Computers for First-Time Buyers

More and more builders are pre-wiring homes to make computer system upgrades easier for their buyers.
Dec. 1, 2001
More and more builders are pre-wiring homes to make computer system upgrades easier for their buyers. That trend, however, presupposes that the buyer owns or will buy a computer. Most of Armadillo Homes’ first-time buyers don’t, so the south Texas builder is giving them one, in addition to the wiring.

The pilot community for the promotion is 430-home Canterbury Farms, a San Antonio development where home prices start at $70,000.

Jeff Czar Jr., president of Armadillo’s San Antonio division, likens throwing in a computer to offering kitchen appliances standard. For the builder, it’s a construction cost, but for first-time buyers without a lot to spend, it makes a huge difference.

"A lot of these people will not go out and buy [computers], so this is a big deal - for the kids especially," says Czar.

The computer system offered was tailored for Armadillo by a local Hewlett-Packard distributor and includes a variety of kid-friendly and home-management programs, a printer, a two-year service plan, setup and technical support.

"It’s kind of giving back," Czar says. "It’s a good marketing deal, too. The community doesn’t even have the sales center open, and we’ve sold 25 homes already."
Sign up for Pro Builder Newsletters
Get all of the latest news and updates.