Sales and Texting? Know the Rules
Texting your sales prospects en masse can be an efficient way to get your message through if you follow these best practices
Will NAR's Landmark Commissions Settlement Lower Housing Costs?
The $418 million deal changes long-standing rules—written and unwritten—that consumers claim inflated sales commissions for home sellers, including new-home builders
January's Mortgage Rate Dip Prompts Some Thawing of the Housing Market
A drop in mortgage rates from recent peaks nudged more homebuyers and sellers into the market, signaling the start of greater supply and demand
Report Explores US Homeownership Trends, Finds Minorities Making Gains
A new National Association of Realtors report finds Asian Americans and Hispanics have made the greatest gains in homeownership over the past decade
Consumers Show Renewed Optimism About Homebuying
Fannie Mae's Home Purchase Sentiment Index reaches its highest level in almost two years
The Best Places to Buy a Home During Fall
These housing markets offer greater inventory and more affordable list prices during the fall season
David Weekley Homes launches buyer project-tracking website
Home building giant David Weekley Homes has launched a website that allows its buyers to stay updated on the progress of their new home. Upon signing the sales contract, clients receive log-in details to their personal buyer home page at MyDWHome.com, where construction updates and progress photos are posted regularly.
Combating negative press
While conducting research on a builder for a recent issue of Professional Builder, I did what most people do first when they want to learn more about a company, or any subject for that matter. I went to Google. I punched in the builder’s name and was immediately taken aback by the Page 1 search results. Naturally, the first few items related to the company’s website, but the third and fifth items where consumer feedback websites laced with comments blasting the builder.
14 ways builders can win in the sluggish economy
Successful builders obsess on sales conversion ratios, tracking key metrics, hiring the right people, and knowing where they stand in the marketplace, writes Bob Schultz in his latest column. Schultz offers 14 ways builders can win in the sluggish economy.
Survey: Builders cautiously upbeat about growth prospects for next year
While home builders are less than upbeat about the health of the overall housing market, most are optimistic when it comes forecasting revenue and profit for 2011, according to a survey of Professional Builder readers. More builders than not indicated that they are planning for flat or higher revenue and profit in the coming year, with nearly a fifth of respondents projecting revenue growth of 7 percent or higher.
Add value rather than cut prices
Though counterintuitive in today’s market, a new pricing study from McKinsey & Co. suggests that a modest price increase on a cost-per-square foot basis might be worth considering.
Think home buyers shop on lowest price? Think again.
Where does price really stand in the psyche of the average home shopper? Not where you would think, according to a recently concluded study of nearly 10,000 consumers by John Burns Real Estate Consulting.
How to market homes, guerrilla-style
Imagination and energy can accomplish as much, if not more, in the quest to connect with prospective buyers. We profile builders that are winning with guerrilla marketing tactics.
Exclusive survey: What home builders want in green products
When it comes to specifying and selling green, high-performance products in the new-home building market, energy-efficient systems and building envelope upgrades, such as high-performance windows and air-sealing packages, are in highest demand by home builders and buyers, according to a October 2010 survey of Professional Builder readers.
Sales
9 Traits of Sales-Driven Home Builders
Even in this economy, there are builders in all markets producing good numbers. How are they doing it?