New to 50+ housing or thinking about starting your first active adult community? The NAHB 50+ Housing Council has the perfect learning opportunity during the 2007 International Builders’ Show the week of Feb. 5-10 in Orlando, Fla.

The 50+ Housing Council is offering an all-day, seven-part series titled “How to Get Started in Active Adult Housing” on Thursday, Feb. 8. The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 8

Part 1: Feasibility, 9:00-10:00 a.m. — From the start of your interest in active adult lifestyle living, you need to concentrate on researching the market, the competition, type of product, who your prospects and customers are, and demand and absorption.

Part 2: Creating the Team, 10:00-11:00 a.m. — Who to use and their capabilities, experience and expertise are all important in order to create a group of professionals who can actively pursue a successful undertaking. You need both internal personnel and outside consultants.

Part 3: Land Planning, 11:00 a.m.-noon — A good land plan is the "heart and soul" of a community. It allows you to visualize the theme, position your lifestyle offering and motivate your prospect to say "wow!" The product, amenities, theme, your sales area, and neighborhoods must make a great impression.

Part 4: Product Design, 1:00-2:00 p.m. — Building upon the land plan, the housing product must reflect the lifestyle to fit the buyer profile and provide a comfort factor which they expect in their new home.

Part 5: Amenities, 2:00-3:00 p.m. — Developing amenities revolves around the affordability of the prospective buyer and then what you should include and build. Buyers not only look at the onsite package, but what is close by the community.

Part 6: Marketing, 3:00-4:00 p.m. — The purpose of the marketing strategy is to take the planning from conception and decide whether you are selling a "brand" or a "place to live."

Part 7: Sales, 4:00-5:00 p.m. — When selling to the active adult lifestyle buyer, you need to recognize that the purchase is discretionary. Each buyer has a different motivation; you sell lifestyle first, house second, and then become an expert in relationship selling.

It's not too early to start planning your IBS schedule. Other 50+ Housing Council education programs include "This Isn't Your Father's Active Adult Market...Use Online Marketing," "Financing the Lifestyle Community," "Fair Housing for the Active Adult Builder," and many, many more. Check out the full schedule of 50+ educational programs and plan to be impressed! And be sure to take a look at our complete schedule of events, or call 800-368-5242 x8220 for more details.

To register for the 2007 International Builders’ Show, visit www.BuildersShow.com. Register by Friday, Nov. 17 to take advantage of the early registration and housing deadline.