Week of July 28, 2008
Front Page
Coast to Coast
housing forum
Politics & Government
regulation
Economics & Finance
Tips
Business Management
Women
IBS
50Plus Housing
Multifamily
Sales
Remodelers
codes and standards
construction safety
Design
Commercial
Education
research
Green Building
Legal
Building Products
TV
Endowment
Association News
Nature Blossoms as an Amenity in the Southeast

Builders of Madison County Report Impressive Home Sales

In a new, consumer-focused Web site, builders and brokers explain why it’s time to buy a home in Madison County, Ala.

The site is the cornerstone of a public relations collaboration between the Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association (H/MCBA) and the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors®.

Pooling their resources, the two groups have kicked off a six-month advertising and public relations campaign that also includes television, radio and print ads, as well as billboards to demonstrate why Madison County is a great place to buy right now.

Focusing on the area’s strengths, the campaign’s message is that, “Every market is different…Ours is healthy!”

The campaign was kicked off in mid-April, coinciding with the area’s Spring Tour of Homes. Visitors received a “Top Ten Reasons to Buy Now” flyer, and tent cards with the top five reasons were strategically placed throughout the houses.

At the conclusion of the open-house period, the local and state presidents from both groups held a press conference to present statistics from their market and discuss trends.

“Our local numbers are impressive, and we wanted the media to convey that to the public,” said Lynn Kilgore, executive officer of the H/MCBA. “Our houses are still selling at over 98% of the list price on average and property values have increased 7.8%.”

Madison County, which has a low unemployment rate, experienced positive growth in total home sales in the 12-month period ending in February.

The response from the press has been positive. The Huntsville Times included local statistics and a “buy now” message in its article, “Huntsville's housing market appears stable.” Local CBS-affiliate WHNT-TV featured John Allen, president of the H/MCBA, and the local market in its piece, “Huntsville Seeing Economic Rise.”

Relatively healthy local market conditions, combined with currently low mortgage interest rates and competitive pricing, make now the perfect time for people to buy their next house in the Huntsville area.

“We have already seen the message resonating in the market,” said Kilgore. “Houses are starting to move. I have spoken to home buyers who said they were going to wait to buy a house, but once they saw the numbers they knew they shouldn’t wait any longer.”

The campaign will continue into October with the Parade of Homes.

To help turn the tide in your market, go to www.nahb.org/mythbuster to access the continuously-updated resources available and to read more Myth Buster success stories about locals around the country.

For more information on the Myth Buster resources, e-mail Gwyn Donohue at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8447.

 
NBN Tools
Print This Article Subscribe to NBN
E-mail Editor Print ALL Articles Manage Your Subscription

   
 
 
   
 
Get 3D Models for your projects at the Sweets Network!
Find product catalogs from all leading manufacturers at the Sweets Network!
 
   
 
GM NAHB $500 Private Offer
Save Up to 30% on UPS Shipping
Members: Great Discounts on Dell Products