Skip to content

SAWS Standard Specifications for Construction Update

SAWS

SAWS seeking stakeholder input on Standard Specifications for Construction As part of San Antonio Water System’s effort for continual improvement, SAWS is currently in the process of revising their Standard Specifications for Construction. They have asked for input from key stake holders. We have included a link to the revised specifications below. The link will…

Read More

San Antonio Development Services Department Lobby Back Open

Open for Business

San Antonio Development Services Department Lobby Back Open Limited capacity for now. Only 30 people allowed at a time. As of today, October 19th, DSD has opened their lobby with limited capacity.  There are only 30 customers allowed in the lobby at one time.  Temperature checks are required now to enter the lobby.  You must…

Read More

Softwood Lumber Prices Surge a Record 29% in September

lumber prices higher

Softwood Lumber Prices Surge a Record 29% in September — Building Materials Up 4.4% in 2020 Prices paid for goods used in residential construction climbed 1.8% in September (not seasonally adjusted) according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The index for inputs to residential construction, goods less…

Read More

Sharp Decline in Real GDP in All States: 2Q20

GDP Decline

Sharp Decline in Real GDP in All States: 2Q20 Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter, as a result of reflecting “stay-at-home” orders across the country due to COVID-19. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported the…

Read More

Despite Weekly Declines, Refinancing Year-over-year Gains Remain Strong

Mortgage Activity

Despite Weekly Declines, Refinancing Year-over-year Gains Remain Strong For the week ending September 11, 2020, the Mortgage Banker’s Association’s (MBA) Weekly Application Survey indicated a decrease in its Market Composite Index, a measure of both purchasing and refinancing, of 2.5% from one week earlier on a seasonally adjusted basis. The Purchasing and Refinancing Indexes decreased…

Read More

Important Sign Update City of San Antonio – Framing Class Wednesday, Sept. 2nd 1:00pm

Important Sign Update City of San Antonio – Framing Class Wednesday, Sept. 2nd 1:00pm I am writing to share with you that the City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD) plans to start removing Builders and Developers signs that are located in the Right of Way (ROW), that are the wrong size or lack…

Read More

Fannie, Freddie to Delay Mortgage Refinancing 0.5% Surcharge Until Dec. 1

Fannie, Freddie to Delay Mortgage Refinancing 0.5% Surcharge Until Dec. 1 After strong opposition from NAHB and many other housing, consumer advocacy, and banking groups, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) said today that it has ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to delay until Dec. 1, 2020, the implementation of a new 0.5% surcharge…

Read More

NAHB Statement on Beryllium Settlement with OSHA

Regulations

NAHB Statement on Beryllium Settlement with OSHA NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke issued the following statement regarding a settlement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) involving a rule on beryllium exposure in construction: “NAHB commends our settlement with OSHA addressing our concerns with the overly broad applicability of both the Jan. 7, 2017 final…

Read More

NAHB Rolls Out First Wave of 2020 Congressional Endorsements

NAHB Rolls Out First Wave of 2020 Congressional Endorsements NAHB is once again endorsing candidates for the U.S. House and Senate in the upcoming Nov. 3 elections. NAHB endorses candidates who have shown a commitment to policies that promote homeownership and rental housing opportunities for all Americans. NAHB makes all of its endorsement decisions in…

Read More

City of San Antonio COVID Ordinance; City Council Agendas; SARA update; 87th Legislature and AG Opinion

Government Affairs Update City of San Antonio COVID Ordinance; City Council Agendas; SARA update; 87th Legislature and AG Opinion Posted 08/10/20 City of San Antonio The City of San Antonio’s Development Services Department (DSD) and GSABA will host their bi-monthly meeting this Wednesday, August 12th at 1:00 pm.  The agenda for the meeting along with…

Read More