Brad Dousevicz Named Homebuilder and Remodeler Association of Northern Vermont "Homebuilder of the Year"
Current sitting HBRA NV President was named the 2013 Homebuilder of the Year by the Association at it's annual awards dinner, the Better Homes Awards. The award is given to one exempelatory homebuilder in the region, and we are honored to announce that Brad received this coveted award for 2013.
Brad and Dousevicz Inc have built and sold hundreds of homes in recent years in the Chittenden County area ranging from Single Family Homes, Condominiums, Senior Housing, Apartments, and Assisted Living. Currently, Brad and his team are completing the Village Haven subdivision in Essex Junction, the 36 unit apartment complex, "The Meadows" in Essex, and the 100 bed Assisted Care facility in Essex known as Mansfield Place. The company plans to start a 50 home neighborhood with 20,000 square feet of commercial space, called Rye Meadow, located in South Burlington late Summer 2014.
Amongst building some of the areas most recognized properties, Brad Dousevicz also represents buyers and sellers of real estate in the Chittenden County area, and specializes in representing purchasers of New Construction.
No Place Like Home
February 2009, from Champlain Business Journal
No place like home Vermont Neighborhoods Program addresses affordable-housing shortage Champlain Business Journal
“Many developers would prefer to build in town center areas, but sometimes the cost to do so can be prohibitive. The Vermont Neighborhoods Program offers one way to mitigate some of those costs, and it will certainly spark interest in areas that may have otherwise not seemed cost-effective to build on.” — Brad Dousevicz, owner, Dousevicz Inc.
Vermont faces a pair of closely related conundrums when it comes to new housing:
- How to tackle the housing shortage without letting such development eat away at the rural landscape?
- How to fill the most dire need — affordable housing — when it is more expensive and difficult for developers to build near the middle of town?
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Interview with a Member – Brad Dousevicz, Dousevicz, Inc.
VT Builder Magazine, January 2010. By: VT Builder Staff
Q: How long have you been a member of the HBRA?
A: Dousevicz Inc has been part of HBRA for 10 years or so, and I personally have been a member for the last 3.
Q: There are a number of associations that you can be a member of, so why are you a member of the HBRA? What do you enjoy most about your membership?
A: HBRA brings many benefits to our organization. As residential and commercial developers, we are involved with the local and state permitting process on almost a daily basis. HBRA allows us to have a voice at the state level when permitting issues and related topics are debated. HBRA also organizes more informal events where we as builders can interact with Legislatures on a one on one basis. In fact, just last week the Developers Council had a chance to personally meet with a Chittenden County Senator as it relates to permitting issues. I find this type of interaction invaluable, and HBRA makes it possible. Along with the previously mentioned, I really enjoy the interaction with other builders and developers through various events through that HBRA organizes. Discussing successes, and challenges, with other builders really helps us all improve our businesses.
Q: How long have you been in the residential construction industry? What made you decide to get involved with the family business?
A: I started out on in the residential construction business as a realtor working with my mother, Carol, in the marketing of homes that my father was building nearly 10 years ago. This was on a part-time basis, but allowed me to learn a great deal about the entire building and sales process. Prior to joining Dousevicz Inc full time 4 years ago, I was working as a sales rep with Johnson and Johnson. I was traveling a great deal, and I quickly realized that my career was at the whim of large multinational company, and I was only a number to the powers that be. I wanted to be able to control my own destiny, and at the same time spend more time with my growing family. I was fortunate enough to have a successful family business to be a part of. Even given the last few years, and the obvious challenges to the real estate market - I am thankful each and every day. I would not have it any other way.
Q: Last year you began to get involved on the government affairs committee and spent time in Montpelier testifying. Why did you decide to get involved on the legislative issues?
A: Plan and simple, it was out of fear. There was a bill being introduced that would have dramatically changed the way projects are permitted with the State. In essence, the bill would have severely limited the opportunity to build anything that was not directly in our downtowns and cities. I am not talking about just limiting the construction of Wal-Marts, but anything—senior housing, single family home subdivisions, commercial buildings, etc. It took real world examples of projects we were working on, and have done in the past, that probably would not have happened if the bill was in place. As a third generation Vermonter, and someone whom is entirely invested in our beautiful landscape on both business and personal level, I completely understand the need to control haphazard growth and development. But penalizing our businesses and building community even more than they are now is a way to not only guarantee a higher cost of housing for working Vermonters, but severely limit the need for economic growth in the state. If this bill or a similar one to it, is introduced in the future, I will be there to offer any testimony I can. There is simply too much at stake not to.
Q:What are the biggest challenges facing the building industry today?
A: From the home builders side, one of the biggest challenges we face is the public’s perception that it is not a good time to buy. The national spotlight shines on the highly troubled areas of our nation, and local people think the conditions are the same in our own back yards. They are not. Like politics, real estate is local. Vermont’s housing market is strong, our local banks have money to lend, and rates have never been lower. It is a great time to buy, especially in Vermont.
Q:What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I enjoy the fact that no day is ever the same. Being part of a small company, each employee (including myself) takes on a wide variety of responsibilities, which is sure to allow for a variety of experiences on a daily basis. If I had to say the one specific thing I enjoy the most though, it is selling. I really love interacting with homebuyers every step of the way. From the initial contact to the day of the closing, the process can be quite rewarding for all involved.
Q:What is it like working in a family business?
A: An absolutely unique experience that is rewarding on a variety of levels. In addition to my parents’ active involvement, my brother Jed is also involved with the family business. Our family dinners are not typical, as work always comes up somehow, but we all enjoy and genuinely respect what each member brings to the table. My parents’ 30 years experience in the industry is more valuable than I could ever express, and I learn something from each of them every day.
Q:When you’re not at the office how do you spend your time?
A: Family time, boating, and golfing—usually in that order. My beautiful wife Emily and I just welcomed our third child to this world, and we prize our family time above everything else. We live in Colchester, and love being close to the lake so we can enjoy as many days on the boat as possible. My golf game is simply atrocious, but I like the challenge.
Dousevicz, Inc. - Still a One-Stop Shop
Builder/Architect Magazine, December 2009. By Dick Nelson
Brad Dousevicz stands amid an expanse of freshly graded earth, an array of consturction equipment and a few partially framed buildings, gesturing excitedly. He's thinking, and talking, about what will stand there a year from now.
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