"You've Caught the NET!"

Hope you've taken the day off today - it's beautiful here in Chicago.  Hope the First Official Weekend of Summer is nice where you are!

We all know builders of new homes have taken it on the chin within the past twelve months or so.  In many markets, in newly-built subdivisions across the U.S., sales are off over 50 percent.  Homes have been discounted deeply in order to sell.  And, to incentives fickle buyers, many builders have included new HDTV's, expensive vacations, pre-paid house payments, even stocked school tuition accounts for the buyers' children.

Now, it seems, even these heavy incentives are proving far less effective.  New home builders are trying something new -

PARTIES!

In the Chicago suburb of South Barrington, Toll Brothers Builders hosted an elaborate party at the opening of its 55+ community, Regency at the Woods.  They included a Texas Hold 'Em tournament, a kids story hour, professional fitness consultants, a gourmet lunch, and cooking demonstration from Viking Appliances, manufacturers of super-high-end, professional kitchen appliances.

Of course, guided community tours were included - and names and phone numbers were taken.

Afterward, Regency Sales Consultants called attendees for feedback, and found that 8 out of 10 attendees were "nosy neighbors" - they just wanted the free goodies at the club house.  Not to worry, the builder said - they consider currently-happy homeowners are the best form of word of mouth advertising to attract prospective new home buyers.

Another elaborate reception was held in May at Meier Park Subdivision at West Point Gardens in the Chicago suburb of Elgin IL.  The developer, West Point Builders, provided lunch, entertainment from a barbershop quartet, and information booths manned by the City of Elgin Community Information Departments.

West Point developers expected 200 attendees to their Grand Opening party - they actually got more than 300!  Of course, the builder is hoping all the good will, the fun, the food, and the entertainment, will lead to sales contracts and earnest money very soon.

But will these Grand Fêtes boost sales for new home builders, here in Chicago, and elsewhere?  We'll have to wait and see!

Read our post today at BlogChicagoHomes.com for more info, as well as a link to Mary Ellen Podmolik's story in last Friday's Chicago Tribune.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO