I’ve been working with builders and new construction for… ever.
In the early years (for me that’s 1988-1995), I worked with several homebuilders who were completely hands-on, who used all subcontracted labor, and who built no more than six-eight homes in a year. I loved it! I was truly a partner with those builders… we designed plans together, and they wanted my opinion, i.e. what was the market looking for in terms of price, size, lifestyle, and interior finish. It was fun and it was profitable!
Eventually, the game changed. The money was in the new planned developments, and though there was still certainly a market for the hands-on builder, it became a luxury thing. Higher priced homes, more risk.
With the opening of Old Trail in Crozet came our first large scale commercial builder, Ryan Homes. Ryan eventually pulled out of Old Trail, and their communities began popping up all over the place. I remember thinking that the day Ryan came to Charlottesville was the day our small community changed forever, and not necessarily for the better.
That said, I just sold a Ryan Home in a community called Greenecroft, and I couldn’t be any happier. It is located off of VSH 33 in Ruckersville, less than a mile west of VSH 29. Let me tell you about our experience…..
The buyers are relocating from Pensacola. They are active retirees; probably they will find employment when they arrive. Mary settled on Greenecroft and Ryan the very first day we went house hunting. The community has mountain views, and the community has some aesthetic appeal in the way it has been designed. The community's developer is selling finished lots to Ryan, who is selling their homes from a model called the Colville.
I’ve not “studied” Ryan Homes as a company, but I have noticed a cookie cutter culture in many of their communities. Greenecroft is a different animal, and the plans Ryan is selling are excellent. My buyer vacillated between a plan Ryan calls the Venice and another called the Colville. The Colville offered the first-level-master-bedroom option, and that was the ultimate decision maker. In my opinion, the Colville is one of the more interesting and livable floorplans I have seen in a very long time.
Here’s the thing…. The price for this house, which includes 10’ ceilings, many upgrades (my clients selected nearly every option, including a fabulous kitchen and sunroom addition), excellent quality specifications, and a view lot, with a fully finished basement (brings finished square feet total to over 3000 s.f.), is well under $350,000. And, guess what? I brought in an architect, David Kariel, to perform a pre-drywall inspection, and the house passed with flying colors. Our experience with Ryan’s staff, from the salespeople to the construction superintendent, has been superior.
My client is delighted, as am I. I welcome the opportunity to introduce you to Greenecroft or other Ryan communities throughout the Charlottesville area, call me, Virginia Gardner, (434) 981-0871.
Comments(0)