| September 13, 2012 Rich and Kathy Dumas, the husband and wife team behind R&K Investment Properties, are happy to be celebrating their 20th anniversary of building homes in the triad.
"We've built well over 200 homes in all different price ranges during our 20 years," Rich Dumas said. "From the low $200,000s to up to $2 million – we do a wide range, which is what separates us from others."
The couple said that now is a great time to build, but they strongly urge prospective customers to thoroughly check out any builder they are considering.
"Check them out with the Greensboro Builders Association, the Better Business Bureau, Realtors and other homebuyers," Rich said. "You can't talk to too many people."
R&K Investment Properties will build in any community, on a prospective buyer's lot or on a lot owned by R&K. Rich added that R&K Investment Properties also does a lot of spec homes and pre-sales, too, which enables them to serve a wide range of customers.
The Dumases say their buyers benefit, as well, because as a couple they offer both the male and female perspectives during the home construction process.
"They like that feeling that we can cover everything," explained Rich.
Kathy Dumas said she finds that because of the diversity they offer in their homes, R&K is able to be very price competitive.
"We like to think outside the box when it comes to getting our clients in a home, whether it's financing or designing," she said.
The couple also said that they offer buyers much-needed guidance on the finance end of home buying and building.
"Financing is a very important part of any project," explained Rich Dumas. "We're good in that area because we've done so many homes now." He added that as a result of their years of experience, he and Kathy can advise clients on the many loan possibilities available in today's market.
Often the Dumases find that prospective buyers have no idea what their loan options are when they come in interested in building a home. Rich said that buyers get the best results when they are well informed.
"The more questions they ask, the less chance they have of being disappointed," he said.
Another strength of R&K Investment Properties is the way they walk prospective clients through the process, from procuring a lot to picking out fixtures. Rich said he recommends that buyer's who are thinking of purchasing a lot give him the opportunity to look it over before they close on the sale. This is to make sure that there won't be any issues when it comes to building on the lot.
"I do it free of charge as a courtesy," said Rich. "I had a customer who was going to buy a lot, and after I saw it, I told him that the house he wanted to build would not fit on that lot."
While Rich spearheads the lot selection and loan process, Kathy is in charge of interiors and helping clients select what they need, while staying within their budget.
Rich said, "A lot of builders just send clients to a tile person or a cabinet person on their own."
At R&K Investment Properties, Kathy walks customer's through the process, thereby taking a lot of the pressure off them. She said, "My job is to help with the design work, keep everything on budget and keep everything flowing with any changes they may want along the way."
The Dumases are also quick to credit the team they work with for making the home building process run smoothly.
"We have a lot of eyes overlooking every project," said Rich. "Making sure a home is going up properly from soup to nuts," Kathy added. "We're very fortunate to have such a fantastic team behind us."
Both agree that their biggest goal is to make their customers happy.
"We bend over backwards to make sure they're happy with everything in the home," Rich said.
This includes standing behind every home R&K Investment Properties builds.
"A lot of builders say they warranty a house, but we truly do," Rich says. "A lot of builders you can't get in touch with after you close, but we give our home number, mobile numbers, the superintendent's number – there's a lot of people clients can call if they have any problems. And we return calls within 24 hours."
Additionally, R&K Investment Properties is busy preparing for the upcoming Chic Chateau event. Held Friday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Sept. 23 and Friday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Sept. 30, Chic Chateau is offering two homes for touring this year, one built by R&K Investment Properties and the other by D. Stone Builders. Both homes are in The Gates at Brassfield, off New Garden Road.
The homes will feature the work and products of 26 local designers, five sponsors and dozens of local businesses. Combined, the houses will have 2,000-plus cubic feet of salvaged furniture and housewares, all available for sale to the public. Proceeds from the two-weekend event will benefit Habitat for Humanity's 2013 Raising Roofs building blitz efforts.
Chic Chateau kicks off with a preview event Thursday, Sept. 20. During the two weekends, House Tours, Furnishing Sales and Chalk Paint demonstrations will be held. The final Saturday, Sept. 28, will include a Treasure Sale sponsored by Replacements Ltd.
R&K Investment Properties will have three homes featured in the October Parade of Homes, in the communities of Arbor Run, Brookfield and the Gates at Brassfield.
For more information on R&K Investment Properties, contact Rich or Kathy Dumas at (336) 643-6995, or visit their website at www.randkinvestmentproperties.com.
For more information on this year's Chic Chateau event or to purchase tickets, visit www.thechicchateau.blogspot.com, the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChicChateauGSO or www.habitatgreensboro.org for more information.
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