PAGEANTRY COMMUNITIES HAS A WEB STORY few builders can tell. Bill Hoover, Pageantry’s Nevada division president, says the company’s upgrade sales increased fourfold in the first year the home builder used Options Online, a Web-based options selections and construction management system. Pageantry went live with Options Online in January 2004.
“I was embarrassed because in the past we were promoting faucets and lighting upgrades, but we didn’t sell any,” says Hoover. “With Options Online, along with standard items like carpet and flooring, we’re selling electrical outlets, ceiling fans, kitchen upgrades, and lighting packages.”
What’s changed is that home buyers are assigned a user name and password and given access to the customized catalog prepared for Pageantry by Options Online. Catalogs are available for each floor plan and community.
Buyers typically have about 10 days to create their wish list before meeting with a design studio consultant. The company’s goal is for customers to come to that appointment about 90 percent prepared. The system does let home buyers make change orders, but they see only those options that are available at any given point in construction.
