By Maggie FitzRoy, Contributing Writer
As chairwoman of the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales & Marketing Council, Carrie Budds got to play Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” at the annual Laurel Awards.
Budds, a loan consultant with iMortgage, took her role seriously.
She went on a shopping quest to find a gingham dress and ruby red shoes, which she said wasn’t easy since those items aren’t exactly in style this spring.
Then she confidently took the stage last month as master of ceremonies at the 22nd annual awards, which showcase outstanding achievements in the homebuilding industry, as well as those who excel in sales, merchandizing and marketing in the region’s real estate industry.
To Budd’s surprise, she also won the Charlie Clark Sales & Marketing Member of the Year Award.
The honor is presented to someone who demonstrates remarkable achievements in the building industry and the community, is committed to excellence and has an optimistic attitude toward life.
As a member of the planning committee for the theatrical ceremony, Budds said she was thrilled with “The Wizard of Oz” theme, because it is one of her favorite stories.
Why did the committee choose that theme for a St. Patrick’s Day event?
“We felt like we had to do something green,” said Jenn Kjellman, marketing manager of Dreamfinder Homes, who played the Wicked Witch. “So we thought of the Emerald City — and ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”
Catherine Lee, a Florida Times-Union real estate sales specialist who played Glinda the Good Witch, helped announce the awards as the winners were called to the stage.
The Elevation Awards were announced first, in a skit that included three “elevationally impaired” munchkins.
One of the munchkins, David Wakefield with PrimeLending, explained that floor plans and elevations are an important part of a new home and that architecture can sell a potential buyer “with a quick turn of the eye.”
He said the floor plan and elevation design categories were judged on overall design, innovation response to the target market, function and flow. Then winners were announced based on home price ranges: Best Floor Plan for $275,000-$300,000, up to Best Floor Plan Over $2 Million; and Best Elevation $375,001-$400,000 all the way to Best Elevation Over $2 Million.
The Pineapple Corp. won both over $2 million categories, and Pineapple sales manager Kurt Morgan went up to the stage to receive both awards, which they received for a $2.1 million showcase house in Pablo Creek Reserve.
The Wizard of Oz theme, complete with character costumes and an Emerald City backdrop, “is fun,” said Morgan, whose company specializes in high end custom luxury homes. “It makes it entertaining for everyone. And it’s good to see all our colleagues in a more casual setting than we usually see them.”
Numerous other awards given out by the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.
Among the winners were D.R. Horton, which took home the Grand Award; CornerStone Homes, which captured another Golden Service Award; and The PARC group, which was named developer of the year.
Mirtha Barzaga of Davidson Realty won two awards, including individual Realtor of the Year.
“It feels good to win,” she said. “It always feels good.”
As the ceremony came to an end, Budds closed it with this line: “There’s no place like a new home.”
Site Agent of the Year: Cindy Voyles, ICI Homes
Sales Manager of the Year: Andrea Patton, Vintage Estate Homes
Lender of the Year: Jason Kindler, Bank of England Mortgage
Developer of the Year: The PARC Group
Realtor of the Year, Individual: Mirtha Barzaga, Davidson Realty
Realtor of the Year, Partnership: Matt and Naomi Wilkinson, Re/Max Unlimited
Realtor of the Year, Team: The Cole Slate Team, Exit Real Estate Gallery
Marketing Director of the Year: Kelly Ray, The PARC Group
Golden Service Award: CornerStone Homes
Charlie Clark SMC Member of the Year: Carrie Budds, iMortgage
Grand Award: D.R. Horton
$275,001-$300,000: Dream Finders Homes, BOCA II
$325,001-$350,000: Housing Design Matters, Marco Model in Maryland
$375,001-$400,000: ICI Homes, Serena
$425,001-$450,000: CalAtlantic Homes, Anniston
$475,001-$500,000: Housing Design Matters, Egret Model in Shearwater
$500,001-$525,000: ICI Homes, Egret V
$525,001-$525,000: ICI Homes, Madeline
$550,001-$575,000: ICI Homes, Marabella
$625,001-$650,000: Mattamy Homes, Saxon
$675,001-$700,000: Toll Brothers, San Tropez Craftsman
$825,001-$850,000: Toll Brothers, Delmonico Coastal
$925,001-$950,000: Dostie Homes, Thoreau Americana
Over $2 million: The Pineapple Corp., Pablo Creek Reserve Showcase Home
$375,001-$400,000: ICI Homes, Serena
$450,001-$500,000: Mattamy Homes, Wales
$525,001-$550,000: ICI Homes, Brooke at Nocatee Twenty Mile
$675,001-$700,000: Toll Brothers, Julington Tradition
$935,001-$950,000: Dostie Homes, Thoreau Americana
Over $1 million: Toll Brothers, Catalina Shingle
Over $2 million: The Pineapple Corp., Pablo Creek Reserve Showcase House
Best print ad, developer community: Hines, Markland
Best print ad, under one-half page, builder: Dream Finders Homes, Path to Happiness at Harbor Concourse
Best print ad over one-half page, builder: CalAtlantic Homes, Celestine
Best print ad, associate: Tub King Inc., Post Election Hysteria
Best billboard, developer/community: GreenPointe Communities, Trailmark, Live Life Connected
Best brochure, developer/community: Markland
Best brochure, associate: Bank of England, 2016 Brochure
Best brochure, local builder: Glenn Layton Homes
Best brochure, national builder: CalAtlantic Homes
Best direct mail piece, builder: Clockwork Marketing, ICI Homes
$200,001-$250,000: Merchandising Plus, Osprey at Yellow Bluff
$250,001-$300,000: Chandler Designs, The Oxford Bonus
$300,001-$350,000: Chandler Designs, The Belmont
$350,001-$400,000: Merchandising Plus, Jasmine at Coastal Cove
$400,001-$450,000: Chandler Designs, Amelia
$450,001-$500,000: Merchandising Plus, Egret II at Amelia National
$500,001-$550,000: Sisler Johnston Interior Design, ICI Homes Lucca Model
$550,001-$600,000: Micamy Design Studio, Santiago I
$600,001-$650,000: Chandler Designs:,Sydney
$650,001-$700,000: Barbara Ondo Designs, The Windward at Bluffs Plummer Cove
$700,001-$750,000: Micamy Design Studio, Carina
$750,001-$800,000: Micamy Design Studio, Hamilton
$900,001-$950,000: Dostie Homes, Thoreau Americana
$950,001-$1 million: Toll Brothers, Westbrook
Merchandising Plus, Silver Creek Senior Community
Micamy Design Studio
ICI Homes
D.R. Horton
Mattamy Homes
CalAtlantic Homes
ICI Homes
Markland
Realty-Builder Connection
Alpha Foundations
CalAtlantic Homes
Nocatee
CalAtlantic, Celestina
Bank of England Mortgage
Dream Finders Homes, Ultimate Game Day Experience
CalAtlantic Homes, Anniversary Sales Event
Dream Finders Homes, Over 30 Communities for Your Dream Home
Twenty Mile at Nocatee
D.R. Horton, Emerald Homes Grandholm Estate
Nocatee
Glenn Layton Homes
Clockwork Marketing Services
Nocatee
Clockwork Marketing Services
D.R. Horton
Nocatee
Representing a builder: Ross Fanti, LMH Realty
Representing a buyer, individual: Cherya Cavanaugh, Re/Max Unlimited
Representing a buyer, partnership: Matt and Naomi Wilkinson, Re/Max Unlimited
Cindy Voyles, ICI Homes
Laura Copeland, Toll Brothers
Diana Dilallo-Tarzia, PrimeLending