Personal

Builders, Blogs and Residential Real Estate, Oh My!

by Rich

Where and how does a residential homebuilder begin his first blog post? From the beginning I presume. My name is Rich Van Tassel, and this is the first of what I anticipate will be many blog entries designed to inform readers about our company’s activities, as well as the general trends and practices in the booming Triangle real estate market.

Who is Rich Van Tassel?

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed building and construction, especially the planning required to do it well. While in college, I started building decks for other builders in the Triangle, and that eventually led to the formation of a framing crew. As fate would have it, that very same framing crew paved the way for my first construction loan, as well as the opportunity to build my first home. After figuring out that I could actually make a living working for myself, entering into the homebuilding industry became a no-brainer. To me, it was simply glorified “tree house building.” That same child-like passion stays with me today, and remains one of the reasons I truly love my job.

I started Royal Oaks Building Group after 15 years in the construction industry. I saw an enormous potential in the Triangle real estate market, and in 2002, decided to jump in feet first with the goal of becoming the best and most well-trusted homebuilder in Raleigh.

What is Royal Oaks Building Group?

Royal Oaks Building Group, LLC builds fine homes throughout Raleigh, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Cary, Apex and Chapel Hill. Locally owned and operated, we focus on quality of design, construction and customer service, offering a portfolio of plans and a wide selection of standard features from which to choose in price ranges from starters to multimillion-dollar luxury homes. We are a member of the Raleigh-Wake County Home Builders Association and have received multiple gold and silver awards from the HBA Parade of Homes. Our homes and our customers speak for themselves.

Last year, Royal Oaks Building Group, LLC was listed by the Triangle Business Journal as the 18th largest builder by volume in the Raleigh-Durham area and the 12th fastest growing privately held company in the Triangle on the Fast 50 list, with 131 homes and nearly $28.8 million in revenue. We are very proud of these accomplishments, but we always remember that our growth and success has be a direct result of solid business planning and the ability to learn from past experiences – both the good and the bad. Growing the company organically, we have become witnessed success one neighborhood – or half a neighborhood – at a time.

What will this Blog cover?

Every week, I plan to add new entries discussing everything from our activities in the many new residential and mixed use communities being developed in the Triangle and expert analysis on building trends in the market, to advice on the best ways to buy a new home. There is much to be said on these subjects, and with my years of experience and considerable involvement in the Triangle real estate market, I hope to provide you with the latest and most helpful information on these subjects.

Other Royal Oaks staff will also chime in occasionally, contributing to this blog due to their expertise and inside knowledge of the residential real estate industry. Likely contributors will include:

• Elaine Bridges, vice president of sales and marketing. Since naming Elaine in 2004, Royal Oaks has increased its building growth from 51 homes and $10.6 million in revenue to in 131 homes and nearly $29 million in total revenue in 2006. She is a founding member of Women in Real Estate Marketing and Sales (WIRMS) and was recently named one of the 25 most influential women in the Triangle by the Triangle Business Journal.

• Paige Lowder, controller. Paige oversees the leadership and coordination of the company’s financial planning, debt financing and budget management functions, as well as recommends benchmarks for measuring the financial and operating performance of divisions and departments. Prior to joining our team, she gained over seven years of industry experience, highlighted by her work as controller and business manager for a residential builder in Apex, N.C.

I believe this blog will be a fun, yet informative and factual look at what our company can offer for advice and recommendations. For more information about us, please visit our Web site, and check back soon for our next blog posting.

Rich Van Tassel is President of Royal Oaks Building Group, LLC, a home building company founded in 2002 in Raleigh, North Carolina. During his first year in business with Royal Oaks, he built 38 homes with $6.8 million in total revenue. By 2006, Royal Oaks Building Group, LLC was listed by the Triangle Business Journal as the 18th largest builder by volume in the Raleigh-Durham and the 12th fastest growing, privately held company in the Triangle on the Fast 50 list, with 131 homes and $28.8 million in revenue. He resides in Apex, North Carolina.

Permalink |  Save on del.ico.us

1. Great blog, Rich! Hope you will enjoy the blogosphere! I am a guest blooger with Patty too. She and her group are amazing! Hi to ‘Laine!

   -Heather Bunn, VP of Marketing HPW

   
   — Heather Bunn    Nov 1, 11:25 AM    #

Commenting is closed for this article.