Davidson Homes Seals Down Last Details To Acquire Evermore Homes

In a homebuilding M&A move that principals involved in the combination say is set to close officially by midnight tonight, Davidson Homes is finalizing details in its purchase of Columbus, GA-based, multiregional private operator Evermore Homes. This acquisition secures a critical launching pad in Arizona and further solidifies the privately-held company's fast-track national growth strategy.

The Builder’s Daily brings you this exclusive insight into one of the industry’s most pivotal private-to-private homebuilder acquisitions, with first-hand accounts from both Davidson Homes CEO Brandon Jones and Evermore Homes CEO Lee Darnold on what led to the deal and why it signals a new chapter for both companies.

Even in the wobbliest and most volatile of times, it's almost always the case that the best operating private homebuilders find running room to grow when most of their peers are busy playing defense in a duck-and-cover mode.

For Davidson Homes, the acquisition represents another milestone in its high-velocity expansion strategy, blending M&A with aggressive organic growth to compete at a level where most privately capitalized homebuilders hesitate. Evermore Homes, a regional operator built through roll-up acquisitions, had an ambitious plan to scale quickly but faced capital constraints and increasing competition that ultimately forced Darnold to make the tough decision to find a buyer.

This move is a pivotal step in our expansion strategy,” said Brandon Jones, CEO of Davidson Homes. “Arizona presents a tremendous opportunity for us, and Evermore’s established operations give us a strong foundation to build from. This acquisition allows us to fast-track our ability to deliver homes in a high-demand market while staying true to our core principles of efficiency, quality, and customer experience.”

Why Evermore Homes Sold: The Inside Story

Evermore Homes, formerly American Southern Homes, emerged as a high-growth private homebuilding platform through a series of acquisitions. The company acquired Grayhawk Homes (GA), Stoneridge Homes (AL), and Dorn Homes (AZ) to create a multi-regional operator, with plans to acquire additional builders and scale rapidly.

However, capital limitations and competitive pressures proved insurmountable. Despite efforts to streamline operations and integrate the three builders under a unified brand, Evermore struggled to execute its full growth vision. Lee Darnold, CEO of Evermore Homes, candidly admitted to The Builder’s Daily that while he had the strategy, he lacked the financial runway to make it a reality.

We did everything we could to grow Evermore at the pace we envisioned, but the capital just wasn’t there,” said Darnold. “Larger public builders were outbidding us for land, and we didn’t have the financial firepower to compete at scale. At some point, you have to recognize that without the right backing, you won’t be able to execute the way you need to.”

That recognition led Darnold to seek a buyer who could continue Evermore’s vision under a stronger, more resilient financial umbrella. That’s when Zelman & Associates’ Tony McGill introduced him to Davidson Homes.

With this acquisition, we are reinforcing our ability to deliver exceptional homes and scale efficiently,” Darnold stated.

Davidson’s Growth Blueprint: The Arizona Expansion

The acquisition of Evermore Homes marks Davidson’s first major foothold in Arizona, expanding beyond its strongholds in the Southeast and Texas. This follows the same strategic expansion playbook Davidson has successfully executed in Texas, where it leveraged a mix of M&A and organic growth to establish a dominant presence.

Davidson has a proven playbook: establish an initial footprint through acquisition, integrate operations quickly, and then scale aggressively,” Jones explained. “We’re going to follow that same model in Arizona.”

Davidson is absorbing approximately 2,000 lots across 20 communities as part of the acquisition—not the previously reported 3,900 lots across 46 communities—an adjustment confirmed by Jones in an exclusive conversation with The Builder’s Daily.

We’re buying into a strong land pipeline, but it’s not just about the land,” Jones clarified. “It’s about integrating Evermore’s operational strengths into our culture and growth model.”

A Defining Moment in Homebuilding M&A

Davidson Homes is among the fastest-growing private homebuilders in the U.S., with a goal of reaching 3,000 annual closings by 2026. The Evermore acquisition is expected to accelerate that trajectory, giving Davidson an expanded presence in Arizona and key Southeastern markets.

Davidson’s acquisition of Evermore is another example of their commitment towards innovation, national growth, and acquiring top talent," said Thomas Carpitella, CEO of FTS, a sponsor partner of The Builder's Daily. In the current market as a private builder, if you’re not making bold moves similar to Davidson, you run a real risk of a steady decline with the publics taking more and more market share. Creative M&A, new market entry, acquiring top talent, and vertically integrating an off-balance land strategy are core to remaining competitive and relevant as a private builder and we don’t see that changing anytime soon.

For the homebuilding industry, this deal underscores a larger trend: mid-sized and regional homebuilders are increasingly selling to well-capitalized private players who can compete more effectively with public homebuilders. Higher interest rates, tougher financing conditions, and land competition have made standalone growth increasingly difficult for smaller firms.

There’s just so much going on in so many places, and everyone’s evolving and changing at the same time,” said Jones. “For us, it’s about creating long-term success by combining the best aspects of public-builder process discipline with private-builder agility. That’s what’s fueling our growth.”

The Road Ahead

As the deal finalizes at midnight, Davidson Homes is now poised for its next chapter of expansion, further entrenching itself as a national force in homebuilding M&A. Industry observers will be watching closely to see how Davidson integrates Evermore’s assets, maximizes operational efficiencies, and leverages its Arizona foothold to fuel continued growth.

For Darnold, it’s the close of one chapter and the opening of another for Evermore Homes under Davidson’s leadership.

It’s the right move,” he reflected. “Davidson has the resources, the team, and the vision to take this business to the next level.”

For Davidson Homes, the message is clear: while others hesitate, it is doubling down.

Davidson Homes founder and chairman "Adam Davidson and Brandon Jones represent exactly what it takes to be real players as a private builder," FTS's Carpitella said.