Southern Bay in Builder/Architect Southwest Florida Edition

Southern Bay in Homebuyer Spring/Summer 2002

Southern Bay Homes Crafting Quality
by Building Trust

By Joe Padilla

Taken From Builder/Architech Southwest Florida Edition.

Understanding the needs of the discriminating home buyer is the first key to successful home building, but for Southern Bay Homes, it's more than just a business strategy—it's a corporate philosophy. Founded in 1989 by Mark Bagley, the company is today one of Southwest Florida's premier home builders, and has established a reputation for superior design, quality construction and outstanding customer service. Bagley, who spent 10 years with a national home builder, eventually grew frustrated with tract home construction, and established Southern Bay Homes as a small, custom home builder with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and service.

"I wanted to change gears a little when I started this company," he says. "I was used to working for a company that built a large number of homes as inexpensively as it could, and we weren't able to put the emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction that I would have liked to." His first product was a spec home he built in a Naples community called Imperial Golf Estates, which he sold in a short time for $270,000.

Running the company on his own with only a part-time book- keeper on staff, he sold four houses his first year in business and functioned as both builder and realtor for each. "I would work on the house during the week and then go sit out there on the weekends and have an open house until they sold," he remembers with a laugh. Things are very different today for Southern Bay Homes. After spending two years building in Villages of Monterrey, the company moved to Pelican Marsh in the mid-1990s, where it built homes in the $500,000 range. Other homes Bagley built in downtown Naples and similar areas priced at more than $1 million, and today the company's average price is between $750,000 and $1 Million+.

In addition to Pelican Marsh, Southern Bay also builds in The Brooks in Bonita Springs, Old Naples, Pelican Bay, Pelican Landing, Bonita Bay's newest community, the Verandah, and other high-end Naples area communities, selling about 20-25 homes a year. But even with two full-time salespeople and three superintendents on staff, Bagley still insists on doing a lot of things himself. "I stay involved in every aspect of the sale, from contract to closing," he says. "I want my customers to know up front who is going to be- building their house. Half of the sales process is building a relationship with your buyers so they can develop a trust in you. People buy the builder as much as they buy the home he's building."

Building Relationships for Success

The strong relationships Bagley creates with his clients are one of the reasons for his success. Much of his business is generated through word of mouth, and he even has a few repeat customers. While the company builds an occasional commercial project, its prime focus is on the high-end single-family market, where it can showcase its high level of craftsmanship.

About half of the homes Southern Bay builds are designed by Bagley and one of his architects, who spend time talking with the client to learn their preferences and needs. "Our strength is in custom-designing-homes for our clients, working hand-in-hand with them to create something that will fit their lifestyle for many years to come," he says. "That only happens when they can establish a level of trust in you and your ideas. If they do, the Creative relationship will be a successful one, and they'll end up with something a little more unique."

The uniqueness that exemplifies each Southern Bay home can be traced to the high level of detailed craftsmanship Bagley insists on including. From custom-designed crown molding and ceiling designs to ceramic tile and doorway arches, each finished home is more than just a place to live-it's a work of art. "We've tried to put in some eye-catching features in each home we build," he says. "So while the buyer may be getting the same size house that one of our competitors would build, we've added some special features that dress it up and help it stand out from the crowd."

Another reason for Southern Bay's continued success is the long -standing relationships it maintains with its trade contractors and suppliers. While the construction labor market continues to tighten across the nation, the company's strong partnerships have helped it maintain a steady production schedule and keep its houses closing on time. "Having loyal relationships with your sub- contractors is critical in this business," says Bagley. "With custom home buyers who see the house from start to finish, it's important to have subs who are courteous and reliable. We consider every one of our contractors to be a partner in our business, and we're all committed to achieving complete customer satisfaction."

Keeping a Focus on Quality

As he looks to the future, Bagley says he wants to remain focused on the custom home building market, while expanding into more upscale communities throughout Southwest Florida. "We're pretty comfortable in the market we've been in for the past few years," he says. "My goal is to stay in two main communities, build between 20 and 25 homes a year, and continue to succeed in this business for at least the next decade."

As long as home buyers continue to shop for quality craftsmanship and superior design, Bagley's aspirations to remain a leader in the Southwest Florida custom home market are sure to be realized. "We've built our success on a reputation for excellence," Bagley explains. "We have a team that has the background and skills required to deliver on our commitment to quality and value. We believe in first-class construction, superior customer service before, during and after the sale, and above all, exceeding our buyers' expectations."

For further information regarding Southern Bay Homes, click here.

Southern Bay Homes, Inc.

Taken from Homebuyer Spring/Summer 2002.

Excellence and lasting value have been the hallmarks of Southern Bay Homes since its inception in 1989. By launching the company, president Mark A. Bagley responded to marketplace demands for a custom homebuilding firm offering personalized service and home designs tailored to fit each and every lifestyle.

With Southern Bay Homes as your partner, building a new home will prove to be a rewarding experience. Homebuyers appreciate the thoughtful planning , extraordinary attention to details and design that is both functional and beautiful that goes into every home built by the firm.

Most of Southern Bay's magnificent homes are truly custom--original creations born of the homebuyer's vision, while some homes are customizations of versatile Southern Bay designs. The firm has built a variety of home styles including Old Florida-style homes with tin roofs and wide Verandahs, Mediterranean homes with red terra cotta roof tiles and brick paver drivways, waterfront estate homes, and family-style homes. All showcase the firm's flexibility and commitment to tailor the home to the specific needs of the buyer. "It is our goal to turn the homebuyer's vision into a reality of unsurpassed quality, on time and on budget," says Bagley. Meticulous attention to detail demonstrates Southern Bay Homes Inc.'s unwavering commitment to superior quality and innovative design.

This is evident in every floor plan created by the firm, with high-end detailing and features typically found in more expensive homes abundant in all of Southern Bay's residences. Such features include volume ceilings, zero-corner sliding glass doors, crown molding, beautiful coffered ceilings, brick paver driveways, walkways and pool decks, rich mahogany doors, outdoor kitchens, pools, spas, fireplaces, and expansive mitered glass windows to maximize views.

Southern Bay Homes' residential designs have garnered awards both regionally and nationally. Recognized by the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), Southern Bay Homes acheived the coveted AIBD national award for excellence in building design. The firm has also been honored by the Collier Building Industry Association, earning sand dollar awards for best product design.

Southern Bay Homes has built luxury homes ranging from $750,000 to over $2 Million in distinctive communities throughout the area including Pelican Marsh, Pelican Landing, Pelican Bay, Aqualane Shores, Olde Naples, Imperial Golf Estates, Lely Barefoot Beach, The Crossings, Villages of Monterey, Shadowood™ at The Brooks™, Shadow Wood Preserve, and Bonita Bay's newest community, the Verandah. Southern Bay is currently active in Twin Eagles in Naples, Shadow Wood Preserve in South Ft. Myers, The Verandah in Ft. Myers, as well as other prestigious communities through out Southwest Florida.

For more information, contact our sales staff by phone at
(239) 948-3404 or via our contact form. Thank you.