Epic Development Earns Five OBIE Awards from the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association

ATLANTA, GA, January 19, 2011 (Press-News.org) Epic Development (formerly known as With Epic Precision), a full service residential and light commercial contractor that offers design/build services, has become a five time OBIE Award winner, with three gold awards and two silvers. The Sales and Marketing Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association presents the OBIE Awards annually to recognize outstanding achievement. The OBIE Awards began in 1980, and for 30 years have been considered the highest honor in the housing industry.

"We are overwhelmed to receive five awards," said Jim LaVallee, responsible for finance and marketing at the company. "2010 was a record year for our business and we knew that buyers and agents could see the difference in quality. Winning five OBIE Awards is an even greater honor as we were being judged by our peers who have a more critical eye than the typical buyer. The judges work in the industry every day and know how hard it is to consistently deliver superior homes. As we move forward, this accomplishment re-energizes us to strive for award winning quality every day."

Epic Development won one gold and two silvers in the category "Single Family Detached Urban Development/Revitalization." The gold was in Eastwood Manor in East Atlanta (all builders $299,000 and under) and the silvers in Columbia Acres in Decatur ($299,000 and under) and Oakhurst/Eastlake ($300,000 to $449,999). The company won two gold awards in the "Residential Remodeling" category, with Ormewood Park (whole house renovation under $250,000) and Oakhurst/Eastlake (whole house renovation $250,000 to $500,000).

Epic Development builds new homes and renovates older homes. In the past two years a significant portion of its business has been total renovations of existing homes. "As the market stabilizes the business will be primarily ground up new construction projects," said LaVallee. "We own a significant inventory of lots that are ready to be built on, but for the next couple of renovations we will still offer buyers a tremendous value for an essentially new home."

The focus of the business has been in the $200,000 - $400,000 price range during the past two years due to market demand. The company is now expanding into the $500,000 to $1 million market with properties in the LaVista Park area and in Sandy Springs.

Epic Development's success is also due to being on the cutting edge of style in the home building industry. This includes well thought out plans, and just as important, the selection of construction materials, colors and fixtures.

"There are many variables and decisions that have to be made in the construction of any home," said Rick Bennett, who is responsible for design and construction. "Achieving the proper balance between proportion, flow, materials, color, and architectural style is what creates an award winning home. We look at so many properties that just don't make sense in one or more of these areas. Buyers often can't list the differences as they tour one of our properties, but the superior quality of the finished product is evident."

Bennett spends extensive time studying trends in the market place in both east coast and west coast markets. "Atlanta has southern roots architecturally, but at the same time it has evolved into an international city. With this change there is a growing demand for different styles," said Bennett. "Architecture is fluid and constantly evolving. Based on trends in the west coast, we believe there will be growing demand from in-town buyers wanting mid-century modern homes. We are bringing styles from the west coast to the east coast to be at the forefront of renovation trends. It is partially related to the life-cycle of a house and the migration of buyers from the suburbs back to the city."

The older ranch homes now sit on well located lots in many cities across the United States. According to Bennett, a large number of buyers don't want to scrape these down just to build the typical suburban house, and many younger buyers just don't want to live in their parent's style of house. They are looking for something different that fits their life style. Epic Development will strive to be a market leader in this area and help define this movement in architecture.
Epic Development is a charter member of the Green Building Council, a member of the Remodelers Council and EarthCraft Council. For more information, call Jim LaVallee at 404-847-9080 or Rick Bennett at 678-777-7425, or visit the website at http://www.EpicDevelopment.com.