Feature: NJL Custom Homes

By Brittany Nay | Photos courtesy of NJL Custom Homes

An eye-catching decorative ceiling. A spacious food-prep-and-appliance pantry that leaves your kitchen open for entertaining. A covered outdoor living space complete with a barbecue pit and beer tap that seamlessly flows from the interior of your dream home.

NJL Custom Homes is making trendy new residential wish list items like these come true. Led by owner Nick Liuzza, the Kirkwood-based turnkey homebuilder has brought homeowners’ unique visions to life in custom residences across the metro area. “We’re designing extremely functional living spaces,” Liuzza says. “We design homes for entertaining, and we design homes to be used.”

Before launching his own company, Liuzza worked as a project manager for Missouri’s largest homebuilder for more than 10 years and gained experience in every aspect of the industry, including construction management, customer service, plan design, sales and marketing, and estimating and purchasing.

Six-and-a-half years ago, Liuzza used that expertise to create NJL. “I started literally as a one-man show at a desk in my basement doing one home a year,” says the homebuilder, who has now managed the construction of more than 700 abodes throughout his career, both before and with NJL.

These days, NJL’s staff of seven is completing 15 to 20 houses a year throughout the area in such communities as Ladue, Clayton, Frontenac, Brentwood, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Glendale, Town and Country, Creve Coeur, Des Peres and Chesterfield.

The custom homebuilder, which also completes large-scale renovations and spec residences, specializes in architectural styles from traditional to transitional. “We enjoy taking projects from start to finish,” Liuzza says. “We don’t have an in-house architect, but

we work with clients and architects throughout the design and build. On the majority of houses, we’re working with homeowners all the way through the design process until the day they move in.”

Liuzza’s goal is to deliver each client his or her dream home. “What gets me excited is doing the unique, custom-designed homes exactly [from] the client’s vision,” he says.

And that begins with a custom design-and-build process that helps NJL’s team become familiar with a client’s wants and needs. “We go to their existing home, do a walk-through and ask what they like and what they don’t like and how they use that home, so we can wrap our heads around the mindset of the client,” Liuzza says.

Each project’s process is tailored to the homeowner, Liuzza notes. “We have an outline we follow from the design stage to the selection stage to the construction process,” he says. “We have a meeting with the client every other week because there’s a lot of information and selections to be made. But we break it down into easy-to-manage, bitesized chunks. As the home progresses, we’ll progress in the decisionmaking and design process, so it’s not overwhelming.”

Homebuilding should be enjoyable, not stressful, Liuzza says. “If you’re not going to have fun and enjoy the experience, you shouldn’t build a custom home,” he notes. “We want to be proud of the work we’re doing, and the homeowner should be proud of the home they’re helping us build with their vision.”

Although Liuzza says the metro area makes a great place to create a custom residence, there also are unique challenges that the expert team at NJL can help homeowners navigate – namely, the varying rules, regulations and building code enforcements among the area’s many municipalities. “It can be hard to negotiate and hard to understand, from the building codes to the architecture review,” he explains. “The year before last, NJL built homes in 11 different municipalities, so we have the experience.”

Liuzza also brings his extensive large-scale industry expertise to every project. “We are customer-focused, and we tailor our experience to what is going to fit them best,” he says. “I also can use my experience working with large homebuilders to have a better understanding of controlling costs –especially as labor and material prices continue going up –to deliver their unique project at their budget.” In Frontenac, NJL recently created a Southern Colonial abode boasting an impressive double-decker front porch, with white-painted brick and gas lanterns on its exterior and a matching traditional, beautifully appointed, ornate interior.

“We will build in whatever style suits our clients,” Liuzza says, noting that many of the company’s homes showcase traditional or transitional design with a modern vibe.

Another recent Frontenac project called for a transitional-style residence to meet the client’s vision and blend into the surrounding neighborhood. “To me, custom homebuilding is about having something that is very unique and is yours but fits very well in the community it’s being put in,” Liuzza says.

Whatever their ideal home, NJL’s tightknit team works closely with clients to design exactly what they’re looking for, Liuzza notes: “We take really good care of our clients, so they have a really good experience with our team.”

NJL Custom Homes, 556 Leffingwell Ave., 2nd Floor, Kirkwood, 314-714-8828, njlcustomhomes.com

By Maggie Peters | Photos courtesy of Laura Mccarthy real estate

Spring is here, and the warmer weather has countless minds turning to the home market. Just in time for this swell of buyers, it’s time for home sellers to turn their minds to preparing their homes for the market. Kathy Beilein, broker/manager at Laura McCarthy Real Estate, recently chatted with Ladue News to give readers an insider’s guide on how to create a marketready residence.

“Sellers in the St. Louis [central] corridor are competing with developers, flippers, and new construction,” Beilein explains. “They’re competing with homes that are like-new. Even if they don’t want to do anything major, they need to crisp up the outside and inside.”

To that end, Beilein provides a list of five elements of the home to focus on when attempting to wow potential buyers:

1. Exterior. From power washed walls to manicured landscaping, the curb appeal of a home is essential for drawing buyers in to look inside no matter the season. 2. Interior. Buyers want to see a space that looks fresh and clean. “You want to grab a buyer as they walk through the door,” Beilein expresses. “Make [the interior] crisp and cohesive.” 3. Editing. Something as simple as editing the furnishings or adding a new coat of paint in a light, neutral palette will freshen up any room. 4. Kitchen and bath. Simple updates like counters and hardware can update these frequently used rooms in order to spruce up the space and make them look good as new. 5. Accessories. “One of the most important things is throwing back in some accessories and artwork,” Beilein says. “Things that add personality – that can really sell a home. [Sellers] don’t need a brand new kitchen if the vibe is good and buyers can see themselves entertaining.”

Laura McCarthy Real Estate is a full-service company that works behind-the-scenes to make the process of selling homes as easy as possible. “There’s not a question on if the home will sell, but on how to maximize the investment,” Beilein says. “My agents know how to walk through a house and see what needs to be done. They help the homeowner prioritize based on how they want to push the pricing and how quickly they want to sell.”

Beilein concludes with a reminder that making a house market-ready doesn’t necessarily call for a lot of time or money: “We have a house right now. [The seller] has nice taste, and she had done the kitchen and baths in last five years. We just had to put a few things away, and her house was ready.”

JuST CoMPleTed

new hoMe CoMing Soon!

Steve Mathes, CRS,GRI Broker / Sales Associate 314-503-6533 Cell 314-997-3412 Office stevemathes@realtor.com stevemathes.com

Joe Mathes, JD Sales Associate 314-276-1604 Cell 314-993-8000 Office joe.mathes@gmail.com

35 years of Experience • $540+ Million in Sales steveandjoemathes.com

undeR ConSTRuCTion

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undeR ConTRaCT

8 Robindale dRive ladue New custom home by Dublen Homes on a .74-acre site with 4 BD, 3.5 baths, approximately 5,300 SF and beaufitul finishes ...$2,089,000 7 aRboR Road oliveTTe (ladue SChoolS) New custom ranch home by Berkley in sought-after subdivision on 1.08-acre site with 4 BD, 3.5 baths with approximately 4,000 SF ...$1,450,000 49 SToneySide lane oliveTTe (ladue SChoolS) New custom home. 1.5-story, 4BD, 3.5 bath in Heather Hill Subdivision ...$1,300,000

undeR ConSTRuCTion

To be builT

Sold

449 beauwood CouRT oliveTTe (ladue SChoolS) New custom home by Helmet Weber on a half acre site. !.5-STORY PLAN WITH 5 BD, 5.5 BATHS AND ABOUT 5,171SF on three levels ...$1,295,000 296 SouTh gRaeSeR Road CReve CoeuR (ladue SChoolS) Spacious updated 5 BD, 1.5-story home on an acre site with a pool & hot tub. Approx. 6,600 SF of living space on 3 levels ...$1,124,999

Sold

To be builT

738 haRveST lane oliveTTe (ladue SChoolS) Another new home by Helmut Weber Construction. 2-story, 5 BD, 4.5 baths with approx. 4,300 SF of living space including finished LL ...$799,000

new PRiCe

8817 waShingTon avenue (univeRSiTy CiTy) Custom build this 1.5-story design with 4 BD, 3.5 baths, main floor master suite and approximately 4,160 SF of finished space on 3 levels ...$788,000 9017 FaiR oakS CReSCenT CT RiChMond heighTS Remodeled 4BD 3.5 bath, 1.5-story single-family villa w/ approx 4,742 SF including FIN walkout LL. Home Protection Plan ...$750,000 826 laRkin avenue CReve CoeuR (ladue SChoolS) New custom home by Dublen. 4 BD, 3 Bath, Ranch with approximately 2590 SF on a .49-acre lot ...$739,900 11 bon PRiCe lane oliveTTe (ladue SChoolS) By Berkley and Son Development. A ranch with 4 BD, 3 baths, and approximately 3,400 SF on two levels in cul-de-sac neighborhood! ...$699,000

RenovaTed

new hoMe To be builT! JuST liSTed & undeR ConTRaCT!

new hoMe To be builT! JuST liSTed & undeR ConTRaCT! undeR ConTRaCT

new hoMe To be builT! JuST liSTed & undeR ConTRaCT!

114 PillaR lane CReve CoeuR (ladue SChoolS) Teardown and custom build or renovate 4,000+SF, 1.5-story, 6 BD, 3.5 bath, walkout 1.69-acre site ...$698,000

123 noRTh MoSley CReve CoeuR Wonderful renovated four bedroom, four bath ranch with 3,500+ SF of finished space on two levels situated on a .93-acre walkout lot ...$649,000 17 CovingTon lane oliveTTe (ladue SChoolS) 3BD, 3 bath ranch with approx. 2,775 SF of living space including the finished LL on a wooded .48-acre site w/ Home Prot. Plan ...$539,000

9318 kenneTh avenue oliveTTe (ladue SChoolS) Newer home 2-story home with four bedrooms, 2.5 baths in move-in condition! ...$425,000

1115 MagneT dRive oliveTTe (ladue SChoolS) 4Bd, 4 Bath professional renovation including main floor master suite offered $50,000 below appraisal! ...$375,000 564 SaRah lane uniT #402 CReve CoeuR Golf view 4th Floor Penthouse with 3 BD, 2.5 baths, 2,047 FT gem with golf course views ...$329,000

You only have one life … Live it in luxury at the Plaza in Clayton.”

-KEITH R. MANZER

Live life on a grand scale inside this refined Clayton condominium. Elegance abounds from the living room, with five-piece crown molding and two balconies, to the spacious kitchen, with top-of-theline appliances. Appreciate the master suite’s recessed king-sized bed area, and more. $1.399 million

is unique property oers incomparable and unlimited potential!

- SALLY GOLDKAMP AND ALLY HEALEY

This Charles Eames masterpiece is an incredible investment opportunity. Known as the Meyer Home, the residence sits on one of the region’s most desired, five-acre lots. Restore the property to its original glory or build into your own unique estate. $1.59 million

Keith R. Manzer Laura McCarthy Real Estate

Located just 45 minutes from Plaza Frontenac is 76 acres that make up an equestrian dream or a peaceful retreat. - JOHN RYAN

From surrounding woods, with trails, to fenced pastures, Southwood Farm is a private getaway. Enjoy the screened porch, private lake and garden. The main house offers 3 beds and 2 baths while the caretaker’s house has 3 beds and 1 bath.

John Ryan The Ryan Tradition Coldwell Banker Gundaker

Location, location, location – that’s what this charming home has to oer!

- TERI NICELY

Mere blocks from downtown Kirkwood along a tree-lined street, this brick abode delights with an original, one-of-akind cathedral ceiling. Discover the elevated dining room and kitchen, plus hardwood flooring throughout the main floor. Additional amenities include a fireplace and thoughtfully-designed layout. $550,000

Teri Nicely RedKey Realty Leaders

is home is rst available on Saturday, March 7, with an open house on Sunday, March 8, from 1 to 3 p.m.! -BERKLEY LAND

Located in the heart of Ladue, this Higginbotham-built home showcases a refined exterior and thoughtfully-designed layout. Discover 3 generously-sized bedrooms and a magnificent master suite, plus all full-bathrooms. Fabulous patios, vaulted ceilings, an inground pool and a spacious kitchen complete this abode.

Berkley Land Land | Litwack & Associates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alliance Real Estate

314-872-6677 LANDLITWACK.COM

Decluttered and clean, this home features natural décor, an updated kitchen and bathrooms, and light- lled spaces.

- STEVE AND JOE MATHES

Situated on a tree-lined cul-de-sac in Ladue’s center, this customhome, under construction by Dublen Homes, is surrounded by woods and newer properties in a coveted location. Close to completion, the abode boasts tons of upgrades, 4 bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms.

Steve Mathes & Joe Mathes Coldwell Banker Gundaker

314-503-6533 (STEVE) 314-276-1604 (JOE) 314-993-8000 (OFFICE) STEVEANDJOEMATHES.COM

is home is only 12-years-old and in pristine condition, with fresh décor, and warm and inviting spaces, both inside and out. - MARCY BYRNE AND ANN CARTER

Discover exceptional craftsmanship and the finest of finishes inside this gorgeous 5-bedroom, 6 full-bathroom and 2 half-bathroom manse. An entertainment mecca, the property features a mainfloor master suite, with an outdoor space, theater, fitness room, and fourcar heated garage, with a lift.

Marcy Byrne & Ann Carter Janet McAfee Real Estate

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