Ph. 770-945-3241
Mr. Orr has been involved in development since 1990. Started out developing small single family subdivisions. Progressed into construction of homes on the developed lots, and selling individual product in-house, without the use of real estate agents and brokers. Since the recession of 2007-2008 branched out into development of market rate apartments and student housing at major universities. Recognizing that purchasers of single-family homes would not be able to pursue home loans due to the mortgage crisis, and the simple fact that students would be re-enrolling to universities for ongoing education because of low availability of jobs in a vastly shrinking job market, Mr. Orr was able to assess the situation and "reinvent" his business, if you will, to start acquiring and developing apartment and student housing sites, to effectively keep his business in operation. Always submitted and handled rezoning and entitlement of properties himself, when local political circles would allow it. Used various zoning attorneys when the need arose, on a case by case basis.
1990-2000 Developed small single family subdivisions under tutelage of mentor W.T. "Terry" Dunahoo, a successful surveyor, developer and banker in neighboring Barrow County, Ga. Eventually became partners with Mr. Dunahoo in Subdivision Developer's, Inc., while maintaining Homes Etc., Inc., the construction and homebuilding arm of the business. Installed many miles of roadways and utilities in Barrow and Gwinnett Counties, using a wide range of suppliers and sub-contractors. Founded Prime Interest, Inc. in 1998.
2000-Present Built new offices of Prime Interest, Inc. on parcel of land adjacent to a 6 acre commercial strip center that Prime Interest developed. Developed larger subdivisions and forayed into commercial tracts and construction of commercial buildings. Formed Prime Interest Properties, Inc. with former teacher and friend Larry Cheek, of Dover and Cheek supplies, a local utility supplier. Mr. Cheek is a board member of Peoples Bank & Trust, a local Buford bank from which Mr. Orr has traditionally secured funding for developments. Prime Interest Properties developed several single family subdivisions and commercial properties. Mr. Orr decided to retool the business model after the downfall of housing in 2007-2008 to accommodate acquisition and development of market-rate apartments and student housing at universities where a need was apparent. Actually partnered with and sold properties for this purpose with various entities and REITs, including American Campus Communities, arguably the world's largest student housing group. Local housing starts have picked up. Due to the short supply of available lots in key areas, Prime Interest, Inc. has started developing raw land into single family subdivisions again in cities such as Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, Chamblee, Doraville, Smyrna, etc., that are desirable, upscale areas with walkable city centers, and quick availability to downtown Atlanta. Prime Interest continues to develop apartment and student housing sites as well.