Meritage builds homes to meet residents' needs

Beville expects pre-sales to begin in February. "Buyers will have an opportunity to choose from a variety of imaginative architectural styles, estate homes, village homes and city homes," says Beville, adding that model homes are planned to debut in May and July.

"We've made our mark in several pockets of the valley and buyers anticipate seeing our neighborhoods go up in the newest and most popular areas of town. The response to our Las Vegas communities has been phenomenal," he adds.

He credits the success to thoughtful floor plan design, quality construction and consistent customer service. "We're as deliberate about our growth strategies as we are about maintaining the solid reputation we've earned," he states.

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"We're extremely well positioned for the future," Beville continues. "Our current lot supply puts us in a very good growth situation for the next three [to] five years."

The Right Value

A native Las Vegan and CPA, Beville says the southern Nevada homebuilding industry suits him well. He finds his work with Meritage bothexciting and rewarding. "I'm passionate about this industry. I love providing the American dream to buyers in this market," he says, noting that he especially enjoys delivering Meritage homes to happy new owners.

Beville believes buyer satisfaction is linked to the value of his company's products. The division aims to provide more value than competing home-builders by offering exceptional home designs at affordable prices. "We offer a really attractive home package for the price," he says.

According to the company, there is more to the draw than price," he says. "Location is a key component of Meritage's marketing strategy.

According to Beville, his division builds "in the best submarkets in Las Vegas," which includes the popular northwest, southwest and Henderson regions.

"We're extremely selective about the location of our communities and the details that define them," Beville says. "Once we determine that an area meets our criteria, we apply our proven model and create unmatched value for buyers. Our approach sets us apart, and buyers respond."

Broad Appeal

The Las Vegas Division serves a broad customer base that includes first- and second-time homebuyers, young professionals, families, executives and empty nesters. "It covers the whole gamut," Beville says."Part of the plan is to cater to as many people as we possibly can."

The sales approach is working for the division, Beville says, and many first-time Meritage buyers move up to second and third Meritage homes. Along the way, they share their experiences with neighbors, friends and relatives.

In 2005, Beville's division had a 27 percent unsolicited referral rate. "Unsolicited means we didn't offer incentives for referrals," Beville says. "Homeowners see the value of their Meritage homes. They see that the value of their neighborhoods have maintained. They refertheir friends simply because they're happy with their own experiences."

Beville says all buyers receive the same high level of customer service. It's a top priority for the division. "We constantly evaluate ourselves and work to improve," he says. The division participates inJ.D. Power surveys to measure and evaluate its service. "We increaseour scores on a regular basis, yet always strive for more. 'Good, better, best--never let it rest 'til your good is better and your better is best.' That's our motto," says Beville.

Invaluable Partnerships

The division is quick to credit business partners and subcontractors as contributors to its corporate success. "We value our business relationships and tend to keep them for years," Beville says. "Our subcontractors provide an invaluable service to us."

Beville and his team regularly look to subcontractors for feedbackon design, value, engineering and new product releases.

Financial stability and longevity are two characteristics the division seeks in its partners. "We definitely include local companies inthe fold," Beville says. "Our partners don't have to be big, national companies for us to consider them."

Beville adds that, regardless of size, a subcontractor must be able to employ skilled labor. "We focus a lot of attention on the quality of our homes," he states. "We hold subcontractors to those same standards--without exception."