Your Stone Martin Builders Weekly Update Pt. 3

Dear Homeowners and Business Partners:

We hope you are surviving your social distancing and quarantine time with those you love. We realize that the circumstances of today are effecting every one of you in a very unique way.

The Stone Martin Builders team has become more of a day to day functioning group than the big picture company we are used to. We have had to think and design systems in reaction to the circumstances in order to keep our business running at the most optimum efficiency for you, the customer.

As you know, last week, the Governor implemented a mandatory shut down for non-essential business within the state of Alabama. Home building and real estate sales were deemed essential by the state and federal government due to their importance to the economy, however, I do not agree with this categorization.

ALL businesses are essential to the home building industry and the economy as a whole. We have heavy hearts and are feeling deeply for the professionals that have been shut down. The people that own gyms, spas and salons, restaurants, athletic facilities, and more are the people that buy our homes on a daily basis. Their businesses are as much a part of the stability of the economy as ours. All business is essential in my book to the steady growth of our economy, and our prayers go out to you that have to take a break from what you love and the effects it will have on your family.

As we enter into week three of continual changes, there has also become a new norm by default. We feel privileged to have the opportunity to continue to work and we plan to do so in a way that respects the current recommendations by community leaders in response to COVID-19. We are putting the following policies in place in response to the changing times.

Virtual Selling Implementation – The Stone Martin sales team has been given a full virtual selling plan that includes virtual showings and virtual contract/selection appointments. The model homes are an open place of business, however, appointments are strongly encouraged in order to refrain from having any groups of 10 or more in the model home at a given time.

Virtual Walk-Throughs and Close-Out Procedures – Purchasers under contract will be given the opportunity for virtual walkthroughs and closeout procedures.

Express Closings – Stone Martin Builders offers two options for express closings. One is completely virtual and the other is in person, practicing safety measures per CDC recommendations.

Onsite Construction Teams – All onsite contractors have been asked to keep ten or fewer employees on a job site at any given time. While this may slow our production timeline, it is in the best interest of everyone’s health and safety involved.

All of these systems can be found at the Stone Martin Builders website where we will post a COVID-19 response message in the coming weeks. All of the policies we are implementing are with your best interest and safety in mind. If you would like to hear more about these, reach out to your community sales associate.

With changes upon us, our day to day lives have look completely different. We are still blessed to come to work, our employees remain motivated and determined to deliver you a timely and quality product. The state of company sales are remaining stable for spring market. While news reports tend to air on the side of negativity, we see the positive that can derive. We have yet to see a dip in sales and interest of home buying, and our sales team has adapted in an amazing way.

As you enter into the upcoming week of COVID-19 chaos, we realize that you are also in a mix of emotion that entails anticipation for an exciting time in your life. We know that this home building experience is not what you had in mind. You visualized yourself coming to the development daily to excitedly watch the progression of your build, but have found yourself instead, in a “shelter in place” environment of your existing residence. We commit to you to work to make this as joyful as an experience as it should be in the coming weeks.

This is a pivotal time when we either bow to fear and uncertainty or continue to go about our lives and our work with courage, common sense and optimism. I choose the latter path, and believe you will as well.

Mitchell Martin

Stone Martin Builders