For most people, a home will be the most significant purchase of their lives, especially when it comes to a custom home.
That’s why experience and integrity matter.
Billy Johnson, of Amberwood Homes, has been building custom homes for 35 years, and even after all this time, he remains as involved in each client’s homebuilding process as ever.
He takes his clients through each phase of the process, lending his expertise to ensure they have their perfect home for the right price.
Billy’s involvement goes beyond meetings and emails. In fact, clients can call Billy on his personal cell phone. Many also have visited his home themselves, and they end the homebuilding process as friends.
“Usually, by the time we get done, we’re the best of friends, and I don’t know very many homeowners I couldn’t go have dinner with any time I wanted,” Billy said.
This involvement is key in producing the perfect home and avoiding unnecessary and unexpected costs.
All clients benefit from a consultation with their homebuilder before ever looking at a lot or drafting designs with an architect.
According to Billy, buying a lot before speaking with their homebuilder is the biggest mistake most homebuyers make, as they might not be aware of the building plans for the lots around their desired lot. Additionally, the homebuyer might not be conscious of the lot’s building pocket, which determines how large of a house can be built on the lot.
At Amberwood Homes, the process is easy, as Billy can help make recommendations during the lot-purchasing process, and he has a long-term relationship with a draftsman to draw up the plans.
When many homebuyers enter the design process, their architect may not be conscious of their budget. For example, expensive blueprints can be created, only for the client to unknowingly come to the homebuilder with plans for a home out of their price range.
“The last thing I want them to do is meet with an architect all by themselves because the architect is not a builder,” said Billy. “Architects do not get the pricing, and he’s likely going to draw up what they describe to him, and their imagination is going to go wild.”
For Billy, keeping the homebuyer on budget and managing expectations is key to successfully completing the perfect home.
“They’re certainly emotionally involved and they should be,” said Billy. “I am also, but I’m looking out down the road. They’re not.”
Once the homebuyer has the desired lot, as well as the design plans and a set budget, communication throughout the process remains key. Billy and his team continue to stay in close contact with their clients throughout the process.
“If you’re going to be building a custom home, that’s not a simple job,” said Billy. “You can’t just write a check and say, ‘Call me when it’s done.’”
“I’m going to be on top of everything they’re doing,” he continued.
This process has earned Billy his reputation, an abundance of referrals, repeat clients and a long history of satisfied homebuyers.
For Billy, one of the most important parts of the process is his rapport with the homebuyer. After building homes for 35 years, his work stands for itself, but making the difference is his relationship with his clients.
“I know I can build a house perfect and someone might say, ‘Are you sure about that? Because perfect is a big word,’” said Billy. “Well, I can guarantee I’ll build it as good as it can be built, and I’ll challenge anybody on that statement.”
For more information about Amberwood Homes, visit amberwoodhomes.com, or call (480) 832-8161.