Top Producer Club

Fred Williams' Top Producers Club is comprised solely of agents who have achieved outstanding performance measures throughout the year. They have demonstrated the drive and determination required to rise to the top of their profession. Commitment to service and success are their standard...and it shows!

Lori Ann Aleff

A native Savannahian, Lori has extensive knowledge of the area's growing market. Her dedication and efficiency help make purchasing a home easy and fun! These values also helped her earn a place in the Savannah Board of Realtor's Distinguished Sales Society in 2008. In addition, Lori believes strongly in continuing education, having completed her CSP (Certified New Home Sales Professional) and IRM (Institute of Residential Marketing) III and IV certifications.

Eva Johnson

As an associate broker for Fred Williams New Homes Sales since 2004, Eva is an integral part of the team. She has been awarded Salesperson of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah for the past two years for her expertise in new home sales. Having lived in California for many years, Eva has had the opportunity to assist buyers with culturally diverse backgrounds. Her genuine interest in a buyers needs and desires, along with her knowledge of today's real estate market, make her the ideal consultant when it comes to finding a special place to call home.

Lorenzo McDonald

Lorenzo's passion for real estate and dedication to customer service has awarded him several notable achievements. Not only has he been named Salesperson of the Year for Fred Williams New Home Sales, he is also a member of SABOR's Distinguished Sales Society. As a licensed Realtor and Certified New Home Sales Professional, Lorenzo believes "caring" is a necessary ingredient when working with new home buyers. Despite his success, he does not consider himself a great salesperson, but someone who cares about the needs of his buyers.

"Do Well By Doing Good"

Founded in 1979, Fred Williams Homebuilder has earned a reputation for doing what seems to be the impossible - building a home with expansive square footage and superior quality at an incredibly low cost. The way they have accomplished this feat is a testament to a company that has held firm to its values and mission for over 30 years.

"At the core of our company is our philosophy - 'Do well by doing good' - a quote made famous by Benjamin Franklin in the 1700's," Fred says. "For us, it's not just a slogan, it's the way we do business."

At Fred Williams Homebuilder, the corporate culture is a strong and vibrant foundation that serves as a touchstone for every decision made every day by every employee. It is an understanding that "Do well by doing good" benefits not only the company and its employees, but the homeowners who live in the communities in which they build.

No where is the corporate philosophy more clearly expressed than in the company's mission. "More House, Less Money" is aimed at providing each homeowner with more house, more service and more value for less money and less worry.

"When I think about our company's mission, I take pride in it," says Windy Hunter, Sales Administrator for Fred Williams Homebuilder. "We're able to give customers more space to live in, more room to enjoy their lives and more comfort in their homes."

Another core value adopted by the Fred Williams team is the "Raving Fan" customer service concept: discovering what the buyer wants then delivering a quality home and outstanding customer service consistently, time after time.

Fred Williams Homebuilder also works hard to add value in the community. The company has been proactive in working on the development of two charter schools that will greatly expand West Chatham's public educational choices. West Chatham Preparatory Academy, scheduled to open this fall in Pooler, will accommodate high school students while Imagine Schools' Port Wentworth campus, a kindergarten through 8th grade school, is still in the approval process.

So how, you may wonder, are they able to do it all for less? From accounting to customer service, each department is focused on implementing systems and streamlining processes so that savings are constantly passed on to the home buyer. Stephanie Steele, Controller and long-time employee says, "We pride ourselves on our teamwork, offering more service with less worry as we never meet a challenge we cannot overcome."

As added assurance, each new home is accompanied by an extensive home buyer's warranty covering certain structural elements for up to ten years. The company strives to give each home buyer what they need most: peace of mind.

Fred Williams has instilled in his company's corporate culture a firm commitment to enhancing the opportunities and experiences of everyone involved in his success; from employees to home buyers and even to the broader community. Benjamin Franklin would be delighted to know that Fred Williams has done well by doing good. After all, profitability drives possibilities.

Raving Fans

My name is Dr. Henrietta Gray. I am an educator with the Chatham County School Board. I have enjoyed a wonderful experience with Fred Williams Homebuilder since moving to Pooler, GA seven years ago. Paramount to my experience has been the customer service I have received from Pam Hammock.

Mrs. Hammock demonstrated methodical proficiency in credit matters and real estate finance. I found Mrs. Hammock to be scholarly, professionally assertive and passionate.

Warm Regards,
Dr. Henrietta Gray

Eva Johnson found me the perfect house. What was even better, everyone at Fred Williams was so helpful. The house was ready for me to move into in record time. There were no problems with the closing and I really appreciated Tom Burns [Construction Manager] taking the time to do the "walk-through" and demonstrate how everything worked.

All I can say is...thank you Eva and Fred Williams! I have truly come home.

Sincerely,
Erin Greene
Happy Lake Shore Homeowner

Building the Future

Fred Williams Homebuilder may have had a great year, but the best is yet to come.

As the Sales and Marketing Director for Fred Williams New Home Sales, Stevie Williams is not only the present, but the future of this family-owned business. One that has successfully helped families fulfill their dream of home ownership for more than 30 years.

For Stevie, having a career in the building industry was almost preordained. In fact, it's in her blood. Both her parents, two of her brothers and he brother-in-law - all have chosen some facet of real estate as their life's work.

Ever mindful of the future, Stevie chose to pursue a degree in real estate business, earning her B.A. from Georgia State University in 2006. "I felt that degree would provide me with a solid foundation of the principles required to run any successful business," she says.

After graduation, Stevie moved home and began training for her new role. Over the years, she has learned the family business by working in many areas of the company, from conducting market research to coordinating realtor partners to serving as a new home sales consultant.

Wanting to test her limits a year after graduation, Stevie embarked on a three-month sabbatical by participating in the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). A rigorous and life-changing organization, NOLS takes people on remote wilderness expeditions, teaching technical outdoor skills, leadership and environmental ethics. It was an incredible experience that helped shape the person she is today.

"I wanted to challenge myself mentally and physically," says Stevie. "I wanted to discover my passions and what I wanted out of life. Every day was a struggle and an adventure. It was scary climbing mountains and hiking in the wilderness of Mexico. I did things I never thought I would do."

When Stevie returned to the United States she went back to work for her family's company, Fred Williams Homebuilder. She thought her experiences would better prepare her for her future, but it took her far beyond her original goal. Working with varying personalities in high stress situations helped her develop the skills necessary to succeed in the competitive world of real estate.

"I learned how far I can push myself and how much I can accomplish," Stevie says. "Most importantly, I learned what it takes to be a leader. That experience taught me various skills I'll need to lead Fred Williams Homebuilder into the next generation."

Already a proven leader, Stevie serves as the Chairperson for the Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah, Chairperson for the Savannah Board of Realtor's Cultural Diversity Committee and Secretary for the Women's Council of Realtors. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah.

In 2009, Stevie was named Member of the Year by the Women's Council of Realtors. A true rising star, she also received one of five Silver Awards for Sales Manager of the Year from the National Association of Home Builders.

Though Fred and Janice Williams are surely beaming with pride, Stevie is incredibly proud of her parents as well. She is grateful for the role models she continually strives to emulate.

"My mom is my mentor. She has a devoted clientele that bought from her their second, third and even fourth homes," says Stevie. "My mom is brilliant, especially when it comes to sales and finance. She was the mastermind behind the program 'Buy My House, I'll Buy Yours' which was successful for many years in our market."

Stevie has equal admiration for her father.

"My dad is an extremely personable, humble and intelligent man," Stevie says. "He taught me how to see challenges, not problems, and how to manage difficult situations with wisdom and composure."

When asked where she sees herself five years from now, Stevie laughingly replies, "Wearing a hard hat!" And, like all the other hats a real estate developer and homebuilder must wear, it fits her perfectly. Now Stevie eagerly looks forward to learning more about the other side of the business - land development and construction of new homes.

Perhaps Stevie's father, Fred, sums it up best.

"Stevie not only has great people skills, she also possesses analytical and technical skills," says Fred. "Those qualities allow her to move easily from sales to homebuilding and vise versa, which are entirely different mindsets. Both her mom and I know that Stevie will continue our company's vision and mission of providing families with the opportunity to achieve their dream of home ownership. It is a family tradition that makes us proud."

2009 Employee of the Year

Creative, organized, results-oriented - these are just a few of the qualities that can be used to describe Fred Williams Homebuilder's 2009 Employee of the Year. Serving as the Marketing Director since 2008, Carrie Coggins embodies the vision of the ideal Fred Williams employee.

"Carrie shows a true passion and dedication to the mission of Fred Williams Homebuilder. Her integrity, teamwork and can-do attitude make her a key player in the company's continued success," said Stevie Williams, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred Williams New Home Sales.

Carrie has played an integral role in earning numerous accolades and recognition for the Fred Williams brand. Both the brains and creative force behind the "Sneak Preview" marketing campaign, Carrie took home a 2008 Summit Award for "Best Print Design." Fred Williams Homebuilder was also honored for "Best Brochure," "Best Sales Center" and "Best Marketing Promotion."

An asset to any team, Carrie Coggins continues to set the standard of excellence.

Read more.

2010 Outlook is Promising

After defying all the odds and having the best year ever in the midst of the "Great Recession," how does Fred Williams Homebuilder think 2010 will be? With more than 30 years of experience riding the ups and downs of the residential real estate market, Fred Williams unabashedly declares that he is "realistically optimistic!"

Fred says, "Although the over-supply of used homes is likely to increase, it only enhances the quality and value of our offerings."

Fred's confidence in the local real estate market is further reinforced by the extension of several of his existing communities. While most builders are scrambling to sell land and excess inventory, his company is developing over 200 lots in the Port Wentworth area: Phase II of Rice Creek, The Preserves and Barrington Estates, both subdivisions at Lake Shore.

"We're gearing up for another great year," says Stevie Williams, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred Williams New Home Sales. Adding that, "Pre-selling will begin in March with a grand opening scheduled for May."

In a challenging market, the strongest players survive and Fred Williams Homebuilder is poised to pick up local market share. The company is introducing two new product lines designed to appeal to both entry-level and move-up buyers. An experienced and professional staff, along with a top performing sales team, is prepared to work with home buyers on all aspects of what has proven to be the most important purchase a family ever makes.

Fortunately, interest rates are expected to remain near historical lows for the better part of the year and the housing market should show signs of stabilization. And while the new and improved federal home buyer tax credit can benefit first-time buyers, it also includes provisions for home owners who want to sell their current home and buy a new one. Buyers who want to use the tax credit must have their new home under contract by April 30th and close the transaction by June 30th.

With mortgage rates still at record lows and the first-time home buyer tax credit extended and expanded, now is definitely the time to buy.

Save Energy, Save Money

Source: Environment News Service

Now that the holidays are officially underway, we'd like to show you a few ways you can save energy and save money this season.

Decorating:

Consider using holiday lights with energy efficient light emitting diodes (LED's).

• They're shatter proof, shock resistant, safe to touch and present no fire hazard.
• LED's use 10% less energy than mini incandescent lights and can last up to 50,000 hours.
• They thrive outdoors because of their durability and performance in extreme temperatures.
• By using energy efficient LED light strands, you can save up to 80% on your decorative lighting energy costs.

Food Storage:

• Leaving the refrigerator door open while removing items is more efficient than opening and closing the door multiple times.
• Defrosting food in the refrigerator helps save energy because it helps keep the refrigerator cold.
  
• Save energy by allowing hot food to cool before placing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
  

Cooking:

• Using the smallest pan and burner for the job will help reduce energy costs.
• Microwave ovens use less than half the energy required by a conventional oven.
• Slow cookers and crock pots will cook a whole meal for less than 20 cents worth of energy.
• To improve efficiency, keep oven doors closed as much as possible and bake several dishes at one time. Every time the door is opened, the oven loses 25 - 50 degrees of heat.

Cleaning Up:

• Run the dishwasher with full loads for optimum efficiency.
• Use cold water to rinse dishes before loading the dishwasher to save money on your energy bill.
  
• The dishwasher uses almost 40% less water than a load of dishes washed by hand. However, filling the wash and rinse basins instead of letting the hot water run uses half as much water as a dishwasher.

For more tips about how you can save energy on the road and around your home & office, click here.