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Homes by Chris Raises $115K for Rebuilding Together Kansas City

Rebuilding Together Kansas City is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on transforming the homes and lives of low-income families, seniors, people living with disabilities and veterans. Rebuilding Together provides safety modifications for homeowners who want to improve accessibility, reduce falls and increase independence in the home.

Roy and Chris Ragland, owners of Homes by Chris, have a passion for building quality homes that led them to begin supporting Rebuilding Together more than 12 years ago. Both Roy and Chris have combined to serve nine years on the board as well as dedicating many hours of labor and planning to the local nonprofit. With the help of their suppliers and contractors, Homes By Chris recently contributed a donation of $115,000 to Rebuilding Together Kansas City. These funds will go to projects to construct grab bars, tub cut-outs, ramps, handrails, decking and much more.

“[Rebuilding Together’s] work keeping community members housed and healthy is what attracted Homes by Chris to partner with this incredible organization… and why 97 percent of our suppliers andcontractors contributed to this collaborative, community endeavor,” stated Chris.

Thank you to Homes by Chris and all KCHBA members who donated.

Northland Chamber Recognizes Luke Owen

The Northland Chamber hosted its annual Excellence in Education Banquet on April 25, the largest education celebration in the state of Missouri. This event brings together 1,000 attendees from eight school districts and two counties in Kansas City’s Northland to acknowledge the important role that schools play in the economic development and quality of life in the region. This banquet honors outstanding students, teachers, staff, volunteers and business supporters of Northland education. Luke Owen, owner and founder of Owen Homes, received the award for Volunteer in Partnership. Congrats, Luke!

Custom Builder Magazine Features Walker Custom Homes

Referred to as “The Retreat,” Walker Custom Homes’ 7,500-square-foot lakefront home, featured on the 2022 KCHBA Artisan Home Tour, represents a crossroads of contemporary charm and dramatic architectural styling. There are many features that stand out in the home, but the lighting is what really helps define the unique elements throughout.

“We used artistic lighting creatively throughout the home to accent many of our unique architectural features in order to both amaze and welcome guests,” said Jason Walker, owner and founder of Walker Custom Homes. “I am excited that we were able to do so many unique things just with lighting.” Check out the full article and lighting details at custombuilderonline.com.

KC Fed Talks Home Building with Jeff Julian

The shift to more people working from home will have a powerful economic effect, according to research by Jordan Rappaport, senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Rappaport asserts that reduced commute times for work will equate to more people willing to live farther from metropolitan areas’ centers. Those who make a living building and selling homes in outer suburbs are beginning to see indicators of that trend. In Kansas City, dedicated office space is now a basic and expected component of new-home plans, according to Jeff Julian, vice president of Don Julian Builders.

“We have seen a huge shift in the last two years,” Julian said. “Every house has to have some kind of office. I don’t have any plans without a home office in it… the biggest shift now is two home offices, and they don’t necessarily have to be on the main floor,” Julian said. “Quite a few of our buyers work from home all the time. They say, ‘I don’t mind being a bit further out’ because they don’t need to drive to the office every day.”

Read the full article at kansascityfed.org/ten.