Lasso CRM software can help custom home builders and real estate agencies stay on top in today’s economy.

 When it comes to the business of selling homes, having a competitive edge has always been an advantage.  With Lasso’s new home builder software, that edge is easier than ever to achieve.  Standing out from competitors will increase sales, profits, and agency reputation. And Lasso has created a software system that helps custom home builders and real estate agencies do exactly that.

With the market beginning to return to pre-recession standards, leads are more important than ever.  Lasso’s innovative CRM software helps those in the industry of selling custom homes make tracking and recording leads an organized, simplified process, so that home builders need never lose track of a lead again.  Each visit to the home builder’s website or page is recorded, and return visits are immediately logged and responded to with a customized and personal ‘thank-you’ email to the prospective buyer.

In addition, Lasso’s software can help each company stay in full communicative connection with each of their agents, as well as those who are externally located. Forming these connections can be crucial to business specializing in real estate, as they can stay up-to-date on the latest open houses, events and upcoming residential projects and communities.  Staying in contact with external brokers and realtors can assist companies who have buyers looking for custom homes outside of their available area, enabling them to help more buyers in more ways than ever before.

Lasso’s unique realtor database will help a company to both manage and track their brokers, enabling them to pinpoint and reward excellence and superior performance. Staying in touch with the brokers and realtors in their own firms and those who operate externally can lead to decidedly positive advantages for any real estate agency, and give them the competitive edge that they’re seeking in order to stay on top of today’s changing market in the uncertain economy.

Lasso’s CRM software systems were created with real estate developers and sellers in mind. It’s designed to help you, the custom builder, with your specific needs in mind. Lasso’s innovative approach to customer relationship management is a step in the right direction for any home builder or agency.

Interested? For more information, visit their website. You can also follow Lasso on Twitter, check out their Facebook page, or  visit their YouTube Channel. For media inquiries, please contact Dave Clements.

The 2012 Best in American Living Awards are here! Get in by the application deadline of September 4th in order to have your custom homes on show.

The NAHB Design Committee sponsors this award program once a year. BALA is all about excellence in the real estate industry, putting spotlights on the most creative and innovative projects from across the nation. The awards are open to builders, designers, architects, remodelers, interior designers, land planners, and developers. We definitely wouldn’t want any of our custom builders to miss out on this opportunity. Your work deserves it. Do you have your thumb on the pulse of up-and-coming trends? Do your custom homes reflect the latest fashions or serious artistry of the home building industry? Then don’t miss out on this real opportunity.

Applications are due Sept 4th, but there is a late fee deadline extending through September 18th if you need. Judging takes place in October and entrants are notified by or before December 1st. Winners will be announced at the 2013 International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas.

Along with their announcement, winners are offered all sorts of special features. Be showcased in Builder Magazine, featured throughout the year in publications from around the country, including NAHB’s publications and social media outlets, and be posted to Builder Online and the NAHB site for the next year. You can check out past winners at the BALA Awards site.

For eligibility requirements check out the NAHB page. There are several categories in which to apply from, with seven primary categories further divided into a total of 39 awards. One winner in each of the nine geographic regions will also receive their Best in Region award, which you’re automatically entered into after applying. These primary categories include Single-Family, Multifamily, Remodeling, Community, Community Facility, Specialty, and Interior Design. Do you think single family or specialty custom homes best reflect your work? Keep in mind that there is also the Community of the Year, Room of the Year, and House of the Year – definitely important for you.

Any member of the project team can enter. The competition is open nationwide. Let us know if you decide to enter, and we’ll feature you on the blog! And the best of luck to all our custom builders.

Really good news for our custom home builders: home builder confidence has hit a five year high. The NAHB reported that its housing market index rose two points to a total of 37 this month, the highest level since February 2007.

This is the fourth consecutive month the index has jumped, and the results for August were well above expectations. The housing market’s stabilization has been one of the most positive developments in our economy in recent months. It has, after all, been one of its weakest points after the housing bubble burst. As a custom home builder, how have you been taking advantage of the improved market? Have you seen a noticeable improvement in your leads or sales?

The Wall Street Journal reports, “Spending on home construction, home improvements and other parts of real-estate transactions have added to economic growth for five straight quarters, accounting for 0.22 percentage point of the 1.5% growth rate in the first quarter.” NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg was also quoted as saying, “”From the builder’s perspective, current sales conditions, sales prospects for the next six months and traffic of prospective buyers are all better than they have been in more than five years. While there is still much room for improvement, we have come a long way from the depths of the recession and the outlook appears to be brightening.”

It’s true that this record is still below historic levels. A reading above 50 means more builders view home buying conditions as good rather than as poor. The index hasn’t recorded that positive since April 2006; at the height of our housing bubble reads rose to the high 60’s and even low 60’s. But just because it’s not the best ever doesn’t mean this isn’t very good news. Every component of the index rose in August, from home builder expectations for sale rising one point and and traffic from potential buyers rising three points. Traffic from current sales conditions did likewise.

The index was based on a survey of 478 builders and results did differ regionally. The index grew by nine points here in the Midwest and two in the south. Unfortunately it declined nine points in the Northeast and three in the West. Our custom home builders in the these areas, have you still been able to make good sales? If other builders aren’t as confident, that may actually give you a leg up in the competition. And for our custom home builders in the Midwest and South, it’s good to see that sales and interest are so high!

A busier market means we really need to focus on grabbing those eyes of home buyers before they look elsewhere. How are you focusing your internet marketing campaign in a sunnier economy? Is your website thriving, blogging up to date, and search traffic strong? Remember that a listing here as well as on other large directories like Top Ten Builders.com or Homebuilders.com will create leads through or site and help improve the search relevance of your own site. As always if you have any questions about your home builder internet marketing, we’d love to hear from you. We wish the best of luck to our custom home builders!

LR Hill Custom Builders is proud to present their charming new community in Norfolk: East Beach!

East Beach features much sought-after waterfront home sites and brings to mind a traditional Atlantic Coastal village. Timeless tidal Virginia home architecture makes these new homes something special.

Located just 10 minutes from Norfolk International Airport and a mere 20 minutes from downtown Norfolk, this community offers an unbeatable location for residents of any age. These homes are situated right where Chesapeake Bay connects to the Atlantic Ocean, offering stunning views.

Area amenities include Chesapeake Bay, beaches, a neighborhood club, pool house, and fitness center, walking paths, parks and community landscaping, local shops and dining, and much more.

Homes at East Beach start in the low $400,000 price range.

LR Hill Custom Builders strives to make the building process as stress-free and smooth as possible for both their building team and you. Recognized as Virginia Beach’s Small Business of the Year, they are committed to providing the highest quality service possible. If you’re looking for a great home in Norfolk, be sure to check out East Beach.

Are you ready to build a new home in Savannah, Georgia? Check out Konter Homes’ new community, Tabby Village.

Tabby Village is located in one of Savannah’s most desired areas on the doorstep of the gorgeous Isle of Hope. This neighborhood features just 24 home sites, perfect for anyone looking for a quiet, intimate community to live in.

Southern lowcountry charm abounds in this community. Homes are a mix of thoughtfully designed custom homes, each with elevated foundations, inviting classic porches, and amazingly-designed architectural features. Those looking for a floor plan to choose from will be satisfied with a variety of collections.

Children living here will attend Isle of Hope schools in Savannah’s Chatham County Public School System.

Konter Quality Homes has been constructing residences and communities since 1977. They believe quality not only matters in home construction, but also customer experience and building a better community. Contact them today about Tabby Village.

 If you’re looking for your dream home in West Grove, Pennsylvania, don’t miss your opportunity to live at Lamborn Hunt, a new neighborhood by Keystone Custom Homes.

Located in the gorgeous rolling hills of Southern Chester County, Lamborn Hunt features home sites surrounded by open, spacious meadows. Tree-lined streets, sidewalks, landscaped green spaces and walking trails help to create a comforting atmosphere in this picturesque neighborhood.

This neighborhood offers nearby shopping, schools, and health care facilities, among many other conveniences. An adjacent 40 acre township park gives residents an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.

To get to this community from Route 1N, take Route 796 Exit for Jennersville. Go right at the top of the ramp. Travel 1/4 mile to the first stop light. Head left on Old Baltimore Park for about 2 miles. Take a right on Guernsey Road and follow it to the stop sign at State Road. Take a left on State Road and Lamborn Hunt will be on your right.

Builder Keystone Custom Homes has been ranked by the industry’s leading trade journal, Builder Magazine, as one of the top 100 home builders in the nation. They are also proud to be the first builder to be named America’s Best Builder three times by Builder Magazine of more than 200,000 home builder companies. With a reputation for outstanding quality, let Keystone Custom Homes build your new home at Lamborn Hunt.

If you’re hunting for the perfect home in Cedar Park, Texas, be sure to check out Caballo Ranch, an amazing new community by custom builder Jimmy Jacobs Homes.

Caballo Ranch is a beautiful neighborhood encompassed by two creeks, many trees, and with scenic hill landscapes. Residents can select either 60 or 70 foot home sites, and have the luxury of choosing a greenbelt or creekside view.

Residents are able to enjoy a community swimming pool, covered pavilion, and bath house. A recently completed amenity center will serve as the hub for neighborhood activity and will provide entertainment for community members of all ages. Seclusion and privacy are bountiful in this heavily wooded neighborhood, but residents are just minutes away from grocery shopping, retail centers, hospitals, major roadways, and many other conveniences.

This new community features a special collection of one-story and two-story plans, with models open 7 days a week.

Homes at Caballo Ranch start in the $270,000 price range.

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes has been building homes in Texas for nearly 25 years. They are proud to be the recipient of the 2008 Number One Custom Home Builder in Central Texas, according to the Austin Business Journal. Their dedication to integrity, customer service, and design make them a great choice for a new home in Austin. Caballo Ranch can be your new neighborhood today.

As a custom builder you have special requirements in home builder software. We’ve talked previously about an excellent CRM, but what if you need scheduling software or construction project management? Is it difficult to keep all the correspondence, new purchases, photos, and weather issues organized? Imagine if it wasn’t, if you had all that information in one place (even on your mobile phone). If that sounds incredibly useful then you’re going to benefit from Co-constuct’s software for custom home builders.

Co-construct helps builders of custom homes save time, stop mistakes, delight clients, and sell more jobs – or they give them their money back. Which is a big claim, but their builder software lives up to it. Their program offers the flexibility to organize projects the way you need as a custom home builder: It organizes all communication, photos, budget, and information in one area and schedule everything easily. Plus, automatically promote your work with Facebook integration and professional looking emails.

Co-construct’s builder software guarantees that you will save an average of 30 minutes or more a day, eliminate 95% of selection mistakes and disagreements, and that your custom home buyers will cite the builder software program as improving their building experience. And look to new clients stating that your use of Co-construct was a strong factor in the decision to choose you as a custom home builder.

Daniel Devol, owner of Daniel DeVol Custom Builder, wrote about their builder software: “I’m now completing my homes 60 – 90 days faster using Co-construct than I was with my old online system. It’s helping my clients make their decisions faster and the scheduling is easier for both my subs and I to use. Like anything, you have to commit to using Co-construct. But for builders who do, it will completely transform their businesses.”

If you could benefit from builder software as a custom home builder, take a look at Co-construct. Many custom home builders are finding the program to be extremely useful – and after all, they’re confident enough to offer a money back gurantee if it isn’t. What do you have to lose?

The housing market is steadily improving, the NAHB reports, which is great news for our custom builders. According to their newest IMI (Improving Market Index), 80 areas across 32 states are listed as an improving market. This includes 75 markets that retained their place on the list, as well as five new ones. Nine fell from the list, primarily due to slight movements in house prices.

If you’re a custom builder in Texas there’s very good news, as Lubbock was one of the five improved markets. So too were Miami and Palm Bay, Florida, Hinesville, Georgia, and Terre Haute, Indiana. See a full list of the IMI here. The IMI is designed to track housing markets showing signs of improving economic health, and to do so measures three sets of independent monthly data. Analyzed are the employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau. The NAHB uses this latest available data to create their list of improving markets; in order to be included, a metropolitan area must see improvement in all three measures for at least six months.

NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said, “The fact that we continue to see a strong core of metros showing up on the improving list each month adds to the growing evidence that the emerging housing recovery has a solid foundation on which to build as housing returns to its traditional role of driving economic growth.” Have you seen an improvement in the custom homes market in your area? Do you find that your  custom home buyers are feeling more confident as the general economy improves?

Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman at First American Title Insurance Company, also said in the article, “With nearly one quarter of all U.S. metros currently designated as improving housing markets, there is growing recognition among consumers that now is an opportune time to consider a home purchase.” This is very encouraging news and we’re sure our custom builders will take full advantage of it. If you have any personal insight into your area’s improving market, we’d love to hear about it.

Are you searching for a new home in Kansas City? Be sure to take a look at Patrician Village in Lenexa, a great new community by Covenant Homes.

Patrician Village offers single-family homes with 4 bed rooms, 3.5 baths, and a 3- or 4-car garage. These Lenexa homes include 2,900 to 3,700 square feet of space.

Located in the highly rated Olathe school district, this neighborhood is convenient to area restaurants, shopping, and quick access to all parts of Kansas City.

To get to this community from K-10, head to K-7 Highway North, then continue to the Prairie Star Parkway and head west. Travel to McCormack and turn south, where you’ll find the neighborhood.

Homes in this neighborhood range from $300,000 to the mid $400,000’s.

Covenant Homes has been constructing impressive homes in the Johnson County area of Kansas City for more than 20 years. Their core values of quality craftsmanship, innovation in design, and providing the best in customer care has helped make them become renowned for their building services. If you’re ready to move in Lenexa, make Patrician Village your new home.