Naples Daily News Special Section on 10/05/06
Cover Story - Kaye Homes

While the housing market in Collier County has slowed down somewhat, that hasn’t been the case at Kaye Homes. In fact the company, founded in 1986 by Stuart Kaye, is experiencing a strong sales year.

“As of October 1st we are just about even with our 2005 sales pace, which was a record year for us,” said Kaye. “In the first nine months of 2006 we’ve already sold more than 70 homes and recorded a sales volume of more than $30 million.”

Kaye believes his company’s long history, well established reputation for quality and value and happy homeowners are a few of the main reasons for the company’s near record-setting pace.

“I can attribute the success to the wide range of homes we offer, the value we build into every home, our inventory of ready-to-go homes, a strong and loyal referral base from previous homebuyers and Realtors, and the services offered by our team of professionals from the moment potential buyers walk into one of our sales centers to the day they move into their new home – and beyond.”

Since 1986, Kaye Homes has built more than 3,000 residences and has been voted “Best Builder” three years in a row. And, Kaye Homes is the only area builder to be awarded the “Builder of the Year” for the entire state and recently was honored with the Homebuyers Warranty Corporation (2-10 HBW) Award of Excellence.

The homes offered by the Kaye Homes range in price from the high-$100s to nearly $1 million and its custom home division builds homes priced up to $3 million. The bulk of the sales however are in the $300,000 to $800,000 price range.

“We have homes for the first time buyer to those looking for a larger estate-size home - and everything in between,” added Kaye.   “No matter the homebuyer’s needs, Kaye Homes has a floor plan to fit every lifestyle and every budget.”

In addition to the company’s main office located in the Crossroads Market shopping center on Pine Ridge Road east of I-75, Kaye Homes has two main sales and information centers, one located on Oakes Boulevard just north of Vanderbilt Beach Road, and the other at the corner of Collier Boulevard and Pine Ridge Road.

“Some exciting changes will be occurring shortly near the Collier Boulevard/Pine Ridge Road office,” said Kaye.  “On the site immediately to the north of the current working sales center we will begin the construction of a new model center as well as introduce a new model.

That new two-story model is Kaye Homes’ new “flex-plan” and it can range in size from 3,100 to 4,200 square feet under air.

“Our research indicates floor plans that are flexible are very popular with today’s buyers,” stated Kaye.  “The home can range in different sizes depending on the owner’s needs. A large family may want more bedrooms on the second floor.  A professional couple may want the flex space as a recreation room or an in-home theater. Others may not need the extra room at all.”

Kaye Homes is proud of its latest offerings as well as its well-established line up of 30 different floor plans. The company also has several incentive programs currently in place.

“Depending on the home they buy the homeowner can receive either $10,000 or $5,000 in free optional upgrades,” stated Kaye.

However, before a new home can be built, potential homebuyers need land on which to build.  Kaye Homes is one of the few building companies in Collier County that has a wide selection of homesites from which to choose – that is if a homeowner doesn’t already own their own lot.

 “Our land specialist division has also been very busy finding suitable lots throughout the county,” said Kaye. Many of the homesites available through Kaye Homes are located in the Golden Gate Estates area.

Kaye believes Golden Gate Estates is popular with buyers for several reasons.

“Although prices for lots in the area continue to rise, compared to other parts of Collier County it is still affordable,” he said.  “The homesites are also large, usually more than an acre in size. This not only grants the owner privacy, but, if they have children or pets, plenty of room to roam and play.”

Freedom is another asset.

“Many families, retirees and single individuals don’t want to be controlled by the association dues you find in controlled-access communities,” said Kaye.  “Paying for an expensive clubhouse and community pool or the upkeep of a golf course is fine – but it’s not for everyone.”

Owning a large homesite presents another advantage.

“Over the past few years we’ve noticed that many of our buyers are opting to build a single-family home as well as a detached guest suite on their site,” said Kaye.  “The acre-plus homesites in Golden Gate Estates allow them the space they need to build their dream home – or should I say homes in some instances.”

Landowners can also benefit from teaming up with Kaye Homes.

“For those who already own their own lot and have equity in land, part of that equity can be used as an additional down payment,” said Kaye.

In addition to its incentive programs, wide range of floor plans and great selection of available homesites, Kaye Homes also takes great pride in the fact new owners are thrilled when they move into their new homes.

“Our goal is to build a zero-defect home and that is what we deliver,” stated Kaye. “Our construction team and our customer care department work diligently to assure there are no problems. It is part of that extra value and service we bring to the table. We love to see happy homeowners. They are our best form of advertising.”

With approximately 100 homes under construction at any one time, potential owners can view almost any model home at various stages of construction.“The short term slow down has presented us with some incredible land buying opportunities,” concludes Kaye. “And with our new neighborhoods and new 2006 line-up of homes, our in-house architects, land development department and design center the process of buying a new home has never been easier.”

And, according to Kaye, that includes the growing Spanish population.

“One of the fastest growing demographics in Southwest Florida is the Spanish population,” he said. “At Kaye Homes we recognize the important contribution they make to our community and have several bi-lingual new home counselors ready to assist them in their home buying decision.  We also offer expertise in French and Portugese.”

For client's convenience, Kaye Home has two sales centers in the Naples area. One is located at the corner of Vanderbuilt Beach Road amd Oaks Boulvard amd the other at the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Pine Ridge Road. Both Sales centers are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or anytime by appointment. Phone (239) 455-1007 for the Collier Boulvard office and (2390 597-0700 for the Oakes Boulevard office.