Sixty Years And Going Strong

In 1948, G.I.s who had returned from W.W. II were clamoring to buy new homes, often with the help of the G.I. Bill. Pittsburgh's Edward M. Ryan, himself a veteran, took matters into his own hands. A carpenter by trade, he built a home for himself and his family. When someone offered to buy the home, Ryan sold it.
That sale marked the very modest beginning of Ryan Homes. Ryan's company became one of the most successful homebuilders in Metropolitan Pittsburgh. An innovator, Ryan found new ways to build better homes more efficiently. As the interstate highway system evolved, the homebuilder expanded in every direction. In time, the company grew beyond Pennsylvania. Ryan Homes went public in 1968, and Ed Ryan retired in 1973. But over the past 60 years, Ryan Homes has delivered more than 250,000 homes to satisfied customers throughout the Eastern half of the United States.
Today, NVR, Inc. serves as the corporate umbrella for Ryan Homes, NVHomes, NVR Mortgage and NVR Building Products. The company now is ranked as one of the top 10 homebuilders and financial service companies in the United States. Building quality single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums to meet every lifestyle, Ryan Homes now operates in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Sixty years is quite a lifespan for any business, but in the case of Ryan Homes it is all the more remarkable because of the growth the company has experienced. The homebuilder has been successful in the best and worst of economic times. Grady J. Gaspar, regional market manager of Ryan Homes for Pittsburgh, attributes the success and the growth to a number of factors, but at the top of his list is the respectful way the homebuilder treats its customers. "We are not just selling widgets," said Gaspar, "we are affecting people's lives." That is a fact that the homebuilder and the people that work for it never forget.
Here in the Pittsburgh area, where Ryan Homes began, the homebuilder currently has 34 communities in place. Geographically, they are located across a huge swath of southwestern Pennsylvania. "We have a nice range of communities," said Gaspar, "that appeal to everyone from the move-up buyer to empty-nesters that are downsizing." Each community features a decorated model home, which enables potential homebuyers to see how a Ryan dwelling can fulfill their needs. An information center, staffed by a Ryan Homes' employee who can answer all a potential homebuyer's questions, is on-site at each model home.
Single-family homes as well as townhomes are built in Metropolitan Pittsburgh under the Ryan banner. There is also an owner-builder group that works with individuals who choose to build at off-site locations.
Because of its national reach, Gaspar said, Ryan Homes brings a nationwide perspective to its many markets. The homebuilder has introduced design and floor-plan concepts such as morning rooms and luxury owner suites to Pittsburgh and other metropolitan areas. Nevertheless, said Gaspar, Pittsburgh remains very much a housing market unto itself, which accounts for its vitality compared to other markets these days. "New home buyers should look at Pittsburgh as Pittsburgh, without being influenced by what's happening elsewhere. Here, when a person buys a home, it should appreciate. You'll have a great place to live, great memories, and at the end of the day, it will be yours."
Because Ryan Homes has its own in-house mortgage company, NVR Mortgage, the homebuilder can help customers with everything from traditional programs to innovative financing plans. And the company will explain how each program suits specific situations. Ryan offers homebuyers the assistance they need to make educated, economical decisions. The vast majority of Ryan Homes' customers, said Gaspar, chooses NVR Mortgage because of their competitive rates and simplified loan approval process.
Customer involvement is another key to Ryan's success. The homebuilder encourages the customer to be involved in the entire construction process. A series of meetings familiarizes the customer with the home. Carpeting, colors, the choice of community, home site and other important factors are discussed and explained. This, in turn, gives the customer a full knowledge of, and confidence in, the features and benefits of the home from the start.
Customer service is yet another of Ryan's keys to customer satisfaction. Before and during construction, it is predicated on fairness, timeliness and completeness. A professional sales team and a professional building team assist the homebuyer through every step of the process. A project manager is assigned to oversee the construction of the home. "If you have a question about something during the construction process," said Gaspar, "we want you to ask your project manager about it, and you'll get the answer."
What all of this adds up to, said Gaspar, is a win-win for customers. "We'll build the home the way you want it built, so it's uniquely yours."
Lifestyles are often the driving force behind what a buyer wants in the way of a home. For some, a single-family home is the right choice. For others, a townhome suits their lifestyle best. As one example of such choices, Gaspar points to Majestic Hills, located in North Strabane Township. Majestic Hills affords breathtaking views of Lindenwood Golf Course, while providing easy access to I-79, I-70, Route 19 and South Hills Village. The single-family homes offer up to four bedrooms, two-car garages and the availability of a first-floor owner's suite. Prices start in the upper $190s.
Said Gaspar, "Whatever your lifestyle, Ryan Homes will build the home you're looking for."
Which is exactly what this homebulder has done so successfully for 60 years.