by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
Ryland Homes has moved into the Jacksonville market and will be introducing new homes with a twist.
“I designed all my products with consideration to what is presently being built in this marketplace and more specifically to what is not being offered,” said Jeff Agar, division manager of Ryland Homes. “People will find our approach refreshing and different.” Differences that Agar cited were three main components that will be taken into account when building homes.
“Most of our products have double entry doors,” he said. “The homeowner won’t have to walk through utility room to get to the house and a there will be a real emphasis on kitchen with islands and plenty of workspace. It’s something new and exciting. Ryland Homes have a lot of resources and can do it right.”
Agar said he has designed a whole new product just for the Jacksonville market. There are three different series of homes, that range in size from 1,400 to 3,800 square feet.
“We are in the process of bidding out our product and probably will end up with a final price ranging from $130,000s to low $300,000s spanning across the three series,” he said.
Their regional office located on Fleming Island in Orange Park will serve as regional headquarters and it will be where all of the operations will be centered.
“It’s [Orange Park] pretty centrally located and where we are planning to build now and in the future,” said Agar.
Agar, formerly of Morrison Homes, was hired three months ago when Ryland moved in to their new offices.
“I would say there were personal and professional reasons why I thought it would be a good company to work for,” he said. “I really enjoy how they treat their people. They have had tremendous success financially. Ryland’s success has been above and beyond the rest of the publicly trades home builder companies. They are the fifth largest builder in the United States, which relates to a bigger pull of ideas and resources.”
The company currently operates in 21 markets across the the country and has built more than 190,000 homes since its inception in 1967.
Ryland Homes, whose headquarters is in Southern California, chose Jacksonville to open an office because of its proven track record.
“Jacksonville has been a very good home building market,” said Agar. “If you look at last 10 years it has been a very stable market verses some of the other Florida markets. I think there is also a good solid future for Jacksonville in terms of how the economy is made up. The Better Jacksonville Plan has provided a big boost for the economy and will have a sustaining effect for the next few years. It’s an affordable market and there is a lot of good opportunities for companies who are willing to do what it takes to succeed.”
Agar said they will be concentrating on communities in west Jacksonville, northern Clay County, northern St. Johns County and Mandarin.
They already have commitments to build in seven communities including three communities in Oakleaf Plantation, two in Bartram Springs, Waterbrook Falls and Oak Harbor.
“I’ve got irons in the fire for several other communities too,” said Agar.
Currently, they are still at the blueprint stage, but should have renderings ready in a few months.
In the meantime, Agar is busy buying land, staffing up the sales people, superintendents and the office.
“We are also working on the design center and making sure the systems are in place for when we do open up for business,” said Agar. “We plan to do 250 homes next year.”