Tips for surviving the housing downturn: Good communication & high-tech tools can help you stay afloat. An online tool designed to bring in new customers. See how building green can benefit your bottom line. Service after the sale is a key to bringing in new business.
Business Tip:
Two trends that are gaining steam are Aging in Place and Universal Design.
Center for Universal Design, NC State University
http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/
Certified Aging in Place Specialist
http://www.nahb.org/category.aspx?sectionID=686
Segment 1:
Description:
- In the News: While things are slow be proactive by reinventing your business and setting up yourself for success when housing rebounds.
- Housing expert says good communication and keep you afloat.
- Technology can be an equalizer for any size remodeling business.
- NAHB spearheading "Fix Housing First", a coalition of housing advocates that's pushing to enhance the first-time buyers tax credit and provided below market 30-year fixed mortgage rates.
Resources:
Carol Smith Home Address
http://www.cjsmithhomeaddress.com/
Carol Smith books ("Meetings with Clients", "Dear Homeowner, A Book of Customer Service Letters", "Homeowner Manual")
http://store.builderbooks.com/cgi-bin/builderbooks
Case Design/Remodeling
http://www.casedesign.com/
Fix Housing First
http://www.fixhousingfirst.com/newsite/index.php
http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=8328
Segment 2:
Description:
It's All About Building Products: technology tools online including a marketing resource to help contractors find customers and customers to find contractors.
Resources:
Get Job Leads (contractors.com)
http://contractors.hgtvpro.com/MPGeneral/C/Home.aspx
Find Home Plans
http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/home_plans
Free Online Estimator (SuperBuild)
http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/pac_ctnt/text/0,,HPRO_20196_63700,00.html
Product of the Day Sweepstakes
http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/pac_ctnt/text/0,2595,HPRO_20196_36676,00.html
Segment 3:
Description:
The Best Practices for doing business better: see how building green, can bring in more green.
Resources:
BP Economic Benefits of Building Green
http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/pac_ctnt/text/0,2595,HPRO_20196_55073,00.html
http://www.buildiq.com/
Segment 4:
Description: past customers can be your best marketing tool, see how to make sure they're giving a good review.
Resources:
Carol Smith Books: "Meetings with Clients", "Dear Homeowner, A Book of Customer Service Letters",
"Homeowner Manual"
http://www.cjsmithhomeaddress.com/
http://store.builderbooks.com/cgi-bin/builderbooks
| 
