Jamie 's Blog

It's a wonderful time!

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:52:39 -0500

Pictoral evidence of how fun it is to work for this Delaware home builder.

It's the most wonderful time...

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:52:58 -0500

... to love your job. I won't pretend that working in this industry is always roses and sunshine. Let's be honest; we've been beaten up over the past few years. But I will say this - I worked for a national company whose focus centered on profit margins, especially when the market turned. I joined the Schell team when the market was down, and yet, the focus is so much healthier. We concentrate on our customers' happiness. We want their customer experience to truly be different. We actually want them to be moved to tears by our workmanship and personal touches. And we also focus on each other, on being a company that works hard and plays hard. It's a good feeling. And if I'm going to continue to sell new homes and work for a Delaware home builder, I'm glad and proud that it's with Schell Brothers.

Going for the Gold!

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:01:24 -0500

Schell Brothers Receives Unprecedented Seven National Awards December 4, 2009 - 9:41 am

Schell Brothers, a leading Delaware home builder based in Rehoboth Beach, has received seven national awards, presented for excellence in the home building industry in 2009. The company won an unparalleled five "Nationals Awards" from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) in addition to two "Best in American Living Awards", sponsored by NAHB and Professional Builder Magazine. The Nationals Awards, which are the most esteemed honors associated with the building industry, pay tribute to superior new home sales and marketing, and home design achievements. Builders across the country compete for the coveted national honors from the NAHB, emphasizing the level of accomplishment by Schell Brothers in Delaware. Nationals winners are the exclusive finalists for the ultimate Gold Awards which will be announced at the Builder's Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 19, 2010. The Best in American Living Awards will be distributed at a press conference during the Builder's Show, honoring Schell Brothers and other builders who have provided the most inspiring and innovative residential designs in the country.

Schell Brothers' five Nationals Awards span a variety of categories ranging from home design to model merchandising, with two of the honors recognizing the achievements of the company's prestigious affiliate known as Echelon Custom Homes. Awards were presented to Schell Brothers/Echelon Custom Homes in the following categories:

Best "On the Boards" Single Family Detached Home for The Milton model by Schell Brothers at Heritage Creek, designed by Rebecca Fluharty
Best Product Design for a Custom Home: Robinson Residence by Echelon Custom Homes
Best Interior Merchandising for a Model Priced Under $500,000: Schell Brothers/Echelon Interiors for The Mariner model at the Retreat at Love Creek, merchandised by Echelon Interiors
Best Website for a Builder: Echelon Custom Homes, developed by Ivana Biela, Jeremy Bell and Mike Brown
Best Clubhouse: Independence Hall by Schell Brothers at Independence, Pat Mulligan, Project Manager

The 2009 Best in American Living Awards are recognized as the pinnacle of achievement in residential design. Schell Brothers received Best in American Living Awards in the following two categories:

Gold Award: Best Single-Family Detached Home 1,801 to 2,400 sq. ft. for the Madison model by Schell Brothers at Heritage Creek, designed by Chris Schell
Silver Award: Interior Design in Best Community Facility 151 Units and over, Merchandised by Echelon Interiors

First Snow of the Year...

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:03:51 -0500

...actually bypassed the Delaware beaches. We had a few flurries, which was still fun to see, but no accumulation. On the bright side (literally - today is very sunny), the nicer weather today hopefully will allow all of the local holiday parades to take place.

At Schell Brothers, we're definitely in the holiday spirit. In fact, Chris Schell challenged his entire sales team to decorate their model homes for the holidays. The winning team not only received a gift card to the local shopping outlets, but also (and most importantly) bragging rights. I'm pleased to announce that the Indy team was victorious!! I'm also not too proud to admit that we may have won because of our strategic decor, even more so than the festive fittings. Check out the picture below to see precisely what I mean....

Moving and Shaking with Schell Brothers

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:43:35 -0400

In the interim since I last wrote, there's been a lot of exciting activity at Schell Brothers. Due to our company growth, we've opened up several new home communities. With growth comes change, and I'm now the community sales manager at Independence, the premier active adult community in Delaware. Leaving the Vineyards has been bittersweet; I love the concept of the community, and I always find it hard to say "so long" to my loyal customers. But I am thrilled to be a part of the Indy family. We've already had great success! In the month and a half that our new team has been here, we've sold 7 homes - and counting!

With the dust settling, I'll make sure to update my blog more regularly. I can't wait to share some of the Indy magic with all of you!

Happy Homeowners

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:54:56 -0400

We held our first pre-drywall orientations at The Vineyards this weekend. With our first building well underway, the Schell Brothers team thought this would be the perfect opportunity for our current homeowners to walk through their homes while they're still in framing. They re-visted their selections, fine-tuned any electrical needs, and most importantly, expressed their deep appreciation for the quality of the construction.

As a new home salesperson, this is what it's all about. Making people happy, having them fall in love with your product while enjoying the experience.

That is the Schell difference.

Even the rain can't put a damper...

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:07:14 -0400

...on the activity at the Vineyards! Today is our block party, where the businesses along Nassau Commons Blvd joined together to raise awareness for our companies and, most importantly, to raise funds for a great cause: The Food Bank of Delaware. The sunshine has not stuck around as we hoped, but we're still pleased to see the positive response from the local community.

Although we've had rainy days fairly often this season, construction is still well underway. I get more and more excited about this community everytime I pass our first building (which happens twice a day!). The aesthetics - and with that, the attention to detail - are unparalleled in this area. I'm thrilled to be a part of the Schell Brothers team and can't wait for the Vineyards lifestyle to fully take shape.

A little perspective...

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:25:44 -0400

As part of the team-oriented culture at Schell Brothers, we provide a weekly, electronic update of sales activity. One of my co-workers included the thoughts below, and it made me stop and think just how grateful I am to work in this industry and, especially, to work for this builder.

"We do what we do because we love forging relationships with customers and providing the dream of owning a Schell Brothers home. We love the challenges we see and embrace the solutions. I come to work happy and thankful every day to work with such an awesome team." - D.Kauffman, Breakwater

I hope this applies to all of you, as well, and that you're able to find some positive perspective as the market continues to correct itself.

Good luck out there!

Words of Widsom (Part II)

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:11:25 -0500

Sometimes when I'm in a rut -professionally or personally - I find comfort and direction in inspirational quotes. Certainly the words of our President at Schell Brothers, Chris Schell, have continued to motivate me in today's housing market and general economy. I recently came across the following thoughts from other sources, and since I found value in them, I thought I'd pass them along:

"The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all." -Jawaharlal Nehru

"Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration." -Thomas Edison

"Go to where the puck is going, not where it is." -Wayne Gretzky

Energize in 2009

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:53:55 -0500

People often ask me why Schell Brothers is different, why I left one of the best-known national builders to work for a local company.

The difference is our culture. It's in the way we work hard and play hard together. It's in the way Chris Schell inspires us with endless optimism, motivational thoughts and tools, and it's in the financial knowledge that he bestows upon us.

Our company hosted a Realtor Expo this week: Energize in 2009. Not only did Chris present an economic update before a slew of attendees, but he also shared tactics he personally uses for staying motivated, for staying positive, and ultimately, for building and maintaining happiness. In addition, one of my colleagues at Pepper's Creektold a powerful story, in which his army experience in Iraq taught him that if he could laugh with friends - even in the worst situations - he knew he'd be ok. And, finally, we brought in a local Realtor, who, after struggling with his weight for many years, is now an Ironman athlete. He shared his success secrets for how he lost - and continues to control - his weight, how he experienced an "aha" moment, where he knew his life had to change.

That was me. I needed an "aha" moment at my previous job, and it came when I was introduced to Schell Brothers. It was then that I fully realized that homebuilding (even for the big guys in charge) can be about more than profit shares. That it's about putting smiles on peoples' faces, both customers and employees.

Being part of the Schell team has renewed my love for this industry and has completed energized me for the good things to come in 2009 and beyond, especially at The Vineyards.

In parting, I'll leave you with another quote from Chris Schell...

"Your achievements, unlike the stock market, are highly correlated with your expectations of your achievements."

The Next Generation of Networking...

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:56:58 -0500

It started as a fun way to stay in touch with high school friends when I moved 7 hours away for college. It became an even more fun way to tease my friends by posting (more often than not) embarrassing photos of them from our college nights. Now it's a fun and engaging way to network, both socially and professionally.

What is it? You guessed it. Facebook.

Check out my profile for more information about me, about the Vineyards, and most importantly, about life at Schell Brothers.

Can't wait to be "friends!"

Words of Wisdom

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:18:48 -0500

Chris Schell, our fearless leader at Schell Brothers, shared some inspirational thoughts with the company this week. I'm passing them along now in hope that they inspire others.

One's success or failure in anything is determined largely by confidence. Fortunately, confidence can be earned through hard work and the acquisition of skill and knowledge.

To Learn is Honorable, To Discover is Divine, For without Discovery, there would be nothing to Learn

Knowledge is highly under-rated.

Congrats, Steeler Fans!

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:32:55 -0500

Well, another Superbowl has come and gone. I'd like to congratulate all the Pittsburgh fans (including my own mother) on their victory and give a friendly warning: Next year it will be the other PA team!

It's interesting how diverse the fan base is in Sussex County, DE. We are a melting pot of fans, relocating from nearby metropolitan areas (Philly, DC, Baltimore, New York, New Jersey... you name it). With Delaware's unparalled property taxes, it's no wonder we see more and more people moving here from those areas to take advantage of our low cost of living. At the very least, the geographic diversity of our residents keeps football season exciting!

Wine Tasting 101

Jamie Hudson (Schell Brothers) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:41:37 -0500

Wine Tasting - The Basics

The point of wine tasting is simply to find wines that you will thoroughly enjoy. There's no right and wrong when it comes to wine tasting. That said, here are some basic tips that will help you evaluate a new wine to see if it suits your taste.

•1. Start with a clear wine glass. The rim of the glass should bend inwards to help funnel aromas to the nose, and allow you to swirl without spilling.

•2. Now pour a little wine into your glass. An inch or less is best. If you are tasting several wines, begin with the lightest (sparkling wines, roses, then light whites followed by full-bodied whites) and progress to the heaviest (light reds to more full-bodied reds followed by dessert wines). This will help keep your taste buds more sensitive so you can better appreciate each wine in the series. A sip of water between wines can also help preserve your palate.

•1. Notice the color of the wine. It often helps to hold the glass up to light or hold it against a white background, like a white napkin. The color can give you a clue as to the age of the wine. White wines generally gain color as they age. Red wines lose color. That is, young red wines are more red or burgundy while older wines tend to show a hint of tawny brown around the rim. Regardless of age, the colors of wine are just fun to see, ranging from pale yellow-green to ruby red to brick red-brown.

•2. Swirl the wine a couple of times by moving the glass in a circular motion.Holding the glass by its stem, instead of the bowl, allows you to swirl more easily. Swirling is done to aerate the wine and release vapors, evaporating from the sides of the glass, for you to smell.

•3. Then put your nose right over the rim of the wine glass and breathe in. Take note of the wine's aromas and bouquet (more details below).

Take a sip, letting the wine spread across the tongue from front to back and side to side before swallowing. Notice the flavors and acidity of the wine