3 minute read
The Yeonas Family
Gus, continued to build homes as separate businesses. Dean worked at the Yeonas Company for years, even after the family sold it. In 2002, he created his own boutique brokerage with his business partner, Jack Shafran.
The Yeonas Company built between 13,000 to 14,000 homes in Northern Virginia. With roots that run deep throughout the community, the family still gets calls today from clients who bought their homes in the 50s and 60s from the original Yeonas Company.
Advertisement
L to R. Standing: Stephen G. Yeonas, Paul G. Yeonas. Seated Front Row - Gus C. Yeonas, George C. Yeonas (know as “The Chief”), Jimmie G. Yeonas.
“I have hanging on my wall an advertising piece of 1955 when my dad was building homes in Vienna woods,” Dean said. “Houses started at $12,990, and we are reselling those same houses at $600,000 to $700,000 today. … I’m actually tearing down houses that my dad built in the 50s, building new homes on them and reselling those homes. So that’s quite a perspective to have!” According to Dean, past clients often remark Centennial Series: on the care and level of service his father and uncles provided, and professionalism was a top priority to each of them. The Yeonas Family “They went out of their way to treat people properly—the way they wanted to be treated. I think it was to do with their heritage, their background and where they grew up,” Four Generations of Real Estate Dean said. “And it was being part of the association: to raise the bar and have ethical and Personal Success Icon educational standards.” Dean met his business partner, Jack Shafran, in By Kate O’Toole high school. Coincidentally, Jack’s father was also a past president of NVAR. The story began in the early 1950s. his brokerage in 2019. Today, their business—YeoNVAR had existed for three decades, and Stephen Yeonas Sr. is nas and Shafran—comprishomes were selling for under $15,000. The Dean’s uncle. es 10 agents, and the newAmerican Dream was alive and well in an optimistic post-World War II era. Times were simpler, as evidenced by the length of real estate contracts: one page. “As a kid, high school and college, I would literally dig ditches outside and then est agents are Dean’s sons, Dimitri and Paul Yeonas, and Jack’s son, Jonathan Shafran. The company also works closely with Dean’s Stephen Yeonas Sr., one of four brothers, graduated to develop cousin, Stephen Yeonas Jr., had just returned from war and established entire communities…,” Yeonas-advertisement-a star is born who owns a homebuilding the Yeonas Company in Arlington, Virgin- Dean said. “Our family company, Artisan Builders, ia. His brothers joined the family business has been doing it for in McLean, Virginia. shortly thereafter. Today, the Yeonas real estate tradition 70 years, and now my two sons work with us!” “When someone says, ‘thank you for what you’ve provided for our family,’ that’s what stretches four generations long—marked Stephen Yeonas Sr. became president of makes it worthwhile,” Dean said. “I teach my most recently with Dimitri and Paul Yeo- NVAR in 1957 and sold his company in the nas joining their father, Dean Yeonas, at early 1970s, although he and his brother, continued on page 74
ENCOURAGING BRIGHT SMILES
Specialists in Laser Dentistry for removing Lip-tie, Tongue-tie and Dental decay!
www.SmileWonders.com
11790 Sunrise Valley Drive Suite 105, Reston, VA 20191 (571) 350-3663
Planning is a Process - Not a Product
We believe in a holistic approach to financial management, aligning your investment and financial decisions with your values.
Our financial advisors give objective advice, putting your best interests first. As a client, you put us in a position of trust, and we take that responsibility seriously. You can rely on us to provide: • honest advice • transparent cost information • proactive investment management
Bruce Vaughn, CFP®, AIF® • Rose Price, CFP ®, AIF® • Daniel Lash, CFP®, AIF®
