Southern Crafted Homes Press

Jim Deitch Named to National Housing Quality Executive Committee for NAHB  

Press Release
Reed Construction Media Launches the National Housing Quality Executive Council
01.15.10, 11:16 AM ET

BusinessWire – Reed Construction Media, a division of Reed Business Information that includes Professional Builder, Professional Remodeler and HousingZone.com, has launched the National Housing Quality Executive Council, a group of 29 home builders, remodelers and housing consultants who are fully committed to serving the industry with practical advice concerning all crucial aspects of the home-building and remodeling businesses.

In the coming months, NHQ Executive Council members will deliver their proven, actionable advice through weekly blog posts at HousingZone.com and ongoing participation in articles, industry roundtable discussions, education sessions and conference calls. Their areas of expertise include leadership; strategic planning; performance management; customer satisfaction; human resources; construction quality; trade relationships; business results; sales and marking; and supply-chain management.

“In this difficult market, there is little room for error for members of the residential construction industry. Only by rigorously applying the foundations of a strong, quality-driven business will our community survive, profit and excel,” says Dean Horowitz, General Manager of Reed Construction Media. “This new approach to content creation and delivery demonstrates the willingness of this community to participate in the success of its peers.”

The majority of NHQ Executive Council members are intimately involved as judges in the prestigious National Housing Quality (NHQ) Awards (operated jointly by Professional Builder and the NAHB Research Center) — the industry’s sole awards program recognizing excellence in quality management and operations. And many are past NHQ Award winners, including Bill Saint, president and CFO of Simonini Builders (2010 winner), and Kevin Estes, owner and founder of Estes Builders (2005 and 2007 winner). NHQ Executive Council members will continue to oversee the judging and execution of the NHQ Awards.

“The NHQ Executive Council brings together many of the industry’s best minds when it comes to running a high-quality, profitable home-building business,” says David Barista, Editor-in-Chief of Professional Builder and Custom Builder and co-editor of HousingZone.com. “You can consider them among your most trusted advisors.”

The NHQ Executive Council will serve as the backbone of an enhanced, “community-based” content strategy for the Reed Construction Media residential construction brands, including Professional Builder, Professional Remodeler, Custom Builder and HousingZone.com. The editorial team will connect with subscribers, visitors and attendees through industry roundtables; exclusive research projects; and in-person and online events aimed at delivering proven, actionable solutions for builders and remodelers.

“Remodelers today need to know what works in real life, not in theory,” says Jonathan Sweet, Editor-in-Chief of Professional Remodeler and co-editor of HousingZone.com. “Bringing the insight of these industry innovators together with that of our award-winning editorial staff ensures we’ll be able to deliver the crucial information that contractors need.”

The NHQ Executive Council includes: William Asdal Founder Asdal Builders David Caligaris CEO The Green Company Bruce Case President Case Design/Remodeling Stephen Crandall Co-Owner Extended Home Living Services Jim Deitch COO Southern Crafted Homes Michael Draper Florida Division President Palm Harbor Homes Kevin Estes Owner, Founder Estes Builders Peter Feinmann President Feinmann Inc. Julian Francis Principal Market Set Dan Gorski VP, Design Studio, Purchasing, Home Building Services Veridian Homes Dan Green VP The Green Company Jeff Hunt VP Brothers Strong Residential Design Build Allison Iantosca Partner F.H. Perry Builder David Johnston Founder, President What’s Working Denis Leonard President Business Excellence Consulting Michael Luzier President, CEO NAHB Research Center Stephen Moore Senior Partner BSB Design Serge Ogranovitch Senior Partner The Potomack Group Erik Pekarski Senior VP Destinations New Home Star Chip Pennington Corporate Director, Customer Service Shea Homes Dean Potter VP, Quality and Home Production K. Hovnanian Companies Duncan Prahl Senior Research Associate IBACOS Keith Robinson President, CEO Extraordinary Talent Consulting Bill Saint CFO, Director Simonini Builders Charlie Scott Principal Woodland, O’Brien & Scott Scott Sedam President TrueNorth Development Douglas Shipman CEO Developer’s Financial Services Glenn Singer CEO Builder Partnerships Tom Stephani President Stephani Enterprises and Custom Construction Concepts

Members of the National Housing Quality Executive Council can be reached for comment via the below contact information.

Media Contact: Dean Horowitz General Manager Reed Construction Media 630-288-8180 dhorowitz@reedbusiness.com

The National Housing Quality Award is a Malcolm Baldridge-style quality and performance excellence award that Reed Construction Media has produced with the NAHB Research Center since 1992. For more on the program, visit http://www.HousingZone.com/NHQ.

Reed Construction Media is a division of Reed Business Information (RBI-US). Brands include Building Design+Construction, BDCnetwork.com, Construction Bulletin, Construction Equipment, ConstructionEquipment.com, Custom Builder, Housing Giants, HousingZone.com, LogInAndLearn.com, Professional Builder, Professional Remodeler, Spec-Check U.S., VisibleCity.com and Show Village.

Created in 1964, the NAHB Research Center (www.nahbrc.com) is a full-service product commercialization company that strives to make housing more durable, affordable and efficient. The Research Center provides public and private clients with an unrivaled depth of understanding of the housing industry and access to its business leaders.

SOURCE: Reed Construction Media

Reed Construction Media Dean Horowitz General Manager 630-288-8180 dhorowitz@reedbusiness.com

 

Select New Home Communities in Pasco County are Retaining Home Values in the Midst of the Current Housing Slowdown.

 

 

 

 

 

 Published statistics show that the Tampa area housing market has seen price decreases in the past year.  However, there are still new home communities that have held their value during these turbulent times.

 

Based on the latest edition of Rose Residential Reports, locally owned and operated homebuilding company Southern Crafted Homes has seen its Pasco County communities earn the distinction of having the highest average home value per closing through the first six months of 2008.  This is compared to the other 40 public and private homebuilding companies doing business in Pasco County that have closed more than one home this year. While other homebuilders have significantly reduced the prices of their homes in the past year, Southern Crafted Homes has not.  As a result, the home values within Southern Crafted Homes’ communities have remained very stable. In fact, its average home value per closing so far this year was 27% higher than the competition. 

 

“We look at the purchase of a home as being a long term and very personal decision,” stated Jim Deitch, executive vice president for Southern Crafted Homes. “It is the single largest investment most people will make and it is very important for us as a company to make prudent decisions that will not negatively impact the value of a home within a Southern Crafted Home community,” added Deitch.

 

There are basic fundamentals that can help protect the value of a home that should be researched and investigated thoroughly. Now more than ever, it is critical in the home buying process to fully educate yourself in order to make the “right” choice both now and in the long term. To assist people with these decisions, Southern Crafted Homes has sponsored an Internet Blog that talks about many of these important fundamentals. The Blog can be viewed at www.southerncraftedhomes.wordpress.com.  

 

Southern Crafted Homes builds exclusively in each of its three Pasco County, Florida communities which are all private, gated and contain a variety of popular amenities with no CDD fees. To view each of these communities and take a virtual tour, visit www.southerncraftedhomes.com.

 

 

 Local Homebuilder, Southern Crafted Homes, Gains Strength in Pasco County During Weak Housing Market  

 

Through the first six months of 2008, Southern Crafted Homes has posted impressive housing numbers for its communities in Pasco County, Florida that surpassed many large, publicly traded national homebuilders such as Pulte, Centex, Taylor Morrison and Windward Homes.  In the midst of a slow housing market, this private, locally owned and operated homebuilding company headquartered in Land O Lakes, Florida has moved into the top five ranking of homebuilders for gross revenue on homes closed through the first half of 2008.  “Southern Crafted Homes is the only local and private homebuilding company in the top five ranking for gross revenue on homes closed through the first six months of the year,” said Marvin Rose of Rose Residential Reports. “The excellent locations offered by Southern Crafted Homes’ communities is a huge advantage for them,” added Rose.    

 

Southern Crafted Homes obtained 39% of all villa home permits in Pasco County through the first half of the year, another indicator of the company’s continued strength. “With our 38% increase in sales this year over the same period last year, it is not surprising we have pulled such a large percentage of these permits,” said Jim Deitch, executive vice president for Southern Crafted Homes.

 

Each of Southern Crafted Homes’ three Pasco County, Florida communities is private, gated and contains a variety of popular amenities with no CDD fees. To view each of these communities and take a virtual tour, visit www.southerncraftedhomes.com.

 Bucking the trend, Southern Crafted Homes Says “Yes”

 

While many builders are limiting homebuyer’s options due to the state of the building industry, Southern Crafted Homes has launched a new campaign to do just the opposite.  The “We Say Yes” campaign allows buyers more flexibility and choices in an increasingly rigid market.  “We understand our customers are different and we strive to offer them flexibility and choices to serve their unique needs,” said Jim Deitch, executive vice president for Southern Crafted Homes.

 

Richard and Nancy Jurkiewicz recently built a home at The Preserve at Quail Woods and experienced the flexibility first hand.  “The floor plan that we liked did not meet all of our needs, but Southern Crafted Homes was willing to listen and address our issue. Various possibilities were reviewed and within one day a design modification was presented that satisfied our requirements,” stated Jurkiewicz.  “We were pleasantly surprised at the quick response and truly enjoyed our experience with a builder that placed customer satisfaction first.”

 

Southern Crafted Homes offers over 400 elevations, 30 floor plans and thousands of design options at Devonwood Villas and Stonegate in Land O’ Lakes, The Preserve at Quail Woods in Wesley Chapel and Grand Hampton in Tampa. 

 

To assist in the selection and decision process; a professional design staff is located in a state-of-the-art New Home Design Center.  The design center includes kitchen and bathroom vignettes, a lighting gallery, hundreds of flooring selections including hardwoods and designer tiles, plumbing fixtures, appliances, window treatments and pool accents.

 

 

Southern Crafted Homes Experiencing Growth

In Challenging Housing Market

 

Southern Crafted Homes has much to celebrate as 2008’s first and now second quarter sales surpassed that of the same periods in 2007.  “Our performance through the first half of the year just proves that Southern Crafted Homes is on solid ground,” said Jim Deitch, executive vice president for Southern Crafted Homes.

 

Despite current housing trends, Southern Crafted Homes has seen a 38% increase in sales through the first six months of 2008 versus the same period of 2007. Deitch attributes a major reason for the increase in sales to the abundance of options and flexibility offered to buyers while other builders are limiting their options.  Deitch also feels the financial strength of the company and the convenient locations of its communities are all vital ingredients to the success.

 

Sales for the first two quarters were spread over all four Southern Crafted Homes communities; Devonwood Villas, Stonegate, Grand Hampton and The Preserve at Quail Woods.   New construction is under way at these Tampa area communities with square footage ranging from 1630 to 4091, and prices from $199,000 to over $500,000.  To find out more about Southern Crafted Homes visit www.southerncraftedhomes.com.

 

 

Southern Crafted Homes Taking the Lead in

 “Green” Home Building

 

Southern Crafted Homes talks the talk and walks the walk when it comes to building green.  Not only is Southern Crafted Homes offering customers options and upgrades relating to green building, it is also serving on a committee to draft and implement a Green Ordinance for Pasco County.  

 

“Our commitment to green building can be seen in our products, materials and practices,” says Jim Deitch, executive vice president for Southern Crafted Homes.  “We feel it is our responsibility as a local home builder to continue building in a way that is environmentally friendly and responsible.” 

 

With regard to energy efficiency, Deitch says that the products Southern Crafted Homes offers and the specifications demanded in construction are all selected for optimal energy savings.  Daniel Portera, a new home owner in Devonwood Villas located on SR 54 in Land O’ Lakes, is ecstatic about the efficiency of his new home.  “We love the community, our neighbors, and really appreciate the quality and detail that went into the construction of our home.  One thing that amazes me is the energy efficiency of the villas in Devonwood,” stated Portera.

 

Deitch says that Southern Crafted Homes chooses to offer flexibility for the unique preferences of individual customers by providing professional guidance and experience on the cost associated versus the benefit received and weighing the impacts of these decisions on the long term impact and health of the home.

 

 

 

 

Southern Crafted Homes is Only Builder in Tampa area to Offer 4 year Home Buyer Warranty as a Standard

 

Southern Crafted Homes now offers an extended New Construction System and Appliance Agreement as a standard through 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, and is the only builder to do so in the entire Tampa area.  “We are very proud of this new addition to our home warranty program.  This is just one more example of why the purchase of a Southern Crafted home is a better value when compared with other builders in our market,” said Jim Deitch, executive vice president of Southern Crafted Homes.

 

This service agreement provides repair assistance with heating and air conditioning, plumbing and water heaters, electrical, garage door openers and kitchen appliances through the first four years of home ownership.  This coverage is in addition to the already standard 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty which has been the benchmark for homeowner protection since its establishment in 1980.

 

“Our home owners can trust that if their refrigerator or air conditioner break down three years down the road, Southern Crafted Homes will help,” said Deitch.  “Our relationship doesn’t end when you close on your home.”

 

Each home owner will have the option to renew the New Construction System and Appliance Agreement at the end of the four year term and if the home is sold, the agreement is transferable.

During this four year warranty, home owners have one point of contact for most major systems repairs and the only cost is a $50 trade fee for each visit to the home.  All other repair costs are included as part of the agreement.

 

Southern Crafted Homes offers a wide variety of homes starting at $199,000 to over $500,000 and is currently building in the private, gated communities of Devonwood Villas, Stonegate, The Preserve at Quail Woods and Grand Hampton.  Models are open in all four communities Monday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. 

 For more information on Southern Crafted Homes and its communities, visit www.southerncraftedhomes.com

 

 

Southern Crafted Homes Releases Five New Floor Plans as it Continues to Increase the Choices and Flexibility Offered to New Home Buyers.

Land O’Lakes, Fla. — Southern Crafted Homes recently announced the release of five new floor plans in the private, gated communities of Devonwood Villas and Stonegate in Land O’Lakes and The Preserve at Quail Woods in Wesley Chapel.

 

“Change is good. We are constantly evaluating the homes we build to make sure they fit the needs of our buyers and enable them to create a home that is individualistic.” said Jim Deitch, executive vice president for Southern Crafted Homes. 

 

Devonwood Villas now offers the Kingston and Rochester which feature two bedrooms, two baths and two car garages starting at $199,000.  Devonwood Villas is located on SR 54, one mile west of US 41 and offers low-maintenance luxury villas with no CDD fees.

 

The Preserve at Quail Woods and Stonegate recently added the Carlysle, Windsor and Turnbury.  The one-story Carlysle with 1,981 square feet features three bedrooms, two baths with den starting at $270,000.  The one-story Windsor with 2,013 square feet features four bedrooms and three baths starting at $299,000.  The two-story Turnbury with 2,074 square feet features three bedrooms, two and a half baths, loft, optional fourth bedroom and three kitchen/dining room options, starting at $279,000.  

 

“These unique floor plans came directly from the input of our buyers and local realtors,” said Deitch, adding, “and we’re anxious to show them off in our new inventory homes that will be completed this fall.”

 

The Preserve at Quail Woods located west of I-75 off Old Pasco Rd. in Wesley Chapel, offers an abundance of conservation and waterfront home sites with no CDD fees.  Stonegate, located on SR 54 two miles west of US 41 in Pasco County, is a master planned community with no CDD fees and a multitude of amenities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southern Crafted Homes Honors “The Best of the Best” Realtors and brokers

 

TAMPA, Fla. (June 18, 2008) – Southern Crafted Homes filled the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino recently with more than just gambling when the home builder honored its top performing realtors and brokers.

 

 Jim Deitch, executive vice president of Southern Crafted Homes said “we realize that our  success would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our local brokers and realtors.”

 

During the awards ceremony 58 awards were handed out.    The three brokers awarded the honor of “The Best of  the Best” were Judy Schaffer of Coldwell Banker, Marilyn Downing of New Homes America and Johnny Loewy of Exit Extreme Realty.   

 

Realtors Rose Mays of New Homes America and Dayana Nardi of Exit Extreme Realty were awarded the honor of “Top Agent.” 

 

Jack Harris, co-host of A.M. Tampa Bay was emcee of the event, which included a sit-down dinner and a raffle for a free trip and gas cards, compliments of Platinum Residential Mortgage, LLC.  The evening ended with a cash gift for each attendee to experience the casino.  “It was an evening of celebration, filled with appreciation and excitement” said Deitch.

 

Southern Crafted Homes, a local home builder in the Tampa Bay area for more than 18 years, saw growth in 2007 and continues to see growth in 2008.  “We could not have done it without our local realtors and brokers, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts,” said Deitch.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Tom Liebrecht, Vice President, Southern Crafted Homes 813-909-9644 tliebrecht@southerncraftedhomes.com;

 

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

 

 

About Southern Crafted Homes

Southern Crafted Homes, established in 1990, has built new homes in 20 communities throughout the Tampa Bay area and is currently building in The Preserve at Quail Woods in Wesley Chapel, Stonegate and Devonwood Villas in Land O’ Lakes and Grand Hampton in Tampa. Southern Crafted Homes has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work,” by the Tampa Bay Business Journal for two consecutive years: 2006 and 2007.

 

1 November 2009

Southern Crafted Homes

Remarkable Sales Performance

Looking back the year did not seem so remarkable. But September and October were beaming lights for Southern Crafted Homes. For the period of 1 September through 31 October the company saw a 68% increase in sales over the same period the year before. Reluctant to call it a trend it is still a positive signal that better days are ahead for the homebuilding industry in the Tampa Bay area.

 

 

 

North Tampa Homebuilder, Southern Crafted Homes,

Posts Impressive Sales Activity

 

Southern Crafted Homes held a tremendously successful sales event on inventory homes for President’s Day from February 14 through February 22, and the sales just keep coming.  Within one month Southern Crafted Homes sold 11 homes in the private, gated communities of Devonwood, Stonegate and Grand Hampton in North Tampa.  In order to meet the demands of the increased sales activity; Southern Crafted Homes has submitted for five more permits in Pasco County and has already begun construction on almost a dozen new inventory homes in Hillsborough and Pasco County.

 

“We just started building 11 new inventory homes throughout The Preserve at Quail Woods, Stonegate and Grand Hampton,” said Jim Deitch, chief operating officer for Southern Crafted Homes.  “We continue to practice the core value Southern Crafted Homes was built on 20 years ago; to build higher quality into every home.”

 

Southern Crafted Homes has model centers open seven days a week in its four North Tampa communities of Devonwood, Grand Hampton, The Preserve at Quail Woods and Stonegate.  Homes range from 1,415 to 4,091 square feet, with prices from the $190s to over $700,000.

 

To learn more about Southern Crafted Homes and its communities visit http://www.southerncraftedhomes.com

 

 

Southern Crafted Homes hosts Realtor Preview and Open House to Announce Release of Two New Floor Plans in Devonwood

Southern Crafted Homes previewed two new floor plans in the private, gated community of Devonwood in North Tampa, by hosting a special realtor preview on February 26 and open house for the public on February 28.

 

“Change is good. We are constantly evaluating the homes we build to make sure they fit the needs of our buyers and enable them to create a home that is individualistic.” said Jim Deitch, chief operating officer for Southern Crafted Homes. 

 

Starting from the $190s, the Kingston contains 1431 square feet of living area and features two bedrooms, two baths and a spacious two car garage.  The Rochester contains 1415 square feet of living area and features two bedrooms, two baths and a unique courtyard-style two car garage.  Both new floor plans are available at Devonwood, a villa community which offers a low maintenance lifestyle and no CDD fees.  Devonwood is conveniently located on SR 54, one mile west of US 41.

 

To find out more about Devonwood and the new floor plans, visit www.devonwoodvillas.com

 

Southern Crafted Homes Hosts Pottery Barn at Grand Hampton

 

There was no mistaking spring was in the air as Southern Crafted Homes welcomed Pottery Barn into its Strathmore model at Grand Hampton.

 

On Saturday, February 21 Southern Crafted Homes hosted a design seminar with Pottery Barn to display this year’s spring colors and décor.  Two design professionals from Pottery Barn at The Shops at Wiregrass were on hand to put on a demonstration and answer the many questions fielded by those in attendance. 

 

“I have been in the Strathmore model at Grand Hampton numerous times and was pleasantly surprised to walk in on Saturday and see the entire family room, dining room and kitchen illuminated with vibrant colors and greenery,” said Jim Deitch, chief operating officer for Southern Crafted Homes.  “It just goes to show how some simple decorating changes can give a room a whole new look and feel.”

 

The designers taught fundamental rules of decorating such as; repeat, repeat, repeat,  while guests were served lunch.  This month, the roles were reversed as Southern Crafted Homes was at The Shops at Wiregrass for the Green Building Expo on March 14.

 

To learn more about Southern Crafted Homes at Grand Hampton visit www.grandhamptontampa.com