Learn about the housing market's fastest growing segment at the 2008 International Builders' Show in Orlando. Back by popular demand, the NAHB 50+ Housing Council is presenting its all-day "How to Get Started in Active Adult Housing" course on Thursday, Feb. 14, in West 300, Level III, at the Orange County Convention Center.

This power-packed, exciting and informative full-day FREE course will teach you the successful programs, tactics, techniques, strategies and solutions to have a winning 55+ lifestyle community. Taught by nationally known professionals whose combined experience covers 100+ years, this is one program you can't miss!  

The schedule is as follows:

• 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. All the various elements in conducting your initial research, both quantitative and qualitative, are covered in this initial session.
  Speaker: Susan Brecht, CAASH, Brecht Associates, Philadelphia
  
  
• Creating the Team
  10:00-11:00 a.m.
  
  Who to use, what are 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. This segment assists you in creating this group and how they interact with each other.
  Speaker: Robert Karen, CAASH, Symphony Development Group, Owings Mills, Md.
  
  
• 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, the amenities, the theme, your sales area and neighborhoods must make an impact on the potential buyer from the moment they approach the entrance.
  Speaker: Thomas C. Barton III, AIA, CAASH, BartonPartners, Norristown, Pa.
  
  
• 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. This section develops the look, the character and environment they will enjoy. You will learn how to fit the product to different buyer profiles to gain the best market value.
  Speaker: Amy Martino, CAASH, Hord Coplan Macht, Inc., Baltimore
  
  
• Marketing
  2:00-3:00 p.m.
  
  The marketing strategy's goal is to take all the planning from conception and decide whether you are selling a "brand" or a "place to live." You will need to understand that marketing a "lifestyle active adult community" does not begin when you start construction, but many months before.
  Speaker: Manny Schatz, CAASH, MIRM, PBS, Inc., Danville, Calif.
  
  
• Sales
  3:00-4:00 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, and you sell lifestyle first, house second, and become an expert in relationship selling. Make sure your prospects will turn into buyers.
  Speaker: Jane Marie O’Connor, CAASH, CMP, MIRM, 55 Plus, LLC, and Mature Living Choices, Hawley, Mass.

Check out the complete list of 50+ housing education programs to plan out your IBS experience. [Return to top]