Builders: Let's Add Pets and Up Your Marketing Program!

Furry family members are influencing home-buying decisions!

Did you see the results from a recent SunTrust Mortgage:

33% of Millennials purchased their new home to have more room (either an improved space or yard) for their dog?

Let's call this a Pet Welcoming community!

What are you doing to make this important connection for home shoppers?

A super interesting article in FusionHappens.com suggests Millennials are particularly focused on including pets in their homebuying decision-making. FushionHappens asks: what are you doing to make this important connection:

•  Are you offering low-maintenance flooring?
• How do you message pet owners?
• Do you include happy dogs and owners in your ads and on your website?
• What about dog parks?

CPS SalesTouch is an interactive touch-based kiosk system designed to engage home shoppers from the minute they enter your sales office; don't you think this pet-friendly Parks & Trails section at Newland Communities' Tehaleh encourages a new pet-focused visitor to consider their community?

Go the Extra Step: Talk About How Your Floorplans Fit Their Lifestyle!

Millennials (and Boomers, by the way) are particularly interested in how a new home fits their lifestyle. For some, a family-focused kitchen is critical. For others, it's the "extra" room that can be a craft space, or a tasting room or a "man cave."

Yes! There's a Pet Room option here!

And, for pet owners: do you offer doggie doors or dog washing areas?

There's a great way to enhance your marketing for these lifestyle-focused buyers: interactive floorplans! 

Let your home shopper try out lifestyle ideas with touch and mix/match structural options and drag 'n drop furniture. Consider something as simple as re-purposing the "mud room" label!

There's nothing better for a potential buyer than seeing that you recognize their lifestyle is important. You might not know which element is critical but offering your buyer with the ability to visualize it is critical. 

Add Lifestyle Visualization to Your Sales Offices!

Interested in finding out more how you can help buyers see how your homes meet their objectives? CPS offers one-on-one demos; use this form and we'll schedule one with you!

Student Housing Leasing Offices: Great Venue for Interactive

Over the last decade, student housing has undergone a significant transformation.  Back in the day, universities (both public and private) housed almost all students on campus -- in dormitories and houses.  Married and graduate student housing demand emerged in the 50's and 60's; university-built apartment complexes met this need.  In the early/mid 70's, universities started adding apartment complexes designed for undergraduate students to meet demand for "non-traditional" housing.

Student Housing: Interactive Kiosks Meet Leasing Office Demands

Now, we've seen the transition towards private companies providing housing for all student groups.  Many institutions built and/or remodeled their traditional offerings around the Baby Boomer growth period.  Now, their complexes are aging and "in competition" with housing choices offered off-campus.  While "power houses" such as Harvard and Stanford might not find this an issue, Bill Bayless, CEO at REIT American Campus Communities, notes in Builder, "Colleges and universities, in order to recruit and retain students, need market-based solutions acceptable to today's customers."

Market-based solutions allow colleges/universities to allocate their ever-tighter budget dollars to their core mission: education.  As student "consumers" look for housing options, many schools find themselves unable and/or unwilling to compete.  Yet, housing is critical to the institutions's marketability.  Tom Trubiana, Chief Investment Officer at REIT EdR says, "Schools are looking for solutions to fulfill their commitment to students.  They're looking to the private sector, which can go out to the capital markets and raise funds."

As a result of this change, "student housing" is seeing the addition of features and amenities typically associated with "market" housing.  Mike Harnett, Pulte's chief investment officer, suggests "resort-style student housing" is becoming the norm -- and this is similar to housing provided by Pulte in its Del Webb communities. “It’s about high-touch, hospitality, and lifestyle,” he says.

The leasing process is somewhat unique in this market niche.  Students might reserve popular locations a year (or more) in advance.  At the same time, there's a tremendous "rush" at certain times in the year.  Just as complexes are changing, the leasing office must adapt, as well.  We're seeing the addition of interactive touchscreen kiosks and tablets to provide a quick overview of what's available to lease (and when), property highlights and surrounding local "hot spots" including dining, shopping and hotels for parents to use when visiting!