Explore how health and well-being have taken center stage in Homes by Westbay’s homebuilding
In an inspiring show of resilience, Homes by Westbay (Westbay) began its journey in the homebuilding industry in 2009, at the lowest point of the biggest housing downturn in recent history. “Those were probably the darkest days of the housing market,” comments Dee Crescini, Vice President of Design and Division Manager of the company’s South division. “At the time, Westbay operated as a semi-custom home building company in master plan communities,” she adds. Amid this volatility, its tenacious and visionary founders saw a window of opportunity left by the many other home builders exiting the market. They seized this opportunity to cater to the remaining few buyers seeking a higher level of quality and workmanship for their new homes. Nowadays, Westbay stands alongside – and even ahead of – some of America’s largest homebuilders. Driven by its award-winning team of professionals’ wealth of expertise, the organization has become Tampa’s largest, locally owned and operated new home builder.
Approach to growth
“During our first year, we closed nine homes, followed by 63 more the next year. In 2012, we closed approximately 139 residences. At that point, when I joined the company, we did not yet have a design studio or a computerized system – everything was done manually. Recognizing the need for improved processes, we built a new design studio, formalized our program for homebuyers and transitioned to being a luxury move-up production builder, thereby leaving the days of custom building in the past. This was probably the best decision we ever made as it shaped our identity and position in the market. While we continued to build breathtaking homes with interesting optional features, our work was now confined to the footprint of each home, which simplified the process for everyone, improved processes, and quality, and provided our trade partners with a clear understanding of their daily tasks. After this turning point, we experienced exponential growth, which presented a new challenge: distancing ourselves from our custom builder reputation and adapting to production homebuilding,” recounts Dee.
Focus on design
Enriched by features suggested by clients, Westbay’s floor plans morphed into impressive floor plans that remain among its top performers 15 years later. This attention to detail and dedication to listening to clients’ needs and suggestions significantly contributed to the company’s rise to the forefront of Tampa’s homebuilding landscape. Nonetheless, these qualities are only the tip of the iceberg of what makes Westbay the builder of choice for so many people. “Throughout the years, we have stood by our tagline, ‘created for you,’ by crafting highly custom-looking homes within the four walls of our design studio. While many other studios shut down during the pandemic, we persevered and expanded. Our current design studio was recently expanded to 7000 square feet and beautifully showcases all the elements present in our models. One thing that we have always strived to do is to make every component of our models available for purchase, ensuring they are not just for show but also accessible to our clients. I believe this sets us apart from many builders in our market who build gorgeous models with beams and trim but won’t allow buyers to incorporate these features into their homes as they are being constructed.
“Historically, I oversaw the creation and construction of our models, making sure that every component in them was priced within our system. As a result, customers can leave the studio aware of what their final all-in price is going to be and budget accordingly. In contrast, if they were working with a custom builder, they might not have known the final price for months. Furthermore, our highly trained design team and consultants excel at collaborating with new homebuyers, thanks to their deep understanding of our products. There is a questionnaire that they go through with buyers to grasp their lifestyle and design preferences, enabling us to deliver the ideal end product significantly quicker. This is a particularly important advantage for customers, who can spend long hours in the design studio selecting all the beautiful features they want for their homes. Therefore, I owe much of our success to my design team, who help simplify this daunting decision-making process,” Dee elaborates.
As a key figure entrusted with many vital responsibilities, Dee is but one example of how Westbay strives to make homebuilding a more inviting industry to talented women. “Our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is also a woman, so I am not the only one in charge within the company. I believe that as women, we bring a unique perspective to homebuilding. As a single mom who has entertained in her home, I understand what is required to live in a home and welcome guests, and this perspective influences our floor plans and finishes. Although I am a designer at heart and passionate about aesthetics, I also prioritize functionality. I put myself in the buyer’s shoes to appreciate their lifestyles, resulting, for example, in the inclusion of spacious rooms in our floor plans that combine a kitchen where they can simultaneously cook and socialize while entertaining guests. These design choices stem from my personal experiences, making our homes ideal for various family structures, from pet owners to multigenerational households,” she enlightens.
Health trends
While we are on the topic of customer preferences, Dee details how the pandemic affected trends in homebuilding. “It seems that people still want a dedicated quiet place where they can work from home, but also increasingly value gathering. Since we were all isolated during the pandemic, it makes sense for them to want to be together with their loved ones. Thus, many of our newer, popular floor plans seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. In Florida, this often means combining a beautiful pool, possibly a fire pit, and a sun shelf, enabling homeowners to enjoy the outdoors while remaining connected to their living spaces. As we emerge from the pandemic, I think that people are grateful to be able to spend time outdoors with their friends and families. Health and well-being have also become a huge priority for many of us, and as our population ages, I foresee that having a bigger impact on homebuilding. For example, clients who enjoy cold plunging and saunas (like I am), would probably look for ways to easily incorporate these features into their homes. This also links back to people’s want of being with people, since saunas serve as both healthful spaces and places to hang out with friends.” Dee anticipates that “homebuilding will increasingly incorporate various aspects of health and well-being,” thereby responding to the evolving preferences of homeowners.
As she considers the future direction of the company, Dee unveils her predictions. “Willy Nunn, our President of Westbay, always plays it low-key. Initially, he did not think we would ever build townhomes or operate in Manatee County. However, we have since ventured into both areas. So, I do not think anything is off the table for the future and if an opportunity arises, we will be up to the challenge,” she concludes.
By prioritizing lifestyle-centered design Westbay is well-positioned to continue empowering communities in Florida and beyond.