This episode of the Tracewater Homes podcast features Leslie Dion of Abbott Martin Group EXP Realty, the sales agent for the Walton and Okaloosa County area, who discusses the value, quality, and convenience of building a new home with Tracewater Homes.

The key points of the discussion include:

• Convenience and the Building Process: Leslie highlights that her favorite aspect of Tracewater Homes is the convenience of their simple 12-step process, which helps alleviate the stress and nervousness buyers often have about new construction. Tracewater Homes manages the entire process, including lot clearing and utility coordination, to provide a complete "turnkey product," taking the burden off buyers who may only build one or two homes in their lifetime.
• Affordability and Market Growth: Leslie, who lives and works in the area, discusses the increasing value and affordability of homes north of the bay, in areas like Niceville and Freeport, compared to locations closer to the coast like Santa Rosa Beach. She notes that the lack of developable land near the coast is driving growth north, creating a lot of opportunity in places like Freeport and DeFuniak. Tracewater Homes offers a lower price per square foot by providing options like second-story additions.
• Value and Quality: The team emphasizes Tracewater Homes' commitment to quality, including standard features such as 9-foot ceilings and hooded kitchen vents, which are typically considered upgrades by other builders.
• Benefits to Buyers and Agents:
  • Customization and Design: The Builder Trend app allows clients to be as hands-on or hands-off as they prefer, even designing their home from the comfort of their couch. The app allows clients to preview and see the financial impact of their selections, and all selections and pricing are finalized upfront.
  • Financial Stability: Pre-pricing all selections before construction allows clients to secure financing for the full cost before closing on their construction loan, limiting the chances of them having to pay out-of-pocket for change orders later.
  • Insurance and Longevity: New construction with Tracewater Homes helps solve the problem of high insurance costs in Florida. The use of materials like steel framing and LP Smart Side results in lower insurance rates and also eliminates the risk of termite damage, a "silent killer of homes". The goal is to build homes that will be good for 20, 30, or 40 years.
  • Communication: For agents, Tracewater Homes provides convenience by taking over weekly client communication and job site updates with photos via the Builder Trend app.
  • Timeframe: The typical construction window is about eight months from the time the building permit is secured.

The hosts and Leslie conclude by emphasizing the company's focus on being a family-owned business that provides a good product, customer service, and customer experience for everyone involved.