Production and Accounting Software for Home Builders

Just a quick announcement to let everyone know that the recording from our online marketing prospect follow-up session with Mike Lyon is available for viewing.

In this presentation, Mike does a great job talking about the changing habits of new home buyers and explains some practical approaches builders can follow to increase the number of new home sales.

To summarize, it’s all about:

1. providing quick, personal follow-up for all online prospects
2. ongoing periodic communication (e-mail, phone calls)
3. bringing online prospects into the sales office

Fortunately, Constellation has sales and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions to help with this.  We can bring prospect information from your website into your sales system automatically, provide website redesign services, and even help builders go live with a new website very quickly. For example, Kaplan Companies and Stylecraft Builders have used our services to create some amazing websites that are optimized for search engine results.

We would like to thank Mike for conducting the webinar. He speaks with authority about the conversion rates a builder can expect and best practices that can be implemented to boost sales from internet leads. He is also the author of Browsers to Buyers:Proven Strategies for Selling New Homes Online, the home building industry’s authoritative guide on internet marketing, lead generation and leads management.

To learn more about Mike and how he can help your organization, you can visit www.doyouconvert.com.

Direct link: Online Marketing and Prospect Follow-up Best Practices

Final Reminder – Register Now

Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 1 PM EST –
Presenter: Mike Lyon – Do You Convert?

Click here for your video invitation to this event.

With more and more new home buyers going online to begin purchasing their new home, home builders need to consider the following:

• Search engine results and rankings are critical
• Websites need to be organized to capture more prospect information
• Prospect follow-up needs to happen quickly
• Sales staff need to be accountable for every prospect
• Prospects that are not motivated now can become motivated at any time, so ongoing communication is important

The session will be presented by Constellation HomeBuilder Systems and Mike Lyon and will feature a detailed presentation, product demonstrations and an opportunity for questions.

Important Registration Information

After you register for this session, all participants will receive an email confirmation via WebEx confirming your registration with an event URL and event password.  If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact Cathy Kotsopoulos via email or by phone at (888) 723-2222 ext 6140.

Recently, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems announced the asset purchase of The Enterprise from move.com and we wanted to take a minute to introduce this offering to home builders and especially our current Constellation customers.  The following is a Q&A summary of the acquisition and our plans for helping home builders better manage their websites.

How can Constellation Web Solutions help make the most of my marketing dollar?

As we come out of the downturn, the methods and means we use to communicate will change and in many cases change dramatically. We will all need to be able to do more with less and the best way to accomplish this is by leveraging the power of the internet.  This was a diving force in our decision to add Constellation Web Solutions to the family of products at Constellation HomeBuilder Systems. We can help you extend your financial, construction, scheduling, sales office, marketing automation and other software offerings from Constellation to the web and your homebuyers through a customized web site from Constellation Web Solutions.

Utilizing homebuilder industry specific services from Constellation Web Solutions can reduce the costs of your online marketing presence. Traditional outreach sources (newspapers, billboards, mailers, and flyers) are more expensive and less effective today than in the past.  Builders and realtor agents will need to jump to the head of the line and use the power of applications developed specifically to market to the “new” buyers.

It can be difficult to market to the needs of a broad group or demographic.  How do you leverage technology to provide what buyers are looking for?

The days of generic information are over!  The prospects and buyers of homes have become used to technology providing them with the information they want in the way the want it.  The builder can not afford to lag behind in providing prospects and buyers the exact information they want.  This means the builder’s web presence will need to have intelligence to go from general to specific information and Constellation Web Solutions is here to help the builder accomplish this complex task.  The ultimate in specificity allows the prospect/buyer to select models and assess build options for their home from the website.  Our interactive floor plans change the drawings the prospect sees based on the specific options selected from the website.  Imagine the competitive advantage the builder has when the buyer compares their home built their way with the help of the builder’s website to other properties.

Mobile web sites provide immediate, location independent access to interested buyers on the iPhone, Blackberry and other handheld devices. We are living in a time when we all expect “information now” that is being driven by the latest in communication technology.  The builder must be prepared to again, communicate with the buyer/prospect using the method preferred by the buyer.  The adoption rate of texting and using handheld devices (apps) to transmit and gather information is staggering.  Any builder that is not conveying information or preparing to convey information on mobile devices is at risk.  The builders that adopt the technology the buyers use and expect, will recover from the downturn faster and more profitable than those that stick to “conventional” technologies.  Constellation Web Solutions has a proven track record in leading builders to the newer technology.

Talking/Texting/SMS yard-signs provide information when you are away from your models and sales office. This is all part of information now.  We live in a 24/7 era where buyers and even browsers see something and want more information.  The beauty of using an application that communicates (texting or talking) is that you are providing instant access to your information.  The greatest benefit is that you are identifying who is asking for the information and you immediately have a way to follow-up with them.  This completely changes the approach you can take in your sales operation while at the same time being responsive to the needs and wants of the buyer.  I would hate to face talking houses of competitors if mine just sat there.

How will my Company, communities, models and plans get the most on-line exposure?

By syndicating your new home web content to new home destination websites such as Move.com, Zillow.com or Trulia.com or your local newspaper web site as well as integrating your information with social networking avenues, blogs, and new media such as YouTube.com.  The old adage in real estate is location, location, location.  It is equally important when it comes to getting your message out.  Let us help you get your message out to these new sources.

How do I begin working with Constellation Web Solutions?

Builders interested in our web sites and related products should call our sales team at (888) 723-2222, or send a quick e-mail to sales@constellationhb.com.

We are your technology in the homebuilding business.  We know the industry and we know technology, can you afford not to work with us?

About Constellation Home Builder Systems

As the largest home building software company in the industry, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has helped more than 2,100 builders manage their information technology costs with integrated software solutions to run their business from dirt to warranty. From planning to homeowner services, we have land development software, new home sales and marketing software, production, purchasing, scheduling, accounting, warranty, electronic homeowner manuals, vendor portal solutions, and invoice workflow solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry. Constellation’s product suite includes Constellation CRM (CFT), FAST, NEWSTAR, BuildSoft, Builder 360, and Constellation Web Solutions.

Media Inquiries

Cathy Kotsopoulos
ckotsopoulos@constellationhb.com

FREE Event – Online Marketing Best Practices and Prospect Follow-up

With more and more new home buyers going online to begin purchasing their new home, home builders need to consider the following:

• Search engine results and rankings are critical
• Websites need to be organized to capture more prospect information
• Prospect follow-up needs to happen quickly
• Sales staff need to be accountable for every prospect
• Prospects that aren’t motivated now can become motivated at any time, so ongoing communication is important

The session will be presented by Constellation HomeBuilder Systems and Mike Lyon and will feature a detailed presentation, product demonstrations and an opportunity for questions.

Date: Tuesday September 1st, @ 1 PM Eastern

– Enroll Now

Day three at PCBC 2009 began with a motivating keynote by Seth Godin. His challenge to the home builders in the audience was to figure out how to build a home that will be lived in because the buyers like it, not becuase they will make a bunch of money when they sell it in 6 months. The home is more than the granite countertops, 4 bedrooms, the great room and a nice backyard.  The home needs to be part of the community and that begins with communication.  The builder needs to learn from the crowds that want to buy a home, identify a niche, design a home and a community that people want to live in, one that fits their lifestyle, allows them to live near people with shared interests, and one that people will tell stories about.  It is those stories that will bring motivated buyers into the sales office. Stories that people identify with and stories about the people that will become neighbours.  Telling stories is so much better than simply talking about how many bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet, and parking spaces the buyer will have in their new home.

If you are a builder doing something different, post a comment and let us know.

Here is a picture from the event.

Markham, ON (PRWEB) May 27, 2009 — Constellation HomeBuilder Systems, the largest provider of homebuilder accounting software, will be presenting several new software products at the 2009 PCBC, June 17-19, 2009, San Francisco, CA. Home builders are invited to see the latest homebuilding software technology to help builders control costs more effectively while preparing for normal home construction and sales levels.

As the largest homebuilding software provider, Constellation reported an increase in sales from smaller home builders between March and May of 2009. Unlike many other software providers in the homebuilding industry, Constellation is committed to supporting our customers, participating in industry events and supporting trade publications regardless of the current market conditions. Recently, home builder confidence has started to return as demonstrated by a strong commitment toward technology investment. As home builders prepare for improved market conditions, investing in technology ahead of growth can help delay staff increases with better control systems in place to ensure future profitability.

If you need better software to manage your home building business, visit us at the show to learn how the best builders are transforming their businesses and utilizing Constellation products. Don’t forget to ask about our PCBC 2009 show specials.

Constellation continues to demonstrate an unmatched commitment to invest in new technology and services for home builders of all sizes, whether you build 5 homes or 10,000 homes annually. In addition to the numerous enhancements in Constellation’s industry leading ERP product suite, NEWSTAR, FAST, BuildSoft, Builder 360, as well as Constellation CRM, and LandDev, we are introducing six, leading-edge products specifically designed to help home builders meet the challenges of today’s recovering market.

At PCBC, builders can see firsthand why Constellation’s industry commitment and product enhancement efforts continue to make our technology solutions the first choice for home builders seeking world-class software and services.

Please join us to see the latest new products at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference 2009, June 17-19, 2009, Moscone Center at Booth 1316 in the South Hall.

Constellation’s most recent new products include:

Website Sales Integration – WebLeads

Constellation WebLeads is an automated web-based lead qualification and prospect management tool for home builders. WebLeads allows you to quickly qualify, personally respond to, and narrow your focus on prospects that are ready to purchase. Never lose another lead and convert more prospects into homebuyers by immediately responding to new prospects’ online inquires by effectively qualifying and communicating in real-time.

NEWSTAR Enterprise Workflow Management Software

Constellation NEWSTAR Workflow Management is a web-based solution designed for all commercial, residential or condominium property managers with remote building locations and any locations outside head office. It delivers consistent, timely and accurate information to internal or external users for faster, automated and more efficient invoice status, approval and payment control.

Warranty and Homeowner Expectation Management: Driving Referral Sites

Constellation BuildSERV – Ownership Guides is a hosted web portal and e-mail service for the delivery of home care and warranty information to new home buyers. Multiple touch-point communication tools help you track responses and reinforce your warranty and customer service standards. Integrated lead referral programs offered during and after the warranty period will help you drive referral sales.

Constellation Extended Hosting

Constellation Extended Hosting offers homebuilders a cost-effective alternative to upfront hardware and software licensing costs. The NEWSTAR Enterprise and FAST homebuilding production and accounting systems, available in a stable, secure, scalable and supported environment, gives homebuilders instant online access from any location with Internet connectivity.

Constellation Promotional Marketing – Constellation Forms and 4-Color Printing

Constellation Forms is an easy, affordable and effective marketing solution for all home builders. No job is too small or too large. We specialize in creating high quality, four-color marketing materials that look amazing online and in print. We offer design and printing services for stock and custom printed promotional materials. Constellation will work with your marketing staff to translate and develop your concepts into exceptional promotional pieces designed specifically for any target audience. Produce powerful images that best represent your company and deliver the right message to your prospects, all while saving time and money.

Constellation Builder Broadcast – E-mail Marketing System

Constellation Builder Broadcast provides you with affordable e-mail campaign management tools tailored to your requirements to produce polished, professional and targeted e-mail campaigns and services. Measure the effectiveness, impact and overall results with detailed, accurate tracking, reporting and analytics to give you target audience feedback so you sell the right product to the right customer, and open doors to discover and explore new channel and market opportunities.

About Constellation HomeBuilder Systems

As the largest home building software company in the industry, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has helped more than 2,100 builders manage their information technology costs with integrated software solutions to run their business from dirt to warranty. From planning to homeowner services, we have land development software, new home sales and marketing software, production, purchasing, scheduling, accounting, warranty, electronic homeowner manuals, and vendor portal solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry.

Media Inquiries:

Cathy Kotsopoulos
ckotsopoulos(at)constellationhb.com
(888) 723-2222

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As a follow-up to our Coping with Financial Distress webinar from last August, this session will help Canadian and US builders identify how to analyze those ratios that are the most important in running their business. Using the information from your accounting systems can help you improve your bottom line and increase your profits. In addition, timely communication to lenders from their builders will help ensure viable financing solutions. Steve Hays and Felicia Malter, Partners in the Home Builder Services Group at RubinBrown LLP, will also share some information about what financial reporting might look like as we prepare for better times.

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Many builders, both small and large, can achieve cost advantages and improved forecasting using purchase orders. In this session, builders will learn how to reduce costs as a result of issuing purchase orders and paying trades without relying on completion slips and invoices. Even if you are already using purchase orders for your trades, this session will provide additional opportunities for process improvement.

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Now that the housing boom is behind us and the entire industry is dealing with a new reality, managing warranty and service costs is very important. In this session, we’ll show you how many builders have reduced their warranty and service costs, and improved customer satisfaction and referrals with small investments in online homeowner manuals, maintenance guides, newsletters and service request portals.

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Similar to the Large Builder Roundtable this group provided an inside look at small and medium sized builders discussing the recent stimulus programs, selling new homes, doing more with less, implementing software systems, working with trades and suppliers, vendor portals, home builder websites, and the impact of green building on home builders. Each builder describes their experiences dealing with conditions in their market and how they use technology and processes to do more with less.

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