Integrating Virtual Home Tours with CRM

March 11, 2010

These days, more and more builders are using virtual home tours both on their corporate Websites and on third-party sites such as YouTube. These online tours are a good way to grab buyers the second they walk in the virtual door.

While this type of technology can be costly, builders are saying it is a more affordable option to the alterative—model home tours. Additionally, the price of the technology is coming down, with some providers offering value lines of the software. Both Shea Homes, www.sheahomes.com, Walnut, Calif., and Lennar Homes, www.lennar.com, Miami, Fla., have recently attested to generating leads and saving money with virtual home tours.

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Residential - February

Volume 13 Number 02

Outlook 2010: Doing More with More

Is 2010 going to be different than 2009? Homebuilders across North America chime in on technology plans for a new year.

Throughout the construction industry, 2009 was a watershed, a year in which the housing collapse of 2007-2008 started to turnaround. Not enough, of course, to make it a good year; certainly not early enough to make a difference in some regions. But as the year ended, housing starts were up, the market was starting to move in a positive direction, and many company executives were starting to breathe again—shallow breathing perhaps, but signs of respiration none the less.

Commercial - January

Volume 13 Number 01

What’s Next for Construction

Following a period of turmoil, the construction industry will embark on a new path, driven in large part by a fresh view on technology.

Looking back at 2009, one could consider it to be a year of change—or more accurately, a year in which some key societal, political, and environmental factors were put in place that will drive a significant amount of change in the years to come.






Infrastructure - December

Volume 12 Number 12

Commentary

It’s Going to be Exciting in 2010

I have to come clean that I was taken by surprise to hear about the acquisition of Builder1440 by Constellation HomeBuilder Systems as 2009 came to a close. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that I was taken off guard by the acquisition.

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Green Technology

Barriers to Energy Management

While EMS (energy management systems) help commercial building property managers optimize energy through building automation and control, new research shows that only a small percentage of the market potential is actually being realized.

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Economy

Incomes Nearly Flat in January

The economy continues to send somewhat mixed signals, with some slight indications things are improving, but also hinting of further challenges. In particular, personal income increased in January, but personal disposable income showed a decrease.

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