Artisan’s Corner: Frank Ballif of Southern Development Homes

Southern Development

Here at Nest Realty, we love the businesses that help turn a house into a home. In this series, we’ll chat with the builders, architects, designers, and other artisans behind these local businesses.

In this installment of Artisan’s Corner, we sit down with Frank Ballif of Southern Development Homes, a local home building company committed to our community.

Southern Development

Nest Realty: Tell us about yourself! What brought you to Charlottesville?
Frank Ballif: I was born and raised in Northern Virginia. In 1996, I moved to Charlottesville to attend the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. I fell in love with this area and have called it home ever since.

NR: How did you get into home building?
FB: I always enjoyed construction. In high school, I worked finishing basements, building decks, and doing other home improvement projects. My interest led me to study civil engineering. The summer after my first year of college, I interned in the morning for a civil engineering design firm and in the afternoon, I worked for a land developer and builder. It only took a week for me to know that I wanted to be a home builder! While still in college, I bought a lot and began construction on a house to sell. Luckily for me (and for my mother who co-signed on the loan), it sold before it was finished and we closed the month before I graduated!

Southern Development

NR: What sets you apart? What makes you different from other builders?
FB: The thing that sets us apart is that we are a local company and everything we do is in this community. This place is our home. We design our floor plans and neighborhoods with only our community in mind and create unique places that we’re thrilled to have people call home. We are a large enough company to benefit from economy of scale, but we strive to maintain strong personal relationships with our homeowners. Our 3,000 square foot Design Center allows homebuyers to benefit from the convenience of professional guidance and thoughtful interactive displays while personalizing their home.

NR: What is your proudest accomplishment as a builder?
FB: Along with our generous trade partners, we were able to complete and dedicate our first Home for Hope in 2020. Through that, we raised over $200,000 to fight global poverty by partnering with Homes for Hope and Hope International. Hope International makes microloans averaging $200 USD to entrepreneurs living in poverty all over the world. These funds will help over 10,000 families in areas where access to capital is scarce start or grow their small businesses. I’m so proud and thankful that our team, along with our other gracious associates, could come together and do something that will impact so many people.

Southern Development

NR: What upcoming projects are you most excited about?
FB: We are always working on new projects! One that we will be releasing to the market in July is Lochlyn Hill. We love the diversity of the architecture in the community. We feel that offering our townhome product at an attractive price point will allow buyers a variety of choices in the trendy city community.

NR: What are some ways you give back/strengthen our community?
FB: Charlottesville is our home and we love this community. We are proud to support many organizations that are helping the most vulnerable in our community in meaningful ways. We’ve partnered with:
AHIP to help make needed home repairs for seniors to be able to safely remain in their own home
Habitat for Humanity of Charlottesville/Albemarle and Fluvanna to enable more families to own a home of their own
The Salvation Army of Charlottesville to provide warm meals and nightly shelter to those without a home
Loaves and Fishes to provide food assistance to those in need
The Haven to provide day shelter and support to the homeless community
-The Arc of the Piedmont to provide support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities
We are thankful for the opportunity to work with all of these organizations and many others to make a difference in our community!

Southern Development

NR: What is your favorite part of being a builder?
FB: It’s so hard to pick just one part! I love the relationships that we form with our homeowners, trade partners, and all the folks in our industry. I have fun every day and love what I do. I love the fact that we have worked alongside some of the same folks and trade partners for nearly 20 years! I love working with an infinitely talented team that is adaptive to the ever-changing world we live in. I love that we have built more than one home for many customers. It is such an honor to be chosen again. In short—I love it all!

NR: What do you love most about the Charlottesville area?
FB: I love that Charlottesville is a community that is large enough to offer many of the cultural, entertainment, and culinary benefits of a large city while still having the personal connections of a small town. It truly is the best of both worlds!

Southern Development

NR: What one piece of advice would you give to someone setting out on the home building journey?
FB: I would advise anyone considering new construction to research the major strides the industry has made in energy efficiency. Your home is where you spend your time with those who are most important. Comfort, air quality, and sustainability should all be on the checklist. The other advice I would offer is spend some time in the communities that you are considering. The community “feel” is just as important as the home you are building.

To learn more about Southern Development Homes, visit www.southern-development.com. Check back soon for another Artisan’s Corner profile!

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