AFFINITY HOMES FEATURED IN NEWS
Father/Son Partnership Builds Upon Solid Reputation
Derek Whiteman has worked for his father all his life. "My earliest job was as the go-getter; go get this, go get that. Back then I was probably a step above being a nuisance." He jokes. "But I was always watching, always learning."
Builders Forte Enhances Exquisite Lots
Nick Whiteman's philosophy is old-school simple, you build the best house you can for the money. "I just try to build them right," he says, "and I think it shows."
Father/Son Partnership Builds Upon Solid Reputation
Derek Whiteman has worked for his father all his life. "My earliest job was as the go-getter; go get this, go get that. Back then I was probably a step above being a nuisance." He jokes. "But I was always watching, always learning." A year ago, after graduating from William Jewell with a Business Administration degree, Derek decided his chosen career should actually be a little closer to home. Going into business with his father just seemed natural for both Derek and his father Nick. With this new partnership came a new name. Whiteman Builders is now known as Affinity Homes.
The decision to team up with his father was not just a fall-back opportunity after graduating but a personal realization about the type of work that brings him a sense of accomplishment. "Nick is driven by how well he feels about the house he builds. He is very hands-on, working side by side with the subs and explaining to them how to do something better," reflects Derek. "As I got closer to graduation, I realized that it is hard to duplicate the feeling of accomplishment you get from focusing on a home for 4 to 6 months trying to make it the best home possible for your client."
Nick Whiteman's philosophy is old-school simple, you build the best house you can for the money. "I just try to build them right," Nick says, "and I think it shows." Derek has a deep respect for his father's technical focus and has been able to round out the business by bringing in his business background. "I try focus on the market, and what it takes to build a better house based on client needs and new innovations."
Affinity Homes' current project at the Highlands of Weatherby is proof of the strength of this father/son team. Their new home, "The Valencia" is a beautiful 4 bedroom reverse 1.5 story that somehow makes the outdoors just an extension of the home. "The lots are beautiful here at the Highlands and I do what I can to make the house and the land blend together to make a beautiful setting for beautiful living," Nick says.
Affinity Homes is known for building homes that seamlessly incorporate outdoor living space into the home by designing the home with screened in porches and decks that take advantage of the natural features of the lot. "I draw all my own floor plans," Nick explains. "So I can tweak them, shrink or enlarge them, do whatever I want until I am satisfied with the plan and how it sits on the lot. I don't waste space." The ability for Nick to draw his own plans is very convenient for the client if they just want to "tweak" a floor plan and saves both time and money since there is no the need to bring an architect in.
But there is no need to tweak the Valencia. "This house has it all." Says Carter Buschardt, lead Highlands's agent with Reece & Nichols. "It is a very open floor plan and flows beautifully. When you walk in the front door your eyes take in the dining room and great room and fireplace and another step in you see the outdoor living area with screened-in porch. It is fabulous." Affinity has tucked the kitchen just slightly around the corner so even with the open floor plan visitors won't see the dirty dishes in the sink when they walk in the front door. The master bedroom is opulent with an attached sitting room. The master bath has a huge walk-in shower with dual heads and homeowners will be able to relax in the corner whirlpool tub while watching a favorite program on the TV located in the built in cabinet.
The lower level has three bedrooms and a large entertainment room with a bar and fireplace and gobs of storage. "There is a lot of versatility in this plan," Says Nick, "If a client would like a home theatre room, workout room or a hobby room that could easily be accomplished by finishing the storage area and suspending the garage floor slab so you would still have endless storage."
Nicks old-school philosophy serves his clients well. "We don't build homes from our truck with a cell phone." He explains. "We schedule sub-contractors in and check on them throughout the day. Ours is a family business and when you see subcontractors you will also see one of us with a tool belt on working right beside them. We know what is going on in every nook and cranny of the house. It's the only way I know to build."
The Highlands of Weatherby is a quaint 71 home boutique neighborhood located just 10 minutes West of Zona Rosa on Barry Road. The subdivision has beautifully wooded ½ to 1 acre size lots on gently rolling hills that back up to wooded common area, perfect for walk-outs and outdoor entertaining rooms. Neighbors share a neighborhood pool and over 21 acres of common ground that enhance the already spacious feel of the development.
Exclusive builders to the Highlands of Weatherby are Falcon Construction, J.D. Nelson Homes, Premier Custom Homes and Affinity Builders. For more information on the Highlands and the homes and floor plans available please contact Carter Buschardt, Reece & Nichols lead agent for the Highlands at (816) 880-0094.
Builders Forte Enhances Exquisite Lots
Nick Whiteman's philosophy is old-school simple, you build the best house you can for the money. "I just try to build them right," he says, "and I think it shows."
Nick's current project at the Highlands of Weatherby is "The Valencia" a beautiful 4 bedroom reverse 1.5 story that somehow makes the outdoors just an extension of the home. "The lots are beautiful here at the Highlands and I do what I can to make the house and the land blend together to make a beautiful setting for beautiful living," he says.
Nick is known for his homes that seamlessly incorporate outdoor living space into the home by designing the home with screened in porches and decks that take advantage of the natural features of the lot. "I design all my own floor plans," he explains. "So I can tweak them, shrink or enlarge them, do whatever I want until I am satisfied with the plan and how it sits on the lot. I don't waste space." The ability for Nick to draw his own plans is very convenient for the client if they just want to "tweak" a floor plan and saves both time and money since there is no the need to bring an architect in.
But there is no need to tweak the Valencia. "This house has it all." Says Carter Buschardt, lead Highlands's agent with Reece & Nichols. "It is a very open floor plan and flows beautifully. When you walk in the front door your eyes take in the dining room and great room and fireplace and another step in you see the outdoor living area with screened-in porch. It is fabulous." Nick has tucked the kitchen just slightly around the corner so even with the open floor plan people won't see the dirty dishes in the sink when they walk in the front door. The master bedroom is opulent with an attached sitting room. The master bath has a huge walk-in shower with dual heads and you can relax in the corner whirlpool tub while watching your favorite program on the TV located in the built in cabinet.
The lower level has three bedrooms and a large entertainment room with bar and fireplace and gobs of storage. "There is a lot of versatility in this plan," Says Nick, "If a client would like a home theatre room, workout room or a hobby room that could easily be accomplished by finishing the storage area and suspending the garage floor slab so you would still have tons of storage."
Nicks old school philosophy provides a quality and detailed attention to client's wishes that is seldom achieved today. "I do my best to provide our subcontractors with precise plans and meet them on the job daily to ensure they understand exactly what we are looking for." He explains, "With the designing of my own plans and having used some of the same subs for 10 to 15 years, I have the ability transform our client's ideas into reality. This enables us to make sure that every aspect of the house is correct from the best location and elevation on the lot to the trim molding that finishes off the cabinets."
The Highlands of Weatherby is a quaint 71 home boutique neighborhood located just 10 minutes West of Zona Rosa on Barry Road. The subdivision has beautifully wooded ½ to 1 acre size lots on gently rolling hills that back up to wooded common area, perfect for walk-outs and outdoor entertaining rooms. Neighbors share over 21 acres of common ground that enhance the already spacious feel of the development. The Highlands of Weatherby neighborhood pool will be open to residents next summer.
Exclusive builders to the Highlands of Weatherby are Falcon Construction, J.D. Nelson Homes, Premier Custom Homes and Whiteman Builders. For more information on the Highlands and the homes and floor plans available please contact Carter Buschardt, Reece & Nichols lead agent for the Highlands at (816) 880-0094.
Affinity Homes
805 Blueberry Circle
Kearney, MO 64060