For nearly four decades, Magnolia Homes has served as a premier home builder in and around Memphis. Started by Karen Garner in 1987, the business celebrates its 38th anniversary this month. We sat down with Magnolia Homes’ President and founder, Karen Garner, and Reggie Garner, Jr. — Vice President and co-owner — to learn about the company’s beginnings, some of their greatest accomplishments, and how they plan to celebrate this significant milestone.
The Beginnings of Magnolia Homes
From being raised by Beale Street bakery owners to co-owning her own business before the age of 20, the entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in Karen’s bloodline. While stepping into the world of homebuilding as a single mother of two children undoubtedly posed its challenges, Karen used this opportunity to spark her passion for designing and building beautiful homes.
“Over the years, we have never sacrificed quality regardless of economic conditions,” she adds. “We want the best for our homeowners, so we always stay ahead of the curve and include state-of-the-art features that homeowners want and love.”
Today, people in Memphis and beyond recognize the beauty of a home built by the Magnolia Homes team. In addition to planting a magnolia tree in the yard of each home they build, the team also adds a limestone Magnolia in the brick near every front door. These subtle characteristics are just a few ways the team offers personalized care and attention to detail.
The Legacy Continues
As the Magnolia Homes team prepares for its official birthday on March 8, they’re reflecting on some of their greatest accomplishments. For both Karen and Reggie, one of the aspects they’re most proud of is the team they’ve built together, which has undoubtedly helped lead to Magnolia Homes’ esteemed reputation.
“The team we have now makes up what I feel is the best team anyone could ever have,” says Reggie. “From day one, we have always gone above and beyond what is needed in a home and what people expect out of a home, which has made the Magnolia Homes name what it is today. Everyone can say they build a quality home, but people see and feel it when they are in or live in and experience a Magnolia Home.”
Inside Magnolia Homes: A Closer Look
One way Magnolia Homes is celebrating its birthday is by offering special incentives. For example, for every contract written between now and March 17, homeowners receive a brand-new 65-inch television.
Magnolia Homes is also offering select “celebration homes,” where buyers can lower their mortgage interest rate or add certain luxury finishes. These homes are located across various communities, including Magnolia Homes’ Cypress Grove neighborhood. Offering brand new plans and a revamped Classic Feature Series, these homes start in the high $700s range and include an abundance of space for relaxing and entertaining. The community includes scenic walking trails and refreshing ponds and fountains.
The Villages of Saunders Creek is also a community that highlights the Classic Series, and it’s located in picturesque Rossville, TN. This community is known as the pinnacle of quiet life in a private, inviting haven. These luxurious yet low-maintenance homes are situated in a tucked-away yet convenient location. A brand new phase is now open and offers home sites adjacent to common open spaces, walking trails, and other lovely neighborhood views.
Oak Hill is another highly sought-after community located near Peterson Lake and Shelton Roads, offering elevated homes and newly enhanced and enlarged floor plans within the Magnolia Homes Signature Series. This community itself includes a resort-style pool, with close proximity to local parks and walking trails. These homes are known to boast three-car garages, intricate millwork, and thoughtfully designed outdoor living spaces.
For those looking for a beautiful blend of history and modern conveniences, Shepherd’s Creek offers just that. The custom-built homes in this community are surrounded by serene landscaping and scenic ponds and trails. They offer exclusive finishes, such as quartz countertops, natural stone, Thermador and Bosch appliances, custom ceiling-height cabinetry, sculleries, and expansive professional landscape designs. Shepherd’s Creek is an exclusive neighborhood with a distinguished benchmark of excellence in architectural design, and it’s known as an ideal place to call home off Shea Road in Collierville. (Note: Limited opportunities remain before the community is completely sold out!)
SB Tip: To learn more about the special 38th-anniversary incentives Magnolia Homes is offering, visit yourmagnoliahome.com/current-promotions.
The Future of Magnolia Homes
As Karen reflects on the last 38 years, she’s reminded of some of the greatest joys and important lessons she’s learned along the way. “A lesson I learned when I first began, that I still apply today, is that a customer’s needs and desires come first, which is achieved by surrounding myself with an excellent team,” she explains.
When it comes to the future of Magnolia Homes, Karen hopes to continue building beautiful custom homes using top-quality materials and products — all while remaining a leader in the homebuilding world and following the latest design innovations.
“I look forward to continuing to grow as a company, coming up with new ideas for our homes, and learning new things every day in this business,” adds Reggie on his own hopes for the future.
Magnolia Homes is located at 193 Cartwright Farm Ln, Collierville, TN 38017. To learn more, visit yourmagnoliahome.com or call (901) 309-0710.Â
This article is sponsored by Magnolia Homes.
