Today we’d like to introduce you to James Judge.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I went to school for Interior Design and Communications at the U of M, Twin Cities. During college, I had some great internships with HGTV and Jonathan Adler in New York. After school, I moved west and found myself in Phoenix where I partnered with an investor working on acquiring homes that could be converted into rentals. We did over 50 houses together and in the process, I transitioned into flipping where I’ve completed well over another 50 houses. Flipping has always been different for me then I think it is for most people because for me it’s all about making a house into a home.
The design is the most important part of the house and I put a lot of time, thought, and love into how we transform the house so that it can stay true to itself while becoming something more desirable for today at the same time. I work with an amazing team that makes anything possible and I’m so grateful to be able to make beautiful homes with them. All of my projects are located within the Midtown historic districts because I think it’s an amazing opportunity to preserve these homes, while also improving them.
I’ve started the “courtyard communities” concept and try to apply this to all my projects by adding a front courtyard to each home. This adds curb appeal but also promotes community and helps people to get to know their neighbors. Throughout this entire process, I decided to become a Realtor with HomeSmart because I believe that real estate could be better. I never just ‘list’ a home for sale, I design it to sell. This helps my clients to sell their home faster and for more money which is a win-win for everyone.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve been very fortunate to have one thing lead into another with my career and as things transition, I’m always excited for the next development. However, I don’t think the road is smooth anyone… There are always struggles that are big and small that we need to learn from or overcome. Flipping houses, design and real estate are no different because I always encounter struggles with projects (delays, budgets, the unknown) but these struggles are apart of learning and they have all helped me to get to where I am today.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
One of the things I’m most proud of is my success in making Woodward Drive historic within Midtown Phoenix. This street was previously zoned high-rise and could have been demolished but it recently joined the Ashland Place Historic District and now these homes will be preserved for years to come. With everything I design, I specialize in making houses into homes… And a huge part of that for me is respecting the home’s ‘original style’ and embracing its history to make it the best it was always meant to be.
Many of the things I save in a home are the first thing that other people demo. I will often reuse the original cabinets from the 1930s and pair them with new custom cabinets that have the same style so you can’t see where the old kitchen stops and the new kitchen starts. I strive to create this balance while still modernizing the home so that it functions better and is more appealing – This makes my designs unique and sets me apart from others.
Is there a specific memory from when you were younger that you really miss?
I grew up with the Wisconsin River in my backyard and it was such a special place to have my childhood because I got to grow up enjoying nature and being outdoors.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehousejudge.com
- Phone: 480-389-6441
- Email: mrjamesjudge@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thehousejudge
Image Credit:
David Trujillo
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