Garman Homes Blog

Garman Homes Blog

Garman Homes  //  We are a new home building company in the Triangle Area of North Carolina.

 
Mar 26 / 2:26pm

What I learned as a warranty manager...

by Garman Homes

Earlier this year I began spending more time managing our warranty process than I did managing our sales team (for better or worse, depending on who you ask). I was called to the role in a completely instinctual way. I felt like I couldn't think about any future buyers unless I knew that our homeowners were getting what they needed. And the truth of the matter was we had homeowners out there who didn't have what they needed. [Remember when Jim referenced those 'punch in the stomach' moments...that was my moment.]

As a sales manager, I get to know our buyers at their happiest -full of hopes and dreams for their new life in their new home. As a warranty manager, I got to know our buyers in a whole new way. For starters, they weren't always happy. Some were frustrated (with good reason). I was prepared for that and I felt empowered knowing I could help them. I wasn't as prepared for our reflective buyers. The buyers that asked if I would meet with them so they could share their thoughts on our building experience.

It was like they went to school on us and it was report card time. What I learned confirmed something I already knew-we have the best buyers in the world. Buyers who truly care about whether or not we succeed. Buyers that give us the benefit of the doubt when we occasionally come up short. Buyers who believe in us. I will always be grateful to those buyers.

Here's what else I learned:

I learned that setting good expectations for our buyers is a work in progress.

I learned that we always want to say yes but sometimes we have to say no.

I learned that if we build a relationship along with the house it is a much better experience for everyone.

and I learned that we'll keep learning. One buyer at a time.

Comments (1)

 
Mar 25 / 11:03am

Introducing Garman 2.0!

by Garman Homes

Dear Friends & Family,

We started our first Garman Home three years ago this week.  I'll never forget seeing the lumber package dropped off at Lochside lot 103 in Durham.  I laughed out loud when I saw "Garman Homes" crudely spray-painted on the side of the panels.  It was like hearing our song on the radio for the first time.  What a rush!  

Since then, we have built over 100 homes for some of the best people in the world.  And what a ride it has been!  We have made some money and lost some money.  We have expanded our team and contracted our team.  We have delighted customers and, at times, frustrated some customers.  The ups have been intoxicating and the downs have been like a punch in the stomach.  But I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

Garman 2.0 is about putting together the lessons from our first three years into a new Garman Homes.  Over the next 60 days, Alaina and I will lay it out there for you.  We will write about what we are changing, why we are changing, and what the stories are that taught us the lessons.  We'll introduce our new team.  We share commitments with you.  Doesn't it always help to tell those you love what your resolutions are?

I ask you to follow us for 60 days.  One post at a time.  Drop us feedback comments.  Encourage your friends and neighbors to jump on.  Send us notes with topics you would like us to write about.  At the end of this journey, we hope to be closer to each of you and closer to defining what will make Garman 2.0 a hit record.  

Thank you for all your love, support, and confidence over the past three years.  Know that we have taken your feedback to heart and will never forget that our relationships with all of you are what will make our company great.  \JG

Comments (1)

 
Jan 29 / 11:12pm

Welcome to G-Lite!

by Garman Homes

So what is G-Lite? G-Lite is our brand of cool affordable homes with all the quality Garman is known for with an edgier style! G-Lite is fun! G-Lite is that feeling you get when you find something totally new and inspiring!

G-Lite wants to be your first...first home, first great building experience or any other great firsts we can forge together!!

Check out G-Lite in Emorywood & Holly Glen!!

Comments (0)

 
Jan 29 / 10:50pm

Buy Local??

by Garman Homes

We're a local builder, we believe in our local economy and we believe in giving back. From helping out at a school event to sponsoring a soccer tournament. We love the triangle and we love being a part of our communities!
Choosing a Garman Home is choosing to contribute to our local economy. We donate $1000 to Habitat for Humanity for every home we build which totaled $41,000 last year.

So that's why we say... BUY LOCAL/BUY GARMAN

Comments (0)

 
Jan 29 / 10:38pm

How did we do?

by Garman Homes
When we asked Jodi & Todd to tell us about their experience with Garman Homes this is what they had to say.

"Garman Homes is really easy to work with. We never felt pressured and they were very responsive to our needs/questions. They are truly unlike other builders, they have a really great thing going. It's comforting to know that you can call Jim Garman on his cell phone and he answers the call with your first name!! We found that even when something came up that needed attention, they dealt with it immediately and made it right".

Jodi & Todd
Holly Glen ROCKSTARS!!

Comments (0)

 
Aug 24 / 7:28pm

Check out our newest neighborhood-The Holly Glen 'Back Nine'

by Garman Homes

It is no secret we love building in Holly Glen. We love building in Holly Glen so much that we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to buy nine more home sites. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not that we’re big on golf or have some golf-themed model home; we just thought the name sounded really cool.

So let’s state the obvious; buying a home is a big decision. In today’s economic climate, where you choose to spend your money says a lot about who you are. People who choose to buy Garman Homes are choosing to contribute to our local economy. We’re a local builder, we believe in our local economy and we believe in giving back.


Last year we spent over $3 million with local trade vendors. And because we donate $1000 to Durham Habitat for Humanity for every home we build, last year we were able to donate $36,000. Our buyers pay it forward by helping others build personal wealth through affordable homeownership.

That’s why we say...Buy Local, Buy Garman.

So visit Kathie in Holly Glen soon...we only have nine homesites, they are sure to go fast!

Comments (0)

 
Jun 2 / 12:40am

Welcome Hannah!

by Garman Homes

Big shout out to the newest Rock Star! Congratulations to Brad & Megan, Hannah is beautiful! \JG

Comments (0)

 
May 17 / 2:40pm

Rock This Way!

by Garman Homes

How cool are these signs? Kelty, our Rock Star Graphic Designer, put these together for us so you can navigate your way through our neighborhoods and find our open houses. Just follow these signs to a real live Rock Star Open House.

Look for these signs in the front yards of some of our buyers. Our buyers are such Rock Stars they were totally on board when we asked if we could use their yards to point people in the right direction. But seriously, who wouldn't want a sign this cool in their yard?

Everytime I see this sign I can hear Aerosmith & Run D.M.C. in my head...'da na na nah ne ne ne nah na'...
Filed under  //  Fairfield   Garman Differences   Garman Homes   Holly Glen  

Comments (0)

 
May 17 / 1:38pm

Is it a sign? Is it a trail map? No, it's the Garman Homes Kiosk!

by Garman Homes

Have you driven by a kiosk 'under construction' in one of our neighborhoods and thought, what is that? We designed our kiosks based on the concept of a trail map to help orient you to the neighborhood, our houses and the community at large. We're just getting started so you probably drove right past it.

Stop by next time and check it out-here's what you can expect in Version 1.0 and why it is worth stopping ...

A Chalkboard:
We'll use this to leave messages about where and when to find us in the neighborhood.

A Bulletin Board:
We may post a calendar of upcoming neighborhood events here, we may post things from the neighbors-we're not sure what we'll post but we intend to post things here. ; )

We have six take one boxes where you can find all sorts of useful information:

1. Why Holly Glen/Fairfield-you can find facts on why this neighborhood is a great place to live.

2. Site Map-this will identify our homesites within the community-it will even mark which homesites are sold, which homesites have available houses under construction and which homesites are available for you to build your very own Garman Home!

3. What the Neighbors Have to Say-don't take our word for it, hear what the neighbors have to say about their neighborhood and their home. We'll include posts from lots of neighbors-even some who didn't build with us.

4. Floorplans-we thought you might be curious about what our houses actually look like.

5. Inventory Sheet-again, we thought you might be curious about what our houses cost, the cool stuff we put in them and when they might be ready for you to move in!

6. Included Feature Sheet-this is everything that comes standard in our homes-we love this stuff and we're very proud of what we're able to offer in our base prices.

So the next time you drive by one of our kiosks, stop and take a look...post something on our bulletin board...and let us know what you think-who knows, you may help us come up with Version 2.0!

Comments (0)