Gemcraft

Lord Willoughby Gemcraft Homes has three models open and 32 homes available at Lord Willoughby's Rest, a single-family, duplex and townhouse community in Harford County. The community in Edgewood offers four plans in single-family and duplex versions, as well as a townhouse plan. The single-family and twin homes range from 1,385 to 1,813 square feet, with base prices from $126,990 to $149,990. The homes are on public water and sewer systems and come with gas heat and hot water. The Lincoln model, a single-level ranch home, has a base price of $144,990 for 1,384 square feet and includes a two-car garage.

Gemcraft Homes has opened six new models at Hickory Overlook, a townhouse community in Bel Air.Public water and sewer, gas heat and hot water and electric cooking are standard features in the Harford County community.Two weeks ago, the Charleston, Savannah and Calverton -- ranging in price from $97,990 to $110,400 -- were highlighted. Today, the final three models are featured.The Laurelton starts at $110,400 for 1,320 to 2,440 square feet of finished space.An optional powder room, laundry room and a 20-by-18-foot recreation room make up the basement.

Gemcraft Homes has opened a furnished model and has 17 home sites available at Campus Hills Estates, a community of single-family homes in Harford County. The Bel Air community offers 11 floor plans on half-acre to 1-acre home sites. The homes are on septic systems, offer water through a private company, and have gas heat and cooking. Standard features include a brick front, a two-car garage, 9-foot ceilings, 42-inch cabinets and super baths. Base prices range from $286,000 to $382,000 for 2,400 square feet to 3,700 square feet.

As the housing market cools, a home builder's reputation for customer satisfaction can win over buyers, representatives of J.D. Power and Associates said yesterday in releasing its 10th annual new-home builder customer satisfaction study. "For the past several years, builders have been in an order-taking mode, rather than a sales mode," said Paula Sorkin, executive director of the real estate industries practice at J.D. Power. "Builders that can provide a high level of customer satisfaction can differentiate themselves from the competition."

Bittner named Maryland group's Builder of Year Jeb Bittner, president of Pulte Home Corp.'s Maryland division, was named Builder of the Year at the Home Builders Association of Maryland's 81st annual banquet Thursday night. HBAM also installed Kevin Carney, president of Thomas Builders, as its president for the coming year. Bittner, a Maryland native, has served on the board of directors of HBAM and the Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association and as president of the Baltimore County chapter of HBAM.

Ryan Homes was the big winner as the Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of Maryland honored Baltimore-area builders last week at the Mechanic Theater.A team of 30 industry members and consumers judged homebuilders in floor plan layout, quality and convenience features, overall design and value.Ryan Homes won three Awards of Excellence, while Patriot Homes and Gemcraft Homes won two.Brad Messenger and Bob Coursey, both of Ryan Homes, were named the Sales Manager of the Year and Marketing Director of the Year, respectively.

Columbia Builders and Ryan Homes were triple winners when the Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of Maryland honored Baltimore-area firms Wednesday at the Mechanic Theater.The 21st Award of Excellence competition recognized homebuilders in the Baltimore metropolitan area "who provide buyers with excellence in design, livability and value in single-family detached, single-family attached, multifamily and custom homes."Ryan collected three 1997 Awards of Excellence, while Columbia won two plus a Model Home Merchandising Award, which honors builders and interior designers who do the best job of decorating model homes.

When David and Mary Peters went shopping for a home six years ago, the low prices in Rising Sun kept attracting them to the Cecil County town. The couple, who have three children, looked at homes in Baltimore and Harford counties before finding the four-bedroom split foyer in Rising Sun. The house, which sits on 1 1/3 acres in a quiet neighborhood, is much different from the Baltimore home the family left. "We decided we could definitely get more for our money up here," Mary Peters said.

Coldwell Banker to help with March food drive Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is joining the U.S. Postal Service, the Baltimore Area Council Boy Scouts of America and Safeway to collect food for the annual Harvest for the Hungry Food Drive during the third week of next month. Canned goods and other nonperishable food items can be dropped off March 13-20 at Coldwell offices in Maryland, southern Delaware, Washington and Northern Virginia. Coldwell Banker Realtors also will be at Safeway stores collecting nonperishable food that week.

These companies were honored at the 22nd annual awards ceremony of the Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of Maryland at the Mechanic Theatre Wednesday.AWARD OF EXCELLENCESingle-family detached$150,000-$189,999: The Bedford, Ryan Homes, Lohr's Orchard, Joppatowne. Architect: Ryan Architectural Group.$190,000-$209,999: The Albany, Gemcraft Homes, Beacon Point, Perryville. Architect: Architecture Collaborative.$210,000-$269,999: The Anthony Wayne, Patriot Homes, Russett, Laurel.