Ivey Homes
Mark and Matt Ivey founded the company in 2004, but were introduced to the home building industry when their father, Jake, started building homes in the Augusta area in 1984. They knew that with their name as part of the company, they did not want to be the lowest price per square foot builder.
In this month’s feature, we asked Ivey Homes Sales and Marketing Director Caroline Ashe to share some insight on building HERS® homes for their customers.
Q: What is special about a HERS® Rated home?
A: Caroline: A home’s HERS® rating is a number or rating for a home that the homeowner can understand, like the miles per gallon on a car to tell them how much more energy efficient a particular home is compared to other homes.
Q: Why should consumers ask for the HERS® Index Score on homes they are shopping for?
A: Caroline: Today’s consumers are looking for ways to save money and a home that is third-party tested and offers a HERS® score can give them peace of mind that their new homes will help save them money over time. All Ivey Homes’ HERS® scores are posted in the home’s electrical panel.
Q: Why does Ivey Homes choose to have their homes HERS® Rated?
A: Caroline: Ivey Homes feels it shows value to our homebuyers that their home is better built. Programs and construction techniques that we institute must offer a benefit for our customers and we feel a HERS® rated home shows the customer in easy terms how much more energy efficient their home is than others.
Q: Why consumers should expect energy-efficient homes?
A: Caroline: A home is not only a place to make memories with family, it’s an investment and helps build wealth. An energy-efficient HERS®-rated home is a piece of the wealth builder. If the home is more energy efficient and better built then the value is more protected.
Q: How many homes does Ivey Homes build with HERS® per year?
A: Caroline: We built 257 homes in 2021, and are estimated to build 225 homes in 2022. All of our homes and townhomes are HERS-rated.
Q: How do you market HERS® Rated homes?
A: Caroline: Ivey Homes created a program called IveyWise. This program educates homebuyers why an Ivey home is more energy efficient, better built, and healthier for them and their family. The HERS® is a big component of the IveyWise program.
Q: How do your customers feel about HERS® Rated homes?
A: Caroline: Our customers feel the IveyWise program and the HERS® information are important for the home and the overall comfort and energy efficiency of the home. A recent survey of Ivey homebuyers found that 47% stated the IveyWise program which includes the important HERS® played a role in their final home buying decision.
