About Us 

Jim and Julie have been a custom home building team for over 25 years. Jim is President of construction/development and Julie leads all design and finishes of their custom homes. Julie is also a realtor and for more information about their homes visit www.JJLavender.com.

Leadership

Jim Lavender, President

Jim Lavender is a third generation engineer & builder. He started his career at the young age of 16, when he gave up his summers to work as a construction laborer. Jim continued to pursue his passion while attending Michigan Technological University, where he worked as a laborer and equipment operator for Midwest Giant, Payne & Dolon Inc.

Jim graduated from Michigan Tech with a degree in Civil Engineering, majoring in Construction Management, and minoring in Economics. He immediately began working with the national building contractor, E.W. Howell, Inc. where he advanced to Senior Project Manager. At age 28, he managed construction of the $45 million Bay Plaza multi-use project in New York City.

In 1990, Jim became the Development Manager and General Contractor of the Factory Stores in Park City, Utah for Charter Oak Partners. This project received national recognition for building and opening 50 stores in only six months. It remains one of the top producing Factory Outlets today. Jim advanced to Director of Development for Charter Oak, developing retail centers nationwide.

In 1995, Jim became Principal for The Jack Johnson Company, a full service national design firm providing entitlement, planning, engineering and architectural services in Park City, Utah.  He specialized in resort and mountain development and was the Design Principal for Park City’s $120 million Deer Crest Ski Resort Development, which was a multi-county project, and advanced Jim’s decade-long working relationship with local governments.

In 2000, Jim joined Heil Construction, Inc. as President of the Utah Division.  In just 4 years, he grew this division from 5 employees with an annual volume of $5 million, to 25 employees with an annual volume of $25 million. This growth established Heil as the largest contractor in Summit and Wasatch counties of Utah, where Heil excelled as an award-winning resort builder.  Jim used his extensive development experience to expand Heil’s services to include Development Management, which became a large sector of Heil’s portfolio.  This included providing project assessment, stabilization and enhancement plans, for developers and lending institutions.

In 2007, Jim formed Terra Virtus LLC, a Development Management Consulting firm, where he served as sole proprietor.  Jim (via Terra Virtus) was the Development Manager of Tuscan Village, a 270-unit Active Adult Community in Lakeway, Texas, since 2009.  He oversaw all aspects of the project including staffing, government approvals, product development, design, purchasing, construction, marketing and sales. 

JULIE Lavender, lead finish designer

Julie began her career in Park City, Utah, where she spent over 18 years working as a real estate investor, developer and interior designer. Julie and her husband, Jim, and daughter's Jamie and Cassidy, relocated to Lakeway in 2007. She followed her passion for real estate and secured her agent's license in 2008 and quickly developed an extensive clientele. Julie's unique combination of design, development and sales experience gives her a comprehensive real estate background and the ability to add value from many perspectives. Julie's focus is to turn her client's real estate dreams into realities and foster relationships that last beyond the closing. Her clients appreciate her keen insight and strong negotiation skills. In 2015, Jim and Julie re-started their custom, spec-home building business team. When she's not busy working with clients or selecting finishes for their new builds, Julie is enjoying some of Austin's most treasured resources, the lakes and live music!

Jim & Julie currently reside in Spicewood, Texas.  He is active in his church and founded M.A.D. Men (Men Making A Difference), a local men’s group that completes “hands on” service projects for people in need. He has been active in The Rotary Club and Habitat for Humanity in Park City, Utah, where he served as President on the Board of Directors.