October 27, 2008
Groninger Homes has just completed its second home for customers, Andrew and Christy Matthews.

News and Information

Location is a "Green" feature of a home.
As we all become more aware of the cost of fuel, one sure way to save is by driving less.  My big 'ole truck doesn't get very good gas mileage.  "Yeah, its got a Hemi."  However, even a Hybrid vehicle wouldn't get twice the mileage around town, which is what most of my driving entails. 
In my case it wouldn't make sense to purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle because I don't drive enough miles for the savings to offset the cost.  The necessary driving that I do during the week probably totals less than 100 miles.  I'm fortunate to live and work in a location that's convenient to my daily activities.
Windsong in Winter Park offers the same type of convenience.  Knowles Place is located between the town centers of Winter Park and Orlando, with shopping, churches, schools, parks and hospitals nearby.

Customer Service Policy
            Now and then we receive service requests from our customers.  Frequently the service involves sending a trade contractor to an occupied home to make a repair that was part of their scope of work.  As a policy we always insist that our trade contractors make an appointment with the homeowner, rather than just showing up when they are in the neighborhood.
            In this particular case, I was the culprit at failing to follow my own rules.  Our customer, Carol had purchased her home from us when she relocating back to her home town after a divorce.  We had already been back to the home a few times trying to resolve problems with the BBQ grill on the back porch and finally decided to install a new unit that was a different brand.  As a result there was some brick work that needed to be completed to finish the job properly.
            Since I hadn’t seen the new BBQ, I agreed to meet our brick mason at the home to determine what work needed to be done.  Carol’s home surrounds her pool area on three sides and includes an inviting courtyard with an outdoor entertaining area complete with a fireplace and BBQ.  As a result most of the major rooms have large expanses of glass looking out onto the courtyard and since it is so private, have very few window coverings.
            Carol had informed my staff that she would probably be there, but if not said that we could, “make ourselves at home and enter through the gate to inspect the BBQ”.   When Greg, the brick mason and I arrived, I noted an unfamiliar SUV in the driveway.  Nobody answered the doorbell, so we proceeded around the side of the house to enter the courtyard through the gate.  The BBQ was at the far end of the porch obscured by the fireplace.  We had to walk around the end of the pool and up towards the main part of the porch before we could see it.  As it turned out, we barely caught a glimpse of the BBQ.
            The breakfast nook features a ten-foot wide piece of glass and an easy view into the kitchen.  Standing with his back to us and looking into the refrigerator was a naked man.  Greg and I made a split-second evaluation of the work that was needed and dashed back out the gate.  Later that day, I sent Carol an email and tactfully reminded her of our appointment policy, without revealing that we had already been there for our inspection.  After making an appointment, Greg later returned to install the needed bricks.
            Greg was cordial when he met Carol’s new boyfriend, all the while holding a little laugh inside his belly.  We believe Carol has recovered from her divorce.