Homeferret to connect builders with buyers

Friday, February 29, 2008

Dallas Business Journal – by Bill Hethcock Staff Writer

Geico has its gecko. Budweiser has its Clydesdales.

Now a Plano company is turning to a ferret named Frankie to call attention to a new Web site designed to connect homebuilders with buyers of new homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Homeferret.com, created by Bradley Oellermann and Brad Holden, is scheduled to launch March 1.

The home search site will be free to homebuyers, builders and real estate agents. Extensive detail, including floor plans, photos of homes, neighborhood demographics and amenities, will be provided to help users narrow their searches.

Homeferret.com will be different than other search sites because it will focus on new homes, instead of tapping into the Multiple Listing Service, which primarily contains listings for existing homes, Oellermann said. Sales agents for homebuilders who sign up for homeferret.com will be given a password allowing them to list and update information on houses and housing communities, Oellerman said.

North Texas will be the test market for the site, which Holden and Oellerman hope to take nationwide.

The project has been well received by builders, who are looking for more ways to compete with existing homes for sales in a slumping market, Holden said. Many builders have their own Web sites, but homeferret.com provides a centralized site for potential buyers to search instead of going to individual builders’ sites, he said.

Ten builders have signed up, including Dallas-Fort Worth’s top-volume builder, D.R. Horton Homes, Holden said. “Builders love it,” he said.

Oellerman and Holden’s mascot will be a 25-foot, blue inflatable ferret that will be popping up all over the Metroplex, the co-founders say.

According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 80% of Americans start their home search on the Internet.

Traub joins Gensler

Gensler architectural firm has named Robert Traub design director of architecture, as part of Gensler’s goal of broadening its base of services.

Traub, who has more than 30 years of experience in architectural design, marketing and management, was most recently a vice president and director of design with Leo A Daly in Dallas.

bhethcock@bizjournals.com | 214-706-7125

Brokers’ Website a one-stop shop

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Brokers’ Web site a one-stop shop

By SANDRA BAKER

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Two Plano-based real estate brokers have teamed up to develop a Web site that they say will make finding a new house easier.

Brad Holden and Brad Oellermann, who a year ago formed Builders Information Marketing Services, on Saturday will launch www.homeferret.com, which features the new-home communities in the Metroplex offered by 32 home builders, including 25 national companies.

The men said their site is a one-stop shop because it puts an end to having to log on to each builder Web site to see what’s available. Searches can be made by city and price range, or by builder.

Holden and Oellermann said they spent several months researching and gathering the information from the builders.

“All of their communities are available,” Oellermann said.

SANDRA BAKER, 817-390-7727
sabaker@star-telegram.com

A 25 FOOT BLUE FERRET IN TEXAS?

A 25 foot blue ferret with an unknown name will be unveiled in Texas. Dallas-based Homeferret.com will launch its new home search website on March 1^st, 2008, a free service to homebuyers and realtors in the DFW Metroplex. The voice of Brooke Layne, the original host of the show “Hot on Homes” will guide visitors through an interactive home search process, based on realtors and buyers’ specific preferences. Extensive detail, including floor plans, photos of homes, neighborhood demographics and amenities will also be provided to help users narrow their searches.  

“Until now, there hasn’t been any successful sites dedicated primarily to new homes with local up to date information in the DFW market,” states Bradley Oellermann, Co-founder of Homeferret.com. Unlike larger sites such as Realtor.com, Newhomesource.com, or INest.com, the ferret has a distinct advantage. They will show the conveniences and lifestyles to anyone searching on the site with locations of schools, hospitals, grocery stores, and banks provided by Google Maps.

            According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 87% of Americans start their home search on the internet.  “We believe that with increasing popularity of the internet, the home buying process will begin online.  Homeferret.com will facilitate that process for buyers and realtors needs.”

Homeferret.com launches in Dallas with Virtual New Home Search

Homeferret.com launches in Dallas with Virtual New Home Search 

by Jeff FlowersParadigm Creative February 1, 2008

Psst. Thinking about buying a new home?

Using the internet can save you a small bundle, maybe a couple thousand bucks. You can put that money to good use, buying blinds, carpeting, whatever. Or even a cash back rebate after closing.

What’s the secret? Go over to Homeferret.com, the Web portal where you can buy newly constructed homes. It’s a free service, no catch.

If you buy a home through Homeferret.com, or even just locate a home or community, using the 1% cash back coupon will put money in your pocket. On the typical new $180,000 home in this area, that comes out to $1,800.

The Internet is filled with come-ons. Online companies, which are burning cash like Rick Stacy does on those commercials, which are trying to build a loyal following. The words “free,” “cheap” and “rebate” get my attention. I get the sense, however, that once an audience has been built up, the online party could end. But Bradley Oellermann, Co-Founder of Plano-based Homeferret.com, insists that the cash bonus is a permanent part of his company’s offer. “We have no plans to end the rebate. It’s a win-win transaction for the builder, buyer, and the realtor,” he said.

That’s right, one of the biggest advantages of the rebate is the benefit to local realtors. “I think the site benefits realtors more than buyers in a way,” exclaims Missy McDaniel with blitzproperties.com, “the information and ease of it really will help me.  Not to mention it is Free!”

The market seems ripe for online home buying. Nearly 87% of Americans start their home search online now compared with 2 percent back in 1995, according to the National Association of Realtors. Homeferret is just getting started in this emerging market. The founders have been involved in over 200 home sales since 2005, generating $32 million in new home sales alone.

Currently, five Dallas area builders are in the Homeferret program, including Bloomfield Homes. ”The concept of showing the buyer the conveniences around each community will be a big plus for anyone, including the builders and realtors,” states Felix Blanchard Owner of Bloomfield Homes. Buyers using the site are greeted by Brooke Layne. Click on find a home and state preferences based on price, location and builder. Push the button and you get a list of developments. Web users then after choosing a community will see all of the conveniences of banks, grocery stores, hospitals, and schools located around the community. Also included are floor plans, photos of actual homes, discounted homes, demographics and so on may be available. Participating Dallas-area builders include Bowen Family Homes, New Lineage Homes, D.R. Horton Homes, Beazer Homes and Bloomfield Homes.

The data offered by Homeferret is helpful in narrowing choices, which can save wear and tear on the shoe leather. Homeferret.com, in effect acts as a buyer agent, collecting fees from builders when homes are sold. But, as always, most realtors recommend visiting the homes before purchase to be certain they’re right for you. If you prefer, potential buyers can use Homeferret.com’s staff to do the research.

Homeferret.com, like many sites, also offers information on financing your home. They are happy to announce that Rodney Anderson with CTX Mortgage will be the preferred lender. Rodney is the #1 loan originator in Texas and has a great reputation in the DFW area.

However, I’d like to see Homeferret beef up the video aspect. Oellermann said they’re working on it.

Meanwhile, if you’re in the market for a new home, it wouldn’t hurt to get the rebate. Consider it a gift from Frankie . . . the 25 foot blue inflatable ferret that has been popping up all over the metroplex. 

Hello

Welcome to Homeferret.com’s Blog.

 Here you will find updates and events about properties, builders, and realtors.

You may also see the latest and greatest here in the DFW Real Estate Arena.

Enjoy!

www.homeferret.com