March 4, 2008 1:47 PM
RE Consortium formed
In the worst new home building market in 20 years, five real estate professionals are forming a consortium to provide "high-level expertise" to builders and developers.
The five, all whom focus on different areas of the market, created the new group called RE: Expert Consortium.
The five member firms include: Metrostudy (industry research and competitive analysis); Lance Jackson & Associates (segmentation analysis, primary research, branding and marketing); Jennifer Gore Unlimited (sales and marketing); Trio Interior Design (merchandising, community model homes, sales centers and clubhouse interiors); and The InterPro Group (strategic public relations).
James Czupor, principal of InterPro, says they are forming the consortium at a time when money builders are “slashing their sales staff and cutting back on marketing. But we're getting feedback from them that they are really interested, and they would like to talk to us more about it. But we do not have anything lined up yet.”
He said their advice will help position builders when the market bounces back – and it always bounces back.
“This would be a great time a developer or a homebuilder to really use our expertise in sales amd marketig and the whole branding thing,” Czupor said. “It's a great time to position yourself to make sure your entire sales office in congruent, and everything is working effectively working toward your brand.”
One thing they haven't announced is how much they will charge.
“That's a good question,”Czupor told me. “We have spent a lot of time talking to each other about that and we decided that we have to take each case individually. It will make a difference if we're talking to a major developer, with multiple projects, or if it is an infill type. Everybody is different. We don't know the range of services they will need. Maybe they will need services from all of us, or maybe one or two of us. We have to take it case by case.”
The members of the various firms have all known each other for years. And while they don't share the same office space, they tend to office fairly near each other, mostly in the southeast Denver area.
“We meet as a group at least once a week right now,” Czupor said. “We talk about what we are learning in the industry, the things we might hear that are going on and then try to evaluate them.
The consortium will reviews and recommends an action plan that can put a project on the track for success.
“It’s our collaborative project analysis after the assessment that adds value,” Lance Jackson, principal of Lance Jackson & Associates, said in a statement.
“The RE: Expert Consortium’s counsel and services are designed to protect a client’s investments and position them competitively for the next business cycle,” Jackson added.. Our vision is to offer high level expertise that enhances the critical role homebuilders and developers play in our economy.”
Jackson said the assessments also help developers and builders understand if they are strategically building the right home and community for the market; the consumers' practical needs and emotional wants; if messages are congruent with the sales team and marketing materials to trigger sales; and if best practices are employed to maximize branding, merchandising, interior design and public relations assets.
“If one or more of these elements are missing, or under utilized, chances are the project is off track," Jackson said. "Collectively, we offer the expertise that insures the most compelling customer experience possible."
“We have all worked together in some capacity or another over the years and enjoy doing business with each other,” Jackson continued. “Each member firm has a great track record representing clients in the real estate industry, and each individual in the Consortium is a seasoned expert. We decided we can collectively deliver a more dynamic and creative level of expertise to help real estate developers and builders hit the mark, no matter what the market conditions are.”
“Some might require only one or two disciplines from the consortium, while other projects may need the full spectrum of analysis, recommendations, action plans and implementation," he said.
The consortium meets frequently to discuss and research industry trends, challenges and opportunities and will share this proprietary information with its clients. In addition, the member firms will continue to operate as individual organizations and will continue to serve their respective clients.
For more information about the RE: Expert Consortium: www.reexpertconsortium.com; or call one of the following consortium principals:
· Metrostudy: Wayde Jester, director of consulting, 720-493-2020, ext. 4
· Lance Jackson & Associates: Lance Jackson, principal, 303-393-8869
· Jennifer Gore Unlimited: Jennifer Gore, principal, 303-327-7712
· Trio Interior Design: Angela Haney, principal, 303-663-1285
· The InterPro Group: Z. James Czupor, principal, 303-759-8989
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