New HBA president says green-building tax credit is top priority

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Courtesy Abrazo Homes

Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico has named ​Brian McCarthy as its new president. Business First asked McCarthy, the co-owner of Albuquerque-based Abrazo Homes, about his new position and the state of the residential market.

Damon Scott

Reporter- Albuquerque Business First

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Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico has named Brian McCarthy as its new president. The group has about 600 members that represent businesses in every aspect of home construction and remodeling. David Newell is the immediate past president and John Garcia is the group's executive vice president.

Business First asked McCarthy, the co-owner of Albuquerque-based Abrazo Homes, about his new position and the state of the residential market.

Why was it important for you to take the leadership position?

Each and every day, it becomes more costly and more complex to build or remodel your home in New Mexico. Our industry faces cost increases, legislative reforms, regulatory changes, a changing mortgage landscape and a dependency on a thriving and growing local economy to remain relevant. The HBA is not only the trusted resource for consumers looking to build or remodel but also serves as an advocate for builders and trade partners who lack the time and resources to shoulder the burden of advocacy in order to remain competitive. The HBA doesn't have a 'trophy case' like [Albuquerque Economic Development] — its role is more defense than offense. It has saved customers millions of dollars over the years and has continuously provided extraordinary value to its membership through its internal initiatives.

What's your assessment of homebuilding now and through 2015.

Home building in New Mexico is gradually continuing on an upward trend. We've seen permit growth in each of the past four years and residential values are also increasing. There's one list that New Mexico is at the top of — green building. Through the state's Sustainable Building Tax Credit program, we've built 2,981 certified green homes that have saved over 67 million gallons of water and offset over 3.5 trillion BTUs since 2007. That's the environmental equivalent of taking 91,000 cars off the road. In Albuquerque, 74 percent of all new construction was certified green through Build Green New Mexico. In 2015, we'll learn whether or not our state legislators will opt to continue this program or not. The outcome will determine whether or not we remain at the forefront of green building as a state.

505.348.8315 | damonscott@bizjournals.com
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