Propelled by first-time homebuyers and strong interest in planned and active-adult communities, AV Homes, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVHI) and wholly owned subsidiary Royal Oak Homes rose to become the third-largest home builder in Central Florida based on combined closings recorded by MetroStudy*. The No. 3 ranking comes as AV Homes’ Central Florida Division launches an aggressive growth strategy under recently appointed market President Ken Thirtyacre.
From July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017, AV Homes and Royal Oak Homes together recorded more than 1,100 closings at their Central Florida communities, MetroStudy cited in its rankings of area home builders. Separately, Royal Oak Homes was No. 7 while AV Homes came in at No. 13 on the MetroStudy list. AV Homes acquired Royal Oak Homes in 2014.
AV Homes is represented in more than 20 communities locally, including Bellalago on Osceola County’s Lake Toho; and Solivita, a 4,300-acre 55+ active lifestyle community in Kissimmee. The home builder also has two new developments, Reedy Reserve and William’s Preserve, under construction in Kissimmee and Davenport, respectively. Royal Oak Homes, a division of AV Homes, is represented throughout Central Florida, including in Kissimmee, Winter Garden, Clermont and Eustis.
“It’s really encouraging to know that our strategy of offering the right homes for the right price has resonated with home buyers,” said Thirtyacre, who joined AV Homes’ Central Florida Division in June. “For instance, when we opened Reedy Reserve, a new community in Kissimmee, 65 homes were sold before we had completed our model homes.”
As Central Florida Division president, Thirtyacre oversees the development and operations of all regional AV Homes/Royal Oak Homes assets, including more than 11,000 developed and undeveloped home sites and an additional 600 acres of commercial and mixed-use properties. Thirtyacre, who has 35 years of industry experience, said his plans include increasing market footprint through land acquisitions, elevating brand awareness and leveraging the company’s success as a builder of “homes for every stage of life.”
“I see terrific opportunities ahead for our home building teams,” said Thirtyacre. “The timing is right to act aggressively and leverage our brand.”
