Braden

With his family’s background in homebuilding, Braden always knew he wanted to be involved in the industry one way or another. In November 2016, Braden joined the Mattamy team as a Staff Accountant. While in this role, Braden began to grow a deeper interest in the land development and acquisition process. Knowing his analytical background and interest in land, his leaders helped him transition to the land team, where he has seen incredible career growth, being promoted from Land Analyst, to Senior Land Analyst and more recently, to Land Acquisition Manager.

Get to know more about Braden’s experience at Mattamy. 

8:30 am
After arriving to the office, I start up my computer and dive right into my emails. Once I’ve caught up on anything urgent, I meet with the Director of Acquisitions to discuss any new developments from the previous day. We establish a checklist for the day and ensure that we are on schedule with any deliverables for acquisitions we have under contract.  I then take some time to familiarize myself with nearby competitor communities, paying attention to sales pace (the average number of sales per month), pricing (how much each floor plan costs), development status (how many phases of development there are, when they opened and when the next phase is going to start), the number of homes left to sell in the community and the amenities the nearby communities offer. If there are any increases in sales pace or pricing, I take special note of this as it could have a positive or negative implication on the underwriting for a new community we are developing.

10:00 am
Once I’ve done that, I’ll switch to creating or updating proformas for potential new land acquisitions. Proforma is just a fancy word for saying standardized excel tool. I’ll research and determine what we anticipate the revenue (sales price, lot premiums, option revenue) and costs (earthworks, landscaping, fencing, roads, community amenities, etc.) would be for a specific land purchase. The proforma ultimately shows the financial impact the new acquisition would have on the company if it’s purchased and developed.

11:00 am
I’m taking a slurp of my second coffee and either continuing to work on the various land budgets or I’m touching base with external stakeholders on zoning, land use status or outstanding land permits for our next up and coming community.

My biggest lesson learned so far is that the Mattamy team is always there to support me. If I’m at all hesitant about my ability to complete a task or project, I know that I can count on having the resources and team members I need, when I need it. The people at Mattamy are one of a kind – always ready to answer questions, brainstorm or teach you something new. But most importantly, they are invested in your success just as much as they are invested in the company’s success. 

Willingness to be a team player, self-motivation and determination. One of the great things about Mattamy’s culture is that leaders will give you the space you need to thrive in your own environment. Micro-management is not part of the culture here and you are expected to complete your responsibilities at the pace that works best for you.  

My most meaningful experience has been watching the company culture evolve over the years. Year after year, goals are set to increase inclusiveness throughout the organization. And year after year, these goals are exceeded. These attributes are continuously embraced by all and it’s visible to not only our internal team members but our trade partners and homeowners too. It has been great to watch Mattamy’s reputation blossom as a leader within our community.

Be yourself and be comfortable with who you are personally and professionally and allow your best attributes to shine through your work. If you can do this, success is sure to follow. Also, never be afraid to accept new responsibilities and challenge yourself. If you’re able to do that, your career will continue to grow, and you’ll get the recognition you deserve.