We are Stanley Martin Homes, the largest privately-held builder in the DC Metro Market, and what do you think is our starting strategy for success? The answer – building, but not in the way you would think.

“Build the Best Team” is the first of Stanley Martin’s six strategies for success. We give this task top priority because we know our employees directly affect customers, value, and costs. We see our employees as the solid foundation on which our operations depend.

So how have we been doing? Our average retention rate for the last three years is 82% and the average tenure of Stanley Martin employees is 4.7 years. These numbers infer good retention, but what does good retention actually look like?

Step into headquarters and you would learn that most of our employees have been with us at least five years, creating a culture of inter-departmental camaraderie. Our departments are under one roof, so our Land Acquisition team is only a short walk away from advisement from our Land Engineering department and our decision makers in Architecture – a walk that is often taken, I might add. Suite 200 in Reston is a platform of communication by which employees’ knowledge about the business is expanded through teamwork and our open-door policy.

Collaboration is at its best when employees stick around. We focus on attracting the best team members; finding exceptional training and development programs; and creating an environment that results in excellent retention. We would rather hire the right people, rather than the right experience. As a result, we often find that our own employees are the best people for new jobs and promote from within whenever possible. Just ask any back-office staff member if they started here as a Receptionist; six would say yes – including our Director of Accounting.

We believe in helping our employees achieve higher levels of performance through training and career development and partner with people to create individual development plans. We feel that what is good for the employee is good for the company. We mindfully invest in the right technology to enhance our workplace, whether it’s top-of-the-line copy machine replacements or getting iPhones for all of our construction managers.

Stanley Martin also embraces a wellness program and a number of free employee benefits – and not just 401k matching, holiday parties, and the employee discount. Perks include free supply of fresh fruit and healthy snacks all week, bi-weekly corporate massages, yoga sessions, chili cook-offs, and prizes for participation in sales-driven scavenger hunts.

When employees were asked in our 2012 Annual Employee Survey to anonymously agree or disagree the following statement: “Stanley Martin is an excellent place to work,” not one could disagree. Stanley Martin is a great place to work, which is just what you would expect from a company that puts its employees first in its strategic plan.

Stanley Martin Homes’ blog is a place where consumers and followers can go to read about anything and everything going on with the company. From new community openings, to record sales announcements, to new floor plan designs fresh from our architecture department – the SMH blog has it all.

When Stanley Martin Homes joined forces with Piedmont Realty and Construction in February 2013, they had no idea that Piedmont was going to offer such a creative and information rich blog as well. So – why not combine these two great resources and create an even better place to learn about the ever-expanding Stanley Martin Homes!

Stanley Martin Homes and Piedmont Realty and Construction have combined forces and have built a place where our consumers can follow both of these amazing companies and keep up to date on what is going on in their respective regions. Stanley Martin Homes looks forward to providing consumers, potential buyers, previous buyers, and their every day followers with information that will keep them excited about what Stanley Martin Homes has to offer the Virginia and Maryland New Home markets.

Keep an eye out for future postings by both Stanley Martin homes and Piedmont Realty and Construction!

Stanley Martin Homes at Waterford Estates is quickly becoming a must-see destination for luxury estate living in Prince George’s County. What some buyers already know and others are quickly finding out is just how convenient it is to live and thrive in Waterford. For many, a huge part of measuring the convenience of a community location is its proximity to shopping, as if you’re a foodie or a fashionista or both – we all love our shopping. If that is the measuring stick we are using, then Waterford Estates is hard to beat. If you are looking for grocery stores you have several within a 5 mile radius including: Wegmans, Costco, Safeway and Giant. If you want organic, then you have Whole Foods and Trader Joes just 15 minutes away in Annapolis.

The Colton Model at Waterford Estates

If department stores are your thing, it will be comforting to know you have Macy’s just around the corner at Bowie Town Center, JCP equally close at Woodmore Town Center and a myriad of department stores including: Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, JCP and Sears all at Westfield Shopping Center Annapolis just a short 15-20 minute drive from Waterford Estates. Also one can find shopping for just about anything else ranging from hardware, to clothing, to sporting goods at all of the near-by shopping centers including: The Boulevard at the Capital, Woodmore Town Center, Bowie Town Center and Westfield Shopping Center Annapolis.

A few interior shots of The Colton model:

From shopping, to dining, to date-night trips to the movie theater, Stanley Martin Homes at Waterford Estates is conveniently located close to it all. If you want to live in a premier location that can serve as your peaceful retreat away from it all, as well as the nucleus of your social (and shopping!) sphere, then look no further than Stanley Martin Homes at Waterford Estates. With so much to offer in one location it’s easy to see why purchasing your new Stanley Martin Home is the smart move. For more information about Stanley Martin Homes at Waterford Estates, visit us on the web at: www.stanleymartin.com or speak directly to the Neighborhood Sales Manager, Adam Carpenter at 301-249-4815, to schedule your own private model home tour.

Although The Overlook at Lowes Island was a highly-anticipated community from the beginning, it is selling out even quicker than imagined- with only 4 Morrison’s (big floorplan) and 13 Carter’s (smaller floorplan) left!  We believe this tremendous sales success is due to a trifecta of location, product, and inventory.

Model row of Morrison homes.

Main level of The Morrison.

Thoughtfully designed kitchen space.

The location is right off Algonkian Parkway, in Potomac Falls, before you reach the many shopping options on Route 7. This makes it ideal for an easy commute with little congestion (and you may access Reston, Tyson’s Corner, and Dulles WITHOUT using the Dulles Toll Road)!  Additionally, it’s a rather scenic commute, as the drive is lined with flowering trees and mountain views.  The location of each individual homesite is also a huge selling feature.  Each of the 76 homes abuts to either the 18^th fairway of Trump National Golf Course or the woods, making each lot private.

The floorplans: The Carter and The Morrison are easy to fall in love with too, offering everything from 2 to 4 bedrooms, 3 to 4 levels, outdoor living spaces, and a smart, thoughtful design that maximizes the “important spaces.”

Sizeable master bathroom.

Spacious master bedroom.

Lower level great room with double doors extending to 1 of 3 decks.

The inventory is our final piece of the puzzle. We are the last available plot of land in all of Lowes Island. There will never be another opportunity to buy a new home here. There is also very little on the market in terms of resales within the Lowes Island community. Many of our buyers, already in love with the community, are selling single family homes or smaller townhomes within the community to move here to our prestigious section, aptly named – The Overlook of Lowes Island.

For additional information on new home opportunities at The Overlook at Lowes Island, call Michelle Lindsay at 703.444.5516.

In Q1 of 2013 Stanley Martin not only acquired Charlottesville homebuilder, Piedmont Realty & Construction, they also crushed their 10-year Q1 sales record.  In the housing bubble year of 2004 and unexpectedly again in 2010, the Reston based homebuilder sold 112 homes in Q1.  In 2013, Stanley Martin beat their previous Q1 record by an astounding 54%, selling 172 homes.

Without a doubt, acquiring a well performing company should increase sales.  Piedmont sold a solid 24 homes in Q1, largely contributing to Stanley Martin’s final tally.  But what accounts for the sizeable increase in Stanley Martin’s production and custom homes business in the core metropolitan DC counties?

“Yes, some of this success is surely due to the housing market recovery and our partnership with Piedmont.  However, with new home permits up 25% and Stanley Martin’s sales up 54%, clearly there is something extra happening within our company,” Stanley Martin President, Steve Alloy affirms.

Alloy continues, “For one, our homebuyer satisfaction rate for 2012 was over 95% and happy customers drive future sales.  Secondly, our land development, construction, and marketing teams are doing an outstanding job with the presentation of our communities, move-in-ready homes, and sales office models – which are the best they’ve ever been.  Also, we have a compelling land position, offering some of the most sought after new home communities and locations in the market and we continue to introduce new home designs that focus on curb appeal, livability, and affordability.  Lastly, we have an extraordinary team of sales professionals working to create every one of the 172 sales – I’d put this team up against anyone in the business.  In summary, everything is working the way it should at Stanley Martin.”

With everything going right at Stanley Martin, you cannot help but wonder what the future holds for this regional and privately-held homebuilder, as the spirit of growth and entrepreneurialism is almost tangible in their Reston headquarters.  With their sights firmly set on Southern markets and sales results like those they have experienced over the last year or so, Stanley Martin Homes certainly seems like “the one to watch,” as further expansion and positioning for continued success appears imminent.

For more information about Stanley Martin Homes visit www.stanleymartin.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

View full press release.

With the winning combination of classic architectural details, smartly-designed floorplans, and our interior design and photography partners, Stanley Martin has had some pretty incredible model home photos in recent years.  We surveyed our marketing department for their favorites and came up with our Top 25.  Sorry…we couldn’t narrow it down any further than that!  Here they are in no particular order:

1. The Addison Exterior at The Orchards of Sandy Spring

2. The Addison Kitchen at The Orchards of Sandy Spring

3. The Amherst Exterior at Greene Mill Preserve

4. The Augusta Dining & Living Room at Foxhall Ridge

5. The Augusta's Master Bedroom at Foxhall Ridge

6. The Augusta's Rooftop Terrace at Foxhall Ridge

7. The Campbell's Kitchen at Roseglen

8. The Campbell's Master Bedroom at Roseglen

9. The Colby Kitchen at Powell's Landing

10. The Colton's Foyer at The Preserve at Scotts Run

11. The Colton's Kitchen at The Preserve at Scotts Run

12. The Colton's Exterior at Waterford Estates

13. The Colton's Kitchen at Waterford Estates

14. The Hamilton's Study at Rose Hill Reserve

15. The Morrison's Main Level at The Overlook at Lowes Island

16. The Morrison's Kitchen at The Overlook at Lowes Island

17. The Sandhurst's Foyer at Preserve at Rock Creek

18. The Sycamore's Great Room at Hope Hill Crossing

19. The Sycamore's Kitchen at Hope Hill Crossing

20. The Sycamore's Great Room at Selma Estates

21. The Sycamore's Living & Dining Room at Selma Estates

22. The Radcliffe's Kitchen at Cameron Glen

23. The Radcliffe's Great Room at Cameron Glen

24. The Sutton's Kitchen & Sunroom at Huntleigh at Creighton Farms

25. The Sutton's Side Sunroom at Huntleigh at Creighton Farms

Reston, VA (March 28, 2012) – Stanley Martin Homes, a regional homebuilder with extensive market share in Northern Virginia, DC, Southern Maryland, Montgomery County, and most recently Charlottesville, has opened two communities in 2013 and both have been hugely successful.  But what is most intriguing is that both have been sold off-site, both have exceeded pre-sales goals within the first month of sales, and neither have had an on-site model home.

Oakton East, a community of 35 very high-end townhomes, just off Chain Bridge Road, has sold 10 homes since opening January 31^st.  Seven of the 10 homes were sold in the first 30 days with closing prices ranging from very high $600s to low $900s.  These homes were sold from an office in Stanley Martin’s Headquarters in Reston and most purchasers bought off of blueprints, as the on-site model was not yet complete.  Moreover, since the three floorplans offered at Oakton East were new to Stanley Martin, there was no other community where purchasers could go view these homes.

Reservoir Ridge, a community of large single family homes, to be built, on ½ acre homesites in Ashburn, opened in early March and sold three homes in the first three days, ranging in closing prices from mid $700s to mid $800s.  This community is also being sold “off-site,” although this time from another Stanley Martin community, as the Reservoir Ridge model is not yet complete.

With so much sales success, so quickly, without the benefit of being on-site or in a model home, Stanley Martin’s Vice President of Marketing, Lauri Chastain, asks herself, “Are we back to the days of people camping out to be first in line to purchase a home in a new community because demand is so great?  Perhaps, not quite yet.  But with market conditions continuing to improve and sales numbers and pricing continuing to rise, those days may not be too far off.”

Stanley Martin is slated to open three additional communities this summer; Chesterfield – condos in Woodbridge; Summit Oaks – single family homes in Lorton; and Powell’s Landing Towns – townhomes in Woodbridge and is looking forward to similar demand and sales results.

For more information about Stanley Martin Homes visit www.stanleymartin.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Full press release may be viewed here.

The early spring real estate market, unlike the actual weather, is heating up and off to a strong start in Metro DC!  We keep a close eye on a number of trends here at Stanley Martin, and definitely like what we’ve been seeing over the last couple of years, actually.  The following are a few of the trends we’re closely watching.

Mortgage rates remain at historic lows.  Hopefully you’ve been able to take advantage of the phenomenally low rates.  If not, and you’re in the market or have any questions at all, we’d highly recommend contacting our outstanding, full-service, in-house lender: First Heritage Mortgage

The low rates, in addition to strengthening consumer confidence, have been translating into more home sales at both the national and local levels.  The following charts focus mainly on Stanley Martin’s Core Northern Virginia counties and cities, but we’re also seeing many similar trends in Suburban Maryland, as well.

Pending Sales:  We like to look at pending sales (contracts) as they’re typically a good early indicator of market strength.  As of mid-March 2013, pending sales are up about 6% over last year and 23% compared to 2011.  As a result, we believe 2013 will be one of the strongest sales years we’ve seen in at least the past 5-years.

Inventory:  Compared to mid-2011, the number of fee simple Attached and Detached homes in Northern Virginia has been cut in half.  Lower supply, combined with increasing demand, typically results in favorable conditions for home sellers (and home values).  If you’re currently in the market for a home and are not finding the perfect one for you due to the short supply and increased competition, Stanley Martin just might have the perfect solution for you!

Home Values:  Similar to the demand picture, home values in the region have also been climbing.  On average, homes today are up approximately 10 percent versus last year, and 15 percent compared to 2011.

The average list price of pending home sales (light gray portion of the chart below) is also higher than it’s been in the past couple of years which is a strong indicator that prices – at least in the very near-term – should continue to rise.

Overall, the relatively anemic inventory levels, low mortgage rates and strengthening demand levels point to higher future home values for the region.

Lock-in your great rate and beautiful new home today!

Piedmont Realty & Construction, a company who raised the standard for homebuilding excellence in the Charlottesville market, was acquired by Stanley Martin in February 2013 and will now serve as Stanley Martin’s Southwest Virginia division, as both companies unite to pursue even further geographic expansion.

Piedmont was established by a management team of homebuilding professionals with a lifetime of experience in homebuilding and a desire to do things differently.  Having sold and constructed more than 5,500 homes with national builders, this team was acutely aware of the challenges facing buyers, builders, and trade partners.  Together, they came up with a business model that was as focused on relationships as it was on revenue.  By developing and maintaining strong relationships with their individual customers, area realtors, and high-quality craftsman, Piedmont quickly became known as a builder with high standards in their business partnerships, lot selection, building materials, and homes.  This reputation catapulted the company to become the largest privately-held builder in the Charlottesville market in just three short years.

The stunning exterior of Piedmont's Somerset home.

Adding a splash of color, is Piedmont's Preston home.

Piedmont is currently selling 15 communities in and around Charlottesville, with outlying communities stretching from Crozet in the west, to Zion Crossroads to the east, and a concentration of communities in Central Charlottesville.  Within these communities they offer a mix of townhomes, single family homes, main-level living villas, and estate homes on large acreage homesites.  For a list of Piedmont communities, click here.

When looking for opportunities to expand, both Piedmont and Stanley Martin Presidents’, Drew Holzwarth and Steve Alloy, respectively, were pleasantly surprised at the strong similarities between the mission, vision, and values of the two companies.  Take their taglines and design strategies for example:

Piedmont Realty & Construction: Homes Designed Around the Way People Live

Stanley Martin Homes: Your Life is Our Blueprint

It’s about building homes with elegant elevations, fair pricing, and smart, livable spaces, designed around how people utilize their homes every day.  Square footage often dedicated to overly opulent spaces like two-story family rooms are instead allocated to practical spaces like larger bedrooms, master suites, walk-in closets, and storage space.  But the luxury is by no means forgotten, the luxury is indeed felt in the quality of the building materials, the intricate design details, and generous standard features.

Kitchen by Piedmont - The Kinloch.

The stately great room of The Kinloch home.

Along those same lines, both Stanley Martin and Piedmont have invested a tremendous amount of resources and energy into becoming industry innovators in the field of green-building.  These efficiencies in land development, building systems, and materials result in more durability for your home, less impact on the environment, and a measurable drop in monthly utility costs.

It’s easy to see that the two like-minded companies were a natural fit for one another in all aspects.  The task of incorporating the two companies is currently underway, with back office functions transitioning first.  Stanley Martin Homes is nothing short of thrilled to have the Piedmont team, and all the expertise and commitment to quality that comes with them,  join the Stanley Martin family!

Together the companies hope to continue their growth throughout the tidewater region and seek to expand into North Carolina markets in the very near future.

If there is one thing we know for certain, styles change.  Whether it be your personal style when it comes to fashion, or that new paint color you just can’t get enough of, as people evolve…so does their style.  When it comes to designing something like a brand new home, ever evolving style can be a tricky concept.  Fortunately our team at Stanley Martin strives to create timeless architectural designs and we prides ourselves on offering products and finishes that stand the test of time.  The Stanley Martin Design Studio team and our invaluable trade partners do our homework every year to ensure that we stay on top of the new trends, and we do our best to determine which ones will stick around for the long haul.

Welcome to the Design Studio - let's turn your house into a home!

So what will it be? Cream, white, limestone, cherry, mocha, or red?! No worries, our Design Studio staff is here to help!

Efficiency is a HUGE trend right now, but it’s not a trend that will go away anytime soon.  Gone are the days of wasting space, wasting energy and wasting time.  We are building smarter homes that are more efficient to live in, that don’t waste square footage on areas that aren’t important to the homeowner, and make it easier for you to live your life.  Our kitchen designs are more user friendly; sinks and appliances are located in places that make more sense for the dinnertime rush-hour.  Unused rooms are eliminated from our plans so that we can fit in bigger closets, storage spaces, and mudrooms off of the garages.  Lastly, we have taken tremendous steps in building energy efficient homes so that your monthly utility costs are lower.  All Stanley Martin appliances are Energy Star rated, and all faucets and toilets use less water.  We also offer options like tankless water heaters and electric car chargers, so that you can save your hard earned money for things that are more important (and certainly more fun) than a utility or gas bill.

The Sutton at Huntleigh at Creighton Farms displays one of our smartly designed kitchen spaces.

Technological trends are becoming major game changers in the way you live your life.  In a Stanley Martin Home you can add options to prewire your new home so that it will operate smarter for you.  We offer technology like Control-4 systems, which when paired with Alarm.com service will allow you to know the status of your home at any time right from your iPhone or Droid.  You have the ability to know when your child comes home from school, when a cleaner shows up or leaves, or if you left the lights on in your bedroom – and just as easily turn the lights off.  If you got stuck at the office and will be home late, you can unlock a door for a service tech or your mother-in-law who is coming to visit for the weekend.  You can also view security cameras right from your phone, and arm or disarm your security system.  This system can also help you manage your utilities in an effort to reduce your monthly utility costs and general energy consumption.

Simplistic, yet highly functional kitchens are another trend that more people are ranking as a top priority in their new home purchase.  Homeowners realize they do most of their living in their kitchens, and want to make sure they make that space as practical and stunning as possible.  Big single bowl kitchen sinks are taking over the double bowl, and features like built-in trash bins and roll-out storage trays add another level of convenience to the kitchen.  Implementing classic color combinations such as white cabinets and dark floors will result in a timeless kitchen that you can enjoy for years to come.  For that pop of color, bold backsplash hues and granite countertops with punchy colors and lots of movement are becoming more popular.  Try adding a funky cabinet knob, or sophisticated pendant lights above your island for even more of a personal touch.

A superb example of how a punchy backsplash can liven up the kitchen's overall look.

Mixing different textures is something we see becoming more popular.  Lots of hardwood is a beautiful and clean look, however more practically, homeowners are choosing to mix in a few different textures amidst all of that hardwood.  You can add a beautifully patterned carpet to the Family Room to make the space feel cozy and warm, or add a porcelain tile that looks like real stone or slate to the Rear Sunroom to give that space its own definitive character.  Dark glossy or metal hued tiles paired with sparkling polished chrome faucet fixtures add an element of texture and depth to your bathrooms.

Check out the use of texture here - the movement in the tile floor, the small intricacies of the backsplash and the vintage look of the cabinets.

There are several ways that you can stay current with the newest trends in homebuilding and design, yet still build yourself a brand new home that will stand the test of time.  Rest assured that the entire team at Stanley Martin does a lot of the homework for you, so that when it’s time to make the big decisions on interior selections, you can be confident that your choices are not only on trend, but smart investments for the long term.