NOTE: Throughout the month of July, BrownwoodNews.com is publishing stories daily on 40 standout citizens under the age of 40 making a positive impact and contribution within the Brown County community.

A member of a Brownwood legacy family has branched out into his own line of work and is enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Stehl Ratliff and Ratliff Homes celebrated their fourth anniversary this past March.

“That was a really big accomplishment for us because this started out as a part-time deal, but now I am full-time home building,” Ratliff, 29, said.

Ratliff added that he is still associated with Ratliff Steel, but local home building now occupies the majority of his time.

“We’ve got a few houses going on in town, out of town, and we’ve done several lake houses,” Ratliff said. “We’re building within a 45-mile radius of Brownwood. I don’t like to go too far just because I’m pulling subcontractors not necessarily from just Brownwood but all over the state of Texas. We’ve tried to stay on quality over quantity.”

Regarding the decision to focus on fewer, but more specific, homes, Ratliff said, “With interest rates, COVID, supply and demand issues and things we can’t control, I really didn’t want to be a quantity builder, I wanted to stick to custom homes. I really like the one-on-one personal relationships we form with each client through that process versus us building a home, contacting a Realtor when the home is completely built and asking the Realtor to sell it to the general public.”

Ratliff said his business venture has allowed him to learn the value of patience and consistency.

“When COVID happened it shook the new construction world,” Ratliff said. “It really struggled with labor prices hitting all-time highs. Being a younger builder at that time it was shocking and scary from time to time. Everyone’s wanting to build a house, everybody’s also wanting to be a builder, and subs are overworked right now. Because of that we’re always trying to be efficient where we can – having a really efficient schedule with these contractors, having a clean and prepared job site when they show up, and always being available when they reach out to you.”

Ratlff cited the relationships he makes in the home building process as the most rewarding aspect of the job.

“I’ve always been a people person, I love interacting and meeting new people,” Ratliff said. “Somebody is entrusting us with one of the biggest financial investments they’ll ever have. Having the trust from the client to allow us to do that is so important, and then we provide those guys a home designed and drawn up exactly the way they wanted it. The reward part would be us completing it, them being happy and the relationship we’ve formed through that process.”

Outside of work, Ratliff is involved with many local organizations.

“We’re members of the First United Methodist Church, and I’m part of the ABC Club, which is a fundraising club for Brownwood athletics,” Ratliff said. “The ABC Club does different charitable events to help raise funds for not just football but every sports activity played within BISD. I’m also a part of the City of Brownwood Buildings and Standards Committee. We have different incentives and opportunities for people that have condemned properties or properties that need some upkeep or maintenance done. We work out different plans with them and the City to help clean up neighborhoods and different lots around time.”

Ratliff and his wife Sydney have a 3-year-old daughter, Wynn, with another girl on the way in September.

“Kids are the only thing we can bring into this world and they stay,” Ratliff said. “I’ve had a blast becoming a dad and I know my wife loves her life as a mother.”

As for the future of Ratliff Homes, goals include, “continuing to be a reputable local builder for the city of Brownwood,” Ratliff said. “I have no plans for going into the commercial scene or starting to travel long distances or things of that sort. I plan on being here until they bury me out there right next to my grandfather. I plan on being in Brownwood and Ratliff Homes is a good tool to provide an income for my family while we also provide homes for Brownwood. Ten years down the line, I don’t see much changing with us.”