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...

© 2008, Jeff Click Homes, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. Syndicated From The Jeff Click Homes Blog.