Meet Pat and Cheri. This phenomenal couple spent years looking for the perfect Liberty Township homesite to build their dream home. When their 5-acre wooded homesite, complete with stocked pond and refurbished barn, came on the market in 2014, they didn’t hesitate to make the purchase. With their custom home building adventure and home construction coming to an end, we recently sat down with Pat and Cheri and asked them to share some words of encouragement and advice with those of you who are just starting out on the journey.
Q: HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR LAND AND WHAT MADE IT SO SPECIAL TO YOU?
A: We have lived and worked in the West Chester/Liberty area for the past 25+ years. It’s a wonderful community and is a fantastic place to raise a family. Finding land in West Chester/Liberty is not easy, most farms have been developed into subdivisions. While looking for property we wanted to stay within a 5-mile radius of our previous home. When this property became available, we knew instantly that our search was over. The wooded 5-acre parcel included a stoked pond and a refurbished barn. The previous landowner told us Miami University horticulture department would bring students out to study all the different varieties/species of trees – many 50 – 75 years old. Our new home is nestled in the trees approximately 950 ft off of the road.
Q: HOW DID YOU FIND HOMES BY GERBUS AND DID YOU TALK WITH DIFFERENT BUILDERS BEFORE PURCHASING YOUR LAND?
A: We met a few builders out at the property before we purchased and they said yes, it can be done, but with some hesitation. Like, this will not be an easy project. We didn’t meet Alan Gerbus until a few years into this project. We were introduced to Homes by Gerbus from a friend/colleague. After our initial meeting with Alan and Nate Gerbus, we felt like we would be in good hands.
Alan came into the picture towards the end of the lot split and house design. Just in time to reassure us that this can and will happen. He was in fact the best builder for this project. I am sure of that.
This was a complicated project with many obstacles and Alan didn’t seem to be phased by the complexity. Other builders didn’t seem to be as confident about different aspects of this project. The logistics seemed overwhelming to them – maneuvering semi-trucks around a lane that runs directly next to the pond, trenching back 950 ft for the electric and water lines on both sides of property, dodging 50 – 75-year-old trees, tunneling under an existing bridge, saving a rock wall, and all the existing landscaping around the pond (just to name a few). Words really can’t describe Alan’s meticulous plan and his execution of it all.
Q: YOU HAD ALREADY STARTED ON YOUR HOME PLANS. DID YOU ASK HOMES BY GERBUS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PLAN AND PLACEMENT?
A: We had started working with an architect after purchasing our property in 2014, but we just weren’t 100% sure of where we should place the home on the property. Our plans were almost complete before we knew the actual location of the new construction. Alan made suggestions as to where he felt would be the best location. We have a small ranch at the front of property that needed to be taken into consideration as we planned for the new construction. Not only did we want to maximize our own views and privacy, but we also wanted the original home to keep its picturesque view as well.
Q: WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME ON YOUR LAND?
A: The most challenging aspect for us was subdividing our property into two homesites. We have an existing ranch on the property and in West Chester you cannot have two homes on one lot. So, we divided our property in order to keep the small ranch up front. Having our property surveyed and split was no joke! That took us a few years. I (Cheri) personally took all the paperwork up to Butler County numerous times for approval. It was an ordeal to say the least with many, many denials. Alan stepped in and really helped finish up the loose ends of dividing the property so we could finally get our home started.
Q: WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE WITH HOMES BY GERBUS AND IS THERE SOMETHING IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU’VE ENJOYED?
A: During construction we lived in the small ranch up near the front of property. I (Cheri) work from home so it’s been very entertaining to see all the construction trucks and semi’s backing down the driveway back to construction site. There are so many obstacles to dodge while backing down the narrow lane. My husband (Pat) calls during the day to check on things and I would just say “Well, another truck is stuck and is getting towed out as we speak!” We even had a digger fall in our pond. We were just super thankful everyone was okay. But the most exciting part has been watching all our selections being installed. Our home is so beautiful. We are so excited – it’s really everything we dreamed of.
Q: WILL YOU RECOMMEND HOMES BY GERBUS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY?
A. We will definitely recommend Homes by Gerbus. They have done an outstanding job. They are genuine, experienced and knowledgeable with very high standards. We could not be happier. They literally kept the project constantly moving forward. Another thing that we really appreciated is the fact that they checked in with us on all final decisions. They didn’t just finish things to be finished, they finished things how we wanted them to be finished. Homes by Gerbus is an amazing organization, they are skilled and true professionals and just overall great guys! We are very impressed!
Q: THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, PAT AND CHERI. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
A: We’re also super impressed with Nate Gerbus, our construction superintendent. He is just so personable, and as detail oriented as Alan. No doubt he has an exciting future ahead. Thanks Homes by Gerbus!
Are you feeling inspired to build a custom home on your land? Contact alan@gerbus.com for a complimentary evaluation of your homesite!
About Homes by Gerbus: For over six decades our locally owned building company, founded by Walter Gerbus Sr., has been crafting exquisite custom homes in the greater Cincinnati area and Northern Kentucky. Offered in the finest custom home communities or on your homesite, our homes are built on solid family values and a strong work ethic that has guided our company (and family) for three generations. From handshakes at the time to contract, to hugs at the time of closing, we pride ourselves on building homes of uncompromising value, quality, and style. We take great comfort in the accolades that we receive from our satisfied clients who praise our team for listening to their concerns, addressing their questions, and providing a pleasurable and stress free home building experience. The Homes by Gerbus, Inc. family of companies also includes Gerbus Remodeling, Inc. and Gerbus Properties, Inc.
