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| | Where do I begin? I suppose the beginning would be the best place, Dec 25th, 2004.
As my husband and I were leaving my parents house after a wonderful Christmas day,
we started to discuss our house. Apparently we were both feeling as though we needed
to make a change and we have both always thought of having a log home. The drive home
was filled with all sorts of questions, ideas, what if's and who do we talk to, etc, etc. The
very next day we were out looking for land. Had our realtor getting ready to get things moving
along on our house having no idea how long the whole process would take. We knew of
another log home company about 45 minutes from where we live and we decided to make the
trip to their model and see what this log home dream was really going to involve. After talking
with one of their reps and getting an idea of what the process would be we walked away feeling
very pressured into doing something right then. Not having any idea of what else was out there
as far as choices and if this is was the company we wanted to work with. We had an idea of the
basic plan we were interested and so I called our "rep" back and left numerous messages asking
for more information. I finally called 2 of their other model locations to get information. We went
as far as to drive to one of their customers houses that was about 2 weeks from completion. Very
beautiful home but there were a few questions we had that he could not answer nor could the rep
when he finally called me back.
The main question; which I think is one most people ask; was about settling. "Our homes don't
settle, we don't make provisions for that". Even I knew that didn't sound right. With the research
both my husband and I had been doing over the Internet we knew that was the biggest clue to
run....so we did.
One afternoon we were out following up on a piece of land and decided to continue our ritual
of just driving and imagining a log home on a particular piece of property. We came around a curve
and there stood this beautiful shell of a log home. I immediately wanted to know who the company
was. We drove to the font of the yard where a Barna Log Homes rep Mike Okuley sign was standing
so proudly. I quickly wrote down the number and then went a step further; it was Sunday and it
seemed as though no one was there. We looked around and WOW! As soon as we got back home
I left a message for Mike explaining the events of the day as well as telling him I went into his house
and how magnificent I thought his home was going to be.
Not but a few hours later we were talking on the phone. After a few minutes of conversation I
realized I actually knew his son so we already had a connection. A connection that has grown into
a wonderful friendship between Mike and us. A few days later we were able to go back to Mike's
house and actually talk face to face and really get an idea of what we were looking for and how
Barna could help us build our dream home. Not one time did Mike ever force anything on us.
Answered all of our off the wall questions. Most importantly he made us feel like we were his top
priority and he wanted to do everything he could possibly do to help us make the right decision.
Mike went out of his way to start communications between us and the Clinton, TN office b/c we
were very much interested in the Eagle Ridge floor plan and since that was the same model they
worked out of, it seemed fitting for us to visit.
The whole process with Mike could not have gone any better! Anytime we have had any questions
or concerns Mike has done whatever it has taken to get us an answer or better yet, he has been a
great listener with issues that were out of his control or scope of this process. A sounding board
when you are your own GC is a great thing. We were able to go through the building course in
June, that was the best thing we could have ever done. Due to what we learned there, I felt like I
was equipped with the knowledge to be able to speak knowledgeably during the build process.
Being a female in a predominately "man's world", Mike never made me feel like that. I think I may
have even surprised him a time or two about what I had learned or how I handled a situation.
October 17, 2005 we took delivery of our log package....Mike was right there I could not have
done all the paperwork and logistics without him. Not only have we had an AWESOME experience
with Mike Okuley, but Ted Sharpe in the Clinton office has been great as well as Mike Leath with
Log Home Builders and all of his staff. We had the best crew possible-Keith Freant and his crew
really made our house a home b/c of the dedication and even a little bit of love they each put into
it. I know I have rambled on and I am sure I could go on even longer, but I wanted to give you an
overview of how we feel about Mike Okuley! He is a wonderfully genuine and caring man. Barna is
blessed to have him on their team and we were even more blessed to have him as our log home
rep and friend!
Thank you for believing in Mike and having him represent your company!
Sincerely,
Rob & Heather Smith
Forest, Va 24551
434-525-3244
my3men@msn.com 
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