Will economic stimulus boost home sales? More Builders Jump on the IT Bandwagon Certified Experts Help Clinch Closings

June 2008 More Builders Jump on the IT Bandwagon The adoption of IT (information technology) software and practices can help increase efficiency, close sales and increase referral business. Plus, modern IT systems are more user-friendly and feature broader capabilities than in the past. No wonder home builders are more in tune with IT today than ever before!1 Here, we share highlights from the 2008 Builder IT Survey,1 which tapped into the attitudes of 463 big and small home builders to help assess IT’s current role and its potential. •   IT importance is on the rise.  Nearly 40 percent of all builders say the importance of IT will grow; only 8 percent predict its importance will weaken. •   The Web site is king.   A whopping 96 percent of big builders and 89 percent of small builders currently use or plan to use their Web site to provide prospective buyers with new-home information. •   But online interaction has room to grow.  Forty-seven percent of big builders use the Web to post construction schedules, payment information, change orders and other functions, compared to only 19 percent of small builders. One-third of big builders (and 19 percent of small builders) plan to provide buyers with new-home options and upgrade tools online. •   Builder technology is halfway there.  Just 45 percent of builders say the builder software industry is currently meeting their business needs. Ready to up the technology ante in your business? Start by adding IT as a necessary budget item. Use downtime to reevaluate your management, design and marketing protocols to determine where introducing IT tools could increase efficiency. For guidance, visit ToolBaseServices*, the housing industry's comprehensive resource for new technologies. Set implementation goals and follow through on them. That way, when the downturn heads upward, you’ll be ready to handle the growth with solid IT systems. Article information current as of 06/05/08. 1. Builder Magazine, 2008 Builder IT Survey. Small home builders are defined as those who build 300 homes or fewer annually.

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