When Houston residents Paul and Pam decided to build a house in Raleigh, North Carolina at the beginning of 2020, they had no idea that the process would become almost completely virtual. Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of their realtor, Jamie McGuire, and a partnership with Rufty Homes, what could have been a stressful time was a smooth experience for everyone.
Pam says, “We wanted to be closer to our friends and family members who are scattered around the Northeast, so we decided to leave Houston. Eventually, we decided on Raleigh, which is located right in between both of our sons.”
Once they decided on Raleigh, Paul and Pam did some initial research about builders in the area before ultimately deciding to find a real estate agent first. “We kept seeing good things about the Jim Allen Group in our research, so we contacted them and heard back from Jamie. It was an instant connection. We came to visit the city and he showed us around the area so we could get a better sense of what was available,” Paul explains.
Eventually, Jamie brought them to the Avalaire community, where he had moved into his own custom-built home a few years before. From there, he found an available lot and introduced them to Jon Rufty. “I’ve known Jon for years and I told Paul and Pam about what a wonderful reputation his whole team has. From the first meeting, they got the sense that the Rufty team truly cares and makes you feel important, which you can’t say about all builders,” says Jamie.
After looking at a specific lot within the community, Paul and Pam decided to think and talk more about it before making a final decision. That night, they got a personal call from Jon Rufty himself. “He wanted to let us know that he got another offer on the lot, but since he showed it to us first, he felt he owed it to us to check in again before selling it to someone else. Knowing that he took the time to reach out to us and be transparent, instead of just taking the money from someone else spoke volumes about how he operates. It’s no surprise that he has such a great reputation in the Triangle,” Paul says.
This was in February 2020, just before the COVID pandemic hit the United States and forced businesses across the country to shift to working virtually. Even being back in Houston, the couple had faith in Jamie and the Rufty team. Pam explains, “Working virtually was no problem at all. The Rufty team coordinated everything and Jamie helped guide us as well. We had full confidence in the team because they listened to us from day one and took the time to answer any questions we had. That really showed that they cared about us and wanted us to be happy with the end result.”
Because the couple didn’t know much about Raleigh and were still in Houston for the time being, they didn’t have any insight on who to hire for interior design, architecture, and landscaping services. While this could have caused potential issues if they worked with another builder, Rufty Homes came through for them with recommendations. “They gave us a list of vetted recommendations to choose from, which made the process much easier. Throughout the entire build, we never felt like we were left to deal with anything on our own. Between Jamie’s help and the whole Rufty team, we always knew our best interests were a priority,” says Pam.
One of those recommendations was Jenn Frost of JSF Designs for their interior designer. Paul explains, “We did not appreciate how much help we would need with all of our selections, both interior and exterior, and Jenn’s timeless sense of style was a perfect match for our tastes. We also worked with her on all of our new furniture and home decor selections as she helped us turn our dream house into a dream home.”
As their new home got closer to completion, they put their Houston home on the market, and it sold much quicker than expected. They talked about it with Jon and he assured them that he’d do everything in his power to make sure they were able to move into their new home once they closed on their other house. Paul explains, “He even assured us that the Rufty team would help make accommodations for us if we couldn’t move in on time. At every turn, they proved that they would go above and beyond for us.”
As it turns out, Paul and Pam were able to move into their new home, with only the landscaping left to be done. And, they couldn’t be happier with the final result. Paul says, “We love so much about this house, from our first-floor master bedroom to our media game room and everything in between. The quality of Rufty’s work is apparent, and we can’t thank Jamie enough for finding our lot and introducing us to Jon and his team. Because of his hard work, we’re a lot closer to our family and we have the perfect place for them to stay when they come to visit.”
Experience a thoughtfully refined approach to custom home building with a friendly team devoted to achieving your dreams. With Rufty Homes, you’re assured of a gracious, tailored home building experience defined by distinctive beauty, timeless value and pure joy.
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