As I was flying across the country to attend the National Homebuilder Association's annual home show with what felt like a jet full of home building professionals I started wondering what makes Stateson Homes different and how do we stay in front of the industry. Did the great housing depression awakened an antiquated "good ole boys" industry to enter the 21st century? Or did it simply eliminate the financially weak homebuilders while many of the survivors return to the same old outdated business practices.
Although our buyers come from near and far, represent a diversity of cultures, and range in age, they all have something in common. They want nice homes at an affordable price point. They want a nice home to raise a family, a nice home to entertain and enjoy the company of friends, a nice home for the grandchildren to enjoy during their visits, or a nice home to simply relax and recharge. A "nest" as my wife likes to call it. So at the end of the day and at all points in the day, we have to remember that we are in the business to sell and build one of life's most precious things, a "Home", a "Nest" at a price that our customers can afford.
So, nineteen months after our first home was delivered and 29 homes under our belt I reflected on how we have grown as a company. The challenges today are very different than the challenges when we got started. We have made many improvements. Our systems have evolved dramatically to make the process easier for the customer to navigate and our team to manage. Our design center contains a broad assortment of selections, which can all be made from our design center. Our construction process has become more consistent and stream lined which makes the process easier for all involved.
Along the way we have had challenges and some growing pains but that is to be expected when you grow 400% in one year. What makes our team different is the mindset. We look at each challenge or miscue in depth to determine the back ground and what if any adjustments we need to make. Although we are proud of every home that we build we are never satisfied. Continuous improvement is something that has become part of our DNA as an organization. I feel very fortunate to be associated with a team of people that have this mindset. No business can dictate this mindset, it is something that has to be grown and nurtured.
As we near the midway point of 2014, there are 4 categories in which Stateson Homes continues to focus in order to maintain our position as an industry leader in our area. It is continuous improvement in these areas that will allow us to deliver a great customer experience:
1. Staffing: Hiring and maintaining a group of highly skilled and motivated individuals that represent the values of Stateson Homes. There are many stakeholders that have a role in this homebuilding process. Obviously our customers are a stakeholder but so are our trade partners, lenders, title companies, etc. All of which need to benefit from our relationship. As the builder, Stateson Homes has to be the central link to make sure we keep everyone working toward a common goal. Each Stateson Homes employee plays an essential role in these relationships and when the relationships are in harmony, the customer experience is enhanced.
2. Training: We have a culture that understands the importance of training and education. Stateson Homes is committed to helping our team develop their skills and continue to become better managers. We are committed to educating our staff on new products and construction techniques in order to provide our customers with a long term value.
3. Product design: As lifestyles evolve, so must our product offering. We have introduced a number of homes over the last 2 years and we have an exciting list of homes on the drawing board. We spend hours looking at product in other areas and sorting through websites as we provide direction to our architectural team. If we have product that meets the lifestyle that our customers want and it is designed in a way that allows us to minimize waste and inefficiencies we provide the homes that our customers desire.
4. Location: Stateson Homes recently opened our newest community, Cambria Crossing in the Town of Christiansburg. Our goal is to provide homes in various price ranges in various locations throughout the New River Valley. The New River Valley is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Virginia and we want to insure that homebuyers can find a quality Stateson Home in the location that fits their needs at a price that works for them.
So, If you are in the market for a new home or know someone that is, you can be confident that Stateson Homes is a company that is focused on the right things and that we strive to be at the top of our industry. We are in this business for the long haul and we strive to be a role model for any customer centric organization. Just because a home can be built by anyone with a contractor’s license, I believe there is a great value to place the construction of your home, your “nest” in the hands of a proven organization that has a history of customer satisfaction and has the mindset of Continuous Improvement. Building a new home should be one of the best experiences in life. Make sure you chose a builder that agrees and has the ability to make it happen.
