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Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Let Your Interactives Help Foster Sense of Community

Recently, Mary Cook, writing in Builder Developer, noted that Millennials are finally ready to move out of their parents' home and find their own. Her firm is known for creating innovative environments targeted to market demands and her article focused on 7 Ways to Design Residential Developments for Millennials. 

What was top of her list? Foster a sense of community!

What's behind that thought? Cook notes that many Millennials telecommute -- finding them with little interaction with co-workers and managers. The typical, work-related social interactions are missing. And, like many new home buyers, they're probably relocating (even if a relatively short distance). As a result, they're looking for their home (both specific and general) to provide relationships.  That's driving the popularity of amenity-rich communities as community pools, tech centers, fitness centers encourage residents to gather and engage.

Do you recall the Solutions Blog about walkable neighborhoods (or Walkups)? Consider using your location as a way to encourage thinking of the new neighborhood in terms of walkability and its benefits from a social interaction perspective:
  1. Offer Walk Abouts: One of walkable neighborhood's driving forces is access to convenient, interesting and unique shopping and dining venues.  Think of the possibilities -- run into or invite neighbors as everyone is learning the area! Why not create an "It's in the Neighborhood" map highlighting 15 close-by locations that are probably new to your home shoppers? Think: ethnic restaurants, unique bookshops, unusual hardware stores.  Let your potential buyers explore (virtually!) and see themselves living the experience! Drones are making aerial photos so much more affordable -- take a look at Richmond above and consider using this type of visual introduction to the neighborhood.
  2. Shine a Light on Educational Institutions: Here's another opportunity for introducing a new way of thinking about community! And, these opportunities don't need to be just traditional colleges and universities. Think outside the box and consider adult education and interest-focused centers, too. Look for places like innovative yarn shops, photography studios, art centers.  Let your home shoppers explore neighborhood learning opportunities and imagine the opportunities available.
Let an interactive touchscreen presentation tell your community story -- from amenities to neighborhood "hot spots" to all sorts of educational possibilities. Take a look at a CPS' SalesTouch  presentation's aerial photo detailing shopping, dining, recreation and community options in Richmond (above); can't you see your buyers virtually exploring and enjoying their new community?

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