Best Whole House Renovation (Over 1M) AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) announced the 2023 Annual Star Awards winners in conjunction with the Sunbelt Builders Show™ On July 14th at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Celebrating the 30th anniversary, the program brought in over 600 entries that resulted in five Grand Awards and 174 elite trophies handed out by co-emcees Andy and Ashley Williams, founders of Recon Realty and former hosts of HGTV’s Flip or Flop Fort Worth. The Star Awards have been given annually since 1992 as the only statewide tribute to excellence in the homebuilding industry recognizing excellence in all areas of the residential construction industry. These awards are highly coveted within the industry. Our great state should be proud of its builders, remodelers, architects, designers, developers, and sales, marketing, and construction professionals. Projects and nominations were submitted by 103 companies from across Texas. Click PDF to view 2023 Star Awards Winners.

 As housing affordability and attainability slip farther out of reach for American families, a contingent of building industry professionals took their concerns to Capitol Hill in mid-June. David Lehde, director of government affairs for Dallas Builders Association , led the group, which included Dallas Builders Association members who also participate in coinciding meetings at the National Association of Home Builders. The panel visited the offices of nine elected officials — Congress members Colin Allred , Michael Burgess, Jake Ellzey, Pat Fallon, Lance Gooden, Ronny Jackson, Eddie Bernice Johnson , Beth Van Duyne, and Marc Veasey. “Housing is the centerpiece of kitchen-table issues,” Lehde said. “America wants our government to focus on issues that make this country work. The situation we’re in right now is threatening to harm the economic expansion of this country.” David Lehde Inflation and surging interest rates are negatively affecting the housing market, and industry leaders are honing in on specific matters with the hopes that bills can be passed to provide opportunities for those who want to build affordable homes in a timely manner, get approved for a mortgage, and buy a home. The agenda of the local contingent is bolstered by data produced and priorities set by the National Association of Home Builders. “Somewhere right now there’s a dad and a mom who have been working hard, saving up money and they want to get their kids into a home they can build memories in,” Lehde said. “Somewhere there is a single mom who would like to live closer to work so she could, say, make it to her daughter’s recital and won’t get stuck in traffic. Somewhere there is a couple that would like to retire in the town they grew up in. They need a mortgage they can afford on a fixed budget. All these people deserve to have a roof over their heads and a place they can call home. That’s our legislative approach, to continue to address those needs.”

As housing affordability and attainability slip farther out of reach for American families, a contingent of building industry professionals took their concerns to Capitol Hill in mid-June. David Lehde, director of government affairs for Dallas Builders Association , led the group, which included Dallas Builders Association members who also participate in coinciding meetings at the National Association of Home Builders. The panel visited the offices of nine elected officials — Congress members Colin Allred , Michael Burgess, Jake Ellzey, Pat Fallon, Lance Gooden, Ronny Jackson, Eddie Bernice Johnson , Beth Van Duyne, and Marc Veasey. “Housing is the centerpiece of kitchen-table issues,” Lehde said. “America wants our government to focus on issues that make this country work. The situation we’re in right now is threatening to harm the economic expansion of this country.” David Lehde Inflation and surging interest rates are negatively affecting the housing market, and industry leaders are honing in on specific matters with the hopes that bills can be passed to provide opportunities for those who want to build affordable homes in a timely manner, get approved for a mortgage, and buy a home. The agenda of the local contingent is bolstered by data produced and priorities set by the National Association of Home Builders.  “Somewhere right now there’s a dad and a mom who have been working hard, saving up money and they want to get their kids into a home they can build memories in,” Lehde said. “Somewhere there is a single mom who would like to live closer to work so she could, say, make it to her daughter’s recital and won’t get stuck in traffic. Somewhere there is a couple that would like to retire in the town they grew up in. They need a mortgage they can afford on a fixed budget. All these people deserve to have a roof over their heads and a place they can call home. That’s our legislative approach, to continue to address those needs.”

Joshua Correa Honored With Excellence Under 45 Award Joshua Correa of Divino Homes is one of three Excellence Under 45 Award winners recognized by the Texas Association of Builders. The award was developed by TAB’s Young Professionals Council to recognize individuals who have committed themselves to their careers and to advancing the residential construction industry. Correa joins award recipients McCalle Fryar of 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty from the Greater Houston Builders Association and Jon Loudermilk of Homes By Design with the Big Country Home Builders Association in Abilene. The trio will be honored during the Builders’ Bash concert on Wednesday, July 14. The night event will take place following opening day of the 20th Sunbelt Builders Show™ at Dallas Hilton Anatole. Correa followed in his father’s footsteps by going into the plumbing trades in the Dallas area. He acquired his Journeyman Plumbing License (1997), followed by his Master Plumbing License (2000). Correa later sold the plumbing company and established Power Construction Group (2004). Most recently, he started Divino Homes (2016) out of the need to separate his residential builds and land developments from his commercial projects. Correa has a wide array of responsibilities from land acquisitions to land development to operations oversite of his residential builds to commercial finish outs. Correa is currently chairman of the Dallas BA’s Education Committee and was named Designee of the Year in 2020. He serves on the Board of Directors and is active with the Volume Builders/Developers Committee and Young Professionals Committee. Correa is a State Director and serves on TAB’s Contracts Committee. At the National Association of Home Builders, he serves on the Custom Home Builders Council, several subcommittees and is a National Delegate for the 2020-21 year. Through NAHB’s continuing education programs, he’s now a certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, Graduate Builder, Graduate Remodeler, New Home Sales Professional and a Graduate Master Builder plus a Dallas BA’s certified Star Builder. Correa is a graduate of Texas A&M Mays Business School and a 1994 graduate of W.H. Adamson High School.

Home of the Week: Divino Homes The Dallas Builders Association Home of the Week is a modern residence built by Divino Homes. This amazing home is located in the Bickers Park neighborhood of West Dallas minutes away from Trinity Groves and the Southwest Medical District. This is one of many homes being built in the Signature Series by Divino Homes in a project named The View at Ivanhoe. In collaboration with Architect Roberto Castanheira of RC3D, Divino Homes has designed and built this exceptional home. From the moment you walk up you can’t help but notice all the architectural features, the combination of color and materials with that amazing 2nd floor glass balcony overlooking the front yard. You then realize you are about to enter something special through that 48-inch-wide entry door. The open floor plan design is perfect for entertaining and the French doors allow the party to flow outside, overlooking a covered back patio with a fenced yard. The exceptional layout of the house feels so much larger than its 2,174 air-conditioned square footage because of the openness and natural light. The great kitchen that overlooks the dining and family area is equipped with Bosch appliances, quartz countertops and pre-finished cabinets. This home features 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, a large storage area adjacent to the 2-car garage and has an amazing 547 square foot roof top deck with views to the Dallas skyline for a total square footage of 3,543 square feet. All homes being built by Divino Homes offer the latest in energy saving features and are Energy Star Certified and Green Built Texas certified.

Joshua Correa, CSB, CGB, GMB, CAPS, CSP, CGR, has been in the construction industry for over 26 years, and he has been in the custom home building sector for 18 years. He got his start in 1994 by owning a plumbing company, and once he sold that business he started building homes. He has gained a vast amount of experience and knowledge of building techniques and building codes over the years. Divino Homes is also a Certified Star Builder. This certification reflects the builder’s commitment to a professional approach to business and to ensuring that they serve their customers in a safe work environment.  One of the main reasons Joshua is so passionate about recruiting new members to the Association is the education program. The education courses that the Association offers can help new members and long-tenured members meet new people, enhance their skills, and learn more about the housing industry as a whole. Joshua markets the designations he has earned via his website, Instagram, and Facebook pages. “(The designations) add value by showing the end consumer our commitment to continued education and our commitment to always be in the know,” he explains.