Experts at Home & Garden show can answer your questions
“One other different thing we are doing this year is donating part of the ticket price to charity ... Half of all the proceeds from tickets sold will be going to Habitat (for Humanity).” —David Christian
The Home and Garden Show, put on by the Home Builders Association of Texarkana, gives attendees a one-stop shopping opportunity to get the roof-to-foundation information on buying, building and maintaining a home and garden.
The Home and Garden Show gives attendees a chance to meet the various professionals involved in the home building field, said David Christian, executive officer of Texarkana’s Home Builders Association. “Being a homeowner is a huge thing with lots to know. Those who are thinking about becoming homeowners and many who are already homeowners have things they need to know. The Home and Garden Show puts them face-to-face with people who can answer their questions.”
The Home and Garden Show isn’t just about the hardware and materials involved in erecting and maintaining a home. Financing, paying for the building and upkeep of a home are a major parts of home ownership. For those who have money questions on home ownership issues, Christian says those experts will be there, too.
“If you are concerned about financing your project, what your mortgage is going to look like, what are closing costs about, we have people who will be ready to deal with those questions,” Christian said.
Farmers Bank and Trust is one of the organizations that brings its financial expertise to the show. They have attended the convention for many years and this year, in addition to financial advice, offer a bonus to showgoers.
“Farmers Bank and Trust is giving away two $1,500 gift certificates over the weekend that can be used on a home down payment, closing costs or even on buying a house,” Christian said.
“These certificates have no expiration date, so if you attend the show, enter and win the drawing, you can hold onto your certificate. There is no pressure to use it quickly.”
In addition to many other vendors offering drawings, giveaways and freebies, the Home and Garden Show also offers a spectacle for the senses.
“Laffertys is an old standby for us. Just like in shows past, they will be baking fresh cookies once again as well as offering expertise on their products,” Christian said.
“Also, we will be premiering a brand new product this year, a device called the Liftgator. It allows a person of normal strength to lift far heavier loads for loading in a pickup truck.”
Master Gardeners have been invited from both the Texas and Arkansas sides of the city and will be available to give expert advice on all garden concerns.
“One other different thing we are doing this year is donating part of the ticket price to charity,” Christian said. “The Home Builders Association of Texarkana is a 501-6-c organization (tax exempt organization) and our purpose is to advocate for home building issues. We also try to help out with related charities. In this case, the $5 adult ticket price will be helping out Habitat for Humanity. Half of all the proceeds from tickets sold will be going to Habitat.”
Home Builders Association of Texarkana is associated with its state and national level organizations in its advocacy on home building issues.
“Our members are builders as well as suppliers, contractors, architects and all the trades associated with home building,” Christian said. “We provide educational resources for our members. We also advocate for affordable housing with government and regulatory officials. Members of the organizations also enjoy various benefits from membership.”
The Home Builders Association acts as an advocate to government officials for its constituents. As such, it monitors legislative issues being considered by elected officials and regulatory bodies which may affect the home building trade, specifically, anything that might affect the price of home buying and building.
“The government, be it local, state or federal, may bring up regulations or ordinances concerning building or structures and of course they are just doing their job,” he said. “They are trying to protect the consumer. But they are going at it from the perspective of governors, lawmakers, regulators. Every now and then, they just overdo it. That then becomes part of the job of a home builder association, to let those officials know about effects and unintended consequences of the rules they are making.
“Usually it is from the perspective of costs and avoiding making home building prohibitively expensive for the average home builder or buyer. That is what we do.”
The 2017 Home Show takes place March 18-19 at the Texarkana Convention Center at Cowhorn Creek across from Central Mall. Admission for those age 15 through adult is $5. Children under 15 get in free.
For information on the 2017 Home Show or to contact the Texarkana Home Builders Association for any other issues, give them a call at 903-223-0422 or email at hbaoftxk@email.com.