In This Episode:

Jeff Shore and Amy O'Connor reflect on the past year, discussing the challenges and resilience of home builders in 2024. They explore the common New Year's resolutions, the importance of setting goals, and predictions for 2025, including potential mergers, innovations in housing, and the role of AI. The conversation emphasizes the need for positivity and certainty in the home buying process, as well as practical strategies for personal and professional growth through goal setting!

 

Timestamps:

00:00 New Year Reflections and Resolutions 06:12 The Resilience of Home Builders in 2024 12:13 Predictions for 2025: Mergers, Innovation, and AI 14:07 Setting Goals: The Wheel of Life Approach  

Acknowledgement:

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365 

In This Episode

Jeff Shore interviews Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid, discussing the organization's mission to combat homelessness through the building industry. Scott shares transformative projects, personal stories, and the challenges faced in community resistance. They delve into the complexities of homelessness, Scott's personal journey with cancer, and the importance of living with purpose and community involvement.

 

Timestamps

00:00 Understanding Homelessness: A Complex Issue 12:40 The Role of HomeAid in Addressing Homelessness 18:49 Community Resistance and Overcoming Challenges 23:51 Personal Journeys: Cancer and Compassion 29:50 Getting Involved: How to Support the Cause   About Scott Scott Larson joined HomeAid America as the CEO in October of 2019. Larson brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, project management, program implementation, and community development to HomeAid America. For the past 21 years, Larson served as the Executive Director of HomeAid Orange County, the founding chapter of HomeAid. Larson united builders, community leaders, service providers, and government officials to lead the development of 33 housing projects, valued at $64 million that added more than 975 beds, allowing thousands of previously homeless individuals and families access to safe, dignified housing.  

Acknowledgement:

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365 

In This Episode:

Rachea Pendley interviews Anthony Grasst, Vice President and National Builder Manager at CMG Home Loans, he shares his expertise on the current housing market, addressing buyer hesitations and the importance of effective communication in the sales process. He emphasizes the need for sales counselors to bridge the knowledge gap regarding financing and to engage buyers with empathy. Strategies for preparing for buyer concerns and the timing of financing discussions are also discussed, along with the role of sales leaders in training their teams. The conversation concludes with actionable best practices for sales counselors to enhance their effectiveness in helping buyers achieve home ownership.

 

Time Stamps:

00:00 Navigating the Home Buying Landscape 02:48 Understanding Buyer Sentiment and Affordability 05:48 The Role of Sales Counselors in Financing 09:02 Bridging the Knowledge Gap 11:57 Strategies for Overcoming Buyer Hesitation 14:51 Effective Communication of Financing Options 17:46 Best Practices for Sales Counselors 21:06 Empathy and Understanding in Sales 23:49 The Importance of Preparation and Practice 27:12 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways  

About Anthony:

Anthony Grasst is Vice President and National Builder Manager at CMG Home Loans. With an incredible depth of knowledge of buyer financing preferences, he provides strategies, sales ideas, training, and market intelligence to hundreds of builders, resulting in billions of dollars of sales each year. Anthony is a regular speaker at real estate industry events and hosts "The Sales Lab," an online education series for new home sales professionals. He is recognized as one of the top financing experts in the country, teaching sales teams how to engage buyers using financing. He brings builders actionable ideas and solutions that create sales.

 

Acknowledgement:

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365 

In This Episode

Michelle Bendien interviews Justin Doornbos of BombBomb about the transformative power of video messaging in enhancing customer experience and accelerating the sales cycle. Justin shares insights on how builders can effectively use video to create emotional connections, engage clients, and overcome common objections to video usage. The conversation emphasizes the importance of tracking and analytics in sales, showcasing how video can lead to better relationships and increased referrals.

 

Timestamps

00:00 The Power of Personal Connection in Sales 04:15 Navigating Holiday Sales Challenges 06:10 Enhancing Customer Experience with Video Messaging 09:53 Strategies for Effective Video Communication 13:30 Maintaining Emotional Connection with Buyers 17:36 Overcoming Objections to Video Messaging 21:21 The Importance of Tracking and Analytics 26:36 The Risks of Ignoring Video Technology

About Justin

Justin Doornbos is an experienced Enterprise Account Executive and a dedicated coach with over nine years of experience helping home builders accelerate sales and elevate the customer experience through simple yet powerful video messaging. He has partnered with 14 of the top 20 home builders and many more in the Top 100, guiding them to adopt personalized, human-centered communication strategies. Justin specializes in helping organizations ReHumanize their business communication across Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success. 

 

Acknowledgement 

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365 

 

 

 

In This Episode: 

Ryan Taft interviews sales expert Jeb Blount, who shares his journey into sales training and the founding of Sales Gravy. Jeb discusses the transformative impact of AI on the sales profession, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new technologies to remain relevant. He highlights the need for sales professionals to leverage AI to enhance human relationships rather than replace them, and shares insights from his new book, The AI Edge, on the subject. In this conversation, Jeb Blount and Ryan Taft discuss the transformative role of AI in B2B sales, particularly in the home building industry. They emphasize the importance of adapting AI tools to fit specific business needs, the necessity of personalized follow-up strategies, and the value of human effort in sales interactions. The discussion also covers practical applications of AI for sales leaders to enhance efficiency and improve customer relationships.

 

Timestamps:

00:00 Prioritizing Tasks with AI 07:00 The Impact of Team Culture 09:50 Introducing Jeb Blount 14:04 The Passion for Sales 16:46 The AI Edge: Embracing Technology in Sales 26:35 The Awakening of AI Creativity 29:24 The Three A's of AI Adoption 32:15 Transforming Follow-Up Strategies with AI 36:51 Personalization in Sales Follow-Up 41:58 The Importance of Human Touch in AI Communication 46:29 Leadership and AI: Enhancing Team Efficiency   About Jeb: Jeb Blount is a bestselling author, renowned speaker, and one of the world’s leading experts on sales and leadership. With a dynamic career that spans over two decades, Jeb has transformed the way companies think about sales, providing innovative, actionable strategies to help sales professionals and leaders excel. His latest book, The AI Edge, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the sales landscape, equipping professionals with the tools to boost productivity, enhance customer relationships, and gain a competitive edge.    Acknowledgments:  Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In This Episode:

Ryan Taft engages with industry veterans Cliff Stahl from Meritage Homes and Nick Boniakowski from Opendoor. They discuss the evolving landscape of home building and real estate, focusing on the strategic shift at Meritage to enhance relationships with realtors and compete with resale homes. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, fair compensation for agents, and the role of technology in facilitating these partnerships. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Why would you not want to work with us? 05:29 Home Buyer Trivia 06:20 Interview with Cliff Stahl and Nick Boniakowski 09:05 Meritage Homes' Strategic Shift 14:42 Sales Operations and Realtor Relationships 17:28 Attracting and Compensating Agents 20:19 Opendoor's Role in the Market 25:54 Navigating the NAR Settlement 30:57 Personal Reflections and Concert Memories   About Cliff: Cliff Stahl brings over 14 years of experience in the homebuilding industry, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping sales strategies that have driven Meritage Homes to become one of the top five builders in the U.S.   About Nick: Nick Boniakowski, head of agent partnerships, has been instrumental in driving Opendoor’s innovation and growth over the past year. Boniakowski oversees Opendoor’s collaborations with agents and the company’s partnerships with online real estate platforms, expanding Opendoor’s reach to thousands of new customers, partners and industry stakeholders across 50 markets.   Acknowledgement: Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In This Episode:

Mary Beth Berry engages with Amy O'Connor to discuss the impact of AI on the home building industry. They explore how AI is transforming project management, enhancing customer experiences, and addressing concerns about data privacy. The conversation culminates in a live interview with ChatGPT, where the AI shares its capabilities and insights into the home building sector, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, personalization, and efficiency in modern construction practices.

 

Timestamps:

00:00 We Interview ChatGPT 00:37 Seasonal Changes & Holiday Traditions 05:13 The Impact of AI on Construction 09:11 Amy's Kids Usage of AI 12:29 The ChatGPT Interview 14:26 Top 3 Fears About Using AI according to AI 15:46 What Can AI Help With in Homebuilding? 17:41 What AI Knows About Top Home Building Companies 21:06 How Can Builders Stand Out From Their Competitors? 24:36 ChatGPT Voice is Programmed to Sound Natural  25:26 Using ChatGPT to Translate During Sales Conversations 27:05 The Advantage of Implementing AI Into Your Business 28:21 Two Things ChatGPT Wishes People Knew About It 30:16 What AI Has To Say About Mary Beth Berry 31:40 AI's Juicy Tidbits about Jeff Shore 32:42 Final Thoughts About the ChatGPT Interview   About ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a conversational AI developed by OpenAI, trained to assist users with a wide range of tasks, from answering questions to generating creative content. Leveraging the power of advanced machine learning and natural language processing, ChatGPT can provide detailed information, offer advice, brainstorm ideas, and even create tailored writing and design suggestions. It's built on a foundation of broad general knowledge with capabilities to adapt to specific fields, ensuring it remains versatile and helpful across a variety of domains. Constantly updated with the latest techniques, ChatGPT aims to make digital interactions smoother, more insightful, and accessible to everyone.   Acknowledgement: Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365    *This episode features an interview with ChatGPT Voice, an AI assistant developed by OpenAI. While it strives for accuracy and clarity, any information shared should be double-checked, as occasional inaccuracies may occur. This conversation is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only.

In This Episode:

Back in July, Jeff interviewed Mollie Carmichael, Principal at Zonda, for the Sales & Marketing Leadership Summit. Their conversation explored the evolving landscape of home buying, with a focus on the critical need for clear communication with potential buyers and a deep understanding of consumer behavior. They discussed the impact of interest rates on purchasing decisions and the growing shift toward online home buying. The conversation highlighted the importance of transparent pricing, innovative home design, and adapting marketing strategies to meet changing consumer preferences, particularly in visual appeal and communication. Additionally, the speakers addressed challenges in online purchasing, the future of the real estate market, and the integration of technology, encouraging industry professionals to continuously innovate and enhance customer experiences.

 

Timestamps:

00:00 The Importance of Immediate Communication 02:31 Understanding Consumer Behavior in Home Buying 06:44 The Role of Interest Rates and Affordability 10:27 The Shift to Online Home Buying 14:08 Visual Appeal and Marketing Strategies 18:25 Consumer Preferences and Communication Channels 24:44 Transparent Pricing and Home Design 28:01 Challenges in Online Home Buying 30:48 Customer Experience and Sales Tools 34:06 Marketing Strategies and Customer Insights 39:38 The Future of Real Estate and Technology 46:38 Market Forecast and Closing Thoughts   About Mollie:

Mollie is a leading real estate advisor and Principal at Zonda, specializing in community and product insights. She combines her vast experience with Zonda’s consumer preference data to help builders strategize the best design that clients will love.

  Acknowledgment:  Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In this episode 

Jeanna Roach, CEO of Betenbough Companies, discusses the importance of defining culture and purpose within an organization and the growing trend of build-to-rent housing. She explores the challenges and setbacks faced in leadership roles, the unique culture and transparency of Betenbough, and their commitment to affordable housing and community giving. The discussion emphasizes resilience, generosity, and the impact of a strong organizational culture.

 

Timestamps

00:00 Defining Culture and Purpose 04:14 The Build-to-Rent Trend 08:10 Gina Roach's Journey to CEO 14:01 Overcoming Setbacks and Building Resilience 17:50 The Unique Culture of Beaten Bow 22:04 Transparency and Generosity in Business 25:48 Affordable Housing Commitment 29:55 Expanding with Purpose 31:49 Community and Global Giving

 

About Jeanna

Jeanna Roach is the CEO of Betenbough Companies. Her journey with Betenbough began in 2006, where she held various positions, including Public Relations Specialist, Marketing Manager, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Jeanna is known not only for her visionary leadership but also for defending and nurturing the company's culture, ensuring Betenbough Companies remains a place where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership development and has been instrumental in fostering the company’s unique, people-first culture.

 

Acknowledgment 

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In this episode: 

Qadra Evans, Director of Industry Relations for New Construction at Zillow, discusses the evolving landscape of the real estate market, focusing on consumer preferences, the role of technology in home building, and the importance of workforce development. Qadra shares insights from her role at Zillow, highlighting trends such as the increasing significance of pets in home buying decisions and the growing interest in accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a solution to the affordability crisis. She also explores how builders are adapting to economic challenges and the expectations of younger buyers regarding smart home technology. The discussion concludes with a focus on the She Built Foundation and its efforts to inspire the next generation in the skilled trades.

 

Timestamps:

00:00 The Appeal of New Construction 03:14 The Rise of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 05:51 Consumer Preferences and Market Trends 11:50 The Impact of Technology on Home Building 19:13 Workforce Development in Home Building

 

About Qadra:

As the Director of Industry Relations for New Construction at Zillow, Qadra creates and nurtures strategic partnerships with homebuilders across the country, leveraging 20+ years of real estate experience and expertise. In her role, she shares valuable insights, data, and research with the industry, and showcase Zillow's innovative products and solutions that help homebuilders reach and engage more homebuyers online. She is passionate about elevating the skilled trades within underrepresented communities, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team at The House That She Built, a community of 20 female leaders who aim to overcome the international labor shortage in construction.

 

Acknowledgment: 

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365