Inspired by his father and grandfather before him, Craig Stevens knew from a young age that he wanted to be a home builder. As a teenager, he pitched in on job sites under their guidance, and soaked up valuable knowledge that can only be learned from hands-on experience. After attending North Carolina State University, it was time to begin his own journey in the business. In 1991 he built his first house, and in 1993 he founded Stevens Fine Homes (originally known as Stevens Building Company) out of the back of his pick-up truck. Thirty years later, Stevens has built over 3,000 homes in more than 60 communities throughout the Cape Fear Region. He is a leader and mentor to many in the building industry. After two terms as president of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association, he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2017. 

While his career began in New Hanover County, Stevens quickly expanded his footprint into Brunswick and Pender Counties as well. A decade and a half ago, he made what would turn out to be his most strategic purchase to date: a large tract of land in Brunswick County, which was at the time a rural area. That purchase could not have been more timely, as Brunswick County has steadily become one of the fastest growing areas of the country. Ideally situated just minutes from downtown Wilmington, and within a short drive of either Wrightsville Beach or Southport/Oak Island, Mallory Creek Plantation is one of the most popular communities in Southeastern North Carolina! 

Outside of Mallory Creek, Stevens Fine Homes strategically selects locations for each community that are within a short drive of shopping, dining, parks, schools, beaches, and other points of interest. They are currently building in The Pinnacle at Mallory Creek, Northern Lights, off Northwest Road in Leland, and recently launched Oak Ridge II at Grand Oaks in Pender County. Each community is distinctly different, offering the unique features that today’s buyers are searching for. In Northern Lights, stylish single-family homes appeal to buyers in the $300-$400 range. The Pinnacle at Mallory Creek offers luxurious attached villas with amenities, starting from the $300s. And the newest community, Oak Ridge II, features a curated collection of luxurious new homes on rarely seen half-acre (or more) homesites from the $400s to the $500s.

With a focus on building high-quality homes that deliver on both style and value, Stevens Fine Homes has proven time and again that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a home you love. Stevens Fine Homes has found a niche for building homes for the first-time home buyer, for the move-up buyer looking to maximize square footage, and even the right-sizing buyer who prioritizes low-maintenance living. Most of their buyers are discerning families that want it all, a beautiful home, AND an amazing lifestyle. With Stevens Fine Homes, they don’t have to sacrifice either of those goals… beauty and affordability do not have to be mutually exclusive!

Stevens Fine Homes has a core collection of plans that are great for busy families, featuring open kitchen/dining/living spaces, perfect for hectic weeknights when parents may be cooking dinner and helping with homework simultaneously. They also offer four- and five-bedroom plans with flex rooms, providing plenty of space for everyone in large or multi-generational families. And for the buyer looking for luxurious selections and less to maintain, their villas are ideal. Each plan features a luxurious primary suite with attached bath, many of which also offer something Stevens Fine Homes has become known for… generous closets. If you have ever toured their “Nicklaus” plan, then you know. Many clients have repurposed the larger of the two oversized primary suite closets into offices, nurseries, or workout rooms. Huge is not an understatement.

The home plans offered by Stevens are equally as well constructed as they are beautiful, crafted from kid-proof materials that provide durability without sacrificing style. Stevens also includes many high-end finishes that other builders charge extra for as an upgrade, such as granite countertops in the kitchen and quartz countertops in bathrooms. Buyers also have access to the company’s in-house designer to help personalize homes to their unique taste and style, while staying within their budgetary goals. “With Stevens, you can get a high-quality home, achieving the level of beauty you’re looking for, but without breaking the bank,” says Amanda Tutino, the company’s Design Consultant.

Since those early days in the pick-up truck, Stevens has expanded his company considerably to include entire teams of construction and warranty staff, administration, and in-house sales agents. In 2022, he made the strategic decision to shift online sales leads directly to an Online Sales Consultant (O.S.C.) with overwhelming success. All incoming sales queries, whether from clients or Real Estate Agents, are greeted by our O.S.C., Courtney Schmitter. She was a 9-year veteran of Stevens Fine Homes before stepping into the new role and has excelled with this new challenge. Courtney’s knowledge of the Stevens brand, and years of experience helping clients, makes her the ideal first point-of-contact for someone seeking to learn more about Stevens Fine Homes. She has been so successful that earlier this year, she was awarded the National Rookie Online Sales Consultant of the Year, a prestigious national awards program presented by the National Association of Home Builders that receives thousands of applications each year. 

What started as a one-man show, is now an entire “Stevens Family” team of nearly 30 professionals, as diverse and inclusive as the clients they serve. Their homes are on the cutting edge of technology, using only the finest quality products and materials. In Wilmington’s annual Parade of Homes event, a competition for builders and judged by builders, their homes have received countless gold, silver, and bronze awards through the years, with many being recognized for excellent kitchens, baths, and outdoor living areas. Last year, their sales team, the “Jennie Stevens Team” was the #6 Coldwell Banker team of their size in the nation, ranked by units sold. They have thousands of happy customers and hundreds of five-star reviews on Google. 

Over the ups and downs of the last three decades, Stevens Fine Homes has remained consistently successful. How do they do it? By maintaining a quality-driven, client-focused approach to building. With the stated mission to foster a positive environment, to encourage constant innovation, to create infinite possibilities and to enhance the lives of all those involved. Whether interacting with clients, REALTORS, subcontractors or trades, everyone who steps onto a Stevens job site can expect to be welcomed with kindness. Like their motto says, they have a passion for what they do, and it all starts at the top! Congratulations to Craig Stevens for 30 years of building excellence!

To learn more about Stevens Fine Homes, call or text Courtney at (910) 431-0085 or email dreamhomes@stevensfinehomes.com.