Highlander Construction News Room

"Highlander Construction & Development, Inc. announces the hiring of a new Director of Marketing & Sales"
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – August 29, 2011
James Oliver, President of Highlander Construction & Development, Inc announced today the hiring of Ms. LeeAnn Francis to serve as the Company’s new Director of Marketing & Sales. Said Mr. Oliver; "We are really excited to have LeeAnn joining our team. LeeAnn has never met a stranger and her easy-going manner and communication skills drive her to offer clients the best customer service experience possible."
> Read the full press release

"Lt. Gov. Bill Boiling Appoints Local Builder to the Virginia Board for Contractors"
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – April 25, 2011
The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia announced last week that James Oliver, President of Highlander Construction & Development, Inc. has been appointed by Lt. Gov. Bill Boiling to serve on the Virginia Board for Contractors.
> Read the Letter from Lt. Gov. Bill Boiling

The Board for Contractors was established in 1938 to regulate businesses that construct or improve facilities on property owned by others (all licensed contractors). The board is composed of fifteen (15) members: seven licensed contractors, three tradesmen, one building official, one certified water well systems provider, one certified elevator mechanic, and two citizen members. Each member is appointed by the governor for a four-year term and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

Mr. Oliver has been appointed to fill the expiring term of Dorothy Wood, the current Chairperson of the Board. Mr. Oliver’s term will begin on July 1, 2011. Said Mr. Oliver, "It was an honor and a privilege to be asked by the Lt. Governor to serve on the regulatory Board which oversees all contracting in the State of Virginia and I was pleased to accept. This great honor would not be possible without the incredible work of my dedicated staff and our team of quality trade contractors and venders who have helped to build the sterling reputation of Highlander Construction & Development for which I am proud to represent and lead."


"Highlander Construction & Development Nominated for NRVHBA 2010 Design Excellence Award"
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – November 29, 2010
The New River Valley Home Builders Association (NRVHBA) announced today that Highlander Construction & Development (HCD) has been nominated for the Design Excellence Award for the original design and construction of the distinctive home at 211 River Pointe in the High Meadows subdivision in Radford. The Design Excellence Award is voted on by the general membership and is awarded to an active member who demonstrates excellence in the original design of a project completed within the same calendar year.

"Our company was built on a commitment to integrity and excellence, and our nomination for this award is a testament to those founding principles," said company president, James Oliver. "We humbly accept this honor on behalf of our entire team of design and trade professionals, many of whom are members of the Association. We truly appreciate this special recognition."

VOTE for Highlander Construction at the NRVHBA Holiday Party on Dec. 2, 2010.
Click here for details.


"Local Builder Selected to Participate in a Study of Safety & Sustainability"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 28, 2010
Highlander Construction & Development, Inc. (HCD) participated in a joint study conducted by the Center for Applied Behavior Systems at Virginia Tech and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. HCD was one of 10 builders throughout Virginia asked to participate in a joint study conducted by the Center for Applied Behavior Systems at Virginia Tech and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The purpose of the project is to conduct research on the environmental sustainability and occupational health and safety activities of small construction businesses.
> Read the full press realease (PDF)

Related coverage:
August 3, 2010 - Roanoke Times NRV Current, Highlander asked to take part in study.
> Read the onilne article or download PDF


July 28, 2010 - Blue Ridge Business Journal, Ticker Blog, Local builder selected to participate in safety & sustainability study.
> Read the online article or download PDF


"Around the Valley"
New River Valley Home Builders Association – July 13, 2010
> Leave a comment on our Facebook page




"Why Build Now"
New River Valley Magazine – March/April, 2010: James Oliver from Highlander Construction & Development explains why now is a great time to build a home.
> Download full story (PDF)


Highlander Construction & Development Presented with Design Excellence Award by the New River Valley Home Builder’s Association
Blacksburg, VA – March 1, 2010: The New River Valley Home Builder’s Association presented Highlander Construction & Development with the Design Excellence Award this past Saturday night at its annual Inaugural Gala which was held at Blacksburg Country Club.
> Rean more


A Perfect Storm of Building Opportunities
The Roanoke Times – February 21, 2010: James Oliver of Highlander Construction builds homes such as his one in High Meadows. Oliver said a "perfect storm" of conditions - lot availability, low construction loan interest rates and competitive labor and materials pricing - makes now the best time to build a house.
> Download full story (PDF)


A Recession is a Terrible Thing to Waste:
Why Now is the Best Time to Build a New Home
Custom home builder teaches about the advantages and challenges related to new construction.

Radford VA – February 22, 2010: Recession. Mortgage rates. Home buyer tax credits. It seems these words have been shouted from television screens, newspapers and radios around the country for months. But is it really the right time to be thinking about buying or building a new home?

James Oliver, President of Highlander Construction & Development, says it is. "The recession has created several unique conditions that provide considerable advantages to building a home in this market."

For example, according to a Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) released this week, fixed-rate mortgage and construction loan interest rates are historic lows. In fact, both 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) and 15-year FRM are down from this time last year. So what does that mean for potential buyers?

"With interest rates at historic lows, you’re never going to get a better deal from the banks," Oliver says. "Banks are currently borrowing money from the federal government at almost zero percent, which means your cost to borrow money is very inexpensive. Eventually, the federal government will raise interest rates to stave off inflation, so the cost of borrowing money from the bank will increase, which raises your monthly payments and reduces the amount of money you can borrow and spend."

In addition to interest rates, the recession has stabilized the cost of building a home. Due to the decreased demand for building lots and construction improvements, prices have stabilized and in some areas actually decreased. In his free new construction seminars, Oliver says the cost of crude oil, which is refined into petroleum, has a lot to do with this because petroleum is used in the production of a majority of building materials, not to mention the gasoline used to deliver materials to site.

"Despite the current economic conditions, real estate has always proven to regain and hold its value because there is a finite amount of property available," Oliver says. "As the economy improves, the price of land and construction materials – just like oil – will also go up."

Finally, what about those tax credits? On Nov. 6, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which extended the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit through April 30, 2010, giving buyers who have signed a sales contract by that deadline until June 30 to close their deal. Likewise, it created a new tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers who have owned a home for five consecutive years out of the eight years preceding the purchase of the new home. This act also increased the income limits, allowing more consumers to qualify for these tax credits.

The community can learn more about how to navigate and take advantage of these unique opportunities through a series of seminars that Highlander Construction & Development is holding free to the public. The next seminar will be held February, 20 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Courtyard Marriott in Blacksburg.


Highlander Construction & Development Nominated for Design Excellence Award
Blacksburg VA – November 30, 2009: The New River Valley Home Builder’s Association announced today that Highlander Construction & Development has been nominated for the Design Excellence Award for the original design and construction of the Earthcraft homes in the Piedmont Place Subdivision in Blacksburg. The Design Excellence Award is voted on by the General Membership and is awarded to an active member who demonstrates excellence in the original design of a project completed within the same calendar year.

Said company President James Oliver, "We are honored and pleased to receive this nomination which we humbly accept on behalf of our entire team of design and trade professionals. The original design of the Earthcraft homes in the Piedmont Place Subdivision was a collaborative effort between our in house design staff and our many trade contractor and vendor partners, most of whom are members of the Association. We appreciate this special recognition."


Highlander Construction & Development Awarded Builder of the Year by the New River Valley Home Builder’s Association
Blacksburg, Virginia - January 31, 2009: The New River Valley Home Builder’s Association awarded Highlander Construction & Development it most prestigious award this past Saturday night designating the company as “Builder of the Year” at its annual Inaugural Gala which was held at the Holiday Inn in Blacksburg.

Download Press Release: Builder Of The Year 1-31-09.pdf (24 KB)