Pictured: Dave Brown

Builder Profile

Five-star customer service, friendly and responsive communication, quality building techniques, highly-livable floor

plans, stylish exteriors with mega curb appeal -- many elements combine to give Regent Homes buyers an outstanding homebuilding experience.

But one of Regent Homes’ most powerful benefits is that clients work directly with the company owner, getting fast and informed answers to their questions and ensuring that their new home reflects their needs and preferences.

“Since our clients are working with the company president, they can make decisions on the spot and they have a direct line of communication straight to the top throughout the building process,” explains Regent Homes president, Dave Brown. “It allows us to begin

building the relationship and trust which carries through the entire building process.”

As the BIA’s 2012 president, Brown has been recognized for his prime building, business and interpersonal skills. He uses those same talents to help his buyers.

“I sincerely believe we provide exceptional customer service for our clients,” says Brown. “We take a lot of time and energy with every house that we build, improving things and making sure that everything is right.”

Brown is so committed to being accessible to his buyers, that he gives each one his cell phone number. From design through completion, he is available to guide them through every phase of the process.

In particular, Brown likes to take prospective clients through the homes Regent Homes has built to show them the workmanship and

attention to detail. But when Brown is not there personally, Regent Homes’ homeowners will happily take over to talk about how much they love their houses.

For example, recently a house-hunting couple visited a Galena neighborhood where Regent Homes is building, hoping to tour one of the company’s homes. A neighbor pointed out a house Regent Homes had just completed, and the couple knocked on the door. The homeowner invited them in, showed them all around, and raved about how great it was to build with Regent Homes. That motivated the couple to immediately call Brown and begin their own home building experience.

Quality throughoutRegent Homes’ staff, including their award-winning building superintendent and

2 • Nov/Dec 2012 • Builder Update

Standout Building Process

Builder Profile

At a GlanceBIA involvement

• Member since 2002• 2012 President of the BIA• BIA Board of Trustees 2009 - 2012• 2011 Next Generation Builder of the Year• 2011 BIA Superintendent of the Year – Jim Jones• 2010 BIA Superintendent of the Year – Jim Jones• 2009 BIA Next Generation Builder of the Year• Certified Professional Builder

Other distinctions • Builder Magazine Fast Track Top 100 Companies 2005• Voted #1 Builder in Madison County for 2006• NAHB Builder 20 Club• Columbus Board of Realtors• Certified Public Accountant• Licensed Realtor

Contact Regent Homes at 4974 Cemetery Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026, (614) 529-2927, dbrown@regent-homes.com or visit www.regent-homes.com

CPBCertified Professional BuilderBuilding Industry Association of Central Ohio

experienced engineer, help ensure detail-perfect construction. Brown’s ultra-organized approach to building, which includes effective systems, paperwork and checklists, ensures craftsmanship and keeps the operation flowing smoothly.

“We build homes that really work from a livability standpoint,” explains Brown. “I approach the design process as a person with a family that lives in a house, and I watch how we live, interact, function and how we entertain. And we’re always looking for features and amenities to put in the house that bring some wow factor.” Company floor plans include must-haves like great kitchen designs and mudrooms with built in lockers.

Regent Homes builds homes priced from the low $300s to the $500s in some of central Ohio’s most sought after communities, including Ballantrae in Dublin, Golf Village and Scioto Reserve in Powell, Avonlea in Lewis Center, Manors at Willow Bend in Westerville and Cheshire Woods in Galena.

The company’s homes feature beautiful and unique Craftsman-inspired exteriors. The Craftsman architectural style originally wowed Brown when he first encountered it during a visit to Nashville -- and it continues to set his company apart today.

A semi-custom builder, Regent Homes gives buyers the opportunity to make choices in design and features and to customize their homes.

“Dave’s attention to detail and his follow-up have been impeccable,” a Regent Homes buyer recently wrote in an enthusiastic letter. “He’s focused on delivering outstanding customer service and an outstanding product.”

Passion for homebuilding Brown grew up in Mentor, Ohio, the fourth of seven kids and the only boy. When Brown was only 19, his father lost his battle with cancer. “I learned at a fairly young age about adversity and that life sometimes isn’t fair,” says Brown. “My mother was truly amazing. While I cannot imagine how difficult it was for her, she picked herself up and kept our family moving forward. She is an inspiration to me today.”

Brown started out at Ohio State University as a mechanical engineering major, but he quickly discovered that finance was a better fit and changed his major to accounting. After graduation he began work for Deloitte Haskins and Sells CPAs.

Two years later he took a job with one of his clients, Red Roof Inns, working with the division that built and rehabbed hotels. “This was where I got my first taste of the construction industry and learned about job costing and project management,” he says.

Brown moved on to become the chief operating officer and president of Gemstar Homes, where he became very involved in operations. He helped Gemstar improve their

quality and get projects completed and sold. A Certified Public Accountant and a licensed

Realtor, Brown capitalized on his expertise in both homebuilding and finance to start Regent Homes in 2001. One of the company’s strong points is its ability to continually improve products based on buyer feedback before, during and after the sale. “We are diligent on new product development,” says Brown.

Leading the BIAAs this year’s BIA president, Brown made membership a strong focus. “I believe our primary focus needs to be on retention first and new members second,” he says.

Brown remembers how he became an involved BIA member. “I took the next step and started to get involved,” says Brown. As an active member he created relationships with people throughout our industry. “I met new people, started to learn what our organization did for us and the resources it provided, and

suddenly I found a totally new value in my membership. The key is participation.”

At Regent Homes, Brown pays close attention to the people side of his business. Relationships are critical to his success, and he creates trust with all those who work with Regent Homes, including vendors, city officials, bankers and clients.

Brown says he always keeps in mind a philosophy his parents instilled -- treat others the way you want to be treated. And he most enjoys providing his clients with homes they will really love and an experience that makes them happy.

“Our customers are well informed about the entire process and are involved every step of the way,” says Brown. “What this provides them with is peace of mind that they have made a sound decision and that they are working with someone that cares not only about them, but about their investment.” 

Builder Update • Nov/Dec 2012 • 3