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
6 Leadership Techniques For Tough Economic Times
While the housing market outlook may look bleak on a national level, there are countless success stories of builders that are succeeding in the toughest conditions. We’ve asked two such builders — Michael Maples, co-founder of Trumark Homes, Danville, Calif., and Brett Whitehouse, president of Brandywine Homes, Irvine, Calif. — to share some of their leadership advice.
Sales
New-Home Sales: 10 Ways Home Builders Can Beat Low Appraisals
Not satisfied with the appraised value of your new homes? Follow these steps for avoiding the dreaded low appraisal
Sales
10 Traits of a New-Home Sales Superstar
All builders look for sales superstars, yet few companies are consistently able to make great sales hires. Here are 10 traits to look for when recruiting your next sales professional
Five Tips on Marketing and Selling Green Homes
A growing number of builders are moving into the green homes business. But marketing and selling green brings a whole new set of challenges for builders. Leading experts offer advice on positioning green in the marketplace.
Customer Satisfaction Has a Compounding Effect on Referral Sales
Home builders that focus on increasing customer satisfaction also get more referrals.
Nationals Winners Share Strategies for Sales and Marketing Success
Take a lesson or two from these award-winning Nationals entries.
Education + Training
New-Home Salespeople Need Training to Close Today's Buyers
Selling new homes in a downturn takes a certain set of skills and a particular mindset. That's why training is so essential
Builders to Banks: Fund Us and We Will Build (and Sell)
The majority of builders say they would be building and selling more homes today if funding was more readily available, according to Professional Builder's latest reader survey.
New-Home Sales Experts Share Their Best Closing Techniques
Salespeople who take the time to gain the trust of their customers and help them solve their housing problems are the most likely to get the sale.
Raise Employee Morale
Rodney Hall of The Talon Group discusses the connection between sales and happy, thriving employees -- possible even in the midst of a difficult housing industry.
