National Housing Center in Washington, DC and incentive prizes for recruiting members. National Membership Day is an event your HBA won’t want to miss. 
May is BUILD-PAC month! Throughout the month of May, local associations will be competing against each other to see who can raise the most money for BUILD-PAC. In this critical election year, it is especially important to give so we are able to support pro-housing candidates and fight the battles against our industry.