Next Level Builder

In today’s market, homeowners have more choices than ever when it comes to building a new home. Do they find a new construction home that is ready to move into? Do they have the time to start building their dream home from scratch? What about rising interest rates and uncertainty in building material costs? These concerns are normal and can often scare buyers away from obtaining the perfect home from their family and then settling for something that will “be okay” for now. What if there was a builder that can simplify the process and deliver a new construction home that is perfect for your family in a timely manner? 

C.A. Jones, Inc. has been the builder for buyers for more than 25 years. In October of 2023, they closed on their 1,000th home, which was a custom-built home for a family that relocated to the Metro East from St. Louis. But it wasn’t always such a large company. Back when Chris Jones started CA Jones in 1995, they built about 20 homes a year and the average price was around $120,000. The focus was to provide quality built homes that were obtainable for first time homebuyers, families needing more space, and for those looking for great communities. Fast forward to today, C.A. Jones is owned and operated by Michael Needles, and these objectives are still the focus for this growing Home Builder.

In the height of the pandemic, C.A. Jones built around 85 homes simultaneously. How do they keep them all on track? The BuilderTrend app is one of the industry’s leading management software that CAJ extends the use of to their buyers. They watch along as daily logs and photos of the construction are posted for everyone to stay on the same page. Buyers can find all their documents, products and materials used in their home, and even submit warranty claims through the app. This technology has been vital to their success as a homebuilder and has improved communication during the process.

Not only does C.A. Jones have some great technology, but they have focused on their Team in 2023. The best intentions are only as strong as the people that can execute the processes in place. Jennifer Hays, Executive Vice-President came to CAJ in 2021 as a Home Specialist and made customer service her highest priority. Fast forward to today, and Jennifer is the Vice-President and is still focusing on making the customer experience the best it can be by strategically placing people in the right roles. You will find Jennifer out on job sites, working with suppliers and subcontractors, and still meeting with clients in the office. “Making sure I have the correct team in the field, in the office, and as trade partners, has been my focus in 2023 and will continue to be for years to come, making sure that every client has a great experience when building or buying their new construction home,” said Jennifer Hays. Kristin Younkers and Mindy Tracy also joined CA Jones in 2023 to help focus on the home buying experience. Kristin manages the Warranty department, focusing on after closing customer service. Mindy is a Home Specialist that focuses on custom builds for clients looking for the perfect home to fit their lifestyle.

Part of the experience for their future homeowners is working with great lenders and real estate agents. C.A. Jones has paid over $1,000,000 in real estate commissions over the past 10 years. About 25 percent of buyers bring an agent with them to CAJ, and another 28% of buyers are guided to CAJ from their agent. In a market that still has a housing shortage, agents find that buying a new construction home is sometimes the best fit for their buyers. As the largest production builders in the Metro East, CAJ always has homes in production that are being built without knowing who will buy the home. Sometimes they are purchased as we are breaking ground and other times buyers fall in love with the finished product. But rest assured, there are ALWAYS new construction homes that range from $250,000 to $600,000 waiting for the next family to come along and make it their own.

Part of being a home builder in today’s market means always staying on top of technology and customer service. CAJ diversifies itself by not only focusing on building homes, but also operates three sister companies focusing on the needs of today’s homeowners. Green Leaf Renewables is a company that focuses on renewable energy, reducing the energy costs for homeowners. They install residential and commercial solar systems on both new construction and existing homes, and also provide labor for other large solar companies in our market. Phoenix Home Remodeling started when there was a massive shortage of homes on the market and people were taking anything remotely close to fitting their families needs. Pair that with low 2.5% mortgage rates and you have families willing to alter their space to fit their needs rather than searching for new homes all together. Phoenix also offers a partnership with Real Estate Agents needing repairs or modifications to properties that failed a home inspection or getting homes ready for listing to yield top dollar for their clients. C.A. Jones’ newest venture is the acquisition of Crafton Home Services. This is a HVAC, Plumbing and Electric Company that focuses on home repairs and service, also offering monthly maintenance contracts to homebuyers. In second quarter of 2024, all CAJ new construction homes will not only come with the 1-year warranty, but will include a 1-year maintenance membership. 

Focusing on customer service, technology and diversification is what takes C.A. Jones to the next level builder. Their team is filled with some of the industry’s best and have partnered with suppliers, lenders, and agents to make sure homeowners have the best service during and after the build. For a list of current properties available, available floor plans, or links to Phoenix Home Remodeling, Green Leaf Renewables, or Crafton Home Services, go to www.cajonesinc.com. Experience a different home building process in 2024!

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