Jeff's Blog

We know coolness when we see it : Introducing the new iPhone version of JeffClickHomes.com

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:14:04 -0500

There was a time when being an Apple user meant also being an outcast...someone looked down upon by those who were among the PC-using masses.

"Oh, sure, they're good for graphics," they'd say, looking down their noses, often through black, thick-rimmed glasses as they snorted and nearly hyperventilated with that trademark laugh of the early geek-era.

I'm a proud survivor of that geek-bullying, and I'm proud to say I've been an Apple fan boy before it was cool to be one, and I have proof. I started my software company from my dorm room my freshman year at OBU, and I committed to develop exclusively for what was known back then as "Macintosh" computers. My minor was in Computer Scicence, and I was the only Mac-using student in the department. While I don't think I got any wedgies because if it, I took my share of abuse. But no one had as much RAM as I did in that Power Mac 6100. Nope, I had upped that bad-boy from its standard 8MB to 80MB, and no one could touch it because that was back in the day when you actually had to worry about how much RAM a computer came with, and it cost a small fortune. I had a secret source where I landed those sacred chips for a heck of a deal. All for the graphics.

It wasn't until years later when the iPod hit that people started recognizing that maybe there was something of substance behind the passion so many die-hard Mac fans possessed for their computers. Often compared to the love Harley riders have for their bikes, Mac users would dang near die before being forced to use Windows. Tens of millions of iPods were sold, most of which were to non-Mac users. Once everyone with access to clean drinking water had their first iPod, Apple did it again, and introduced the iPhone.

Now look at all the Apple fan boys and girls.

I don't want to waste time waxing about all the I-told-you-sos to my old friends and past classmates, as my faith requires of me my best effort at grace and forgiveness. So rather than rubbing it in, I'd just like to say to everyone who recently acquired their first Apple product, the iPhone:

"Welcome to coolness."

I'd also like to announce a special treat just for you iPhone users. Consider it my welcoming gift to you for having joined the coolness club...the new iPhone version of JeffClickHomes.com, among the first of any builder web sites developed specifically for the iPhone.

From the site, you can access a list of Jeff Click Homes' available homes on your iPhone, as well as all "coming soon" homes just getting started, and complete information on each of floorplans and communities. Additionally, you can click the map-button from any page to launch a Google-map to that community right there on the iPhone. Need to call or email a question? Buttons for that, too.

So grab your iPhone and check it out. No need to key-in any special address from your iPhone...just go to www.JeffClickHomes.com and we'll handle the rest. Our site knows coolness when it sees it.

A Geek's Christmas In July : A few tech goodies arrive early for the Jeff Click Homes Parade Home

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:27:51 -0500

If we're all honest with ourselves, there has been at least one occasion in our lives when something special was to be arriving in the mail. It usually takes place some time during childhood, and for me, it was a new skateboard I'd earned by winning a Christmas card selling contest in grade school. But even as adults, with the changes in how we make purchases online, some of us still caught up in the excitement of looking out the window every three minutes to see if the UPS guy has arrived.

I recently succumbed to the temptation of waiting with anticipation for Mr. UPS Guy. While I didn't scream like a school girl, I did probably rival the giddiness of a certain beloved man I won't mention when my latest gadget arrived: the OmniPro II integrated home control system that Home Automation Inc. has donated for Jeff Click Homes' 2008 Parade Of Homes entry.

We're just weeks away from completion, and while the infrastructure for all of the technological amenities was built and pre-wired in it months ago, the fun is about to begin, as we install everything from this system, to the several zones of audio, five plasma TVs, and numerous other geek surprises.

For you fellow geeks out there, we took a few snapshots of the un-boxing of God's gift to home technology. I give you the OmniPro II...

The OmniPro II by Home Automation Inc., an advanced integrated home control system, arrives for the Jeff Click Homes entry in the 2008 Parade Of Homes.

The main components of the system, including the primary board, a zone expander, thermostat, outdoor temperature and humidity sensor, and other components.

The current OmniPro II System, installed at the Jeff Click Homes Furnished Model Home in Silverhawk.

The "brain" of the home, an HAI OmniPro II System, complete with HAI's HiFi Zoned Audio System, irrigation control, video surveilance, and more.

Show A Friend : Invite your friend to check out your future home without having to get out of her chair.

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:52:17 -0500

One of my favorite quotes in sales & marketing doesn't come from Zig Ziglar or Seth Godin.

Nope. And in keeping with my recent theme of rock-star references, my favorite gem of sales genious comes from the silver-tongued former, former again, and now current lead singer of one of my top-5 fav bands, Van Halen.

"If ya love what I do, tell a friend. If you don't, tell an enemy..." --David Lee Roth*

'Just about covers all the bases, doesn't it?

Now we've made it easier than ever to tell a friend (or enemy) about the home you just discovered by Jeff Click Homes. However, you won't have to wear spandex and do the splits mid-air to do it.

If you're like me or my wife, Deziray, and spend significant time on the computer, it's not uncommon to come across a great article or product on that you want to share. On an almost daily-basis, I'll see something that Deziray might like, and instantly look for a "Share This..." link on the page I'm on. Many of the best sites have it, but for those that don't, it's kind of a hassle to copy the link into a new email, then key in an explanation of why I'm sending it.

So now at JeffClickHomes.com, if you're browsing our list of available homes and find one you want to share with someone, simply look for this button:

When you click it, you'll see this:

The new "Show A Friend" form, which lets you easily share a link
to the page of the home you're considering buying. Simply fill your info,
your chosen recipient's info, and a custom message, and you're
good to go!

Your recipient will momentarily receive this:

This is the email your friend receives, which links
directly to the page for the home you were looking at.

So, while you're here, you "might as well Jump!" on over to the homes section, browse around, and invite a friend to join you.

"The David Lee Roth Interview: Eruption" By: Frank Meyer, POPsmear Magazine

Paris Hilton Loves Jeff Click Homes : A builder's journey into scandalous rumor, paparazzi victimhood, and reckless rock-stardom...not.

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:02:45 -0500

It began with something innocent. They say the most scandalous encounters always do.

I was spending my Saturday doing one of the things I love doing when the phone rang. I couldn't answer because I was in the middle of a showing with some guests at the furnished model in Silverhawk. After a good conversation and some time answering questions, they left to go look at a few of the other available homes. I checked caller ID, as a Saturday call at the office usually is someone calling to see if we're open.

Hmm, no voicemail. The name on the Caller ID log was peculiar, but in came another visitor.

I hadn't thought back to that moment until about an hour later when I was sketching and the phone rang again. The name on Caller ID that was once peculiar was now twice familiar.

"H-I-L-T-O-N."

"Must be an out-of-towner spending the weekend in an Oklahoma City hotel while shopping for a new home," I thought as I clicked the "Talk" button, quickly speaking into the phone in my best radio voice, "Jeff Click Homes, this is Jeff." The response was a "click" of another kind.

I'd been hung up on.

"Probably just confirming we're open," I thought to myself, and went back to pencilling on another sketch for the new Parade Home for this year.

Moments later, it rang again. Click. Later, again. Click. I received numerous repeat phone calls that day from the same "Hilton", all of which would end abruptly in the same fashion.

I couldn't help but laugh as I queried in my mind, "What kind of loser prank calls a model home, let alone mid-day on a Saturday? Maybe someone really wants to see if I'm here. Who's stalking Jeff Click Homes? Who's stalking me?" I hadn't been the recipient of this kind of prank-calling action since Jr. High!

Little did I know the depths to which this potentially ruinous encounter would take me. As though it was burned into my head from repeated exposure, the mental image of that one word on Caller ID plagued my mind's eye; the orange back-lit screen and charcoal gray liquid crystal display text spelling out the word "Hilton."

Then it hit me. It has to be Paris Hilton calling.

My imagination immediately began to explore the possibilities. "Why is Paris Hilton calling me? Is she looking for design tips for a remodel of one of her Caribbean hide-aways? Perhaps a new hip contractor for a secret new hotel she's opening somewhere here in the city?"

I continued, as though the pubescent catalysts of both paranoia and fantasy from boyhood began a long-overdue awakening of sorts, "Is she looking for a pimp new crib in the Oklahoma City Metro to add to her repertoire of vacation spots? Is she headed this way to check out my work? I have a no-dogs-allowed policy in my homes...is she bringing that multi-millionaire 2lb. dog she always seems to be carrying around? Would I have the lower fortitude to tell her that the mutt isn't allowed it in the house?"

Carried away, I then dared to think, "Is she looking to make a new tape?! What? Did I just think that? Think of your wife, think of your daughter...think of your wife, think of your daughter..." (Fortunately, that quickly did the trick, but I had resolved to follow up with "Think of anti-bacterial soap...think of anti-biotics!" just in case.)

That thought sequence abruptly ended the freakish fantasizing, and as the day wound down, so did the frequency of calls. Other visitors and closing time came and went, and much to my disapp...er, relief...no Paris. I had avoided a potential scandalous brush with builder stardom, and all the paparazzi, and drama, and rumors that go with a life style of rock-stardom.

So I thought.

Fast-forward to Monday, as I sat in the office doing what I do. Ring-ring! Ring-Ring! Then I heard the hand-held base for the phone from across the office, in its female, digitized voice, speak words that led to flashbacks of exciting fear, "Call from...Hilton."

I trembled in anticipation as I picked up the handheld on my desk and glanced at the Caller ID screen. Confirmed...orange, charcoal gray LCD...and just like I so well remembered from days ago, the 6 letters that haunted my previous weekend.

She was relentless.

I gulped, inhaled, and pressed the talk button. "Jeff. Click. Homes. This. Is. Jeff." I uttered.

Click.

What ever thoughts of fame, fortune, rumor, and scandal had existed before now boiled into sheer fear and rage. I instantly flashed to the MacBook Pro, where I feverishly keyed-in the number displayed on the Caller ID under her name: 407-722-3532. It was time for a Google reverse-lookup.

As the results page loaded, what I saw was as shocking as it was a relief. Apparently "Paris" has a thing for calling people repeatedly from this number, and, like me, many aren't happy about it.

As I scanned the pages of search results, reading the accounts of countless others with the same general experience from the same number, my mind began to return to normal function. Perhaps it was because my head was shrinking back down into humility, and thoughts of 24-7 flash-bulbs and infra-red video had subsided. I resigned to the fact that Paris Hilton did not, in fact, love Jeff Click Homes.

In my moment of relieved clarity, it all became obvious to me. I have more than enough reason to limit my Saturdays to just one model.

A Builder, Walking a mile in a client's shoes : Gearing up for the 2008 Parade Of Homes poses its challenges

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sun, 25 May 2008 18:02:48 -0500

The past 2 weeks have been an intense on-again, off-again struggle through dozens of conceptual sketches, job site walk-throughs, thinking, and re-thinking lighting design, flooring selections, you name it.

Everything that each one of my clients goes through in one form or another, and it's been good to experience it first-hand again myself as I finalize all of the numerous details for this year's Jeff Click Homes entry into the 2008 Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association Parade Of Homes, which kicks off September 13th and runs through the 21st. This year's parade entry will unveil the first rendition of what is quickly becoming my favorite plan: The Numbers Plan.

It's not that this is a draining struggle, but rather a good exercise and challenge to push the envelope of what I do otherwise every day. I try to make each Jeff Click Home something daringly different from the last, but the Parade Home is always something extra special, as thousands of people attend each year to see it, and I don't want to let "the fans" down!

Over the coming weeks, I'll share just a few of the details of what we have in store for you this year. In the meantime, here are a few previews...

A shot of the front elevation of the now fully-framed Parade Home, based on The Numbers Plan. The green wood is a new kind of weather-resistant sheathing we're trying out.

A conceptual sketch of the main wall of the great room, with stone columns and back-lit glass panels above, centered fireplace with plasma television, and side niches with lower euro-style cabinets.

A modern, yet cozy breakfast nook with built-in bench seat in between stone columns.

ModernLandRun.com : Oklahoma City's New Blog For Real Estate Professionals

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:59:00 -0500

I'd like to invite all ActiveRain members with an interest in the Oklahoma City Metro Real Estate market to check out my new blog with daily commentary and links to relevant stories and data regarding our market.

ModernLandRun is bent towards an optimistic view of market conditions and opportunities OKC, and includes commentary, analysis, and relevant links of interest to real estate professionals. It also includes a number of tailored RSS feeds, including a "Good News" feed, making it both flexible and easy to track on a daily basis.

From the "About" page...

"ModernLandRun is the result of a combination of three things: my love for Oklahoma City, a passion for real estate, and an optimistic outlook on where we stand as an industry and a community, and how the two are shaping the horizon of the Oklahoma City Metro.

As a home builder with a business and marketing mind-set, I place a great deal of importance on knowing issues and news affecting my industry. With a formal background in mass media, and an incessant need to always be "in the know" on topics that interest me, ModernLandRun is an exercise to maintain and sharpen the discipline of what hopefully is a sound analysis of the landscape of our market."

I invite you to make ModernLandRun.com a daily stop on your morning news binge!

It's Time For Some Remedy : The Oklahoma City housing market has a fever, but there is a cure.

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:51:27 -0500

I think the Oklahoma City housing market has a fever. Unfortunately, the cure ain't "more cowbell." However, a good ol' fashioned spoonful of truth would do the trick.

I'm one of those builders who likes to spend quite a bit of time in his furnished model home. So much, in fact, I office there on weekdays, and then give my sales staff one weekend off a month so I can cover the model for the weekend. I like keeping track of the vital signs of our market, and the best way to do that is to talk face to face with those out shopping for new homes.

Five...maybe even as recent as three years ago...I'd say the ratio of what we call "tire kickers" vs. true buyers in the market was maybe fifty-fifty on any given Saturday. Now, I'd say I have the "best" traffic I've seen in my decade as a builder. I say "best" because the ratio has changed dramatically to a majority of true buyers out looking. That proves to me there is definite demand alive and kicking in the market for new homes. That's the good side of it.

Where it gets challenging is that more recently in my conversations with these prospective buyers, I often hear comments like:

"We're definitely in the market to buy. We're just not sure it's a good time right now."

"I have a great job, I have good credit, and can afford a payment. I'm just hearing it's tough to get a loan right now."

"We're ready to make the move, but we have a house to sell first, and we hear it's tough to sell right now and not lose money."

I'm reminded of the old notion that if you hear something enough, it will become true, even if it's really false. I'm certain that's what's happening here. We're on the verge of experiencing a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You see, we're in an age of new media. No longer is the local tv news or the community paper our only source of information. No longer is news delivered...or perhaps it's more that it's no longer consumed...in full stories. It's headlines and first-paragraphs. Consumers don't have the time or attention span to dig deep into the facts and think critically about what they're consuming. It's understandable. Heck, I'm even that way. Where that becomes dangerous is when it begins to shape our outlook on something, thus creating an alternative reality by which we form our opinions, build our world-view, and make life-affecting decisions upon. But hey, I'm just a builder, not a philosopher.

When it comes to the Oklahoma City Metro housing market, it seems people are reading the headlines of stories whose facts and projections are based on numbers and statistics from the major "bubble markets," which are now correcting in a big way, and just assuming that it all holds true here. In a sense, it's a "Real Estate Market Hypochondria," as I call it. Combine that with the all the stories of foreclosures due to sub-prime loans and ARM resets, and now we've definitely got a virus afoot.

There is where the fever is setting in.

It's time for some remedy, friends, and a good, healthy dose of the facts is just what the doctor ordered. Don't let the national media scare you out of the smartest move you can make.

I hope you'll take two of these and call me in the morning.

Note:This post was originally written for and published on the COHBA "Defy The Trends" blog.

Jeff Click a builder and owner of Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C. He currently serves as the First Vice President of COHBA, and will serve as President in 2009. He appears in the "Timing" video for DefyTheTrends.com.

COHBA Launches DefyTheTrends.com : Don't let the national media scare you out of the smartest move you can make.

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:01:07 -0500

With all the negative hype in the media about housing values falling around the country, it's no wonder many are skeptical about whether or not now is a good time to buy a new home.

The fact is, in Oklahoma, the timing to buy a new home really has never been better. The Oklahoma City Metro is among the few markets in the country still enjoying consistent gains in home values, and mortgage rates are at near all time lows. Combine those factors with our strong job growth, a strong local economy, and low cost of living, and it's obvious that Oklahoma City is defying the national trends.

Know the FACTS about the OKC housing market. Visit www.DefyTheTrends.com!

The Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association wants you to know that the bad news about housing doesn't hold true to Oklahoma. Don't let the national media scare you out of the smartest move you can make.

As acting 1st Vice President of COHBA, and officer responsible for the campaign, I'm pleased to announce the launch of this special campaign to help spread the good news about the Oklahoma City Metro Area housing market. I'll be posting more on this campaign over the coming weeks, but in the meantime, be sure to check out the DefyTheTrends.com site!

You can also join the cause and view our new COHBA profile on Facebook, along with our new COHBA channel on YouTube. © 2008, Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. Syndicated From The Jeff Click Homes Blog.

When That Parade Comes Marching In : Jeff Click Homes gears up for the 2008 Parade Of Homes

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:49:07 -0500

I haven't been able to make time to post recently, as there's a lot going on here in the JCH studio. We've recently unleashed three brand new plans, all with larger square footages by popular demand. The Timothy, The Romans, and The Numbers plan all have unique layouts and even more opportunities for that cool-factor our homes are known for.

My concept sketch for the front view of our Parade Home.

I'm particularly excited about The Timothy plan, on which we're basing our entry for this year's COHBA Parade Of Homes, which will be September 13-21. We're getting the home underway in Silverhawk, and have several surprises in store for it! I'll post more as construction continues.

Going, Going, Gone! : Jeff Click Homes teams up with NewsOK's Bid & Buy Auction to save someone thousands of dollars

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:09:13 -0600

Who'd have thought ten years ago...or maybe even five...that you could buy a new house online?

It's about to happen here in Oklahoma City now that Jeff Click Homes has teamed up with NewsOK.com and this year's Bid & Buy '08 Online Auction. Just today, the team at NewsOK launched our listing for 16208 Sonoma Lake Blvd, a decked out version of our Luke Plan, built in South Edmond/NW Oklahoma City's Sonoma Lake.

Bidding won't begin until Friday, March 7th, but the listing is available for viewing now, and you can pre-register with the Bid & Buy site for a chance at winning $500 worth of "Bid Bucks" to spend on auction items, including our home.

While waiting for the bidding to heat up, you're welcome to schedule an in-person viewing of the home now, or drop by this weekend while it's open from 12-6 both Saturday & Sunday.

So why buy it through the Bid & Buy auction?
You could save thousands of dollars off of the previous sales price of $214,900!

Why would we drop the price?
We didn't necessarily. Only the outcome of the auction will determine that.

Why are you doing this?
One of Jeff Click Homes' core values is innovation. NewsOK's Bid & Buy auction is an innovative opportunity for both the consumer and for us on a promotional level.

innovation - To be among the leaders in defining trends, styles, technology, and latest best-practices.

Why this house?
We actually pondered a couple different homes, but when it came down to it, this one won out because it was complete, decoratively staged, and among our more broadly-targeted design palettes that would appeal to a wider audience than some of our more "daring" styles.

What does this change?
Nothing, really, other than the likely final sales price. The purchase still comes with our full 1-Year Customer Service Warranty, along with all of the amenities listed. You still get the same great level of personal service from Jeff Click Homes, and will work directly with us through closing just like any other home.

We only ask that you only place a bid if you're a serious, qualified buyer. If you need help making sure you're qualified, we can help. We also will exclude this transaction from any Realtor® commissions. That's not to say you can't be represented by a Realtor® in the transaction, but due to the deep discount we've provided on this house for this auction, we aren't able to pay a commission.

So if you've had an itch, maybe come Friday, March 7th, you should go scratch it.

Expo! Expo! Read All About It! : COHBA's Annual Home & Garden Expo Is This Weekend

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:48:19 -0600

This weekend, the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association will open the doors to its annual Home & Garden Expo at the Cox Business Center in downtown Oklahoma City. The girls and I will be making our way out there on Saturday to browse the dozens of exhibits, booths, and displays. We're excited about seeing the over-the-top landscape displays, and may sneak a stop by this year's special wine exhibit, showcasing the numerous fine wines from Oklahoma's wineries.

The Home & Garden Expo is one of two shows of its type in the Oklahoma City Metro. However, it is the ONLY locally-owned and organized event of the two. So if you're looking for something adventurous to do that will get you into some Spring Fever, come on out!

Visit the Expo's site for complete information, including the extensive list of exhibitors. Doors are open from 10am - 8pm on Saturday, and 12pm - 6pm on Sunday. Tickets are just $7 for adults and children 12 & under are free.

Oh, So You're The Builder? : The things a builder learns while manning his own model home

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:37:08 -0600

I'm hearing more and more about how uncommon it is, which surprises me. And while I know I'm probably tipping off my competitors who frequent this blog (trust me, we know), it actually disappoints me.

"Oh, so you're the builder?!"

Shoppers are shocked to be greeted by "the builder" when they walk into a model home. The actual builder. Yes, the real, live owner of the company.

It seems like a no-brainer to me, especially when my name's on the sign, that it's not unreasonable for a visitor to expect to have a chance at getting to meet the builder...the one person they're considering to put in charge of the most significant purchase that person may ever make. Apparently, it's getting less and less common, though.

Bald, yes. But present at the model home and ready to serve.

As a practice, I office out of our furnished model home in Silverhawk during regular business hours. This means I'm not only in the center of construction activity on a daily basis and can be at any job on a moment's notice, but I'm easy to find for not only people interested in buying, but people that already have bought...from us.

With the number of "corporate builders" in existence today, rarely do people get to meet "the guy" who owns the company, and that guy probably seldom, if ever sets foot in the houses the company builds. Whether just a visitor looking for ideas, or a serious buyer in shopping mode, people love to get answers from the source, rather than someone responding second-hand from what they've been told to say or from what it's in their "script."

So a lesson I've learned, and am reminded of each subsequent time I host the model:

People like to have a name behind the product, and be able to put a face with that name. It's even better when that face is the first one they see when walking through the door the first time.

This weekend I enjoyed spending time with a number of visitors, many of whom were through a Jeff Click Home for the very first time. It's always enlightening to witness first-hand peoples' reactions to what they see. Even when it's not positive (which didn't seem to be the case this weekend.) I also visited with many people for the second and third time, and am looking forward to working with those who are making the final preparations to begin the journey towards experiencing the joy of building a new home with us.

I can't speak for the other builders, but to those of you considering making the purchase, when you're ready, I'll be at the model and ready to serve...

So Long, 2007! : Putting the final nail in an interesting year

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:03:30 -0600

For all that 2007 brought forth in the housing industry, it sure seemed to blow by in a blur. Strangely, though, this last year had more challenges than I've seen in my building career. From a correction in the market, to aggressive immigration legislation, there was no shortage of struggle. Richard Mize's article in last weekend's Oklahoman sums up the year in Oklahoma real estate quite nicely, and it's an eye-opening read to see all of the year's issues compiled.

2008 promises bright things, as it's the 10th anniversary for Jeff Click Homes. We have a number of exciting ideas and improvements in the making that I look forward to sharing over the next year. Additionally, I'll be serving as Vice President of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association this year, and as President in 2009, which will no doubt be an interesting experience, as our industry recovers from a downturn and we face numerous issues that will affect the industry in dramatic ways.

FYI, our office and furnished model home in Silverhawk will be closed on Monday, December 31st, and Tuesday, January 1st. We'll re-open on Wednesday.

I hope that 2008 will bring forth great blessings and prosperity to you and yours, and as is the cliche-thing-to-say on New Year's Eve, "See you next year!"

COHBA Ends A Regal Era : Caleb wins Builder of the Year, Jim installed as President, and one more year to go...

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:04:27 -0600

On Friday evening, the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association celebrated its final Christmas Banquet and Officer Installation at our building of over 40 years, closing an era at The Regal Room. It was a grand event, with friend, fellow builder, and 2007 President Caleb McCaleb awarded with "Builder Of the Year," and Jim McWhirter of Gemini Homes installed as the 2008 President. I was installed as Vice President, while Mark Dale of Carriage Homes was installed as Treasurer, and Jim Schuff of Vesta Homes was moved into the Secretary position. As this year's Vice President, I look forward to serving as President of the association for 2009.

It was a pleasure to serve on the Executive Board this past year with Caleb as President, and he couldn't be more deserving of the honor of Builder of the Year. Jim's inauguration speech was both entertaining and inspiring, and I look forward to serving on his board along with Mark & Jim as we get the new COHBA building underway, and face many hot issues in our industry.

Here is the press release from the event...

The Central Oklahoma Homebuilders Association is now under the direction of a nine member Executive Committee. Jim McWhirter, Gemini Homes, will be at the helm of the 2008 board. The announcement comes on the heels of the organization's final Christmas banquet at the organization's "Regal Room" facility, which has served as its home for more than 40 years. COHBA also named Caleb McCaleb as the 2007 Builder of the Year. Associate of the Year has been awarded to Kelley Ranney.

The new president, Jim McWhirter, joined COHBA in 1983 and has been a member of the Board of Directors for eight years. He says that he is looking forward to creating a united effort among board members and the surrounding community.

"I am excited about COHBA this year. There are many changes going on in our industry. I'm looking forward to promoting a united effort between our builders, developers, municipalities and legislature. Those groups working together will insure better and more positive results for our Oklahoma consumers," says Jim McWhirter, President of Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association.

Other additions to the board are: Jeff Click, Vice President; Mark Dale, Vice President Treasurer; Jim Schuff, Vice President Secretary; Vanessa Shadix, Associates Council Chair; Mike Gilles, President of Past Presidents; and John DeVere, Membership Chair.

This year's Christmas Party and Installation of Officers has a special significance, as it will be the last one of its kind for COHBA. Historically, the Association’s facility has been at 625 North West Grand Boulevard since 1965 and has provided banquet facility accommodations for many community businesses, civic events, chambers and community events over the past forty plus years. The Association feels a sense of sadness as they leave a building with a tremendous amount of history, but they are excited about the future as they begin the process of building the new facility which will be located on Britton Road east of Broadway Extension.

"The most exciting project for the association is the upcoming groundbreaking and building of our new state-of-the-art headquarters and learning facility. Our new home for the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association will be a flagship for generations of builders and building associates to come," says outgoing president, Caleb McCaleb.

McCaleb believes the largest challenge in the next year or two for COHBA and its incoming leadership will be overcoming the national perception that real estate is in crisis all around the United States.

"In fact, OKC has been doing well during this national slump and we anticipate a positive real estate market for the foreseeable future in our area," says McCaleb.

The Oklahoma City Home Builders Association is a not-for-profit, professional trade organization, which is an advocate for the Oklahoma City housing industry and serves 1400 members. The association is a corporate channel through which builders contribute time, money and services to local community service projects and education initiatives.

COHBA is an affiliate of the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association, a federation of more than 12 associations statewide with more than 3,000 members. COHBA members include builders, remodelers, developers, suppliers, manufacturers, architects, engineers, real estate brokers, lenders, attorneys and other industry professionals.

Pano-Mania: Jeff Click Homes furnished model home in Silverhawk goes virtual with Newspin 360

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:26:34 -0600

As probably the geekiest builder in this part of the country, I love finding new ways to incorporate technology into the building process, as well as in marketing to new home buyers. We put a great deal of effort and resources towards our web site, which is the most effective and efficient way to communicate to prospective clients, and showcase our service and product. From providing detailed information on homes and communities, to a several-thousand-and-counting photo gallery, our web site is every bit as important as a good furnished model home, as it hosts over 3,000 unique visitors on a slow month. That's considerably more traffic than a model home ever receives.

Many in the real estate industry recognize the power of the web, and as a result, there are hundreds, if not thousands of "virtual real estate tour" sites. However, most of these virtual tours are poorly implemented and thus not very useful for many reasons. One technology that has actually been around for several years is panoramic virtual tours, which are actually several photographs that are "stitched" together to simulate a 3D space. I've seen hundreds of examples of these tours, but few have ever provided quality imagery with an affordable method of creating them, nor have they typically used technologies that were widely compatible with the average web-surfer's browser and related software. Additionally, few offer an easy-to-use interface.

That is, until Mike Windham introduced me to the services of his company, Newspin 360.

As described by Mike, New Spin 360 uses the latest in technology available to capture seamless 360-degree high-resolution panoramic images. These images can be used for print or interactive virtual tour presentations that can be delivered in any of the popular media player formats: QuickTime(QTVR), Shockwave, Flash, or Java.

Mike and his team recently did a virtual shoot of our furnished model home in Silverhawk, and I was amazed at how realistic the virtual tour "feels" on-screen. It has a superb interface that works from within the browser window, and in the case of our tour for the model, you don't have to leave the page you're viewing...it loads as an overlay of the model's info page at our site.

The room-selection interface. From within a tour, you just click a room to view it.

The detail is impeccable (see the panorama of the master suite and note how you can clearly read the volume level of the room's audio keypad by the door), and the color and lighting captured in the images is dead-on.

A few screenshots from our model home tour. Just click on the "Virtual Tour" button.

Newspin 360's tours aren't just for selling real estate. Their tours are useful for corporate office tours, restaurants, classrooms and campuses, stores...nearly any physical space that would benefit through providing a virtual experience to those who can't, or haven't yet but might want to visit that space in person. You can view some of Newspin 360's other tours, including some of Oklahoma's landmark locations including the Ford Center, the Bricktown Canal, and Micky Mantle's Steakhouse. A few others I'd recommend checking out are Thorn Crown Chapel, and the Rouge Manor Castle.

Our experience with Mike has been superb, and you can plan on seeing more of Newspin 360's work at JeffClickHomes.com in the future. If you have a need for providing a virtual experience that is second-to-none, give Newspin 360 a call at 405-816-3635 or contact them at their site.

Time To Give Thanks: Thanksgiving Weekend Hours & Thoughts

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:40:45 -0600

It just doesn't seem like the Holidays until the good ol' Oklahoma weather kicks in on a moment's notice. Now that we've found our way into the 30s, let the celebrating begin, and get the cider and chili on the stove!

For Thanksgiving weekend, the Jeff Click Homes Model Home in Silverhawk will be closed on Thursday so that our staff and trades can enjoy time with their families. Friday through Sunday, we will be open by appointment only for touring of any of our homes, including the model. If you would like to schedule a tour, please contact Chris George by email or by phone at 405.627.0801. As a back-up, you may also schedule a tour on-line, or call 405.409.7689. If you'd rather stay in, but still would like to see some of our stuff, check out our new virtual tour of our furnished model, and see our media gallery.

We have so much to be thankful for, and we wish you a meaningful and relaxing Holiday weekend.

Sun Sets On Parade : The 2007 COHBA Parade Of Homes Wrap-Up

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:59:29 -0500

Now that I've had a day off and caught up on some sleep after 18 days straight of preparing for and working during the Parade Of Homes, I've had the chance to reflect on it and discuss it with staff and fellow builders. Here are a few thoughts:

On the Parade in general:
Probably most notable about this year's Parade is that it was a month later than usual. Thanks to extended rainy weather during the summer, the Parade Committee elected to postpone it one month to provide builders with a much-needed extra month for completion of their homes. I voted in support of this because, as past chairman, one of the largest sources of complaints from the public is due to incomplete homes. This year, complaints were drastically reduced in this regard, as the number of homes completed was much higher than previous years.

I think my successor as Parade Committee Chair, Jason Schuff, and committee, did an outstanding job all around. This event takes nearly a year to plan, from registering all the builders' homes, to preparing the data, images, and maps to homes, to preparing the magazine and coordinating public relations, and that's just the public part. So much behind the scenes goes on, and our association is thrilled at this year's success.

On Traffic:
In terms of sheer numbers, traffic was through the roof! Some builders enter the Parade to just sell that one house. We, on the other hand, prefer to use the Parade as an opportunity to plant seeds...to get hundreds of visitors through our doors that we may not otherwise have had opportunity to get our work in front of. We had visitors from every area in the state, from all walks of life, make a special trip into the metro just for the Parade. Sure, we may sell a house or two immediately from the Parade (which we did this year), but the idea is to do something remarkable and memorable so visitors who come through will consider us the next time they're in the market to purchase a new home. We regularly gain clients who say they learned of us from a Parade several years ago, so we view today's efforts as important in fostering future business.

Weekend traffic lined up in front of the 4 Parade homes in Silverhawk.

We also were thrilled to see many visitors who make us a regular stop on their parade tour each year, including past clients. Short of buying one of our homes, one of the best compliments we hear is "We make time every year to always come and see your Parade home because we want to see what you've done this time around to top last year's home!" Some joke that they're "fans" or "web site stalkers," but we just view it as confirmation that we're connecting with peoples' tastes, and we love hearing about it.

I've never had as many Parade visitors actually in the market to buy as we have this year. This was very encouraging, and proves that people are beginning to recognize just how fortunate we are in Oklahoma City to have a market that provides such investment strength in real estate compared to other markets.

On the awards:
Typically, the only judgment we face is by inspectors, and most importantly, the buying public. Inspectors don't care how great a house looks, or how well you've organized space and function. They only care about whether or not your house meets code. The buying public judges from the perspective of their own taste and needs, and trust me, we pay attention to that. It's a different challenge, however, to be recognized by other professionals in the industry who look from a broader perspective of professional criteria. This year, COHBA's Wayne Del Bosque headed up the 2007 Parade Of Homes Awards, sponsored by the Sales & Marketing Council of COHBA. He implemented several changes that brought an added element of professionalism and objectivity to the judging, including bringing in builders, designers, and other real estate professionals from Tulsa.

As you can see, they hunted for style...in style.

The judges' limo in front of the Jeff Click Homes
Parade Home on Monday morning, October 22nd, 2007.

On Wednesday, we were thrilled to learn that our Parade home won 3 of the 5 categories in our price range and area, including Best Overall Design, Best Kitchen, and Best Merchandising. This was in the price range of $200,000 - $400,000 in the West Edmond region. We were especially pleased that our Psalm 1.5 plan, which has a starting price of $205,000 in SilverHawk, was able to hold its own against competing homes with nearly twice the price tag.

The three awards Jeff Click Homes received for the 2007 Parade of Homes.

On the rewards:
As those who stopped by are aware, we did drawings for $50 gift certificates to five local restaurant favorites of JCH, including Cafe Nova, Cheever's, Deep Fork Grill, Cheeseburger In Paradise, and BJ's Brewhouse. Winners were Jason Caudillo, Nedra Webster, Don Wells, Megan Nye, and Pamela Henry. Congratulations, winners!

On the Parade next year:
We're already putting our thinking caps on for our part in the 2008 Parade Of Homes, and will be idea-jamming over the coming months on what plan we'll be focusing on to develop a concept worthy, hopefully, of a clean-sweep of all five categories. Be on the lookout for some exciting video content of "the making of" our next Parade home, which will be made available for viewing leading up to next year's Parade.

In the meantime, remember that this year's Jeff Click Homes Parade Home is also our furnished model home in Silverhawk, so it's still open for regular viewing 8-6 Monday through Friday, and 12-6 on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as by appointment outside of those hours. Come by and see is if you didn't get a chance to during the parade, or if you did, bring your friends by who didn't!

Best, Cubed : Jeff Click Homes Wins Best Kitchen, Best Merchandising, & Best Overall Design Awards For 2007 Parade Of Homes

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:46:58 -0500

One of the most rewarding aspects of building homes, for me, is to witness the expressions and hear the comments of visitors as they walk into one of our homes. This week is one of my favorite weeks of the year when it comes to work-life, because it's the one week when more people visit our homes than in any other week.

It's also a thrill to be recognized by colleagues in our own industry as a standout among our competition. I'm pleased to share that Jeff Click Homes has been honored with awards in three of five categories in the 2007 COHBA Parade Of Homes Awards! Judging took place on Monday, as builders, designers, Realtors®, and other industry professionals from throughout the state, toured Parade homes entered for the awards, which were comprised of 5 total categories and divided by price point and region.

For the $200K-400K price point in Edmond, JCH was recognized for Best Kitchen. Judging in this category includes both design elements, use of materials, and overall functionality.

The award-winning kitchen of our Parade Home. View All Photos...

Jeff Click Homes was also recognized as the winner of the "Best Merchandising" category. Judging in this category focuses on the builder's marketing materials, company image, and presence within the Parade home.

Our showroom in the study of the Parade Home. View All Photos...

We were also awarded "Best Overall Design," which encompasses the design and functionality of the home's floorplan in general. This year's Parade home is based on our Psalm 1.5 plan.

The living room of the Psalm 1.5 plan. View The Psalm 1.5...

We feel honored and blessed to have been recognized by our colleagues, and congratulate the other builders who also won in their categories. We look forward to gearing up for the 2008 Parade Of Homes, when we will strive for a clean sweep of all five categories!

Parade Madness : What you get when you combine the Parade Of Homes and a weekend of perfect weather

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:43:57 -0500

Fall is gently easing us into cooler temperatures, making for perfect home shopping weather, and it seems that Oklahomans agree. Now that we're into day two of Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association's 2007 Parade Of Homes, and college games are out of the way for the weekend, lookers are out and about!

We've had a broad spectrum of spectators, from single professionals and empty nesters, to apartment renters in the city and home owners as far away as Lawton, many of whom have come out specifically to view our Jeff Click Homes Parade entry in Silverhawk. I'd estimate Saturday we had well over 100 visitors, with today looking like we'll arrive close to that number as well.

Parking In Front Of Our Model/Parade Home on Sunday afternoon.

We'll be open from 1-7pm daily now through Sunday, October 28th, so we invite you to come check us out. We're doing daily drawings for $50 gift certificates to some of OKC's top local restaurants, including Cafe Nova, Cheever's, BJ's Brewhouse, and more, so come by and enter. Pick up your free Parade Of Homes magazine at any metro-area Lowe's, or visit the official Parade Of Homes web site for more information.

Excitement On the Eve : The 2007 COHBA Parade Of Homes Kicks Off Tomorrow

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:58:17 -0500

For members of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, the Parade Of Homes is always a big event. In fact, it's the association's largest and most significant annual event, as it's our opportunity as the Oklahoma City Metro residential construction industry to showcase our latest and best products and craftsmanship.

Each year, the Parade includes two "Feature Homes," which are association-commissioned homes built by two chosen builder members. Each home is privately showcased to the association members on one of the two nights prior to the Parade's kick-off, and last night Deziray, Alessondra, and I attended the preview party for the home built by Jonathan Little of Capstone homes. I was particularly impressed by his team's approach to their home, as it was in my opinion quite-tastefully presented to an average home buyer. Often the temptation in building a feature home is to go over the top in every aspect, including the furnishings, making the home impressive, but unlivable. Kudos to Jonathan for "keeping it real" in the truest sense.

Tonight, we'll be attending friend and fellow builder, Darren Faires' feature home in Yukon. Darren is last year's COHBA President, and builds under Mashburn Faires company name. I look forward to seeing what he has in store as a builder of one of this year's Feature Homes.

Hopefully you're making plans to check out our Parade home and any of the other 170 homes on showcase this week, daily from 1-7pm, beginning Saturday, Oct 20, and running through Sunday, Oct 28th. We just had our first visitor who reported that magazines are now available at the Lowe's store on Memorial, and they are scheduled to be available at all metro-area Lowe's by noon today. Be sure to pick one up, as the magazines are free and contain detailed information and maps to every Parade Of Homes entry for this year. You may also view maps and info at the official Parade of Homes website.

For those early Saturday morning risers, I'll be making an appearance on "The Move, with Becky Ivins" tomorrow morning from 8-9AM on News Radio 1000 KTOK. We'll be discussing Jeff Click Homes, the Parade Of Homes, and the new housing market here in the Oklahoma City Metro. You can tune in on the AM dial at 1000, or via live stream.

Prepping For The Parade : Gearing Up For The 2007 Oklahoma City Metro Area COHBA Parade Of Homes...

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:07:50 -0500

Last weekend, Oklahoma City hosted its Oklahoma Centennial Parade, and next weekend kicks off a parade of a different kind. It's one of the most anticipated real estate events in the Oklahoma City Metro area, and this year promises to be one of the biggest. The 2007 Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association's Parade Of Homes will have all homes open daily from 1pm-7pm beginning Saturday, October 20th and running through Sunday, October 28th, and this year, it's an official Oklahoma Centennial Event.

Here at Jeff Click Homes, the annual Parade of Homes means we'll be putting that special polishing touch on every available home in our inventory, and making sure our available homes under construction are as clean and presentable as possible. The latter half of the week leading up to the event will mean photo shoots, updated print literature and web site content, and lots of TLC for this year's Jeff Click Homes Parade home in Silverhawk.

With over 170 homes entered in the event ranging from starter homes to immaculate estate homes, there's an entire spectrum to suit anyone's tastes, and this year's two Feature Homes "display the latest in technology as well as the latest styles, designs and trends. It seems to get harder each year for the feature home builders to “out do” per say the previous year’s builders," according to fellow builder and friend, Jason Schuff, who is this year's Parade Committee Chairman.

"In terms of expectations this year, I expect an even stronger turn out than previous years. With the Parade of Homes one month later, I believe there is more hype and anticipation as well as beautiful fall weather," he added. The Parade, typically in late September, was rescheduled this year to give builders an additional month of build time due to extended rainy weather this Summer.

This year's Parade magazines will be distributed once again through all metro area Lowe's locations. They are free of charge, and will be available beginning at noon on Friday, October 19th. Complete listing information on the Jeff Click Homes Parade entry for this year, as well as info on all homes in the Parade is also available at the Official Parade Of Homes Website.

Bathroom Bliss : 5 Differences To Look For In Every Bathroom In Jeff Click Homes

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:32:42 -0500

It's easy to get caught up in focusing on major aspects and amenities of a home when making what is often an overwhelming decision. Finding the right combination of the several-dozen big-ticket items can often distract from some of the smaller details a home might be missing, but that are no less important to comfortable and practical living. Selecting the right floorplan, getting the granite counter tops in the kitchen, and finding just the right paint color are important, but equally important is what is going into an area of the home you're sure to spend significant time in. It's where most of us both start and finish our days, and where many of our guests will be spending some time, too, so consideration needs to be reserved for...the bathrooms!

As part of an on-going series designed to help point out the numerous differences that set Jeff Click Homes apart from its competitors, I'll focus this post on some of the extra touches we add to our bathrooms that you'll want to be sure to make note of as you search for your next new home in Oklahoma City, Edmond, or Deer Creek.

» Decoratively Framed Mirrors
If you've visited many homes on the market, you've seen plenty of plain, rectangular mirrors either glued to the bathroom wall, or attached to it using metal or acrylic clips, with a "light bar" hanging above it with several exposed screw-in light bulbs.

Our master bathrooms include one of several vanity designs complemented with one of a few framed mirror designs that are included as a standard amenity. A 6" hardwood frame topped with crown moulding and stained to match the cabinetry provides a finishing touch to a more traditional decor, while separate his and her mirrors framed in 2" hardwood with mitered corners provides a sleek and simple look for more modern tastes. Hall bathrooms also include a decoratively framed mirror, and powder baths mirrors are reserved for a more unique after-market mirror that is chosen and provided by the home owner.

» Ceramic Tiled Showers & Baths
One way some competitors cut significant costs is by installing pre-fabricated fiberglass or plastic shower wall inserts or baths with built-in backsplashes and front decks. Every shower in Jeff Click Homes is pre-constructed with a special concrete-based wall material rated for use in wet areas, followed by quality ceramic tile. The same applies for the backsplash around the master bathtub and for hall bathrooms with bath/shower units. This provides not only a more stylish look, increases the longevity of performance and sustained value through quality material use.

» Heaters & Vent Lights
Those early morning showers are often challenging enough when you're waking up, and there's not much worse than being tired, wet, and cold. Each master bathroom in every Jeff Click Home includes a combination heater, light, and ducted vent. Each feature can be operated separately, providing an instant heat source, additional lighting, and exhaust ventilation. They are all combined into one unit, reducing visual clutter in the ceiling. Hall baths and powder baths include ducted vent fans, and in cases when more light is needed, the vent will have a separately-switched light built in. These features provide better indoor air quality by exhausting humid and odorous air.

» Higher Shower Heads
Who wants to stoop down to rinse the shampoo from his hair? While a number of women have commented positively on this design standard, it's usually the men who sing praises for our 7'6" standard height for shower heads. Typically, shower heads are placed at 6' to 6'6" in other homes, and once you figure in the extra 2-4 inches lower it ends up due to the shower head bending downward, an average guy ends up having to stoop to rinse. Take a shower in any Jeff Click Home, and if you're under 7' tall, no stooping will be necessary.

» Motion-Activated Lighting
Those middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom don't always take place in a fully-alert state of mind. With that in mind, who wants to be bothered by fumbling for a light switch when the objective is to seek immediate relief and return to the pillow? Both the master bathroom and hall bathroom of every Jeff Click Home includes a motion-activated light switch to help light the way before the break of day. As you walk in, the lights sense your presence and turn off when motion has not been sensed for 30 seconds. Manual control of the lights are also built into these switches if you'd like the light to remain on or off for extended periods.

» Jeff Click Homes also includes:
• Decorative niches, ledges, & in-sets per plan
• Minimum of 24x24" obscure glass window over tub
• Operable window in toilet rooms located on outside walls
• Operable window on hall bath walls on outside walls
• An overhead cabinet above the master toilet
• An overhead cabinet in any powder bathroom that only has a pedestal sink
• At least one GFI-protected outlet per sink in each bathroom
• One hand towel hanger per sink
• One large towel hanger
• Toilet tissue holder at each toilet

Prime Time, But Not Sub-Prime : Why the so-called mortgage crisis shouldn't affect your desire or ability to buy a new home

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:46:55 -0500

Open any national news paper, web site, or business magazine and you're likely to find a story about how the real estate market is suffering and the mortgage industry is in crisis. "Suffering", "crisis", and "meltdown" are pretty sensational terms, and they certainly catch people's attention. That's the point when you're trying to sell publications. Not all real estate markets are suffering, however, and just because the mortgage industry is correcting doesn't mean that you aren't still able to find a great loan at a great rate to help you buy a great home.

Oklahoma City is now one of the hottest real estate markets in the country.

Remember the adage that the most important factor in real estate is "location, location, location." Fortunately, the Oklahoma City real estate market is currently one of the few great locations to be buying a new home. Many respected national publications recognize recognize that because of OKC's low cost of home ownership, combined with its continued solid performance in property value appreciation, now is one of the best times to buy a new home in the metro. Real estate investors are also cluing in on the investment value of our market. Our local media is recognizing it. Maybe you should, too.

The mortgage industry is correcting, not dead.

Don't let sensational journalism scare you into thinking that you simply can't get a loan anymore. Given the strength that OKC's market still enjoys, anyone with adequate income and satisfactory credit is still able to qualify for a loan with a great rate just as easily as ever.

Constance Ladd, one of JCH's preferred lenders and a loan officer for Coppermark Bank, and according to her, "Our region has less implications because we are in a very conservative market and our market values appear to be much more in line economically." The would-be buyers being affected by this correction in the lending industry are ones that required a "sub-prime loan" to qualify to make the purchase. According to Constance, these loans were "allowing inexperienced borrowers to purchase bigger homes on "ARM" loans with prepayment penalties assigned to their loans." Many of those buyers probably shouldn't be buying in the first place.

Here are a few tips that may give you the encouragement you've been needing to take the first step in buying your next new home:

» Don't assume your credit prevents you from being able to buy. Just because you don't have perfect credit doesn't mean that you can't qualify for a loan today. Often minor credit defects can be corrected or adequately explained and excused by your lender.

» Now more, more than ever, is the time to use someone local. In a volatile market, it's important to have a go-to person to call and discuss your situation in regard to what's happening in the market. Having a direct link to your lender allows you to hold them accountable, which means better service. Constance adds, "Home buyers should always go to their local lenders to collect information to start the prequalification process. They should find out what type of safe loan programs are available that would fit the needs of their family, not the neighbor's family," or the family elsewhere in the country that nation-wide programs broadly target.

» If a deal sounds to good to be true, it likely is. Don't get caught up with on-line lenders who promise small payments and low rates. There are often lots of hidden down-sides to such programs, if the programs exist at all anymore. According to Constance, "The average home buyer should be cautious about the type of loan presented to them. Also, that the monthly payment would fit the family budget prior to house shopping."

Constance adds, "Never put off what you can afford today. Interest rates are still in the all time lows and there are still great finance options to choose from." So if you've been on the fence about whether or not you're able to make that leap into investing in your future through the purchase of a new home, get in touch with us. Both Jeff Click Homes and Constance will be glad to help you make it possible.

So what all in here is an upgrade?: On upgrades, options, amenities, and the smoke and mirrors that go with them

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 09:59:56 -0500

The number one question we're asked when people visit our furnished model home in Silverhawk is, "So what all in here is an upgrade?"

We've tried different strategies when it comes to model homes. When we built our model home in Summer Ridge several years ago, we based it on The Matthew 1 Plan, and only included 4 amenities that weren't included in the standard base price. That was a great strategy because it impressed people when they found out that they could have this exact house for this exact price. It was straight-forward, simple, and left little room for questions or incorrect assumptions as to what would be included as a standard amenity, as we call them, in ever house.

The down side to that approach is that it didn't allow us to show the full potential of what our homes could be. There were times when potential clients weren't as impressed as they could have been had we totally decked the house out, like most builders do.

In our former model home in Sonoma Lake, we took a middle-of-the-road approach. We increased the number of amenities that were optional (what most people call "upgrades"), which gave visitors a glimpse of some various amenities that could be added to their homes. This worked well, too, but required specific documentation and a diligent effort in marketing to insure that everyone was aware of what was standard in every home, and what was not.

Now that we have our furnished model open in Silverhawk, we've gone a step further. We've included a plethora of optional amenities that clients can have included in their home, and now we're demonstrating the full decorative and technological potential of what their home can reach.

But the question remains: "So what all in here is an upgrade?"

The answer is, "That's up to you." It's not the response most people are prepared for.

"I don't get it," one might say. "What about these nice rounded corners in your walls? Standard?"

"If you want them to be."

"OK, you're playing games." All of a sudden we've just been thrown in with the used car salesmen for a brief moment.

See, we don't like the term "Upgrade" for several reasons. Instead, we use the term "amenity," because that's what it is. The term "upgrade" suggests anything less would be of lesser value or quality, and that's often not the case. In fact, many "upgrades," or "investment options" as some other builders call them, don't really enhance the value of a home. Don't get me wrong, that's not a bad thing necessarily, but to suggest that it's an "upgrade" or "investment" suggests that some sort of return can be expected later in value.

So we use the term "Optional Amenity" because it's a more accurate label. It's optional, meaning you choose to include it or not, and it's simply a feature of the home that may or may not enhance the value in a monetary sense.

So back to the smoke and mirrors, and how an optional amenity doesn't necessarily mean an increase in cost...

Rather than bloating our homes (and more importantly, our homes' prices) by throwing in all of these additional amenities, we realize that not everyone thinks that rounded sheetrock corners are that great. So why should you have to pay for them if you don't want them? We'd rather you have the amenities you want, instead. So that's why we have built-in allowances that give you the flexibility of choosing what optional amenities you want in your home. If you exceed your allowances, no problem. Just simply pay the difference.

Simple and clear. No smoke, and the only mirrors around are in the bathrooms.

So what is actually a standard amenity, before any optional amenities are added using allowances? I'm glad you asked. Here's our newly-published Jeff Click Homes Standard Amenities Brochure. More to come on this topic soon. In the meantime, let us know if you have questions or feedback. It'll help us refine this concept.

Geek Is Chic

Jeff Click (Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C.) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 15:18:37 -0500

It's not every day you get mentioned in an article in The Oklahoman. It's even more rare to be called a "geek" in front of hundreds of thousands of readers, as I was.

So I like technology. I enjoy a well-designed, useful gadget. I like being on the bleeding edge of what's new. There's a term for guys like me, and strangely it has become a badge of honor, despite being the derogatory term it used to be. No longer is it a label reserved just for those who wear thick-rimmed glasses and pocket protectors. That's why I can forgive Richard Mize, aside from the fact that I like the guy, for calling me a geek in his article entitled, "Developer, builders share their thoughts of biblical proportions".

For the article, I was asked what special technologies we use here at Jeff Click Homes. While the answer can change from one week to the next, we do rely heavily on several particular technologies. Our computer company of choice is Apple. Walk into our furnished model and you'll find that to be no secret. We use an iMac in the showroom to organize all our media, from music that's played in the model, to the tens of thousands of photos of nearly every house we've built to date. Want to see all the different varieties of styles we can implement into The Psalm? Watch the presentation in the showroom, or make your way to a comfy couch in the living room, where a 42" LG Plasma TV awaits you with an HD slideshow via Apple TV.

We rely on several other Macs, both desktop and portable, to run our office, produce print literature, advertisements, web site design, and lots more, all of which we do in-house, thanks to how well Apple integrates both media production and organization into their systems. They also play nicely with all of our other geek tools, from digital cameras, to video production equipment. It may be geeky, but it's cool at the same time.

If there's anything that makes it a bit more palatable to be called a geek in front of the entire metro area, it's the context in which Mize labeled me...

"And he is a geek, a tag he's proud of. He reminds me of a bumper sticker I've seen. It reads: "Be nice to geeks. Chances are you'll end up working for one."

Sorry, Richard. We don't have any openings at this time.