It’s a hot market here in Scottsdale so we checked in with dynamic duo Rod and Kim Cullum of Cullum Homes for some insight on custom homebuilding and how buyers’ priorities have changed over the past year of embracing their homes.
A Cullum model home in Ascent at The Phoencian. PHOTO COURTESY OF CULLUM HOMES
From one-of-a-kind mountainside custom estates to fully customized lock-and-leave guard-gated home communities, Scottsdale’s Cullum Homes (cullumhomes.com) has developed multiple luxury communities, including its newest neighborhoods Ascent at The Phoenician (ascentatthephoenician.com) and The Village at Seven Desert Mountain (sevendesertmountain.com). In business since 1985, Cullum Homes has grown into an architecture and interior design firm living within a custom homebuilding company. With a complete offering of services including in-house architect, construction management, interior design, renovations and concierge client service, founders Rod and Kim Cullum share their expertise on homebuilding in today’s market.
Have you found a change in what buyers are seeking over the past year?
There is no question we have seen an increased focus on the home and its various functions and uses. Our buyers are looking for better ways to utilize space and improve functionality. This applies to both new home construction, as well as what our renovations division is seeing. Rather than very large, open areas, homebuyers desire more segmentation of space to achieve privacy. Efficient utilization of all space is more important. As a company, we have focused on clean air technologies for many years, but the difference now is that clients ask about this early in the process. They are paying much more attention to the technologies, products and construction methods that deliver clean, quiet and comfortable living environments.
Rod and Kim Cullum of Cullum Homes. PHOTO COURTESY OF CULLUM HOMES
What areas of the home are given the most attention?
We are seeing increased emphasis on home offices, often with requests for two separate spaces. Outdoor amenities have become more important, such as outdoor food preparation and dining space, pools and water features, and space for children to play. Indoors, we are seeing more home gyms and workout areas, and dedicated spaces for family activities, study areas and home entertainment.
Tell us the benefits of having all things building and designing “under one roof.”
Our ‘under-one-roof’ collection of comprehensive services was developed in response to changes we have seen in our market, and to meet the needs of our clients. We are focused on providing the finest homebuilding experience, and that means a streamlined, simplified and organized process delivered by trained and experienced professionals who are all on the same team. We have the resources to provide the full spectrum of client-centered services, including site selection, architecture, construction, interior design, after-move-in client concierge and full renovation capabilities.
Stunning views are on display in the desert modern-designed model home at The Village at Seven Desert Mountain. BY DINO TONN
Tell us about the recent project you worked on.
Our model home in The Village at Seven Desert Mountain was designed and built to reflect desert modern design. It focuses on family and entertainment amenities that support an increased desire for spending more time at home. This particular residence offers an abundance of indoor-outdoor living space that takes advantage of the incredible golf course and mountain views that Desert Mountain is famous for. The owners of this home can enjoy an indoor golf simulator, a quad TV wall with four 85-inch screens, pingpong, a tequila bar and an expansive owner’s suite that encompasses the entire upper level. In addition to a large private sitting area overlooking the golf course, it features a ‘morning kitchen’ complete with in-wall coffee and cappuccino machine and a multibottle wine unit that dispenses one glass at a time.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Our business has grown to include our daughter, Lindsay, and her husband, Paul. We have a shared goal of providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for our homeowners. Our clients are entrusting us with one of the most important things in their life. Seeing these beautiful and complicated projects come together as a reflection of the owners is extremely rewarding and something our family, and our team, takes great pride in. We are extremely fortunate to be as busy as we are, with exciting custom homes and luxury neighborhoods underway in our core market of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Our projects in Ascent at The Phoenician and Seven Desert Mountain are leading the way, as well as several custom estate homes in design and under construction that are a true reflection of what our team can deliver for our homeowners. We are looking forward to seeing this activity continue as more people discover what we have known for decades: Arizona is an incredible place to live and work.
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