| When researching potential new home builders to | | | | location to view homes available in that area |
| hire, you need to rely on quality, professionalism, | | | | – makes the home search that much |
| customer service and relevance to your wants | | | | easier. When a website gives you multiple tools to |
| and budget. Because most new home searches | | | | find a new home for sale, it reinforces the notion |
| begin online, evaluating a home builder’s | | | | that the homebuilder wants to make the search |
| website is crucial to deciding whether or not the | | | | for a new home or new home development |
| home builder deserves to be contacted. If you | | | | easier. |
| want to purchase a house, this helpful article | | | | Easy-to-Find Content |
| offers home buying information and ten tips for | | | | Visitors to a homebuilder website may be looking |
| evaluating a home builder website. | | | | for several unique types of information: new |
| Because the website of New Home Builder | | | | homes, home plans, home locations, financing |
| Orleans Homes exemplifies many features | | | | information, company history, employment |
| indicative of a quality homebuilder website, it was | | | | information, and home care tips. The content |
| used as a model for what a potential new home | | | | sought by a visitor should be easy to locate in a |
| buyer should look for in a new house builder | | | | few simple clicks. Site maps, search fields, |
| website. | | | | information architecture – these all help the |
| House & Floor Plans | | | | visitor through the site. Again, an easily-navigable |
| When you are considering the purchase of a new | | | | site suggests the homebuilder knows how to build |
| home – maybe the biggest purchase you | | | | well. |
| will ever make – you need to know the | | | | Search by Various Factors |
| house is what you want, inside and out. To save | | | | A visitor in search of a single family home for |
| potential home buyers time, some homebuilder | | | | sale, for example, may be seeking unique |
| websites let visitors preview new home plans | | | | features. It so follows that a website should allow |
| online. A typical home builder will offer several | | | | visitors to search by various factors such as |
| floor and house plans and a home builder whose | | | | location, neighborhood, price range, number of |
| website boasts interactive floor plans suggests | | | | rooms, amenities, etc. There are many types of |
| both technical savvy and awareness of what site | | | | people in the market to buy a new home and a |
| visitors want of a residential home builder. | | | | homebuilder should offer information to a variety |
| Printable Brochures | | | | of individuals. Even a luxury home builder builds a |
| Just as the availability of house and floor plans | | | | variety of models and a site that lets you search |
| show an awareness of what those in the market | | | | for factors pertinent to your home search |
| for a new home want, the ability to print plans | | | | suggests the company may be one worth further |
| and brochures reinforces that awareness. If you | | | | investigation. |
| print a plan, you have something tangible to use | | | | Site Speaks to your Wants and Needs |
| for reference and to use if you choose to tour | | | | Just as a site should allow for you to search |
| new model homes. | | | | according to your unique new home needs, a site |
| Words, Pictures & Interactivity | | | | should also speak to your new home wish list. If |
| A picture is worth a thousand words, or so the | | | | you are a first time homebuyer looking to buy a |
| saying goes, but different people gather | | | | new house, evaluate the site content to see if |
| information in different ways. Some people are | | | | they speak to needs similar to yours. If the site |
| visual, others interactive while still more prefer to | | | | does not – there is no need to contact the |
| read to gather information. A home builder | | | | home builder. |
| website should be equally open to these various | | | | Links |
| ways of gathering information. And for those | | | | A link is a vote for a website because, if there is |
| visual site visitors, if the pictures are of decent | | | | a link to the site, the linking website owner |
| quality, it likely means the home builder invests in | | | | decided the site content was worth referencing. |
| quality in other aspects of their business. One | | | | So check to see if the site is linked to because |
| additional note on the pictures that appear on | | | | links are essentially votes of confidence. |
| homebuilder websites: if the picture doesn’t | | | | Financial Information |
| show the actual home interior or exterior – | | | | It is often said that the decision to purchase a |
| shows instead a flower vase, say – it may | | | | house is one of the biggest most people will ever |
| mean the homebuilder is hiding something. | | | | make. Most people have to think very carefully |
| Usability & Navigation | | | | about investing in a new home, and how to |
| For government and government contractor | | | | finance it. Even if you have your own plans for |
| websites, the site must be accessible to persons | | | | financing a new home purchase, look for |
| with disabilities. Websites not obligated to this level | | | | homebuilder websites that offer financing and |
| of accessibility – but that are accessible | | | | mortgage information. It demonstrates a |
| nevertheless – are indicative of a company | | | | familiarity with the financing process and the ability |
| sympathetic to the needs of all potential site | | | | of the company to give you good, reliable |
| visitors. This is good, naturally, but accessible and | | | | information. Some sites even offer a mortgage |
| usable websites also lead to a more rewarding | | | | calculator [ target=] – a very helpful tool to |
| site visit. In short, an open, easy-to-navigate | | | | use during a new home search. |
| website likely means open, easy-to-navigate | | | | If you evaluate home builder websites based on |
| homes. | | | | these factors, you are better prepared to decide |
| Solid site navigation suggests, in addition, an | | | | which new home builders to contact. One final |
| awareness of how visitors will move throughout | | | | note. If you like a home builder website, look for |
| the website and a desire to make this process as | | | | interest list forms or forms to request additional |
| intuitive as possible. A thoughtfully designed | | | | information. Filling out these forms not only |
| website means a thoughtfully designed home so | | | | ensures you are only provided relevant |
| look for sites that are both usable and accessible. | | | | information, they will likely automatically qualify |
| Interactive maps | | | | you for special offers, discounts and VIP openings. |
| To find a home, you need to know where it is. | | | | If you like what you see, fill out the interest list. |
| Maps, obviously, make the search for a new | | | | * You may republish this article provided you |
| home easier. Furthermore, an interactive map | | | | retain the active hyperlinks. Copyright 2006, |
| – one where you can simply click on a | | | | Robert O’Shaughnessy. |