About Us
RW Development is passionate about residential land development and home building. With decades of combined experience in construction, land development, and residential housing, our team has the capability to transform raw land into beautiful neighborhoods that benefit the whole community. We believe the home is an important element of a family, and a neighborhood can give that family a sense of community.
Our Team
John Mark Rives
John Mark, a 4th generation contractor, brings a wealth of construction and real estate development knowledge to every project. After graduating summa cum laude from Auburn University with a major in Building Science, he spent his first years working as a commercial project manager, where he built everything from large car dealerships, to small tenant improvement projects.
John Mark excelled in estimating, scheduling, and managing subcontractors, but most importantly customer satisfaction. In 2011 John Mark expanded into real estate development and has since sold dozens of homes across the Birmingham metro area. John Mark understands what it takes to have a pleased buyer, as well as how to manage a team of architects, designers, and subcontractors to make the process as smooth as possible.
He currently resides in Vestavia with his wife, Hillary, and their three boys. When he isn’t spending time with his family, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and being an active member of The Church at Brookhills.
Eric Waite
Eric brings with him over 10 years of experience in the real estate industry and a bachelor’s degree in Business from Auburn University, Eric’s involvement in the industry has ranged from mortgage broker, to property management, land development, and homebuilding. This experience has taught how to open the lines of communication between clients, customers, and businesses to get projects done.
Eric has past experience working at large financial institutions, but more recently has developed a passion working personally with clients to provide them with custom homes that fit their family’s needs.
Eric currently resides in Birmingham, AL with his wife Mary Alex and their newborn daughter. He is a member of Redeemer Community Church and enjoys spending time with family and friends, basketball, golf, and bow hunting.
Why Choose Us
Experts and Excellence
We pride ourselves on being fair and loyal to our subcontractors and suppliers. Our homes are built by premium craftsmen and with quality products. Our goal is to not only build a beautiful home but to create an opportunity for carpenters, designers, homeowners and everyone involved to be proud of their hard work, and know it will last for generations. RW Development has founded its success on responsible development and creative master planning.
Strategic Partners
RW Development is knowledgeable in all aspects of the real estate development process, however, we believe that in order to have the most successful projects, it is imperative to partner with the best. Our team consists of some of Alabama’s most respected professionals who are experts and specialized in their trade. RW Development is tasked with managing this team, and collaborating each element of design, to ensure the finished product is second to none.
Wade Lowery
Principle Civil Engineer
EDG has taken great effort in their design to preserve the charming stream running through the property, as well as protect as many of the mature hardwoods as possible. With their outstanding reputation with the City of Vestavia, and principal engineer Wade Lowery living right down the block, there could not be a better fit for Forest Creek civil engineering.
Jennafer Collins
Landscape Architect
Jennafer has a way of turning an ordinary home into the extraordinary with her landscape architecture. We cannot wait to see her design come to life in this already enchanting forest.
With her help, RW Development can surround this community with landscaping that will make the homes feel naturally tucked into the hillsides.
David Smelcer
Home Architect
David Smelcer is one of the state’s top architects, and his home designs speak for themselves. The details that David adds to the home are nothing short of immaculate. From the first meeting he displayed an incredible ability to think through terrain, and how to perfectly position each home to maximize privacy and the feel of the forest. He sketched out plans that brought all elements of the Forest Creek style together.
Becky Umphrey
Interior Designer
Becky has an instinctive eye for current design trends while knowing how to maintain a timeless style, taking great care to choose materials and stunning finishes that all come together for a cohesive feel. Her passion for design will be a huge asset to the Forest Creek project.
Mike and Hayden Wald
Real Estate Agents
Mike and Hayden are trusted Vestavia real estate experts with decades of combined experience. They have successfully helped more than a thousand over-the-mountain families negotiate the process of buying and selling, and they understand what buyers want and need in a new home. Their involvement from the inception of Forest Creek ensures these homes will offer the most requested features that homebuyers will want for years to come.
The Wald Group
Realty South’s #1 team in Alabama