With over three decades of living in Central Florida, Jim, Jeanie, and their two sons have certainly put down roots that go deep.
Community involvement, coaching, cycling, and building SPECTACULAR custom homes—alongside his roles as Dad and husband—continues to keep Jim very busy.
As the owner of Westmont Custom Homes, he is directly responsible for helping over 125 families realize their long-anticipated DREAM homes—which is no small feat. But the number of homes he has had a hand in building throughout his career is more accurately in the thousands.
We thought it was time to catch up with him and ask some fun questions because… well, inquiring minds want to know. 🤔
So here are Jim’s most recent thoughts:
What advice would you give a first-time homeowner?
Or, more practically, what do you tell your sons regarding this milestone purchase?
Never EVER buy above your means. Come up with a budget and stick to it, regardless of the temptations.
What are your 3 favorite things about Central Florida?
I love the weather.
I’m grateful that we have a strong housing market.
And raising a family in an area with eclectic and diverse opportunities is a huge benefit.
What was the best thing about your first home?
What was the worst thing?
The best thing about my first home was that it was on a beautiful, wooded 2.5-acre lot. (Location is everything!)
The worst thing was that it was in New Jersey, and the winters WERE NOT FUN. (Location is everything!)
Has Covid impacted your business?
Unfortunately, it has pushed some buyers out of the custom home market because of the rapid increase in materials’ costs. But, there are also new families moving to the area so we have remained as busy as ever.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’m both! I love to get up before the sun rises—to start the day with coffee and the news or an early morning bike ride.
And I definitely have been known to watch a game (or two, or three) LATE into the evening.
What seems to be the hardest decision people face when building a home?
There’s no shortage of homebuilders in the area, so filtering through to find the right one seems to be a challenge for many families.
Then the zillions of choices when designing a home can also be overwhelming.
Incidentally, that’s where an experienced builder and his knowledgeable team can be a GREAT help.
Do you have a favorite part of the building process?
All of it! It’s the actual PROCESS that is so interesting and compelling.
I love watching the structure grow from the ground up.
What’s your favorite Florida destination?
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the Florida Keys! Family, friends, fishing, boats, beer, great restaurants, white sands, and crystal clear water… need I say more?
If you aren’t working, what activities can someone expect you to be doing?
Cycling
Woodworking
Fishing
And during football season… being Cory Rahman’s biggest fan!
Which room of your home do you spend the most time in?
We all congregate in the family area, which is an open great room concept with an attached kitchen. It’s my favorite space.
Do you have any insider tips on the lending process?
Most lenders are similar from a rate perspective. Listening to your builder can be a valuable tip since he stays informed on who might service the loan the best.
What would you tell your 25-year-old self?
Invest in your retirement and work hard. If you do, you will be financially well off by 65!
Want to know more?
Westmont’s office is in the quaint and historic town of Oakland—at 4 S. Tubb St. Come by, grab a cup of Prairie House Coffee (our new housemates) and chat with the man himself.
