Not only is Anthony of Cornerstone Estates, married to Michelle, but their respective jobs have them working together closely, often day-in, day-out. The beneficiary of their professional collaboration is, of course, Michelle’s real estate clients. After all, once a prospective home buyer purchases a coastal home or homesite, their next move is to find a trusted, qualified builder, which can be a long, drawn-out process, with multiple interviews and lots of guesswork. And once you select a builder, you’re never quite sure if they will be a good fit or not—or if they even truly understood the intricacies of coastal building and the processes involved. With Michelle, all of that “leg work” is taken care of at the outset. Anthony is not only one of the most respected builders on Seabrook Island, but he is a homeowner there, as well. He understands the ins and outs of what it takes to build your Lowcountry dream home—and he can manage the process effectively and efficiently. That means peace of mind for Michelle’s clients. We recently had a chance to sit down and interview Anthony—here’s what he had to say.
Q & A with Custom Home Builder Anthony Wiedemuth
Q: So Anthony, what should prospective home buyers at Seabrook or Kiawah know about you and what you bring to the table?
A: Well, first of all, I want them to understand that I don’t simply build luxury coastal homes in Charleston. I actually live here. Our home is on Seabrook Island. I built it. New neighbors are checking it out every day. As a builder who lives at Seabrook, my reputation is always on the line here. I’m going to make sure I do whatever it takes to make each of my future neighbors happy. Every day is a new opportunity to meet or exceed a buyer’s expectations. That’s always our goal.
Q: Anthony you clearly have a great work ethic, where does that come from?
A: I grew up in Nassau County, New York. I got a degree in Industrial Engineering in the early 90s. When I got out of school, I apprenticed with a Polish immigrant who did a lot of hand-crafted woodwork. He was meticulous. He instilled in me the fundamentals of quality craftsmanship and the importance of hard work. He used to say, “the day’s not complete until the job site’s clean.” So, his commitment and work ethic—as much as his skill--were something I admired right away. I have taken that same drive and passion and applied it to my business today.
Q: You keep a full plate on island, either building new homes or renovating old homes, what are some of the trends you see? What are homebuyers looking for?
A: Number one, they are looking for a spacious, open floor plan with a primary suite on 1st floor. People are focused on how they will continue to use the home as they advance in age. They want the space to expand, the flexibility to accommodate changing needs and an active lifestyle. Number two, proximity to the ocean is key. A home doesn’t necessarily have to be right on the water, as long as it’s easy and convenient to access the beach. People want that option. Thirdly, I’d say people are looking for a community that suites their lifestyle. Most are looking to live an active life and want to enjoy amenities like: pools, the beach, golf courses, racquet club facilities, fitness and so on. The setting of the community is also very important. People want to be close to nature and have plenty of room to enjoy it. Look at Seabrook, it’s not simply on the water, but it has mature trees, and unspoiled marshland. In fact, Seabrook is home to a protected Maritime Forest, which is a great draw for families wanting more nature, or the picture-perfect coastal living experience.
Q: What are the benefits of being married to one of the top coastal real estate agents in Charleston?
A: We inspire each other, and we help each other out by bringing an added perspective that a homebuyer, or seller, may not get elsewhere. Because she’s married to me, Michelle understands the building process—costs, timetable, permitting process and logistics—as well as I do. She has an added knowledge that the typical realtor does not. And as a builder, she gives me insights into what families are looking for, and the types of trends that are important to today’s buyers. It keeps me sharp and on the leading-edge of the building community. Between the two of us, families get a 360-degree view of the coastal living experience and how they can make that happen as effectively and efficiently as possible. Aside from that, Michelle’s a hard worker. She’s always thinking and working for her clients. So, her work ethic is something I admire because that is the foundation of my business, as well. We will go the extra mile to make our clients happy.
Let’s Talk!
If you have questions or simply want to know more about selling your current property or buying/building a new Lowcountry home, please contact me at your convenience. I look forward to helping you realize your real estate dreams in the Charleston area.
