Meet The CEO Of Hopper Communities: Bart Hopper

For over three decades, Bart Hopper has been a key stakeholder in the real estate development communities in both North Carolina and Texas. A proud Longhorn, he began his career in the Lonestar State before moving to Pittsburgh, PA and then landing in Charlotte, NC. He helped shape the city’s skyline in his work in developing the Bank of America Tower, and eventually turned his talents to mixed-use developments and now upscale in-fill residential communities.

We sat down with Bart to learn more about what he’s seen throughout his 30 years in the business, how he differentiates his work through values, and the impact he wants to leave on the community — beyond the communities that he’s building. 

Q: As CEO, you’ve seen huge changes in the homebuilding industry over the years. Could you share a change or trend that has impacted your approach to homebuilding and land development?

A: Building units has become significantly more challenging compared to 30 years ago. In the early 90s, it was cheaper and faster to get approvals from engineers and local municipalities, typically only taking 90 to 120 days. Now, the process can take 2 to 3 years and costs five times more due to increased expenses for engineering, consultants, and legal services. The overall cost of doing business has increased tenfold, and the time to get approvals has extended to 6 to 8 times longer, with no guarantees of approval. This high-risk environment has driven many family-owned, local, and regional businesses out of the industry, particularly after the Great Recession in 2008.

Luck, smarts, relationships, and extraordinary attention to detail is important. Relationships, hiring good people, and being able to have longevity with team members like Clay, 18 years, Marcus, 7+ years, Theresa, 19 years, Jack Thomas, 20 years, and Trey Hopper, 8 years. This type of loyalty has become rare in any industry, and it’s what makes our team such a tight-knit, inspiring group of people.

Q: Building homes isn’t just about construction — it’s about relationships. Can you tell us what has influenced your perspective on the importance of building relationships in your business? 

A: I believe in the importance of picking up the phone and emphasizing open communication with bankers, builders, and customers. During the Great Recession, staying responsive and honest made a significant difference in how our business performed compared to the industry. I knew most of the calls during that time wouldn’t turn into leads, but I kept pushing through. Every call could have potential. This approach of focusing on building and maintaining trust and relationships within the small community is a core focus of our philosophy. We ensure promises are kept and payments are made on time — that’s how we build trust across all relationships.

Q: How do you ensure that customer feedback influences decision-making within the company?

A: We value employee feedback and customer feedback equally, and we believe all feedback should be heard and acted upon. To hold ourselves accountable and maintain open lines of communication, we have weekly meetings to discuss all current projects and their status, including any issues, both positive and negative. We provide multiple feedback channels, including surveys and direct communication with management, and we develop actionable plans to address the concerns raised. 

We follow up with both customers and our team to keep everyone aligned, and that transparency about our progress builds trust and demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement. I believe all feedback should lead to meaningful improvements.

Q: Homebuilding is evolving with technology and sustainability. What innovative approaches is Hopper Communities taking to stay ahead in the industry?

A: Our homebuilding & residential development processes, including interior architecture, allow us to adapt to changes in exterior elevation codes and municipal regulations with flexibility and agility. We handle finance, accounting, and CRM programs internally. 

Q: What makes Hopper Communities a unique work environment?

A: As a family-owned business specializing in homebuilding & residential development, we work together in a unique office — a house with a porch swing — located in a cool, casual neighborhood setting. We spend a lot of time together! We sit down together for weekly lunches. We genuinely enjoy each other’s company, as a company.

Q: Homebuilding has the opportunity to shape communities. How does your company contribute positively to the communities it builds in?

A: As both a financial sponsor and the boots on the ground, Hopper Communities supports the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes. Our purchasing team works with trade partners to see if they would be willing to provide labor and/or materials for these homes, we cover any materials that are not donated, and we are always there as a company to help in person — even those of us who primarily work behind a computer. Most recently, our  Habitat family of 3 purchased their first home in the Pinecrest neighborhood, right in walking distance of the library due to their shared love of reading.

Q: What other opportunities have you found to make an impact in the community?

A: We’re the lead sponsor of the Harvest Center, and we’ve been involved for 20 years. It is an organization that feeds people but also does so much more — they help house them and get them back on their feet after they’ve fallen on hard times. I’m proud to serve on the Advisory Board, and I enjoy attending the Thursday dinners where I have the privilege of having dinner with people in the program.

We’re also involved with the Dilworth Center, an outpatient alcohol rehabilitation center where we’ve been a key sponsor at their Key to Recovery Scholarship Breakfast for the past 6 years.

Lastly, we’re proud to support the Homeowners Impact Fund (HIF). This fund was created as a way for those benefiting from homeownership to collectively give their support to those experiencing homelessness in an ongoing and sustainable way. Together we know we can make a difference.

Q: What are the values or lessons that guide you as CEO, and how do they translate into the culture of your company?

A: Be honest, do what you say you’re gonna do. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Always pick up the phone.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to buy a home in today’s market, considering both financial and lifestyle factors?

A: If you find a home you like, buy it. If rates go down, you can refinance. If they go up, you’ve already created more value. We aim to work closely with prospects to provide upfront costs to buy down the mortgage, making affordable homes more attainable.

Q: Looking forward, what legacy do you hope to leave through your company’s work, and what are your aspirations for its future?

A: Always do the right thing. Be honest, honorable, real, and trustworthy. 

Want to learn more about the team at Hopper Communities? We’re proud to be surrounded by an incredible and longstanding group of talented people daily, and you can learn more about each of them here.