Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions

We have taken a page out of David Letterman’s book by presenting the Top Ten most frequently asked questions about the Luxury Home Tour. After many informational meetings with potential builders and sponsors, we were able to identify the most popular queries. This is certainly not meant to answer every question you might have, but rather provide an overview of the program. If you have more questions, please call the account executive for your market today.

1. What makes this event different from other home tours and shows in the area?

The Luxury Home Tour differs from other home events in a variety of ways. First of all, we use a unique and proven marketing approach to get you, the builder and supplier, the elite, qualified buyer. Our marketing approach includes a targeted direct mail campaign, internet, print, television, radio and newspaper. In addition, we partner with different media entities and highly skilled public relations firms to create buzz in the community. Also, the Luxury Home Tour is a scattered site event, verses an event that showcases spec home, next to spec home, next to spec home. This allows the builder to have the ability to choose a lot, project or presold home with minimal restrictions. Lastly, this is a unique home tour that features fully furnished, landscaped homes that are elite and exclusive – the very best of the best.

2. What does a builder have to do to be part of the Tour? How much does it cost?

If you have taken part in any other “showcase” home tours, the Luxury Home Tour follows suit. You must have a completed home, fully furnished and landscaped. Do what you do BEST. You will receive not only the great exposure and marketing to the right, qualified audience, but a full month of network, radio, PR and more for approximately $10,000–15,000.

3. How can participating in the Tour get business for me all year long?

The official tour program is a high-end printed piece that is distributed to potential customers, planting the seed for future clients. A potential buyer may very well attend the Tour, see your work and keep your information on file, approaching you when they are ready to build.

4. How can I profit from the Tour and strengthen my company?

You may be looking to expand your business to the next level. For example, you may be currently building five houses per year and want to build ten, but don’t have the time or resources to focus on marketing yourself. That’s were we come in and do a comprehensive, turn key marketing program for you. Quote from K.C. Chermak (Twin Cities Luxury Home Tour builder): “For every dollar I’ve invested in the Tour, I’ve received ten back!”

5. I am already considered a luxury builder in my market. Why should I participate, and who else is on the tour?

To keep your name in front of potential buyers, you need buyers to view your work. With the Luxury Home Tour, you make it easy for buyers to approach and find you. You will associate yourself with other luxury builders in your market and keep yourself among the elite. The Tour brings luxury builders in each market closer together by creating an event that combines superior level builders and sponsors. You can refer to the Luxury Home Tour website www.luxuryhometour.net for an updated list of current builders in each market. We will also update you through this newsletter as new builders and sponsors sign on. If you have ideas or suggestions of other builders or vendors who would benefit from our program, please pass on their contact information.

6. Where do the Luxury Home Tour marketing dollars come from and how are they allocated?

We raise revenue in each market through builder fees, various levels of supplier sponsorship, and ticket sales. We turn around and invest a significant amount of that money to ensure that qualified buyers walk through your door. We invest those dollars in radio, television and internet advertising, signage, public relations and direct marketing initiatives. Specifically, we do a direct mail campaign to appropriate high income households. Our history proves that this method brings the qualified consumer to you.

7. Why did you choose my city for the Luxury Home Tour?

We did market research throughout the entire country, and decided on the prime markets based on building activity, population and much more. We’ve looked at the number of permits pulled and looked at the other tours currently in your city. The Luxury Home Tours are continuing to stimulate the building industry.

8. Why should I incur the high cost of fully furnishing my home for this tour?

Furnishing your home creates a warmth and sophistication that helps the consumer who is looking to build envision themselves living in your home. Furnishings also further express the level of quality your company provides consumers. You have one chance to create a first impression, and everything must be done to maximize that opportunity. Costs can often be negotiated with your interior designer, particularly if you partner with them to turn your home into a mini-showroom. A win-win for both parties. Interior designers are sponsors in some of our markets, contact your representative if you need some direction in finding a designer to work with you on your home.

9. Are the homes in the tour specs or pre-sold?

It’s a combination of both. Builders that build specs prefer to put a spec in the Tour, but builders who only build pre-solds work it out with the homeowner to allow them to use their homes in the Tour. Both options are beneficial for all parties involved. The Luxury Home Tour has facilitated different situations through the years. Our staff is happy to share the details with you.

10. Are homes sold during the tour?

We have had homes sell during the event, which is icing on the cake. However, the ultimate goal of the Luxury Home Tour is to deliver qualified consumers, who want to build a custom home to builders and suppliers. These potential customers want to walk through the home, see the builders work and products, and lastly, have a chance to talk with the builder. By participating in the Luxury Home Tour, builders brand themselves as an “A List” builder within their markets. If they are already established as such, participating in the Tour reinforces and continues that status.