View Homes CEO Gandhi rebuilds builder operating platform

View Homes, which has been building homes for 35 years and was previously ranked among the nation's largest builders, was acquired by Hunt Companies last October. Gandhi, with prior leadership experience at major homebuilders, was brought in to lead the company's next phase of development. She inherited a structure that, while successful, was still largely organized like a family-owned enterprise with distinct divisional operating methods and inadequate reporting.

Gandhi's strategy focuses on establishing accountability and consistency across all levels of the organization, from corporate leadership to field employees. This involves implementing common processes and clearly defining performance metrics. The goal is to create a scalable operating discipline that allows for regional judgment within established boundaries, improving the quality and consistency of decisions, such as how sales incentives are managed.

The decision to undertake these changes during a market downturn is seen by Gandhi as strategic. A booming market, she argues, would have masked deficiencies and potentially led to missed opportunities due to an unprepared operating model. The current conditions allow for focused rebuilding, and the company benefits from Hunt Companies' patient capital, which supports a long-term view.

Beyond operational changes, View Homes is also addressing its balance sheet by strategically managing legacy assets that may not yield attractive long-term returns. This involves accepting lower margins or even losses on some homes to clear them, while being highly selective and strategic about new land investments to avoid simply filling a pipeline without sound investment discipline.