The American Dream! Building Your Home and Wealth! What the Smart Money Already Knows

The main objectives of most of our home buyers and custom home clients are to both build a high quality home to live in, and to improve their net worth through making a good investment in real estate. Neither of these goals are easily accomplished without the skills and talents of many individuals. This publication is designed to empower you with essential information you will need to accomplish your goal of designing and building your dream home successfully, and with a minimum of stress and costly mistakes. You may either read it in its entirety or use it as a look up reference guide to review our time tested choices while making your own decisions for the design and construction of your dream home.

Roger Yohem, SAHBA Communications Director

Lucy Barraza, RE/MAX Premier Realty

Cristal and German Bojorquez

Steven’s educational background includes numerous industry specific courses along with a University of Arizona Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies coupled with an International Business Certificate from the University of Arizona Eller College of Business and a minor in Business Administration, with an emphasis on environmental issues and the Spanish language. He has also received the Southern Arizona Home Builder’s Association Certified Custom Builder Award. In addition, you will often find him both speaking at and attending various industry seminars and symposiums designed to stay up-to-date in current issues affecting the building business and its clients. (see appendix for more)

My wife and I have a dear friend and author, Adrianne, who I asked to proof read this book. She said "There is something missing", speaking of my philosophy and the force to which I subscribe each day. In other words, how does a fifteen year old parent, with both hands tied behind his back from the start, evolve into a successful builder, husband, parent, and any number of hats I choose to wear each day? The answer is both simple and complex.

The simple part is that By the Grace of God I have the talents, blessings, and motivation I use each day to diligently do that which the Lord our God calls each of us to do. I believe it is best said in the Biblical Parable of the Three Servants (Matthew 25:14). Each being given his appropriate allotment of talents, according to their skills, were told to use them wisely in their master's absence. The two that did profited handsomely, and they were rewarded by the master upon his return. They were certainly afraid of failure and loss, but overcame their fear, armed with faith, and ventured out with resulting success. The third servant was timid and had little faith and much fear. He only protected his allotment of talents, and he was dealt with severely for wasting his opportunity and resources.

The message I receive from this parable is to venture out and use my talents on a daily basis, face my fear of failure armed with faith in God's word, and work the talents God has given me. Knowledge, skills, and talents (resources) that sit idle are of no use at all. It is only when those assets are used that they produce fruit!

For me, this is only the beginning. There are many more stories and books in the Bible which provide me with direction for my life. This includes how to handle our gains and share our talents and success. We are called to be funnels with our resources, and not dams, meaning that the rewards from our blessings are to be shared with others in need, and thus become seeds that are sown for future harvest (often by and for others). I have been blessed with talents and resources, and I choose to answer God's calling to share my time, talents, and money. I have learned that I always receive far more than I give!

For example: I spent three years working on a committee to raise funds to build the 15,000 square foot Immaculate Heart Middle School, and another year intimately involved with the construction committee. I was in the trenches with the architect, school administration, and workers involved in the design and construction of improvements that required expensive engineering and careful oversight of both design and budget. No sooner than the project was finished I was faced with taking over a failing project (by another builder) that required these very same skills, that I did not have before. This project was successfully built and is now one of my featured success stories. My success is based in my work and experience as an un-paid volunteer answering God's calling to share.

I can cite many such cases over the years, and I have always been blessed with much more than I give in any charitable project.

So what is the complex part of my philosophy answer? It is much shorter and different than you might think.

I am afflicted with being human, so I do not always choose the correct path of action. Today, I am enjoying success beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man starting out in the world. I know this is due to my connection and obedience to God's word. There have been periods of rapid growth and success in my life, and each of them is directly connected with my submission and obedience to His word. Management classes often teach students that to be a good leader you must first be a good follower. This is certainly the case for me, especially where my faith is concerned. There have also been periods of failure and trouble in my life, when I was less than diligent in my pursuit of God's word and direction. My faith and willingness to listen to, and act on, God's direction in my life is the most important factor in my success!

I'll bet you thought I would expound on my own talents, organizational, and building strategies. All of these came after.

As a result of the above, I have also developed several basic business strategies that have contributed to our success.

1) We are successful when we help our clients achieve success. Designing and building quality projects that reflect the owner's wishes and that contributes to their net worth is essential to our own success.

2) Work daily to keep expenses down and quality high! Also, offer helpful suggestions that improve the project, save expenses, add to the quality, and enhance architectural appeal.

3) Explain and educate clients as to their options and how their choices will impact their project. (Cost, timing, quality, etc...)

4) Listen to the experts! We do not and cannot know it all, so we must ask and listen to the experts in each field. Owners, architects, engineers and sub-contractors are examples of a few of the people we must include in this daily exercise.