There are trips that inspire — and then there are the ones that transform. Our recent visit to Hilton Head Island and Savannah was the kind of experience that left each of us with more than just beautiful memories. It gave us a deeper sense of who we are at Hagood Homes, where we come from, and where we’re going.

Nearly 30 years ago, Jim and Troy Kenny started Hagood Homes with a belief that homes should do more than shelter us — they should reflect us, embrace us, and elevate our everyday lives. They built this company on craftsmanship, intention, and heart. That foundation still holds strong today, even as the next chapter unfolds under the steady leadership of Patrick Kennedy, who now serves as owner and president.

And yet, despite passing the torch, Jim and Troy remain very much part of the story — not only guiding and inspiring but still creating. Now based in the Low Country of South Carolina, the Kennys continue to pour their creativity into homes that are more than structures — they are soulful works of art. To walk through them is to feel something: calm, connection, intention.

That’s what brought us to Hilton Head.

A Visit to the Source

We — Patrick Kennedy, Josh Adams, Hannah Tew, Nora Ruehle, and Jen Reed — recently made the trip to visit Jim and Troy and walk through some of their newest work with Hagood Homes of the Low Country. We were welcomed not just as colleagues, but as family. That spirit, that humility, and that passion for building with purpose were everywhere we turned — in conversations, in shared meals, and especially in the homes themselves.

One in particular stood out: a custom home on Harrogate Drive. It took our breath away. It’s hard to describe, really — the way the textures caught the light, the way indoor and outdoor spaces danced together, the way the home unfolded like a story. You could feel Troy’s design eye in every corner, Jim’s construction mind in every joint. What they’ve built in the Low Country isn’t just a continuation of Hagood — it’s a living tribute to everything they’ve believed in since 1996.

We left the house inspired, a little speechless, and completely reminded of why we all do what we do.

Click here to take a closer look and you’ll see what we mean

“We weren’t just touring homes, we were walking through everything this company has ever stood for — and seeing where it can go next.”

Old Lessons, New Eyes

The second half of our trip took us just across the Georgia line to Savannah, where we joined Jonathan Stalcup of Architectural Tours of Savannah for a walking tour of the city’s historic neighborhoods. It was hot, the streets were full of stories, and we were wide-eyed like students again — tracing the emergence of architectural styles across generations, hearing how trends were born, how they faded, and how some endured.

We learned about tabby concrete, a building material developed centuries ago, made of lime, water, sand, and oyster shells. To our delight, we realized it’s still part of our homes today — living proof that timelessness matters more than trends. The buildings around us whispered lessons: that restraint is a form of luxury, that symmetry calms the spirit, and that homes, when well-crafted, become more than shelter — they become legacy.

It wasn’t just an educational moment. It was a personal one. We saw Hagood in those old bricks and beams. We saw Jim and Troy in the discipline of design that doesn’t demand attention, but quietly earns admiration. And we saw ourselves — carrying on something bigger than any blueprint.

Reconnecting, Reflecting, Remembering Why

Somewhere between the job site visits and the shaded squares of Savannah, something clicked for us as a team. This trip wasn’t just about inspiration — it was about connection. About slowing down long enough to reflect on what we’ve built together, and who we’re building for.

We came back to Wilmington with more than new ideas and full hearts. We came back grounded. Reinvigorated. Proud. Proud of the people who had the vision to start all this. Proud of the team we’ve become. And proud to carry forward the name Hagood — with every line we draw, every home we frame, and every family we welcome into something we’ve built.

This company started with a couple’s vision. It continues because of shared values — among the team, the clients, and the communities we’re lucky to serve. And the future? We’re building it together. With steady hands. With fresh eyes. And always, always with heart.

“This trip reminded us that great homes come from great people — and we’re lucky to be walking in the footsteps of some of the very best.”

Would You Like to Come Along?

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a Hagood Home feel different, it’s this: the legacy behind it, the people inside it, and the love poured into every detail. We’re honored to keep creating homes that last — and to keep growing, inspired by the visionaries who started it all.