Marketing

Marketing

• A Toll Brothers House Hits the Big Screen—Again

  The home will serve as the backdrop for a couple whose teapot spits out cash.

   

• Trade-Financed Incentive Boosts Sales at McBride

  Financed by nine St. Louis–area unions, the program offers up to $11,000 in cash incentives.

   

• Internet Marketing Gets More Complicated—and Simpler

  The battle looming between Google and Facebook could be a boon to savvy builders.

   

• Three Sales Gurus Offer 15 Tips to Help Sell Homes

  Builder went outside the home building industry to find notable sales and marketing gurus to offer tips on how to sell homes in today's harsh environment.

   

• Battle Rages Against Existing-Home Sales

  What three very different builders will do if buyers keep favoring older houses.

   

• Online Vouchers Offer Home Buyers Deep Discounts

  A new collective buying platform for the real estate sector is stirring interest.

   

• KB Launches Martha Stewart-Branded Homes in Orlando, Fla.

  Martha Stewart visits Orlando to promote her home designs and cupcakes.

   

• Awesometown is Born

  Newhall Land’s Valencia’s new nickname has gone viral.

   

• Salt Lake Builder Replicates House From "Up" Film

  The candy-colored model, built by Bangerter Homes, has become a showpiece for an ambitious master planned community.

   

• Is Social Media All That It's Cracked Up to Be?

  Two experts debate the pros and cons of consumer-driven Internet marketing.

   

• Energy Labels for Houses: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

  KB Home launches home efficiency labels similar to MPG ratings for cars.

   

• Zillow Boosts Exposure for New Homes With Its Latest Search Features

  The search engine worked with two leading builders for a year on enhancements that give buyers a clearer picture of what’s for sale in a given market.

   

• Softwood Lumber Check-Off Program OK'd

  Assessments will fund a campaign similar to Got Milk?, but promoting the use of softwood lumber.

   

• Developer Casts Its Community in a Movie's Starring Role

  Bright Realty has produced a 51-minute drama with its 2,500-acre Castle Hills project as the prominent backdrop.

   

• Question of the Week: Why Should Customers Buy Your Home Over a Foreclosure?

  As foreclosures continue to compete fiercely in markets across the country, builders are being forced to provide clear incentives for buyers to choose new over used. We want to hear from you about what your company is doing to differentiate its homes and lure customers away from distressed...

   

• Price Discounting Often Determined Which Builders Led Their Markets in Closings in 2010

  Stripping houses down to their basics left more room for customization and margin gains.

   

• WCI Gives Home Buyers Apple iPads

  A Florida-based builder loads the computer tablets with custom software that helps the builder and buyer communicate during home construction, and, hopefully, brings referred customers.

   

• Focus on the Sweet Spot in Your Market

  Builder have been successful because they understand their market and are working to fill a specific need for a specific group of people.

   

• Are Model Homes Worth The Expense?

  Proper merchandising is key, but maybe virtual is better.

   

• The Value Add of Energy Efficiency Is Still Cost

  Three builders share their experiences selling more-efficient houses.