River Bluffs: Meet the Builder

The beautiful village community of River Bluffs offers residents a wonderful mix of first-class amenities, a great location just minutes from all of Wilmington NC’s conveniences, a builder team focused on quality and craftsmanship, and a gorgeous natural setting unlike any other you’ll find in the Coastal Carolinas!

The neighborhood’s newest amenity, the Riverwalk offers all residents of River Bluffs the opportunity to enjoy the river, not just those with riverfront lots. The Riverwalk is the longest, privately funded, overwater Riverwalk in the country, measuring 2,700 feet long! The Riverwalk joins popular neighborhood amenities, including Porches Cafe, which offers residents and visitors (it’s open to the public!) – delicious lunch, dinner, and dessert options seven days a week. Residents enjoy first-class amenities such as a resort-style pool and fitness center, tennis & pickleball courts and a half-basketball court, many elevated walking trails and miles of nature trails, rv & boat storage, boat slips, a boat & kayak launch, a community mail center, meeting spaces, a community farm (Farm Market) and ample covered decks and patios for relaxing and gathering together with friends.

The River Bluffs lifestyle is about living life to the fullest and 2018 promises to be the best one yet for this growing village community.

Karen Clow interviews Dave and gains insight on the PBC building process!

Building A Recovery: Dave Spetrino

Custom homebuilder Dave Spetrino shares the lessons he’s learned and how he’s moved on from the Great Recession. (photo by Michael Cline Spencer)

By Dave Spetrino

Putting on my play clothes after school to go work on my “fort” in the woods behind our house was the best part of my childhood. I’ve always wanted to build things – I would ask for nails for my birthday, preferably 16-penny.

Fast-forward to college, and it was fascinating. But I couldn’t wait to graduate and get to work – taking extra hours each semester and a couple stints of summer school. I was out early. As a business major, my courses centered around process, marketing, management and growth.

Looking back, I didn’t get what I needed most: a genuine understanding as to what to do when things go bad, really bad.

I’ve been self-employed since I was 19, and there have been plenty of cycles in the economy since that time.

I paid attention, I asked questions and I was certain I would never repeat the same mistakes of those who had failed during those ups and downs.

But no one seemed immune to the Great Recession.

One could argue that our local real estate, development and construction industries took it the hardest, not just in jobs lost – thousands – but also the number of failed enterprises, bruised relationships and slashed real estate values.

These days the company I founded with David Nathans in 1997 – originally Plantation Fine Homes, then Plantation Building Corp. and now PBC Design+Build with my current partner Kyle Henry – builds homes.

Unlike a traditional retail business, the margins for construction companies are narrow. Beyond consumer demand you’re relying heavily on strong management, a stable pool of skilled labor and limited movement in commodity pricing.

A few percentage points in the wrong direction, and you end up working for free.

Prior to 2009, it was understood that a change in market conditions would affect our business, but we believed we were well-prepared for a downturn, certainly nothing that couldn’t be managed.

Our assumption was flawed, as our overhead extended well beyond our gross profit and as real estate values reset. I learned that a bank can ask for more money against an existing loan to keep their ratios in balance.

Actually I learned a lot more than that in 2009 – new words like “compliance,” “forbearance” and “curtailment.” While I was fortunate to avoid words like “insolvency” and “bankruptcy,” I can fully articulate the differences between Chapters 9, 11 and 13.

I’m grateful to look back with relief, and our approach is dramatically different today than that of a decade ago.

Construction and real estate are very broad descriptors. Wilmington is a small town, and we spent years trying to be everything to everyone – commercial, development, multifamily, remodeling and custom homes.

Today PBC Design+Build is a custom homebuilder serving the Wilmington region. That’s it.

We are still presented with many opportunities to diversify, but by politely declining, it makes it that much easier to fine-tune our processes and concentrate on what we do well.

There hasn’t been a time in history where homes were ever more complex. It goes beyond government regulations and the building code. It means understanding how homes are built and what it takes to make sure a decision on day 14 doesn’t have a negative consequence that may not materialize until months (or even years) later.

I get asked daily about our local market, about interest rates. Like a bunch of others in the real estate business, I guess we’ve unceremoniously become somewhat of a bellwether. I predict the next correction won’t be as bad as the last because guys like me (hopefully) matured to the point of some restraint and constant reality checks – something I lacked more than a decade ago.

But there will be a correction, and for those who have prepared, the opportunities will continue to materialize, and others will not be as fortunate.

I don’t know exactly what will cause the next correction, but I can tell you what keeps me up at night: There are a lot of moving parts that touch the costs associated with construction.

Regulatory and environmental challenges, immigration, lack of truly skilled labor and an aging pool of business owners whose children aren’t necessarily going to follow in their parents’ footsteps.

Affordability is going to get worse as well, and it will become more noticeable as both interest rates and hard costs rise.

Homes are the very last consumer product that is completely handmade. I believe we’ll see more efficiencies in construction like those we see in Europe and Asia where walls are mass-produced and assembled like a kit.

You’ll still see housing built, but fading will be the thought, character and emotion that comes with the art of design and the talent of a tradesman.

Feeling completely safe or immune to the next set of challenges in the economy isn’t likely to occur, but we do enjoy a maturity that only comes from experience.

We step back more often than we like to retool or readjust one of our processes – it’s not perfect. It will never be perfect – but it will be great.

Dave Spetrino is president and founder of Wilmington-based PBC Design+Build.

WilmingtonBiz Magazine

Real Estate Scorecard chats with Dave about Brunswick Forest

Real Estate Scorecard is an industry leader of online real estate reviews, providing in depth information about the most popular master planned communities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

By Margie Casey

If you’re one of the 76 million Baby Boomers approaching retirement, it’s likely the happiest time of your life. After working hard and diligently saving, for many, now’s the time to cash in the rewards and what better place than in one of the North Carolina’s most beautiful coastal areas. Wilmington is found in a string of barrier islands connected by the famous Cape Fear River. Boomers love Wilmington because it’s not too far from family and friends in the northeast, the region rarely experiences snow and it boasts over 200 days of beautiful sunshine.

When folks first dabble into exploring Wilmington NC real estate for retirement, it’s natural to start by exploring communities who were built in the early 1980’s. Amenities are in and the curb appeal is apparent. Yet for some, the downside to living in older communities is the awareness that resale homes are often outdated and homesites to build a new home don’t exist. Older homes built in the 1980’s and 90’s are typically smaller, have low ceilings, smaller bathrooms, short doors, and limited glass. These type of renovations are costly which makes building a new home far more attractive.

We had the opportunity to chat with one of the most respected custom home builders in Wilmington NC, Dave Spetrino of Plantation Building Corp, a company established in 1997 who agreed with us that building a new home will make you happier in the long run for many reasons.  According to Spetrino “products and trends are constantly evolving, colors and features come and go – but a good design is timeless”. This is why they’ve become “obsessed with design and approach”.

Plantation Building Corp is one of Brunswick Forest’s preferred custom home builders who builds about a dozen homes in Brunswick Forest every year, as well 30 or so in 18 other communities in one of the best coastal towns in North Carolina. Their homes have spacious open floor plans, lots of windows to capture the outdoor beauty and their homes are technologically brilliant. They’ve won dozens of home building awards. Before they ever put a pencil to paper, they spend 2-3 months getting to know the client and their retirement lifestyle. Do they cook and entertain? Are they gardeners? How large is their family that will visit during the holidays? Do they need a split floor plan or bedrooms upstairs? Do they need a workshop, mud room or office?

Some interesting stats about Plantation Building Corp clients:

  • 63% are empty nesters
  • 56% live out of the area during the home building process
  • 27% choose 3 car garages
  • 17% build swimming pools
  • 16% choose waterfront

Spetrino describes the typical Brunswick Forest buyer as “middle to upper class clientele, educated, have strong marriages and are financially sound. As buyers who have been sacrificing and saving and are now their willing to splurge on themselves. They want the upgraded appliances, modern fixtures and accessories.” This is why Plantation Building Corp has clients pick their appliances and fixtures first so they have an idea of the level of quality the client desires in their home. From start to finish, clients will be happy to know the entire process to take less than 12 months. The best statistic of all, they’ve achieved 100% satisfaction! Take a peek at what clients have to say about them:

Plantation Building Corp Testimonials

The Cate Greene is Plantation Building Corp’s most popular model. This beauty is like no other home in Brunswick Forest. Situated perfectly on the 11th tee of the Cape Fear National Golf Course, the home was designed to capture sunsets and golf games with floor to ceiling windows across the back. It won BEST DESIGN MASTER BATH overall and the SILVER award in the 2016 Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association Parade of Homes. Be sure to tour the Cate Greene model when you visit Brunswick Forest located in one of the best coastal towns in North Carolina.

Plantation Building Corp has found over the years people typically spend $75,000-$90,000 more on building a new home versus purchasing a resale. The reward; the home is more energy efficient, it’s tailored to their interests, has a more functional floor plan and is built with lower maintenance materials. Spetrino admits “building is rarely the less expensive option but the benefits of new construction is the long term savings from utility costs and deferred maintenance that will ultimately by on the horizon”. We agree, new construction doesn’t provide an immediate benefit but it does provide immediate happiness from having something perfectly designed and built for you. We love the fact that their custom home building team takes the time to study the homesite selection to maximize the sunrise, sunset and vista views common at Brunswick Forest. It’s a photographers dream.

Since 2005, Brunswick Forest has welcomed over 1,800 families. It’s conveniently located, has incredible curb appeal, optional golf at their own Cape Fear National golf course and they are constantly adding new amenities such as swimming pools as the community continues to grow. Amenities currently include:

  • 18 Hole Championship Golf Course designed by NC native Tim Cate
  • Golf Clubhouse with restaurant and bar
  • 18,000 Square Foot Fitness & Wellness Center with lounge
  • Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pools
  • 5 Hard Surface Tennis Courts and a Sport Court
  • 6 Hard Surface Pickleball Courts
  • Community Parks and Gardens
  • 100+ Miles of Walking, Biking and Nature Trails
  • Canoe, Kayak and Small Boat Launch

We also like the fact that Brunswick Forest is a walkable and bicycle friendly community. You can leave the car at home. The Villages at Brunswick Forest is the community’s 500,000 square feet town square with a grocery store, restaurant and pizzeria, a famous coffee shop, banks and medical practices.

Spetrino loves building at Brunswick Forest. “The greatest people I’ve ever worked with live in Brunswick Forest. A true sense of community, not just an anomaly.”

If you’re considering Wilmington NC real estate for retirement, call Brunswick Forest now at 877-588-4313 to schedule a tour.

 

Great article about moving to Brunswick Forest!

A good read from the Real Estate Showcase about Brunswick Forest, an award winning  master-planned community nestled beside Wilmington, NC!

 

Do you dream of a tropical backyard retreat centered around a refreshing pool, a luxurious lanai and a gourmet summer kitchen? Is a Southern manor more your style, where sweeping porches are marked by stately columns and rocking chairs for family and neighbors? Perhaps your heart desires to work with an architect to create the stunning masterpiece that (for now) exists only in your imagination.

It’s all possible in Brunswick Forest’s premier neighborhoods of Cape Fear National, Cypress Pointe and Banyan Bay. The homes are upscale, the amenities rival any country club community without the initiation fees, and the warm, welcoming environment is a pervasive breath of fresh air.

Most of the homes in Cape Fear National are customizable, with residents working one-on-one with a member of the esteemed builder team. Cypress Pointe and Banyan Bay offer a portfolio of established floor plans with the ability to personalize them inside and out.

Dave Spetrino, President and CEO of Plantation Building Corp, whose company has built more than 70 homes in Brunswick Forest since 2009, explained the process. “It’s fairly comprehensive, from determining how to best site the home based on views or the sun, to creating a floor plan that meets our clients’ needs and their new, local lifestyle,” he said. “We ask a lot of questions to really understand not only who our clients are, but how they plan to live in their new home.”

LIFE + STYLE

Jerry Helms, Director of Sales and Marketing at Brunswick Forest, underscored the desirability of
the community’s premier neighborhoods. “In most cases, people who build here have worked very hard to achieve a fine lifestyle and now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of their labors,” he said. “Brunswick Forest is a natural fit because we have several neighborhoods that epitomize the pinnacle of retirement living.”

Helms continued, “But the appeal of Brunswick Forest reaches well beyond retirees. Families of all ages are finding the community has a wealth of amenities and styles of living.” In addition to the renowned golf course, Brunswick Forest offers residents three swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center, miles of scenic walking and biking trails, a creek-side boat launch, and an onsite town center with shopping and dining, as well as quality medical care and other services.

“Without a doubt, Brunswick Forest is the new home community in our area,” said Spetrino. “The quality of the infrastructure and the strength of the developer reassure our clients that they are making a good decision for their forever home.”

Spetrino also emphasized the diversity in price points, home site sizes and home types. “Everyone feels as though they will fit in, no matter which section of the community they choose,” he said. “ Most importantly, neighbors are what make a neighborhood great. We joke about how little free time our owners have after they move in. Brunswick Forest residents really enjoy their time being active within the community, whether on the golf course, socializing or giving back.”

Brunswickforest.pdf

RiverView Townes is OPEN for business!

RiverLights hosted a 5k “Glow Run” and officially lit the holiday lights on Saturday, December 3rd.  Meanwhile, RiverView Townes also made a long awaited debut by opening the gorgeous 8′ entry doors to the eager public!

We received excellent feedback and appreciate all the people who visited as PBC is very proud of this project.

RiverView Townes Holiday Opening

100k Saves on Houzz

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This little icon means that Houzz users have downloaded our pictures or used our ideas over 100,000 times!

Please visit our Houzz page to see what all the buzz is about:

David Spetrino in wilmington, NC on Houzz

 

 

 

Oktoberfest at RiverView Townes

On Thursday October 27th, PBC,  One Properties Group + OnQ Financial celebrated a gorgeous fall evening at the RiverView Townes.  This exclusive broker event was to introduce the locals to the neighborhood and see what the Townes have to offer in finishes + details.  The first two units are scheduled to be completed late November and we are tentatively scheduling an “Open House Party” in early December!

Check out the video and watch to the very end to see another gorgeous Wilmington sunset!

Wilmington October Sunset!

Diamond Award Winner

The Brunswick County Parade of Homes awarded PBC with a Diamond Award at the celebratory banquet last night!  Yes, the diamond is the size of Jon Henry’s head!

Gray Kitchen Love

 

Are gray kitchens neutral??? We get asked this all the time! Gray kitchens are gorgeous and timeless! Chrissy worked closely with the homeowner on this gem, incorporating a wood block island at the sink end that is stunning.

For more information and tips on gray kitchens, click on the Houzz link here!