Community Sales

I received a comment on this Blog from an anonymous resident who raised a concern over the sizes and prices of homes that we are currently offering in the community. I would like to briefly address this.

First, I was available at the Home Owner's Association meeting to discuss these very issues. Unfortunately, they were not brought up and the meeting was very poorly attended. We will be turning over control of the association in the relatively near future and it will be imperative at that time that we get significant turn outs to these meetings. I encourage folks to attend and raise questions or concerns - that is what the meetings are for. I always stay after the meeting to discuss issues one-on-one.

As I mentioned at the meeting, we went ten months last year without a single sale. Without delving into the private affairs of my business, I would think that common sense would tell anyone that a business can not run without a sale for ten months. We spent that time re-negotiating contracts with vendors and suppliers to drive the cost of our construction down so that we could become more affordable in what is now a Global Real Estate Recession. We also spent that time downsizing and laying off those wonderful people that helped build the homes you live in. Sam Groves, Matt Ott and Debbie Dukes all had to go. Luckily Matt and Debbie are back with the company in other capacities, but White Cedars could no longer support them.

The choice became simple. We could either abandon the Community like Kara Homes or Elliott Builders had to do and leave empty lots and unpaved streets. Or we could accept the market, adjust our product and complete this community. Out of the several residents I have spoken to across all of our communities, all have agreed that completing the community was the only choice to really retain and protect future values.

Tim Schaeffer Communities will never walk away from a customer or community.

All of that said I am still open to suggestions and comments. A long time friend and repeat customer of Tim Schaeffer Communities came into our sales office a few weeks ago and complained of the fact that a new model was being offered without any masonry on the front. Yes, this was to cut costs, but after consideration of the complaint we agreed that it was valid and (aside from the ones that have been built) we will go back to including partial masonry fronts standard on all of our models.

We still believe that White Cedars is the premier community in Winslow Township and we have enjoyed working with all of you. If any of you would like to further discuss the issue and have suggestions I can be reached at the main office. Sorry, this turned out not to be brief!

Sincerely - Jason Schaeffer