Bonnie Evans and Diane Smith have been friends for almost 30 years, and now they have been given the opportunity to work together as two of our New Home Consultants.
Back in 2001, MasterCraft Builder Group Founder and CEO, Chris Shee, worked alongside Bonnie and Diane at a national homebuilder. At their first job together, Chris and Diane both worked in sales with Chris eventually moving on to work in the construction management program. “He was very creative,” Diane remembers of those early days. “We had to be creative selling the land, and Chris had a lot of really cool ideas. He would put a fishing pole out, and he’d sit in a chair in the front yard. He brought something unique to the table, and we began implementing those ideas in our future work.”
Diane has lived in Northeast Florida her entire life, while Bonnie moved down from Upstate New York in 1994. The two first met as neighbors nearly 30 years ago and worked at the same national homebuilder and have been close friends ever since. Bonnie actually met Chris around the same time when her daughter became good friends with Chris’ cousin. After keeping in touch with Chris over the years, the three are together again.
Joining our team in August of 2020, Bonnie and Diane now work as partners – splitting the time commitment each week to cover the MasterCraft homes in Madeira, one of the premier master-planned communities that we build in.
Working at MasterCraft
Before joining the MasterCraft team, Bonnie and Diane worked for multiple national homebuilders and are quite familiar with the industry. Bonnie worked in the RiverTown community at her previous job, while Diane was working with another local builder at the time.
At MasterCraft, our team is our family, our clients are potential friends and neighbors, and our goal is to create a community that makes people proud to work with us and proud to live here. “Working with Chris and working in this environment isn’t only a job. It’s a company where people enjoy working for and with one another,” Bonnie says. “Everyone here contributes 100 percent. It’s a family environment.” Diane couldn’t agree more. “I truly enjoy the people at MasterCraft. That’s my favorite part,” she says. “The pride that they take to build quality homes is unparallel.”
At MasterCraft, it’s not just about crafting new homes. It’s about the commitment to St. Johns County and giving back to those in need. “It’s been a wonderful experience, and I feel very fortunate that we were given this position at Madeira,” Bonnie says. “Being partners with Diane, I just knew it would work. Partnerships are a commitment. Your weaknesses are someone else’s strengths and vice-versa. We both bring something special to the table and complement each other in what we do.”
The Role of New Home Consultants
Buying a home is a huge decision and can be, at times, a stressful one. Our New Home Consultants like Bonnie and Diane, are here to make the process as easy, fun, and streamlined as possible. At MasterCraft, our company is built off of the Four C’s; Choice, Craftsmanship, Community, and Customer Service. Our Customer Service is implemented in everything our New Home Consultants do. “We greet customers and talk to them about their homes and future community,” Diane explains. “Our goal is to engage the client and help them imagine themselves living here. We help to paint a picture of what the Madeira community has to offer.”
Many buyers purchase their home sight unseen, so Bonnie and Diane work to ensure homebuyers feel included in the building process and are up-to-date every step of the way. “We’ll take videos and dozens of pictures so buyers can see what each house looks like,” Diane says. Once a home has started construction, Bonnie and Diane will take progress photos each week and call customers to give them an update on their home. “We try our best to make the homebuyer feel included and make this a fun process.”
About Madeira
A History:
The Madeira neighborhood is built on what once was the Ponce de Leon Golf and Country Club. St. Augustine’s premier golf course opened in 1916 in an area north of the Historic District and closed almost 90 years later in 2003. The traditional golf course was one of the first golf courses in the State of Florida. Architect Donald Ross designed the facility for wealthy guests of the Flagler family. Century-old, moss-laden live oak and magnolia trees outline the grounds, while ocean breezes and sights of sailboats traveling the Intracoastal blend together, creating beautiful scenery that is still enjoyed today.
Today:
Located just north of St. Augustine’s Historic District, Madeira is now recognized as one of Northeast Florida’s most desirable areas to live, work, and play. Madeira provides an unparalleled setting with its natural beauty and charm, appealing to even the most discerning homebuyer. Nestled along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway, Madeira encompasses more than 1,000 acres, 600 of which are unspoiled wetlands, a tidal creek, lakes, and preserved natural areas lined with ancient live oaks and other beautiful foliage. Madeira’s lush environment is the perfect backdrop for new homes and picturesque views.
Amenities:
Madeira’s homeowners will enjoy an array of amenities, including a residents’ clubhouse, fitness center, pool, covered pavilion, parks, and more.
Floorplans:
Madeira offers five floorplans available in Coastal, Craftsman, and Farmhouse elevations and range between 1,605 and 2,935 square feet.
Learn more about Madeira or schedule a visit to tour our model home by visiting mastercraftbuildergroup.com
