In this episode, Anya Chrisanthon speaks with Don Turner, National Sales Director for New Construction at Realtor.com. They discuss effective strategies for lead generation in the new home market, the importance of interactive content and transparency in listings, and how the homebuilding industry is adapting to changing buyer preferences and technological advancements. Don shares valuable insights on current market trends, the impact of AI and smart home technology, and the evolving relationship between homebuilders and realtors.

Join host Anya Chrisanthon for a mind-bending episode of Anewgo of New Home Sales. What begins as an exploration of AI in home building takes an unexpected turn, revealing a startling truth about the future of content creation. Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping the industry and prepare to question everything you thought you knew about technology's role in real estate.

In this episode, Anya Chrisanthon interviews Leah Fellows, founder of Blue Gypsy Inc., to discuss the findings from the 4th Annual Online Homebuyer Mystery Shop Report. Leah shares insights on the importance of having dedicated online sales counselors (OSCs), effective lead follow-up strategies, and the critical role of marketing in driving high-quality leads. The discussion also covers the decline in OSC usage among builders in 2023, the need for diverse communication channels, and the significance of adopting technology to improve the customer experience. Leah emphasizes the importance of focusing on lead quality over quantity and provides advice on how builders can adapt to the ever-changing online-first buyer.

Leah Kaiz Fellows, founder and owner of Blue Gypsy Inc. is an online sales training expert, adventurer, and home building industry professional.

After graduating with a degree in communication from Boston University, Leah chose the unconventional path of a wanderer as she gained insights into different cultures, places, and people. Her Gypsy years allowed for crazy adventures and unique jobs giving her the skills and confidence to work in any setting and relate to a multitude of personalities and professionals.

She spent 13 years traveling the world as a backpacker, sailboat captain, and dive instructor. In 2006 Leah began work in the new home sales industry managing leads, setting appointments, and assisting with new home sales for a large local builder in Virginia Beach. It was here that she developed her first online sales program with metrics reaching to 32% of the overall sales for that builder, at a time when the industry standard was 20-25%. She often joked that her non-existent Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) was put together with bubble gum and duct tape.

The Gypsy naturally thrived in this role and was intrigued with the relationship building that is necessary to be successful in online sales.  Her writing skills played a key role in her travels as she worked freelance for magazines and newspapers and these skills continue as an important part of her duties in writing custom campaigns, website copy, and relevant blogs.

Leah then went on to start Blue Gypsy Inc. in 2010 working with builders, developers, and real estate related businesses as she developed a proven Online Sales System along with her very own Online Sales Process.

Since 2014 the Blue Gypsy has focused on Online Sales Training for builders across the country to help them improve their sales and the way they handle digital leads. Writer and speaker, Leah brings real world experience, and a unique, relatable quality to all her engagements.

Giving back to the building industry is important to her. She is an active member of the Professional Women in Building Council and the Sales and Marketing Council locally and nationally. Currently a board member at the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver PWB, she also is also the past chair (2019-2021) the Mentoring committee and is the past co-chair (2021) of NAHB PWB’s Membership and Communications sub-committee and the current 2nd Vice Chair of the Professional Development sub-committee. Leah is also a on the board of Trustees for NSMC and is the past chair (2021) of the Membership and Communication sub-committee.

She writes numerous articles for Building Women Magazine, Build Maryland Magazine, Colorado Builder, and other industry blogs and publications and has spoken at the International Building Show both onstage and in PWB Headquarters, SEBC, as well as on industry webinars and podcasts around the country.

Download the 4th Annual Homebuyer Mystery Shop Report HERE

Kimberly Mackey of New Homes Solutions is on the Podcast this week to talk about current market temperature, salespeoples' state of mind and how to measure the right metrics for predictable sales. So let's get some traction with Kimberly Mackey!

For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show22

Offerpad's Homebuilder Services team works with more than 40 of the nation's top homebuilders to streamline sales processes and get prospects under contract faster by removing one of the biggest barriers to buying new — the home sale contingency.

We're chatting with Brigham Weight-National Director of Strategic Partnerships and Abbie Mirata Senior Director of Training and Operational Performance at Offerpad.

To learn more how Offerpad partners with home builders please visit: https://www.offerpad.com/hba/

Nearly 70 percent of all homebuyers are open to new construction, but only about 15 percent of them end up in a new home. As an industry we struggle to compete against used homes, because finding a new home on a desired lot with finishes of buyers choice and within their budget is one of the most difficult tasks. The process relies on buyers determination to search countless builder websites one by one which makes it difficult to compare their favorites or to save their progress. 

At Anewgo, our philosophy has always been simple. Make the customer online shopping experience as seamless as possible. Our My Home App allows buyers the ability to find, design, experience and now even buy new homes online. By combining great visualizations, seamless customer experience and insightful shopping behavior data we help our builders provide the best possible online experience for their buyers.

And now we’re on a mission to make it easier for new home buyers to find homes online. Introducing Anewgo Marketplace coming summer of 2022!

The upcoming Anewgo Marketplace Portal lets buyers shop across the entire Anewgo network of builders, communities, plans and homesites. Not only can they compare and save their favorites across this marketplace, but they can have their AI shopping assistant, continuously match and notify them of their ideal homes and communities.

 Leads follow you. Marketplace matches builder’s products to lead’s desires where they can then like, favor and share your homes and follow you.

Bringing Content to Buyer - Unlike many portals where shoppers come to only link to another website, Anewgo Marketplace brings the builder’s plans to buyers personal MyHome page to design, experience and eventually buy online.

Match and Notify - Set it and forget it! No more daily searches to see if new community, plans, or inventory homes are available. AI suggests best matches and notifies shoppers of new products and availability.

To learn more please visit https://anewgosell.com/show20

Roland Nairnsey is the Founder of New Home Sales Plus and Author of Mastery of Selling for New Homes.

Roland has been a real estate sales and thought leader for over 30 years and currently trains teams with monthly sales in the billions. Roland is know as the "Stuff Guy" for teaching "non-BS" skills that are honed from his own real world experiences, and are proven to work.

Improve your ability to communicate, connect and close more sales, while having a laugh or two along the way at The Tropical Sales Retreat this November at the Clearwater Beach. Use promo code ANEWGO at checkout to receive $100 off your ticket price. For tickets: https://www.newhomesalesplus.com/AnewgoRetreatPage

For full show notes please visit: anewgosell.com/show19

Homes for HOPE works in partnership with the building industry to accelerate the end of global poverty in all its forms.

To fight global poverty, a builder will identify a job to be a Homes for HOPE project. Trade partners, suppliers, and service providers choose to join the project by donating or discounting their time, talent, and resources, which maximizes the profit margin without compromising quality. Once the project is completed, the resulting donation is used to provide training, savings services, and loans to men and women living in poverty, gradually breaking the cycle of poverty.

To learn more about Homes for Hope please visit: https://homes4hope.org/
For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show18

As interest rates rise many home builders find that a number of their backlog customers no longer qualify for their homes. It can be a difficult conversation to have with your clients because they're already frustrated by longer build times and higher prices.

Christine Miles, a leading business consultant known as the Listening Guru and author of the bestselling book, What Is It Costing You Not To Listen shares her advice on having difficult conversations. Asking better questions and listening can help with that. Christine says that most of us listen to what we think we hear rather than what is being said.  Instead, we need to listen to understand.  
For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show17

We all know that, buying a new home is really notoriously bumpy process. It's a bumpy ride and what we really, want to do is to utilize new technology to pave the way for e-commerce because, we're the last industry to incorporate that, but it's coming. Our goal is to improve this whole customer shopping journey, we want to move the customers most effectively from discovery to sales conversion. 
For show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show16

We discuss the evolution of the Online Sales Counselor (OSC) role and career progression as well as debunk common myths about this critical position.  
For show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show15

If you'd like to learn more about BUY NOW please schedule a call with Sara Williams using this LINK

For the first time in history, a custom designed home has been sold through an online "buy now" offer. Harbor Homes partnered with Anewgo to make this possible and buyers were able to pick their lot, personalize a floor plan, select their finishes, sign paperwork and make a deposit on their own time, remotely.

On this webinar, you'll learn about Harbor Homes and their experience with implementation and roll out of the BUY NOW feature. We'll answer your questions about the process, systems in place, customer and sales experience as well as share best practices.

For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show14

Do-it-yourself (DIY) is one of the biggest consumer trends of 2022. Learn how to incorporate self-touring into your sales process and other applications in home building. 
For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show13/

In this episode of Anewgo of New Home Sales, host Anya Chrisanthon interviews Carrie Deweese, a realtor from Tulsa, Oklahoma with a passion for making a difference in the building industry. Carrie shares her journey from lobbyist to real estate, her involvement with NAHB councils like PWB and 55+ Housing, and the importance of attending NAHB's Legislative Conference to advocate for housing issues. She also discusses the current housing market in Oklahoma, challenges facing new construction, and tips for builders looking to work with outside sales agents. Carrie's enthusiasm for creating positive change shines through in this engaging conversation.

The days of one online website channel funneling to one onsite sales center channel are long gone. Shoppers now control which channels they shop and in which order. Like all eCommerce, the common thread is the internet. At home or at the sales center, the entire start-where-you-left-off (swylo) experience is done online.
For show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show12

E-commerce started more than twenty years ago, but it’s just now reaching the New Homes industry. To create a great omnichannel online shopping journey, we must build an e-commerce ecosystem. Some parts can be upgraded, but many parts have to replaced and re-built. We’ll review the two critical roadblocks: static content and channels.
For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show11

In an online world where we can instantly match and notify Buyers and Sellers of house matches, why do we still have to manually search in vain for our dream homes each day? This old way of shopping new homes is not only frustrating for shoppers, but it’s also very inefficient for builders who are manually sifting through mountains of good, bad and ugly leads everyday when AI can instantly pare down your best leads and help drive them down personal online sales funnels.
For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show10

In an online omnichannel world, is taking shoppers offline a total disconnect? See how new e-commerce channels have completely re-shaped and turned the simple triangular sales funnel upside-down. There’s a simple solution: give “to each, his own” online shopping journey.
For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show9

Data is the analytical left-brain side. It’s what Technologists do best. Are you effectively monetizing that goldmine of data? Digitally mine it with the right marketing reaction to every online action. With AI, little bits of data are refined into precious nuggets of information. Let’s dig deeper!

For show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show8

Today's show is heavy on content so we'd recommend watching this episode if possible: https://anewgosell.com/show7/

As sales move online, sales success comes from providing great customer experience. There's three major CX factors that attract and retain engaged customers. And that's enabling them to shop EASILY with SPEED in ACCURACY. Interactive visualizations check all three of these boxes . So let’s take a look at some new home application examples.

We’re entering this whole new eCommerce business model and it is changing everything that we’ve been taught as marketers. This is a little controversial, but it’s good to be aware of this other perspective. For full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show6

To watch this episode and for full show notes please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show5/

Most buyers begin their new home search online. We spend so much time looking at what our competitors are doing, and we’re not really looking at other ideas and practices outside of home building industry. Today we’re exploring what other industries are doing well-particularly online. 

To watch this episode and for full show notes please visit  https://anewgosell.com/show4/

Marketing connects Buyers and Sellers. Technology improves those connections. Learn how this powerful combination can transform boring, basic Presentation Marketing into exciting, advanced Customized, Personalized, Experiential and Predictive Marketing!

For inquiries about Anewgo Marketplace-scheduled to launch spring of 2022 please reach out to sara@anewgo.com or andrew@anewgo.com 

For show notes or to watch as a video please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show3/

Today we’re talking about formula for success in new home sales. The emergence of MarTech marketing at its basic core function is it connects buyers and sellers. Technology is not a threat. Technology improves these connections. We want to support homebuilder sales and marketing teams to succeed in this new technology world. 
 
 

In this inspiring episode, Steph Reed, owner of Partners by Design Homes, shares her journey as a successful female home builder in Iowa. She discusses her involvement with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the importance of networking and mentorship through Professional Women in Building (PWB), and her role as a state representative. Steph also highlights the challenges facing the home building industry, including workforce development and housing affordability, and encourages listeners to get involved with their local Home Builders Associations to make a difference. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the home building industry, whether you're a builder, realtor, supplier, or simply passionate about supporting the American dream of homeownership.

Steph grew up in Texas where her father was a contractor. As a teen, she worked alongside her father learning the trades of wallpaper hanging, drywall, painting and  the value of hard work.

Steph worked with another local builder for years doing all that she does today to help him build his portfolio and add to her own. In 2017, she went out on her own and launched Partners By Design Homes along with her husband Randy. Randy does many important behind the scenes things like their books, real estate and helps keep her grounded. Together they are Licensed REALTORS in the state of Iowa at The Reed Team with REMAX Concepts. Combined they have accumulated many years of awards including REMAX Hall of Fame for Steph in 2017 as well as Rookie of the year in 2010.

Steph is extremely hardworking and her passion for the home building industry knows no bounds. She is currently serving as the Iowa State Representative for the National Home Builders Association and is on the boards of the Iowa state HBA and the Des Moines HBA. She is a mentor for young women coming into the industry and when she is not with her family at an ISU event she is likely speaking to youth about their career options in the trades, attending an industry function or drinking her beloved DrPepper!

 In 2018, Steph won Builder of the Year and member of the year at the Des Moines HBA. In 2020, Steph won the National Home Builders Association Professional Women in Building Member of the Year award. 

To learn more: 

Professional Women in Building (PWB)

NAHB Leadership Academy

Spring Leadership Meetings and Legislative Conference

For show notes or to watch this video please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show2/

Today we’re talking about the last frontier- the new home sales and why it's ready for disruption. But before we get started with this topic, let's talk about unicorns. We’re calling new home sales industry the last of the unicorns because we're the last industry that has not been disrupted by technology. To give you some background, to be a unicorn you need a multi-billion-dollar market, and we qualify for that. You also want industries that are fragmented. There are no dominant players, no standard practices and you want one that's very inefficient. But technology can solve this. With millions of dollars flowing into PropTech and FinTech it's a perfect storm for disruption. 

For show notes or to watch the video please visit: https://anewgosell.com/show1/

Meet your hosts John Lee and Anya Chrisanthon of Anewgo of New Home Sales. You'll learn about John and Anya and how they got their start in homebuilding industry and what you can expect from this show. 
They'll discuss innovative sales and marketing technologies that are growing in popularity in new home sales. They highlight new systems, processes and techniques as well as share best practices, case studies, tactics and strategies so that you can successfully incorporate MarTech into your sales cycle. 
With millions of dollars flowing into PropTech space they evaluate new and current technologies with uncertain adoption and lifespans in the new construction industry. And at the same time, talk about existing technologies that may have gone past its useful life.

Don't miss this inspiring episode featuring Anya Chrisanthon and Mindy Lepp as they discuss their experiences in the NAHB Leadership Academy, the power of networking, and the importance of supporting women and young professionals in the industry through PWB and YP. Plus, discover a game-changing tip for boosting online reviews and learn about the upcoming Spring Leadership Meeting and Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Tune in now and take your career to the next level!

Mindy Lepp is the Co-Founder for LEPPDESIGN, a full-service design and marketing firm based in St. Augustine, FL, but serving clients nationwide. Mindy and her husband, Eddie, run the company together and offer remote ongoing marketing services (Social Media Management, Website Management, Print Marketing, etc) with a particular niche in the building industry. Visit www.leppdesign.com for more information. Mindy is an active member of her local HBA, PWB  Trustee and Chair for the NAHB PWB Professional Development Subcommittee. She was also listed as one of the top 10 “People to Watch” in Jacksonville by the Jacksonville Business Journal.

In this episode, we shine the spotlight on JobTread, a game-changing construction management software that earned its place as a Best of IBS Awards finalist. Join us as we sit down with Eric Fortenberry, JobTread's Founder and CEO, to explore how this innovative platform is revolutionizing the way home builders and remodelers manage their projects. Discover the software's standout features, gain invaluable advice for entrepreneurs in the construction industry, and get a sneak peek into JobTread's exciting upcoming features. Tune in to learn how JobTread is setting a new standard for construction management and how you can leverage cutting-edge technology to outpace your competition in today's rapidly evolving market.

Eric shares his inspiring journey of creating JobTread to address the common pain points and inefficiencies plaguing the construction industry. He highlights the software's standout features, including the budget builder, seamless communication tools, and real-time job costing, which empower construction professionals to streamline their processes, boost productivity, and increase profitability.

Throughout the conversation, Eric emphasizes the importance of creating a strong company culture and assembling a top-notch team, offering invaluable advice for entrepreneurs aiming to make their mark in the construction industry. He also provides an exciting sneak peek into JobTread's upcoming features, such as an on-screen takeoff solution, and discusses how the company actively incorporates customer feedback to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Whether you're a seasoned home builder, a ambitious remodeler, or simply fascinated by the latest advancements in construction technology, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how JobTread, a distinguished Best of IBS Awards finalist, is setting a new standard for construction management and learn how you can leverage cutting-edge technology to outpace your competition in today's rapidly evolving market.

Over the last two decades, New Home Marketing and Sales have well-adjusted to changing mediums from print to websites to apps. But unlike these preceding channels, AI, not just people, may be doing the shopping. If so, this completely flips the customer journey from directing new home buyers where and how to shop to Virtual Assistants bringing recommended homes to the buyers. All static and generic “dumb” content and channels must become “smart” and data-driven. We’ll draw the road map for Marketing and Sales success in this new AI-driven world.

To learn about Anewgo Interactive Websites please visit https://anewgo.com/websites\

In the second part of our captivating discussion with Bobby Juncosa, Co-Founder and CTO of Edgewise, we dive into the transformative impact of AI on the real estate industry. From data analysis and generative design to virtual assistants and AI-driven home shopping experiences, Bobby shares his insights on how AI is revolutionizing the way we buy, sell, and build homes. We explore the importance of data collection and digitization for home builders, the potential for AI to augment or replace certain roles, and the groundbreaking advancements in 3D printing and AI-generated architectural design. Join us as we navigate the exciting future of real estate technology and discover the opportunities that lie ahead.

Get ready to dive into the world of real estate technology with Bobby Juncosa, co-founder and CTO of Edgewise! In this exciting episode of Anewgo of New Home Sales, hosts Anya Chrisanthon and John Lee explore the cutting-edge solutions that are revolutionizing the home buying experience. From personalized online platforms to seamless collaboration between buyers, sellers, and agents, Bobby shares his vision for a more efficient and data-driven future. He also weighs in on the recent NAR settlement and its potential impact on the industry. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how Edgewise is paving the way for a new era of home buying!

In this episode of Anewgo of New Home Sales, Anya Chrisanthon sits down with Rob Krohn, VP of Marketing at Epcon Communities and Epcon Franchising. Rob shares his insights on the evolving 55+ home buyer demographic and how builders can effectively engage and keep these prospects happy throughout their journey.

Key takeaways include:

• Understanding the differences between early wave boomers, late wave boomers, and early wave Gen Xers in terms of financial wherewithal and preferences
• Adapting amenities and communal spaces to cater to the more individualistic Gen X buyers
• Providing tools and resources that allow prospects to self-direct their journey and build trust before engaging with sales
• Leveraging a full marketing mix, including targeted direct mail and social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok
• Educating cash buyers on the minimal impact of high interest rates on their purchase decision and focusing on quality of life improvements
• Hiring professionals with proven results in marketing and lead generation, preferably with a focus on the home building industry

Rob also touches on the potential for technology companies to disrupt the home building industry by becoming builders themselves. Tune in for valuable insights on engaging the evolving 55+ home buyer demographic.

In this episode of Anewgo of New Home Sales, host Anya Chrisanthon sits down with her mentor and friend, Kimberly Mackey from New Homes Solutions. Kimberly shares her journey into the homebuilding industry and how she helps builders create effective sales processes and systems. The two discuss the importance of defining roles within a company, setting up visual pipelines, and using technology to automate and streamline operations. Kimberly emphasizes the need for accountability, realistic goal-setting, and having grace with oneself and one's team. She also touches on the recent NAR settlement and its potential impact on the industry. Builders looking to improve their sales processes and systems will find valuable insights in this engaging conversation between two industry experts.

Kimberly Mackey knows what it takes to maximize your sales team. As the founder of New Homes Solutions and the co-host of The Sales & Marketing Power Hour, Kimberly brings over two decades of experience as a senior-level executive in the residential home building and real estate industry. She has earned a reputation as the “expert with real-world SOLUTIONS” in a competitive and rapidly changing sales environment.

Kimberly is an accomplished and sought after national speaker and published author of many Sales and Leadership articles. Her expertise is in creating Sales Management and Training Solutions for home builders across the country. Kimberly’s experience includes working with Builders and Developers of all sizes – from the local/regional companies to the publicly traded national companies. Her broad experience and expertise in many disciplines within the building industry bring a unique perspective on how all parts should work together to create the whole.

She also works with REALTORS® and Brokers from across the country and is the architect and director of the highly successful Preferred Builder Partnership program with Berkshire Hathaway Florida Properties.

Mackey is the 2021 Chair of the Board of Trustees for the National Sales and Marketing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). She also serves on the NAHB Associates’ Committee as the 2nd Vice-chair. Mackey is an Associate Director for the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA), representing her local chapter of the Tampa Bay Builders Association. She is a past Chair and Life Director of the FHBA’s Sales and Marketing Council and TBBA’s Sales and Marketing Council. Kimberly was the 2020 recipient of the John P. Hall Award for lifetime achievement in sales and marketing. She was the 2017 Associate of the Year for the Florida Home Builders Association and is a multi-time winner of the SMC Member of the Year award. She is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and Professional Women in Building.  Kimberly can be reached at kmackey@NewHomesSolutions.com

In this episode of Anewgo of New Home Sales, host Anya Chrisanthon speaks with Derek Schairer and Luke Groesbeck, co-founders of Foundation. They discuss how Foundation's buyer experience platform is improving communication and engagement in the homebuilding industry, from the initial sale through post-close ownership. Learn about new digital tools for homebuilders, the importance of seamless customer experience, and how technology can benefit both builders and buyers in today's market.

Derek Schairer brings over 15 years of expertise in the homebuilding industry, combining strategic leadership with forward-thinking vision. He began his career in sales and marketing at Lennar before transitioning into the PropTech space. At Opendoor, Derek built and scaled the company's multi-billion dollar homebuilder partnerships business, expanding its reach to hundreds of builders across 50+ markets. Driven by a passion for innovation, Derek founded Foundation to create modern software solutions that help builders sell more homes, more efficiently, to happier customers.

Luke Groesbeck has spent his career starting & growing venture-backed startups. He's helped scale products to tens of millions of users and billions of dollars in revenue as a founder, PM, and product executive at companies like Foundation, Opendoor, True Link, and Eventbrite.

In this episode of Anewgo of New Home Sales, host Anya Chrisanthon welcomes Ilan Buckman, founder of RTB ai, for an insightful discussion on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the home building industry. Ilan shares his expertise on how AI can streamline processes, enhance visualization, and improve customer service, citing real-world examples of businesses that have successfully implemented AI solutions. He emphasizes the importance of making AI accessible and user-friendly for construction professionals and offers his predictions on the future of AI in home building. Whether you're an AI skeptic or enthusiast, this episode provides valuable insights into the practical applications of AI and how it can drive efficiency, productivity, and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of home building.

Join Anya Chrisanthon as she sits down with Shari Morton and Ingrid Prince from Shared Drive to recap their experiences at IBS 2024 in Las Vegas. They discuss the emerging role of AI in homebuilding, new ideas and innovations in online sales, and key takeaways from educational sessions. Shari and Ingrid also share highlights from the show floor, Sales Central, and their own Whiskey Business networking event. Get an inside look at the biggest homebuilding conference of the year and learn how to apply the latest industry insights to elevate your sales and marketing.

International Builder Show Highlights, Mentions and Takeaways: 

NAHB YP Committee

Shoutout to Jim Tobin for always making time for the YP's 

Thank you to all who attended Builder Connections Happy Hour co-sponsored by Anewgo.

Gold Key and Capitol Club Parties

Anya Chrisanthon shared the stage with Kimberly Mackey of New Homes Solutions and Keith McKinney of New Home Star to present: "You Bought the Tech, Now How Do You Get Your Sales Teams to Use It?"

The Nationals: congratulations to all of the Silver and Gold winners and special shoutout to Lisa Parrish and team PMP for putting on another fabulous show!

Shoutout to Jen Barkan for paving the way for the rest of OSC's

Anewgo CEO John Lee shared the stage with Kimberly Mackey of New Homes Solutions, Carol Morgan of Denim Marketing, Will Zhang of Open House and Bassam Salem of AtlasRTX to present: "Jam(b) Session: How A.I. is Revolutionizing New Home Sales & Marketing"

Sara Williams presented  "Flywheels & Funnels: Top Data & Business Intelligence Tools to Engage Buyers Start to Finish" with Melissa Cervin of Lombardo Homes and Brandon Barelman of Builder Designs

About Shared Drive: 

Being seasoned online sales professionals, Shari and Ingrid had first-hand experience on what it is like to have a successful online sales program and the challenges that also come with it. Being pioneers of their craft, Ingrid and Shari were passionate about helping others and getting results.

With their desire for continued improvement and making an impact in the online sales profession, they founded Shared Drive.

Shared Drive was founded based on providing turn-key online sales solutions and a seamless customer experience for home builders across the country while also cultivating a working culture with continuous training, support, work/life balance, excellence, and growth.

Host Anya Chrisanthon interviews Tag Gilkeson, an IBS veteran who shares his top tips for making the most out of your experience at the International Builders' Show 2024 in Las Vegas. They discuss how to plan your schedule, which events not to miss, navigating the massive show floor, wearing comfortable shoes, networking opportunities, and more advice for first-time and returning attendees. Anya and Tag also talk about the issues they are working on through their involvement with NAHB leadership.

Tag originally got started in the real estate and construction industry in 1999 after he obtained his Texas REALTOR license. At the time his primary business focus was in investment real estate. After watching other investors become successful, it was an easy transition into buying real estate and flipping houses on his own. His portfolio Include several fix & flips and rental properties along the way. This led to starting a General Contracting company and building spec homes for investors and homeowners to purchase or lease.

In 2009, Tag turned his attention to gaining more knowledge in his field. He obtained an
Associate’s degree in Architecture and a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. He was ranked in the top three of his class at graduation while also obtaining a personal recommendation from the program chair.
Having gained knowledge and experience in his field he decided that it was best to give back to the industry. He did this several ways, but initially he served as a board member for the North Dallas Collin County Division Board (NDCC) for the Dallas Builders Association (DBA). He served for 2 years on the board from 2014 to 2016. Being involved in a membership organization like the DBA allowed him the benefits of taking advantage of their education opportunities. As he attended more classes, there
was a window of opportunity to gain professional designations within the industry.

At this time, he has eleven (12) designations recognized by the NAHB, and two (2) designations that are local to the DBA. These include Certified Graduate Builder (CGB), Graduate Master Builder (GMB), Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Graduate Master Remodeler (GMR), Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Green Professional (CGP), Master Certified Green Professional (MCGP), Certified Graduate Associate (CGA), Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP), Master Certified New Home Sales Professional (MCSP), Certified New Home Marketing Professional (CMP),
Master in Residential Marketing (MIRM), Green Sales Professional (GSP), Tag utilizes these designations on his website, business cards, and on LinkedIn to set himself apart from the competition.

Tag currently owns a Design/Build firm called Tag & Associates, LLC where he works with homeowners, remodelers, and builders drawing full construction plans in 3D. With the industry growing toward new technology, Virtual Reality was an extremely easy add on to services to offer to the more distinguished clientele. What VR has done is begun to eliminate the need for field changes and allows for a design that everyone is happy with but has also maintained budget constraints and maximized livability.

Michelle Chesnut, Director of Builder Services at Nice (formerly Nortek), joins us to discuss smart home technology and how builders can utilize it to meet buyer demands. We cover the most popular smart home features buyers are looking for, best practices for implementing tech in new construction homes, advice on budgeting and pricing for upgrades, how to showcase smart home tech in models and design centers, and more. Whether you're a production builder or custom home builder, this episode provides valuable insights and ideas for successfully incorporating smart technology into your homes.

Nice North America is the American and Canadian-managed division of Nice S.p.A., an Italian multinational company that designs, manufactures, and markets smart home security and automation products in over 100 countries throughout the world.

As befits their Italian heritage,they are passionate about design and seek to provide products that are not just technologically advanced, but also aesthetically pleasing and extremely simple to use. It’s all about improving the quality of life by simplifying everyday tasks and movements. And at Nice North America, they bring it all to you with the can-do attitude of their sales, management, and assembly teams.

Nice offers a full line of access, automation, control, and security solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

To learn more please reach out to Michelle Chesnut-Director of Builder Services: michelle.chesnut@niceforyou.com

With virtually identical floor plans and finishes, how can one home builder attract more buyers than another? It often comes down to memorable experiences that make home shoppers feel excited, assured, and loyal. Gary Stein, Chief Marketing Officer of Virtuo, shares innovative strategies top builders employ – from memorable marketing moments to mapped buyer journeys - to guide customers smoothly and create “stressless” experiences. Discover how transforming key moments for buyers ultimately leads to happier homeowners, increased referrals, and lasting competitive advantage. Gary explains how to identify emotions at each touchpoint and craft experiences for stand out moments that spark brand preference and loyalty.

Anewgo is developing revolutionary new homebuilder websites that are smart, interactive, and personalized. Our CEO John Lee reveals how Anewgo is future-proofing websites for the AI era. We dive into key features like seamless omnichannel experiences, private buyer portals, and data insights that will transform customer journeys. Sara Williams tackles common questions on integrating Anewgo's websites with existing tools. Together, we explore how Anewgo is leveraging our role as the top visualization content creator to build the next generation of fully integrated websites. We recap the game-changing benefits of consolidated data, highly engaging buyer experiences, and getting in early on the future of websites. If you're a homebuilder looking to take your online presence to the next level, this episode is a must-listen primer on how Anewgo is evolving websites. Tune in now to hear our groundbreaking visions for the future of homebuilding online!

Today's empowered homebuyers demand exceptional online experiences as well as human connection. How can builders and agents effectively engage modern shoppers across digital and in-person touchpoints?

Join online sales expert Leah Kaiz Fellows for an engaging webinar on customer-first sales strategies. You'll get insider tips for nurturing leads, preparing for advanced conversations in a data-rich world, and reacting intelligently to market shifts.

Leah will also explore best practices around pricing transparency, streamlining processes for onsite agents, and fostering sales and marketing collaboration to boost growth.

Whether you need help sharpening online skills, improving lead follow-up, or taking customer engagement to the next level, this webinar provides tactical takeaways you can put into action right away.

Meet the Blue Gypsy

Leah Kaiz Fellows, founder and owner of Blue Gypsy Inc. is an online sales training expert, adventurer, and home building industry professional.

After graduating with a degree in communication from Boston University, Leah chose the unconventional path of a wanderer as she gained insights into different cultures, places, and people. Her Gypsy years allowed for crazy adventures and unique jobs giving her the skills and confidence to work in any setting and relate to a multitude of personalities and professionals.

She spent 13 years traveling the world as a backpacker, sailboat captain, and dive instructor. In 2006 Leah began work in the new home sales industry managing leads, setting appointments, and assisting with new home sales for a large local builder in Virginia Beach. It was here that she developed her first online sales program with metrics reaching to 32% of the overall sales for that builder, at a time when the industry standard was 20-25%. She often joked that her non-existent Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) was put together with bubble gum and duct tape.

The Gypsy naturally thrived in this role and was intrigued with the relationship building that is necessary to be successful in online sales.  Her writing skills played a key role in her travels as she worked freelance for magazines and newspapers and these skills continue as an important part of her duties in writing custom campaigns, website copy, and relevant blogs.

Realizing that falling for a military man meant her wayward gypsy wanderings would continue, only now dictated by the whims of the Army, Leah then went on to start Blue Gypsy Inc. in 2010 working with builders, developers, and real estate related businesses as she developed a proven Online Sales System along with her very own Online Sales Process.

Since 2014 the Blue Gypsy has focused on Online Sales Training for builders across the country to help them improve their sales and the way they handle digital leads. Writer and speaker, Leah brings real world experience, and a unique, relatable quality to all her engagements.

Giving back to the building industry is important to her. She is an active member of the Professional Women in Building Council and the Sales and Marketing Council locally and nationally. Currently a board member at the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver PWB, she also is also the past chair (2019-2021) the Mentoring committee and is the past co-chair (2021) of NAHB PWB’s Membership and Communications sub-committee and the current 2nd Vice Chair of the Professional Development sub-committee. Leah is also a on the board of Trustees for NSMC and is the past chair (2021) of the Membership and Communication sub-committee.

She writes numerous articles for Building Women Magazine, Build Maryland Magazine, Colorado Builder, and other industry blogs and publications and has spoken at the International Building Show both onstage and in PWB Headquarters, SEBC, as well as on industry webinars and podcasts around the country.

We're joined by Sean Roberts, CEO, and Jessica Brown, Head of Marketing from Villa Homes, California's leading ADU builder. They discuss the major housing supply issues today and how their prefab ADU model provides an innovative solution through faster, high-quality, and affordable housing. We explore common misconceptions about prefab homes, their typical buyer profiles, how they simplify and enhance the customer experience, their growth plans, and more. Sean and Jessica also share insights on overcoming local regulations, why pricing transparency matters, and how they're working to educate consumers that prefab ADUs are the real estate of the future.

Sean Roberts is CEO of Villa, the largest builder of prefab ADUs in California. Prior to Villa, he served as both COO and CFO at Orchard, a proptech company with vertically-integrated real estate brokerage, title/escrow, and mortgage offerings and innovative capital-enabled consumer offerings. Before Orchard, Sean was an investor at TPG, a leading global private equity firm, where he focused primarily on investments in operationally-intensive real estate oriented businesses. He began his career as an investment banker in the Financial Institutions Group at Goldman Sachs. He has served on corporate boards in the past. Sean holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University in Canada.

Jessica Brown is the Director Marketing at Villa. She has pursued a career in Marketing for the past ten years working with small businesses, agencies, startups and corporations. She also has a background in Real Estate, holding her license in Colorado. She moved to San Diego in 2021 where she worked with one of the largest Real Estate firms in the nation. She came to Villa in 2022 with a passion for community and found Villa’s mission to solve the housing crisis and bring families together to be the perfect fit. On the weekends you can find her at the ocean or hiking in the mountains!

Self-guided home tours are exploding in popularity among today's homebuyers. We explore how to capitalize on this trend with Barrett Davis, CEO of the self-tour platform NterNow. Learn how to promote tour-enabled model homes, create an immersive on-site experience, and motivate buyers to take action after touring. We also discuss best practices for implementation across sales, marketing, and construction. If you’re looking to generate more leads, better accommodate buyers’ schedules, and close more deals, this episode is a must-listen!

To learn more about NterNow: 

Barrett@NterNow.com

Connect with Barrett on LinkedIn

To learn more about Anewgo products please visit: 

Anewgo Interactive Tools

Anewgo BuyNow/ReserveNow

Schedule a call with our Director of Sales-Sara Williams to learn more.

Barrett’s passion for technology and entrepreneurship was sparked early on when he took NterNow to the finals of the UGA’s Next Top Entrepreneur competition. Graduating with a BS in Business-MIS, Barrett has never stopped learning, focusing on the latest tech developments and the ever-evolving business world of access and ID verification.

A prodigious talent for coding and team leadership, Barrett has never lost a hackathon he’s entered, winning the prestigious ATDC FinTech Hack sponsored by WorldPay in 2017.

As CTO, Barrett leads the search for the right hardware, dev talent and investors for NterNow. Moving from the State Farm corporate world to a startup, Ware2Go (owned by UPS) in 2019, Barrett will continue to soak up tech dev skills and apply it to his inch-to-thousand-foot vision for NterNow.

Elevate your sales game with Roland Nairnsey, Founder of New Home Sales Plus, and Anya Chrisanthon, Chief Communications Officer at Anewgo, in a webinar that explores the game-changing strategy of narrowing down to one-of-a-kind to supercharge your sales now. In the current challenging market, buyers often find reasons to delay decisions, throwing sales professionals off course. This webinar equips you with the tools to navigate these challenges and complete the sales process with finesse, turning potential delays into immediate success.

To get access to Roland's mortgage calculator please email: roland@newhomesalesplus.com subject line: FREE APP.

To learn more about Anewgo products please visit: 

Anewgo Interactive Tools

Anewgo Virtual Tours

Schedule a call with our Director of Sales-Sara Williams to learn more. 

In this special episode, Anya Chrisanthon sits down with Anewgo CEO John Lee and OpenHouse AI CEO Will Zhang to explore the human side of AI in the home building industry. These innovative leaders discuss their journeys into tech and home building, share insights on AI's current and future impact, and offer valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Gain a unique perspective on how AI is transforming the housing market and the visionaries driving this change.

Discover how Utility Connect partners with home builders to offer a complimentary concierge service assisting buyers with essential home setup needs like electricity, internet, and moving logistics. Learn how this value-add provides revenue opportunities for builders while saving buyers time, money, and hassle.  To learn more please visit: https://www.utilityconnect.net/anewgo/partner

In this latest episode, host Anya Chrisanthon and co-host John Lee, CEO of Anewgo, discuss the remarkable developments in AI and their implications for the new home sales industry. The conversation touches on the rapid growth of AI, changes in AI business models, the impact of AI on online home buying, and how AI can transform content marketing. They explore the potential of AI to revolutionize shopping experiences, making them more consumer-centric and providing personalized recommendations by analyzing consumer data. The co-hosts also discuss the future of home designs with AI and share insights on preparing AI-ready content. Towards the end, they reveal Anewgo's plans to provide AI training classes for their clients starting this spring.

To watch this episode: https://anewgosell.com/show91

Join Stephen Chan, President of Anewgo, for an exciting webinar exploring how to drive new home sales through virtual tours and neighborhood flyover videos. With nearly 20 years of experience spearheading visual marketing innovation, Stephen will share the latest tips and trends on utilizing immersive 3D and 360° videos to attract and engage today's homebuyers. Discover how to vividly showcase your communities and model homes online and create an incredible first impression. Whether you are new to digital tours or want to refresh your approach, this webinar will inspire you with winning visual strategies to boost leads and sales. Reserve your spot today to gain actionable tactics from a visualization visionary!

For nearly 20 years, Stephen Chan has been a leader in the new home digital virtualization space. Having helped found Rendering House, he has built and led teams in creating marketing visualization, including photoreal and digital watercolor renderings, animation and videos, virtual tours, interactive software, and augmented and virtual reality for hundreds of builders and architects. Despite constantly taking advantage of technological improvements, Stephen believes that the secret to sustainable success lies in building teamwork and developing leadership, and treating customers with integrity by not over-promising/under-delivering. With his MBA and MA in Counseling Psychology, Stephen is a mentor in the Launch Holly Springs, an organization that develops underserved and minority entrepreneurs and small businesses in his hometown. When he is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and five daughters, reliving his youth through the guitar, taking his frustration out through tennis, and chasing moments with his photography.

To learn more about Anewgo services please check out: 

Renderings

Videos

Virtual Tours

Or reach out to Stephen: stephen@anewgo.com 

This episode discusses the highlights and key takeaways from the Housing Transformation/Tech Home Builder Summit 2023, an industry event hosted by AE Ventures focused on technology and innovation in home building. Hosts Anya Chrisanthon and Andrew Poon summarize their experiences from the event, including noteworthy presentations and discussions around AI and interactive content in new home sales. They share insights from Tim Costello's keynote on strategies to differentiate home builders in an increasingly competitive market. Additional topics covered are trends in home buyer demographics and preferences as well as predictions for how AI could transform digital marketing and the home shopping experience.