— ABOUT US
Our Story
We unlock value that other investors miss, turning complex challenges into valuable assets.
— WHO WE ARE
Agents, Investors, & Builders with Decades of Experience
BETTER began in 2018 when founder and CEO Devin Solow purchased 217 Hood Street in Durham, a single property that would become the foundation for something much larger. In those early days, we focused on a fix-to-rent strategy, taking advantage of low interest rates to build our experience and refine our systems.
As we grew more confident in our approach, we transitioned to a build-to-rent strategy. But the real transformation came when we did what most developers won’t: we studied Durham’s new Unified Development Ordinance line by line, attended planning meetings, and built relationships with municipal staff. While others were deterred by regulatory complexity, we saw opportunity. Our willingness to dig into the details and stay ahead of policy changes allowed us to unlock urban infill and subdivision potential the market was overlooking.
As the market adapted, so did we. We honed our skills for building for sale, adapting our expertise to meet new opportunities. What started as a single-property investment has evolved into a vertically-integrated real estate construction and development company, bringing agents, developers, builders, and operators together under one roof.
Today, BETTER represents years of learning, adapting, and growing alongside the communities we serve.
What Makes BETTER Different
Deep Regulatory Expertise: We have full command of zoning and development regulations across major North Carolina cities. More importantly, we're comfortable with the process itself: reading UDOs, communicating with municipalities, and navigating approval processes in Durham, Raleigh, and other NC cities.
True Vertical Integration: No handoffs between planning, building, and selling means no lost details, no miscommunication, and no finger-pointing. Every team member is aligned on the same vision.
Community-Centered Design: We're committed to pocket neighborhoods and development that enhances rather than overwhelms existing communities.
Investor Perspective: We've actually been in our clients' shoes. Our team has made these same types of investments, faced the same challenges, and learned the same lessons. We understand the investor mindset because we live it.
Unified Alignment: From entitlement to exit, the entire BETTER team operates with the same principles, standards, and commitment to quality outcomes.
— WHAT WE STAND FOR
Our Core Values
At BETTER, how we work matters as much as what we deliver. These seven principles guide every decision we make:
We consider the downstream impact of our actions. Taking time upfront to prevent problems is always better than scrambling to fix them later. We build relationships, not transactions.
We're natural problem-solvers who ask better questions. Our team thrives on learning, adapting, and finding smarter ways to navigate complex deals.
Our word is our bond. We do what we say we'll do, treat every client's project as if it were our own, and never let a sale compromise our integrity.
We don't just identify obstacles; we roll up our sleeves and propose ways around them. Innovation and resourcefulness are in our DNA.
We take full ownership of our work. Every deliverable that leaves our hands carries our name and our reputation, and we hold ourselves to that standard.
You'll never have to chase us for updates. We anticipate challenges, communicate early and often, and stay three steps ahead of potential issues.
Clear, timely communication isn't optional; it's foundational. We keep all stakeholders informed with transparency and precision.
Our Vision
We're creating neighborhoods that work for everyone: residents who love living there, investors who see strong returns, and cities that benefit from thoughtful growth.
Our approach balances necessary growth with thoughtful planning and quality execution. We believe small-scale development can have
a large impact when done right.
As we continue expanding, we're committed to innovating within our proven framework: finding hidden value, building with intention, and creating communities that last.