Nov/Dec 2012 Builder Update Article - Regent HOmes

1. Builder Profile
Pictured: Dave Brown
Standout
Building Process
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ive-star customer service, friendly and building the relationship and trust which attention to detail. But when Brown is not
responsive communication, quality carries through the entire building process.” there personally, Regent Homes’ homeowners
building techniques, highly-livable floor As the BIA’s 2012 president, Brown has been will happily take over to talk about how much
plans, stylish exteriors with mega curb appeal recognized for his prime building, business they love their houses.
-- many elements combine to give Regent and interpersonal skills. He uses those same For example, recently a house-hunting
Homes buyers an outstanding homebuilding talents to help his buyers. couple visited a Galena neighborhood where
experience. “I sincerely believe we provide exceptional Regent Homes is building, hoping to tour one
But one of Regent Homes’ most powerful customer service for our clients,” says Brown. of the company’s homes. A neighbor pointed
benefits is that clients work directly with the “We take a lot of time and energy with every out a house Regent Homes had just completed,
company owner, getting fast and informed house that we build, improving things and and the couple knocked on the door. The
answers to their questions and ensuring that making sure that everything is right.” homeowner invited them in, showed them all
their new home reflects their needs and Brown is so committed to being accessible around, and raved about how great it was to
preferences. to his buyers, that he gives each one his build with Regent Homes. That motivated the
“Since our clients are working with the cell phone number. From design through couple to immediately call Brown and begin
company president, they can make decisions their own home building experience.
completion, he is available to guide them
on the spot and they have a direct line of through every phase of the process.
communication straight to the top throughout In particular, Brown likes to take prospective Quality throughout
the building process,” explains Regent Homes clients through the homes Regent Homes has Regent Homes’ staff, including their award-
president, Dave Brown. “It allows us to begin built to show them the workmanship and winning building superintendent and
2 • Nov/Dec 2012 • Builder Update

2. experienced engineer, help ensure detail- quality and get projects completed and sold. suddenly I found a totally new value in my
perfect construction. Brown’s ultra-organized A Certified Public Accountant and a licensed membership. The key is participation.”
approach to building, which includes effective Realtor, Brown capitalized on his expertise in At Regent Homes, Brown pays close
systems, paperwork and checklists, ensures both homebuilding and finance to start Regent attention to the people side of his business.
craftsmanship and keeps the operation Homes in 2001. One of the company’s strong Relationships are critical to his success, and
flowing smoothly. points is its ability to continually improve he creates trust with all those who work with
“We build homes that really work from products based on buyer feedback before, Regent Homes, including vendors, city officials,
a livability standpoint,” explains Brown. “I during and after the sale. “We are diligent on bankers and clients.
approach the design process as a person with new product development,” says Brown. Brown says he always keeps in mind a
a family that lives in a house, and I watch philosophy his parents instilled -- treat others
how we live, interact, function and how Leading the BIA the way you want to be treated. And he most
we entertain. And we’re always looking for enjoys providing his clients with homes they
features and amenities to put in the house As this year’s BIA president, Brown made
membership a strong focus. “I believe our will really love and an experience that makes
that bring some wow factor.” Company floor them happy.
plans include must-haves like great kitchen primary focus needs to be on retention first
and new members second,” he says. “Our customers are well informed about
designs and mudrooms with built in lockers.
Brown remembers how he became an the entire process and are involved every
Regent Homes builds homes priced from
involved BIA member. “I took the next step step of the way,” says Brown. “What this
the low $300s to the $500s in some of central
and started to get involved,” says Brown. As an provides them with is peace of mind that
Ohio’s most sought after communities,
active member he created relationships with they have made a sound decision and
including Ballantrae in Dublin, Golf Village
and Scioto Reserve in Powell, Avonlea in Lewis people throughout our industry. “I met new that they are working with someone that
Center, Manors at Willow Bend in Westerville people, started to learn what our organization cares not only about them, but about their
and Cheshire Woods in Galena. did for us and the resources it provided, and investment.”
The company’s homes feature beautiful
and unique Craftsman-inspired exteriors. The
Craftsman architectural style originally wowed
Brown when he first encountered it during a
visit to Nashville -- and it continues to set his
company apart today.
A semi-custom builder, Regent Homes gives
buyers the opportunity to make choices in
design and features and to customize their
homes.
“Dave’s attention to detail and his follow-up
have been impeccable,” a Regent Homes buyer
recently wrote in an enthusiastic letter. “He’s
focused on delivering outstanding customer
service and an outstanding product.”
Passion for homebuilding
Brown grew up in Mentor, Ohio, the fourth of
seven kids and the only boy. When Brown was
only 19, his father lost his battle with cancer. “I
learned at a fairly young age about adversity
At a Glance
and that life sometimes isn’t fair,” says Brown. BIA involvement
CPB
“My mother was truly amazing. While I cannot • ember since 2002
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imagine how difficult it was for her, she picked • 012 President of the BIA
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herself up and kept our family moving forward. • IA Board of Trustees 2009 - 2012
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Certified Professional Builder
Building Industry Association of Central Ohio
She is an inspiration to me today.” • 011 Next Generation Builder of the Year
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Brown started out at Ohio State University • 011 BIA Superintendent of the Year – Jim Jones
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as a mechanical engineering major, but he • 010 BIA Superintendent of the Year – Jim Jones
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quickly discovered that finance was a better • 009 BIA Next Generation Builder of the Year
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fit and changed his major to accounting. After • ertified Professional Builder
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graduation he began work for Deloitte Haskins
and Sells CPAs. Other distinctions
Two years later he took a job with one • uilder Magazine Fast Track Top 100 Companies 2005
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of his clients, Red Roof Inns, working with • oted #1 Builder in Madison County for 2006
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the division that built and rehabbed hotels. • AHB Builder 20 Club
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“This was where I got my first taste of the • olumbus Board of Realtors
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construction industry and learned about job • ertified Public Accountant
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costing and project management,” he says. • icensed Realtor
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Brown moved on to become the chief
operating officer and president of Gemstar Contact Regent Homes at 4974 Cemetery Rd, Hilliard,
Homes, where he became very involved in OH 43026, (614) 529-2927, dbrown@regent-homes.
operations. He helped Gemstar improve their com or visit www.regent-homes.com
Builder Update • Nov/Dec 2012 • 3