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Wyndham Homes, 2005

Wyndham Homes: Getting It Right, Down to the Details

Richard Schunk and Bruce Wittenberg Turn a Friendship Into a Successful Business.

(Empire State Builder Magazine - Sept/Oct 2005) All business owners bring something different to the table when they start their businesses. Some bring years of experience, others bring a business background, but when Richard Schunk and Bruce Wittenberg started Wyndham Homes in 1989, they brought the best of two worlds: an education in business/finance and a background in mechanical engineering. Wittenberg's business training helped the two partners get the business on its feet, while Schunk's mechanical engineering experience helped them to create a system that allows the production of homes with an endless number of possible elevations, regardless of the homes' floor plans. This means each home can be creatively customized to meet the needs of each individual customer.

"We've developed the 'Create-Your-Own-Home' system to give customers the flexibility to mix and match interior and exterior design features until they create a unique living space that's just right for them," said Richard Schunk of Wyndham Homes.

A Change of Scenery
Schunk and Wittenberg's road to the building industry is unlike many in the business. After 10 years as a mechanical engineer, Schunk was looking not only for a change of pace, but also a change of scenery. He disliked being inside all the time and longed for a job that would allow him to work outdoors.

"It sounds funny, but I like the smell of cut lumber and the outdoors, so I knew I would love building," said Schunk. "I was working in Manhattan, too, so homebuilding gave me a chance to get out of the city."

Schunk had developed a friendship with Wittenberg after working with him in the real estate business several years earlier, so Schunk and Wittenberg decided to make the leap into their own business venture.

"Initially, we thought we would renovate buildings in New York City, but werealized that it would be a lot easier and more lucrative to build homes," said Schunk. "When we started out, Bruce managed all the finances and the sales, and I handled the design and construction. It was a good fit."

Today, Schunk and Wittenberg have 12 employees, and they do all their own sales, marketing, product design and construction management. Wyndham Homes has built luxury custom single-family homes in Westchester, Putnam, Orange and Ulster counties in New York, however they plan to expand into other locations and into multi-family housing in the immediate future.

"Our future plans includeexpanding along the Interstate 84 corridor, west of Port Jervis, New York to east in Hartford, Conn.," said Schunk. "Within the next 12 months, we will be starting 115 townhouses in Orange County and 76 active adult condominiums in Westchester County, both in New York, and 234 active adult condominiums in New Haven County, Conn. All this is in addition to our luxury, single-family homes, so we look forward to the challenge."

Details Make the Difference
Wyndham Homes has always set itself apart from its competitors with its attention to detail and ability to create one-of-a-kind homes. Schunk says that the company's motto, "Details Make the Difference" really says it all.

"We take that seriously, because it's the details that make the difference between a so-so home and a quality product," he said. "We don't want all our homes to look the same, so we created a system to customize our homes to meet the needs of each individual customer. That's what makes this job so enjoyable for us."

One of the ways Wyndham Homes does this is by designing their homes with an in-house architect. Schunk says he is not satisfied with the floorplans that come from plan services and wants each Wyndham Home plan to be unique and special.

"It's very difficult to use set plans in the Northeast, because the land is not level and you need to be able to design a home that accommodates the topography," said Schunk.

Wyndham Homes' Create-Your-Own-Home system is another way customers can personalize their homes. "With our library of exterior elevation components and flexible interior floor plans, the possibilities are virtually endless," Schunk said.

While attention to detail is a definite good business quality, Schunk says it can also have a financial downside. "We strive to create quality products, but we also have to walk the line with affordability. It's easy to build beautiful homes by spending more money, but much more difficult build homes and keep them priced where people can afford to buy them."

Staying in Touch With the Industry
He may pride himself on his attention to detail, but there is another source of pride for Schunk: his association involvement. Schunk is currently serving on a number of Boards and Committees for the industry:
- National director of the National Association of Home Builders, representing New York State.
- Building Code Subcommittee for the Construction Codes & Standards Committee of the National Association of Home Builders.
- Administrative Subcommittee for New York State Fire Prevention & Building Code Council.
- Residential building industry representative on the Technical Peer Review Group for the New York State Fire Prevention & Building Codes.
- Advisory Board for the Vinyl Siding Institute.

"Being a part of the association allows you to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry," he said. "I want to be aware of changes that are coming in the future while I still have time to plan for them, not after they are actually put into place. A lot changes in this industry, and it is important to have someone on your side."

After 16 years in the business, Schunk and Wittenberg have seen a lot of changes in New York State, but they are proud to be part of such a great industry. Schunk said, "We love what we do, and we think that is reflected in the homes we build. I've had other careers, but right now, there's nothing else I would rather be doing."

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Wyndham Homes provides upscale homes, custom homes, active adult communities, private upscale communities in picturesque New York and Connecticut, with excellent medical care, low property taxes, excellent school districts, exceptional living, and scenic communities, serving Orange County, Putnam County, Westchester County, Rockland County, and Fairfield County, all near New York City and Manhattan.