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Daily Herald
February 16, 2008
By: Jean Murphy
Bright ideas run this
home-building company
The secret to
becoming a successful
home builder is finding
a niche market and
building a top-notch
product that satisfies
the customer, while not
overextending yourself.
That is what Bob Bright,
president of Meadowview
Development in
Plainfield, has
achieved.
"My homes mainly appeal
to people who are
looking for high-end
production homes who
want some
customization," he said.
"I use lots of brick and
have a bigger selection
of colors, options and
front elevations than
any of my competitors.
And it seems that I
modify the plan in some
way on every house."
Bright is even open to
starting from scratch
and building a custom
house for customers.
"But modifying my floor
plans is what most
buyers seem to want to
do," he said.
Meadowview Development
builds in the far
Western suburbs and has
subdivisions under way
in Naperville, Oswego
and Yorkville. Another
community is in the
planning stages for
Sandwich.
"I build between five
and 45 homes per year,
most of which range in
price from $350,000 to
$800,000 each," Bright
said. "We also develop
land and sell lots to
other builders."
Bright said he has two
partners with the
Sandwich project, which
will feature
single-family homes and
townhouses.
"We have a very good
relationship with the
city of Sandwich and I
believe that the market
will move out there
before long," he said.
His dream house: "I am
building my dream house
now. I live on a
250-acre farm in Newark,
south of Sandwich, and
am building my family a
1½-story modified ranch
home with an open floor
plan and three master
suites."
Favorite new home
amenity: The elevator
installed in his new
home.
Background: Bright, 55,
started his professional
life in the concrete
business in 1974. In
fact, he still owns R.A.
Bright Concrete.
In 1987, he partnered
with experienced
builders to build a
couple of homes and
learn the business. He
eventually branched out
from concrete work
because he felt it was a
good investment and
would help fill in the
slow times in the
concrete business.
Originally, he built
under the name of R.A.
Bright Construction, but
in 1992 he changed the
name of his residential
construction firm to
Meadowview because he
didn't want his two
businesses to become
confused in people's
minds.
Today he employs a
salesperson and
construction
superintendent and
subcontracts all of the
construction work.
Philosophy: "I work to
keep my customers happy,
because if they are
happy, they will tell
other people and I will
get lots of referrals.
And if they are ever in
the market to build a
larger home or even to
downsize, chances are
they will come back to
me."
Buyer profile: "Most of
my buyers are families
moving up to a larger
home. Most have been
living in the local
area, but I have had a
few transferees. And I
have also had several
repeat buyers."
Best part about being a
builder: "I enjoy
delivering homes to
people and knowing that
I have happy customers.
I also like looking back
at subdivisions and
knowing that I created
them."
Biggest challenge:
"Sometimes it is
difficult to keep the
cities happy and it is
always a challenge to
make sure that you keep
up with your customers'
expectations."
Future plans: "I plan to
continue to focus on
building in the far
Western suburbs
including Yorkville,
Sandwich and Oswego."
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