Overview
| Market Position | #41 on Builder Magazine Builder 100 (1,245 closings, $629M gross revenue in 2023) |
| Ownership | Private, family-owned (Stewart family) |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Founded | 1977 by Joseph Stewart |
| Markets | Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Greensboro (NC); Charleston, Greenville, Columbia (SC); Richmond, Hampton Roads (VA); Atlanta (GA) |
| Divisions | 10 divisions across 4 states following 2025 Napolitano Homes acquisition |
| Warranty Program | 1-2-10 warranty administered by Centricity Warranty Group; 10-year structural warranty via Maverick Warranty |
| BBB Rating | A+ (BBB-accredited; 34 complaints in the last 3 years as of 2026) |
Eastwood Homes was founded in 1977 by Joseph Stewart in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company remains privately held and family-owned, now led by President Clark Stewart, Joseph's son. As of 2023, Eastwood Homes ranked 41st on Builder Magazine's Builder 100 list with 1,245 closings and approximately $629 million in gross revenue. The company builds in more than 140 communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. (Source: Builder Magazine Builder 100, 2024 edition; eastwoodhomes.com)
In March 2025, Eastwood Homes completed the acquisition of Napolitano Homes, a family-owned builder in the Hampton Roads, Virginia market. The acquisition established Eastwood's 10th division and its second in Virginia. Napolitano Homes had been operating in the Hampton Roads area since 1977. (Source: PR Newswire press release, March 31, 2025; Builder Magazine)
Eastwood Homes conditions closing cost incentives of up to $20,000 on buyers financing through an Eastwood-designated preferred lender. The incentive amounts vary by market and inventory status, with different tiers advertised across the Charlotte, Richmond, Raleigh, Greenville, and Atlanta divisions. Buyers who choose an outside lender forfeit these incentives. (Source: eastwoodhomes.com/specials)
Documented Contract Patterns
The following patterns have been documented in Eastwood Homes purchase agreements. Not every contract contains every clause, and language varies by state and community.
Unilateral Seller Cancellation Clause
Eastwood Homes' standard purchase agreement has included a "Seller Option to Cancel Prior to Closing" provision that, as interpreted by the builder, grants Eastwood unilateral authority to cancel a contract at any time before closing and for any reason. In the Swygert's Landing litigation, the S.C. Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling in 2025 finding this provision "unconscionable" and unenforceable. Buyers should review their contract for any similar cancellation language. (Source: Post and Courier investigative reporting, 2024; S.C. Court of Appeals, Dawkins v. Eastwood Homes of Columbia, LLC, No. 2025-UP-239)
Limitation of Liability for Damages
In the Swygert's Landing litigation, the S.C. Court of Appeals also upheld a ruling that a contract provision limiting the builder's liability for damages upon cancellation was unconscionable and violated public policy. Buyers should check whether their Eastwood Homes contract limits recoverable damages even in cases of builder breach. (Source: S.C. Court of Appeals, Dawkins v. Eastwood Homes of Columbia, LLC, No. 2025-UP-239; Post and Courier, 2024)
Preferred Lender Incentive Tie-In
Eastwood Homes conditions closing cost assistance of up to $20,000 on the buyer financing through an Eastwood-designated preferred lender. The incentive amount varies by division and inventory type. Buyers who choose an outside lender forfeit these incentives, creating financial pressure to use the builder's lending partner regardless of whether competing rates or terms are more favorable. (Source: eastwoodhomes.com/specials)
Earnest Money Deposit at Risk
In the Swygert's Landing case, Eastwood Homes canceled nine purchase contracts and attempted to require buyers to renegotiate at higher market prices. The buyers had already placed deposits and selected specifications. Production builder contracts commonly designate deposits as non-refundable if the buyer cancels, and buyers should confirm the specific conditions under which deposits are returned. (Source: Post and Courier, 2024; Charleston County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2021CP1002829)
Mandatory Binding Arbitration
Production builder purchase agreements in the Southeast commonly require disputes to be resolved through binding arbitration rather than court proceedings. The Bryant v. Eastwood Construction, LLC federal case (M.D.N.C., No. 1:2023cv00637) involved enforcement of a settlement agreement including a confession of judgment, illustrating the builder's approach to dispute resolution. Buyers should review contracts carefully for arbitration clauses that may eliminate the right to a jury trial. (Source: Justia federal court docket; PACER records)
Limited Warranty - 1-2-10 Structure
Eastwood Homes provides a 1-2-10 warranty administered by Centricity Warranty Group. Year one covers most items including workmanship and finishes. Year two covers major mechanical systems (plumbing and electrical between walls). The 10-year structural warranty covering load-bearing components is administered separately by Maverick Warranty, a third-party provider. After the first year, workmanship claims are no longer covered. (Source: eastwoodhomes.com/homeowners/warranty-request)
Third-Party Structural Warranty Administration
The 10-year structural defects warranty is administered by Maverick Warranty, an independent third-party provider, rather than by Eastwood Homes directly. Structural coverage includes load-bearing walls, lintels, beams, and trusses. Claims for structural defects must go through Maverick's process, which may have different standards and procedures than the builder's own warranty team. The structural warranty is transferable to subsequent owners. (Source: eastwoodhomes.com/homeowners)
Material and Specification Substitution Rights
Production builder contracts commonly reserve the right to substitute materials, fixtures, or appliances with alternatives the builder deems equivalent. In the Swygert's Landing case, buyers had selected specific lots and home specifications before Eastwood canceled their contracts, suggesting the builder retained broad discretion over the construction process. Buyers should confirm whether their agreement permits substitutions without consent. (Source: common production builder contract pattern; Post and Courier reporting on Swygert's Landing dispute, 2024)
Independent Inspection Limitations
Buyers should confirm whether their purchase agreement restricts the timing, scope, or frequency of independent home inspections during construction. Given the roofing defect class action alleging improper installation methods across nearly 400 South Carolina homes, pre-closing inspections are particularly important. (Source: ClassAction.org reporting on roofing class action; common production builder contract pattern)
Legal History
Selected cases and investigations involving Eastwood Homes construction quality, contract enforcement, and lending practices.
Swygert's Landing Contract Cancellation Litigation
Nine buyers in Eastwood's Swygert's Landing subdivision on Johns Island, SC, sued after Eastwood canceled all their purchase contracts on the same day in June 2021, citing a paperwork error, and asked buyers to renegotiate at current market prices. Home prices ranged from $534,000 to nearly $609,000. A Charleston County Master-in-Equity ruled in 2024 that Eastwood's unilateral cancellation and damages-limitation contract provisions were unconscionable. The S.C. Court of Appeals upheld the ruling in July 2025 (Dawkins v. Eastwood Homes of Columbia, LLC, No. 2025-UP-239). The S.C. Supreme Court denied Eastwood's petition for review in March 2025, meaning the buyers prevailed at every court level. (Source: Post and Courier investigative reporting; S.C. Court of Appeals; Live5 News; Charleston County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2021CP1002829)
South Carolina Roofing Defect Class Action
A class action filed by 30 plaintiffs alleges Eastwood Construction Partners, Eastwood Homes, and three roofing subcontractors (Exterior Contract Services, Southcoast Exteriors, and Alpha Omega Construction Group) performed defective roofing work on nearly 400 South Carolina homes. The complaint alleges installation of defective ridge vents, improper shingle underlayment, deficient roof drip edges, improper roof shingle fasteners, and use of the racking method rather than the offset method for asphalt shingles. The case was originally filed in Charleston County Court of Common Pleas and removed to federal court in December 2020. (Source: ClassAction.org; federal court docket)
Adams Mill Owners Association v. Eastwood Construction LLC
An HOA-led construction defect lawsuit (Case No. 6:2026cv00986) filed against Eastwood Construction LLC and other defendants. The case was docketed in March 2026 in the District of South Carolina. (Source: Justia federal court docket)
Herber v. Eastwood Construction LLC
A federal lawsuit (Case No. 6:2026cv00987) filed against Eastwood Construction LLC and other defendants. The case was docketed in March 2026 in the District of South Carolina. (Source: Justia federal court docket)
Bryant v. Eastwood Construction, LLC
Federal case (No. 1:2023cv00637) involving a dispute with Eastwood Construction. In September 2024, the court granted an enforcement motion related to a settlement agreement. In December 2024, the court ordered Eastwood to submit attorney's fees for litigation necessary to enforce the settlement. A related adversary proceeding was subsequently filed in bankruptcy court (A.P. No. 25-02009), where Eastwood Construction Partners sought a declaration that the defendants' debt arising from a confession of judgment is nondischargeable. (Source: Justia federal court docket; U.S. Bankruptcy Court, M.D.N.C.)
OSHA Inspection Records
OSHA's Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) contains multiple inspection records for Eastwood Construction, LLC and Eastwood Homes across locations including Richmond, Virginia. Individual citation records are publicly accessible through OSHA's establishment search database. (Source: OSHA IMIS database, osha.gov)
BBB Complaint History
Eastwood Homes holds an A+ BBB rating and is BBB-accredited. As of 2026, the BBB profile for the Charlotte headquarters shows 34 total complaints filed in the last 3 years, with 15 complaints closed in the last 12 months. Complaint categories include construction quality issues. (Source: BBB Business Profile, bbb.org)
What Buyers Should Know
- Review cancellation clauses with an attorney before signing. South Carolina courts have found Eastwood's unilateral seller cancellation provision unconscionable and unenforceable. While the builder may have revised its contracts following the Swygert's Landing ruling, buyers should have a real estate attorney review any cancellation or termination language to confirm the builder cannot cancel without cause, particularly during periods of rising home prices.
- Compare preferred lender terms against independent lenders. Eastwood Homes offers up to $20,000 in closing cost incentives exclusively through its preferred lender. Before committing, obtain competing quotes from at least two independent lenders and calculate whether the incentive truly offsets any rate or fee differences over the life of the loan. A lower rate from an independent lender could save more than the incentive over 30 years.
- Schedule a pre-closing roof inspection. Given the class action alleging defective roofing installation on nearly 400 South Carolina Eastwood homes, buyers should budget for an independent roof inspection before closing. Confirm in writing at contract signing that the builder will provide access for both pre-drywall and pre-closing inspections by a licensed inspector of the buyer's choosing.
- Understand the split warranty structure. Year-one workmanship claims go through Eastwood Homes directly via Centricity Warranty Group, but the 10-year structural warranty is administered by Maverick Warranty, a separate third-party company. Know which entity handles which claims and understand each company's claims process and dispute procedures before closing.
- Document all specifications and commitments in writing. The Swygert's Landing litigation demonstrates that Eastwood has previously canceled contracts and sought renegotiation at higher prices. Ensure all agreed-upon specifications, lot selections, pricing, and timelines are documented in the purchase agreement or a signed addendum rather than relying on verbal commitments.
- Confirm deposit refund conditions before signing. Clarify the exact conditions under which your earnest money deposit is refundable, including financing contingencies, appraisal shortfalls, and builder-caused delays or cancellations. Request written confirmation of any verbal assurances about deposit refundability.