On-your-lot builder Wayne Homes sees increase in sales

Wayne Homes recently began holding open houses for the public, inviting people to visit houses that are under construction. A few weeks ago Jackie Smoyer, sales manager for Wayne Homes Pittsburgh, was overwhelmed by the response at an open house in Lower Burrell. “People were already waiting for me to arrive,” she recalled, “and we had nonstop visitors all day.” It’s another indication, in Smoyer’s view, of a stepped-up interest in buying or building a new home.

A custom on-your-lot builder, Wayne Homes, Smoyer said, has sold more homes thus far in 2009 than at this date in 2008. She sees the upswing as yet another sign that people have recognized and are beginning to take advantage of an opportune time to buy or build.

There is a realization that the competitive pricing, generous incentives and low interest rates that currently prevail won’t last forever. “Consumers increasingly understand that if they wait too long,” said Smoyer, “prices and interest rates will increase, and the incentives will decrease.”

In addition to the scheduled open houses, which are listed on the web site at waynehomes.com, Wayne Homes has an elaborate Design Center and two model homes open in Greensburg. These model homes, as well as an extensive list of more than 30 floor plans, are also available for interactive and virtual tours on the web site. In addition to the Design Center, the model homes showcase upgrades, options and standard features. These play an important role in compiling a Personal Value List, which Smoyer and her team use to establish the priorities a buyer wants in a home.

“The Value List is a thumbprint of a customer’s ‘perfect’ home,” Smoyer explained. “Every customer’s idea of a perfect home is different, just as every thumbprint is different. The Value List lets the customer tell us what’s most important. We use it to provide each customer with a Value List Incentive, which is our way of giving the customer what they value most for free. If, for example, it’s important to have upgraded kitchen cabinets, they’ll be yours for free. It’s our way of giving buyers incentives and discounts on items that they really want and value.”

As a leading builder of energy-efficient homes, Wayne Homes utilizes state-of-the-art systems designed to increase comfort and lower energy bills. Buyers receive an Energy Smart Guarantee for their first two years in their newly built Wayne home. If during that time energy bills are not lower, Wayne Homes will reimburse the customer 100 percent of the difference. In addition, each buyer receives a $2,000 energy tax credit, which is deducted from the base price of the home at the point of sale.

Wayne Homes not only customizes to the buyer’s preferences, but also to the buyer’s lot. That may include anything from situating the home to maximize the view to coordinating the installation of power, water and septic or sewer systems.

Wayne Homes offers a two-year warranty, twice the normal one-year coverage. This is in addition to the 10-year structural warranty.

If you own a lot, or are thinking of buying and building on one, Smoyer urges acting sooner rather than later. “This is,” she said, “the right time to make it happen.”