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Outhouse’s Digital Suite – We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!

Jim Sorgatz · 11/03/2025 ·

Why It Might Be Time for a Refresher Demo, Not a New Vendor

Every so often, we hear from a builder client who asks, “Why doesn’t my widget ‘x’ do this or that?” Maybe you spotted something new on another builder’s website or in a demo from a competitor. We get it, technology moves fast, and digital marketing tools evolve even faster.

But before you assume your current system is outdated, there’s a good chance those new features are already available through Outhouse.

Built for Builders: Designed to Evolve

As one of the original creators of interactive tools for home builders, Outhouse has
spent more than three decades helping builders showcase their homes online. Our
Interactive Floor Plans (IFPs) and Interactive Site Maps (ISMs) are trusted by builders across the U.S. because they’re built to grow with technology, not be replaced by it.

_{Customized plan emailed and/or texted to homebuyer when they personalize and save a plan.}

We update our tools regularly to help you stay competitive in digital marketing:

Dynamic Pricing: Pricing adjusts instantly as buyers select structural options.
Elevation Previews: Show front-elevation changes directly on IFPs.
To-Scale Furniture: The most comprehensive furniture library in the industry.
Clickable Site Maps: Buyers can view available lots and jump directly to corresponding floor plans.
API Integrations: Seamless connections with CRMs, ERPs, and other third- party platforms.

These are just a few ways Outhouse technology sets the standard for builder
interactivity.

Continuous Improvement You Might Not Notice

Much like the homes you build, behind-the-scenes upgrades and changes take place to Outhouse’s interactive tools. Meanwhile, staff changes at your company, website redesigns, and evolving integrations can, over time, lead to features being missed or underused.

That’s why we recommend scheduling a refresher demo with your Outhouse Account Manager at least once every couple of years. You may be surprised at how much has changed, from new functionality and smoother integrations to updated user interfaces designed to convert more leads.

Why Start Over When You Don’t Have To?

Switching vendors can be expensive and disruptive. Data migration, reintegration, and retraining your team take time and resources that could be spent marketing new homes and communities.

A simple demo could reveal that your current Outhouse tools already include the same (or better) features than you’ve seen elsewhere without the high cost of starting from scratch.

With our U.S.-based team of CAD specialists, developers, and account managers, you’ll always have direct support from experts who understand how production builders operate.

Site map with pop out of available plans. Homebuyers click on elevations to access interactive floor plans.
Site Map Platinum.jpg — _{Site map with pop out of available plans. Homebuyers click on elevations to access interactive floor plans.}

Let’s Take a Fresh Look Together

If it’s been a while since your last demo, now’s the perfect time. We’ll walk you through the latest IFP, ISM, and VR enhancements, integrations, and customization options so your buyers enjoy the most engaging online experience possible.

Schedule your refresher demo today.

Schedule Here

Because sometimes, the tools you already have are more powerful than you realize.

Great Home Builder Social Media Accounts and Posts

Tabitha Warren · 06/16/2025 ·

In reply to a recent blog, a reader wrote into us and asked us for a few examples of great home builder social media. First, we were flattered to be asked this question, and we are happy to give our opinion. If you’d like expert advice, you might want to check out this post by Carol Morgan and this podcast featuring Carol Morgan. I think many of us are always trying to keep current. We read the blogs of several amazing Home Builder Marketers, such as Denim Marketing, Bokka Group, and Meredith Communications, to stay current ourselves. What we’ve learned at Outhouse is that there are quite a few things that make home builder social media great and inspiring at different levels.

The bottom line is a strong social media presence is a crucial tool for brand building, lead generation, and fostering connections with potential homeowners. After years of scouting social media, there are some home builders and related personalities who are truly knocking it out of the park with their engaging and high-performing accounts.

Whether you’re a home builder looking for inspiration or a prospective homeowner wanting to see what’s out there, these examples showcase the power of a well-crafted social media strategy in the home building industry.

Home Building Companies with a Powerful Platform Presence

Larger home building companies are also leveraging social media to showcase their homes, communities, and connect with potential buyers. Here are a few examples of companies that consistently demonstrate a strong platform presence:

Abrazo Homes (@abrazohomes): Known for their dynamic social media presence across various platforms like Facebook, Abrazo Homes consistently shares engaging content that resonates with their audience. Their commitment to storytelling is clearly a key to their success. In fact, you can hear directly from their “Chief Story Teller,” Shane Austin, in this insightful episode of the Home Builder Digital Marketing Podcast.**
Toll Brothers (@tollbrothers): Known for their luxurious homes, Toll Brothers excels on Instagram with stunning, high-quality visuals of their properties and sophisticated design elements. Their Pinterest presence is also noteworthy, offering a wealth of aspirational home inspiration. You can find their well-organized Facebook page here.
Lennar (@lennar): As one of the nation’s largest home builders, Lennar maintains a significant following across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. They effectively use these channels to showcase their diverse range of home models, highlight community features, and share updates with their audience.
David Weekley Homes (@davidweekleyhomes): Historically recognized for their strong Instagram presence, David Weekley Homes consistently shares beautiful, high-quality photographs of their thoughtfully designed homes. Their visual content often emphasizes architectural details and inviting living spaces.
Meritage Homes (@meritagehomes): Meritage Homes stands out for its engaging and varied content on Facebook. They effectively blend community updates, customer stories, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into their building processes, creating a well-rounded online presence.
KB Home (@kbhome): KB Home frequently utilizes Facebook to share important updates, company news, and valuable customer success stories. They also provide helpful home buying tips and resources, positioning themselves as a knowledgeable partner in the homeownership journey.

Individual Builders and Influencers Setting the Standard

Image of Matt Risinger's, RR Buildings', and Perkings Builder Brother's YouTube accounts

Sometimes, the most compelling stories come directly from the individuals shaping the industry. These builders and influencers have cultivated strong followings by sharing their expertise, passion, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of construction and renovation:

Matt Risinger (@risingerbuild): If you’re interested in the science behind high-performance building, look no further than Matt Risinger. His Instagram account and incredibly popular YouTube channel, “The Build Show,” are treasure troves of information on building science principles, meticulous craftsmanship, and the latest construction technologies. Expect in-depth explanations, on-site demonstrations, and a focus on quality and durability.
Kyle Stympenhorst / RR Buildings (@rrb_buildings): Specializing in post-frame construction, Kyle’s presence across YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook offers a deep dive into this specific building method. His content is often practical, providing valuable tips and insights for those interested in or involved in post-frame projects.
Perkins Builder Brothers (@perkinsbuilderbrothers): Get a genuine behind-the-scenes look at home building and renovation projects with the Perkins Builder Brothers. Their engaging “Builder Brothers” series on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook provides a relatable and often entertaining perspective on the challenges and triumphs of construction.

What Makes Their Social Media Shine?

These high-performing accounts share several key characteristics that contribute to their success:

Stunning Visuals: They understand the importance of high-quality photography and videography to showcase the beauty and craftsmanship of their homes.
Consistent Engagement: Regular posting keeps their audience interested and coming back for more.
Diverse Content: They go beyond just showcasing homes, offering project updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, client testimonials, and informative tips.
Active Interaction: They actively respond to comments, answer questions, and foster a sense of community among their followers.
Platform Optimization: They tailor their content to suit the strengths of each platform. These builders use visuals on Instagram and Pinterest, community on Facebook, and in-depth videos on YouTube.
Strategic Use of Hashtags: They utilize relevant keywords to increase the discoverability of their content.
Compelling Storytelling: They connect with potential buyers on an emotional level by sharing the journey of building a home and highlighting the benefits of homeownership.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

The world of social media is constantly changing and evolving. To find the most current top performers, it’s always a good idea to explore these platforms yourself and see which accounts are generating the most engagement on their recent posts. Keep an eye on those with high levels of likes, comments, and shares. These metrics are often indicators of a strong and active audience.

By studying these successful examples, home builders can gain valuable insights into creating their own compelling social media strategies and connecting with their target audience in meaningful ways.

**Shane Austin has since moved on from a brilliant career at Abrazo Homes, but his thoughts and wisdom still ring very true.

Got questions about home builder digital assets? Call us today for a chat!

Strategies for Staying on Top of Home Builder Software Integration: With Insights from Kevin Weitzel

Jim Sorgatz · 07/22/2024 · Leave a Comment

Outhouse Partner Shares Game-Changing Approaches for Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Customer Experience

In the rapidly evolving world of home building, integrating cutting-edge software solutions has become crucial for success. Kevin Weitzel, a partner at Outhouse, brings his expertise to the forefront, highlighting three key areas where technology integration can significantly impact a home builder’s operations and customer experience. From streamlining lead management to revolutionizing visual asset presentation, Weitzel’s insights offer valuable strategies for home builders looking to stay competitive in today’s market. This blog post explores three critical areas of software integration that can transform how home builders operate and interact with potential buyers.

The CRM Conundrum: Automating Lead Capture

If you have more than a couple leads coming in each day, importing them directly to your Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) is essential… why would anybody want to clerk the consumer given information into their CRM, again, from whatever platform is generating your leads.
–Kevin Weitzel, Outhouse Partner

This is an important point that highlights a critical aspect of efficient lead management and customer relationship management in the home building industry. Here’s why it’s so significant:

Efficiency and Data Integrity: Automatically transferring leads directly into a CRM eliminates the need for manual data entry. This saves time and reduces the risk of human error in transcribing information.

2. Speed of Response: Immediate lead import allows sales teams to respond quickly to potential customers. In the competitive home building market, rapid response times can be crucial in securing a sale.

3. Resource Allocation: By eliminating the need to “clerk” or manually enter consumer information, staff can focus on more valuable tasks like follow-ups and relationship building.

4. Customer Experience: Consumers expect a seamless experience. Having to provide information multiple times can be frustrating and may negatively impact their perception of the builder.

5. Data Consistency: Automated lead imports ensure that all leads are handled consistently, regardless of their source or the time they come in.

6. Scalability: As a home builder’s business grows, manually entering leads becomes increasingly time-consuming and impractical. Automation is essential for scaling operations efficiently.

7. Analytics and Reporting: Direct lead imports allow for more accurate tracking of lead sources and conversion rates, which is crucial for optimizing marketing strategies.

8. Integration Benefits: When leads automatically flow into the CRM, it’s easier to integrate with other systems like marketing automation tools, further streamlining the sales process.

9. Competitive Advantage: Builders who can quickly and accurately process leads are better positioned to outperform competitors who rely on manual processes.

In essence, the statement underscores the importance of streamlining the lead capture process in the home building industry. It emphasizes that in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven market, manual data entry is an unnecessary and potentially detrimental step that can be easily eliminated with proper system integration.

The ERP Challenge: Overcoming Obstacles to Real-Time Pricing

Integrating your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with your interactive floor plans to achieve real-time pricing is a great idea. Often easier said than done, the lynch pin in this process is almost always the ERP. The desire from the home builder is there, but far too often, the ERP itself is intentionally lacking in the ability to feed the data, via an Application Programming Interface (API), into other platforms. Once implemented, the biggest issue is the ERP provider breaking the feed connections; sometimes regularly.”
Kevin Weitzel, Outhouse Partner

The importance of ERP data for real-time pricing in home building cannot be overstated, and the challenges Kevin highlights are significant. Here’s why his point is crucial:

1. Accurate and Dynamic Pricing: Real-time ERP data enables home builders to adjust pricing instantly based on current costs, market conditions, and inventory levels. This ensures competitive and profitable pricing strategies. [6]

2. Customer Satisfaction: Up-to-date pricing information allows sales teams to provide accurate quotes to potential buyers, improving customer trust and satisfaction. [7]

3. Efficient Resource Management: Real-time data helps with better resource allocation and inventory management, reducing waste and improving profitability. [6]

4. Informed Decision Making: Access to current data allows management to make quick, informed decisions about pricing, promotions, and product offerings. [8]

5. Competitive Advantage: Builders who can offer real-time pricing are better positioned to respond to market changes and competitor actions swiftly. [9]

These issues underscore the need for home builders to carefully evaluate ERP solutions, prioritizing those that offer robust API capabilities and reliable data integration. It also highlights the importance of ongoing dialogue with ERP providers to address these challenges and push for more open, flexible systems that truly support the needs of modern home builders.

Revolutionizing Visual Assets: The Power of Integration

“An easy integration for any homebuilder website is to put all visual home assets on one web page. Why have various assets for a particular home/plan on separate pages? It is quite easy to integrate all of the home’s assets onto a single page. As an example, images and/or virtual tours can be linked as hotspots on both Interactive AND static floor plans. When not linked, a menu of a gallery accessible on a floor plan is easy and garners engagement.”
Kevin Weitzel, Outhouse Partner

Interactive floor plans, renderings, visualizers, and virtual tours for a single home should all be on one page of a homebuilder website for several key reasons:

1. Improved user experience: Combining these elements on a single page allows potential buyers to easily access and navigate between different visualization tools without leaving the page. This creates a seamless, intuitive experience that keeps users engaged. [10][4]

2. Enhanced information retention: By offering multiple visual representations in one place, homebuyers are more likely to retain information about the home. This multi-faceted approach caters to different learning styles and preferences. [10][12]

3. Increased engagement and time on site: Interactive elements like floor plans and virtual tours are known to keep visitors on a website longer. Grouping these features on one page encourages extended exploration, increasing the chances of conversion. [12][13]

4. Streamlined communication: Having all visual tools in one location simplifies the process of sharing information with potential buyers. It reduces the need for multiple meetings or explanations, saving time for both builders and customers.[13]

5. Competitive advantage: Offering a comprehensive, interactive experience on a single page demonstrates a homebuilder’s commitment to innovation and customer service. This can set them apart from competitors and appeal to tech-savvy buyers. [13]

6. Personalization opportunities: Integrated interactive elements allow for easier customization. Buyers can explore different options and visualize changes more effectively when all tools are accessible in one place. [12][13]

By consolidating these features on a single page, homebuilders can create a more effective, engaging, and user-friendly online experience that better serves potential buyers and increases the likelihood of conversions.

Conclusion: Embracing Integration for Future Success

Kevin’s insights underscore the importance of embracing integrated software solutions in the home building industry. By addressing challenges in CRM lead capture, ERP data integration, and visual asset presentation, home builders can significantly enhance their operations and customer experience, positioning themselves for success in an increasingly competitive market.

^Citations:

^{[1] https://subcusa.com/5-reasons-why-construction-companies-need-a-crm-today/}

^{[2] https://blog.velocity23.com/blog/making-home-builder-crm-plan-nhbj}

^{[3] https://www.builderdesigns.com/resources/blog/maximizing-roi-why-a-reliable-crm-system-reigns-supreme-for-homebuilders}

^{[4] https://www.motionops.com/blog/importance-of-crm}

^{[5] https://info.builderfunnel.com/what-is-the-best-crm-for-home-builders}

^{[6] https://www.priority-software.com/blog/how-does-an-erp-real-time-data-support-business-growth/}

^{[7] https://www.silkcommerce.com/epicor/maximizing-the-use-of-erp-data-for-real-time-pricing-for-quotes/}

^{[8] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/improve-your-reporting-real-time-erp-data-sagesoftware}

^{[9] https://www.vialaurea.com/en/blog/blog-posts-3/the-power-of-real-time-data-in-erp-systems-21}

^{[10] https://truplace.com/real-estate/3-reasons-floor-plans-are-great-virtual-tours/}

^{[11] https://rextheme.com/real-estate-floor-plans/}

^{[12] https://graphiclanguage.net/blog/benefits-of-interactive-floorplans/}

^{[13] https://www.ecisolutions.com/blog/residential-construction/revolutionizing-home-buying-the-power-of-interactive-floor-plans/}