22 May 08 
The Hunt for a New Home Starts Online
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According to a recent National Association of Realtors’ profile of buyers and sellers, only 7 percent of all buyers went and visited an open house as their first step when searching for the right home to buy. In fact, it is estimated that close to 90 percent of all buyers start hunting for their next home on the Internet.
So where does this leave the open house? Many real estate agents will not conduct an open house unless insisted upon by the agent’s client; and when an open house event does take place, a rookie agent is often asked to host the event on behalf of the owner’s agent. Newer agents will often request to baby-sit the open house in order to gain leads by introducing themselves to would be buyers and sellers.
If a potential buyer does attend an open house, or if the buyer wishes to view a home for sale in person, it is most often after he or she has found electronic information – pictures, textual description, and other information gathered via the Internet.
Tags: home seller, homebuyer, internet, NAR, national association of realtors, new homes for sale, open house, real estate agent
20 May 08 Nevada New Home Community Solar Powered
If there is one thing that Nevada does not lack in… it’s sunshine; which makes Southern Nevada an ideal location for the state’s first solar powered community. Concordia Homes unveiled three model homes in Sommerset, of what will eventually become a 48-home community, all equipped with high-performance GE products that are Energy Star rated. One feature that makes these homes unique is their dashboard wall display units that provides water and energy consumption data, including how much electricity has been generated from the rooftop solar panels.
The homes range in sizes between 1,626 – 2,707 square feet, and prices start in the mid-300s; which is around $25,000 - $30,000 more than similar non-green homes in the Henderson, Nevada area – according to Jenny Sullivan of Builder Magazine.
Gidget Graham, Concordia President, believes Sommerset home buyers will recoup the additional expense over time, through lower utility payments. Graham estimates that a 2,700 square foot home at Sommerset will save the owner 60 percent in utilities; with the rooftop solar system generating 40 percent of an average family’s electricity use.
Tags: builder magazine, concordia homes, energy star, gidget graham, henderson, jenny sullivan, nevada homes for sale, new homes, solar homes, solar powered, sommerset
19 May 08 It’s Time for Arizona Snowbirds
It’s that time of year again. Active-adults from around the country visit Arizona for vacation, to get out of the cold and to search for their new or future home. There are several reasons why Arizona has become an active-adult hot spot: tons of land, great weather, great communities and great shopping. Right now is an ideal time for Active-adult home builders to pump up advertising and get exposure for their communities, on their turf, without having to shell out thousands of dollars reaching buyers across the nation. I am interested in seeing how this seasons active-adult sales pan out.
Many of our nations Baby Boomers are getting ready for retirement, or better put, a career change and there’s no place better to work than from the comfort of a new Arizona home. Active-adults today have more money and good credit; the recent credit crunch across the nation will have little effect on the purchasing power of active-adults. They are able to buy but only time will tell if they’re willing.
You’ll probably see some great messages and great deals from several active-adult builders throughout Arizona looking to clear inventory and increase sales. Hopefully, active-adults feel that right now is the best time to buy!
Tags: active adult communities, active adult homes, Arizona Homes For Sale, Arizona Real Estate, Home Builders, new homes for sale, snowbirds
