The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that new home sales of single-family units are up 7.9 percent for the month of August, 2013. This figure translates to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 421,000 units in August, which is great news for production and custom builders alike.

These new figures come from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in conjunction with the US Census Bureau. August’s sales increase partially offsets a dip in sales from July, as homebuyers reacted to the new increase in mortgage rates.

Rick Judson, NAHB chairman and North Carolina homebuilder, further explained the chain of events. “Consumers are adjusting to the reality of today’s higher rates following a period of record-setting lows, and today’s sales report provides evidence of that.”

Judson continued, “We expect to see more buyers coming back to the market as the psychological effects of the rate gains continue to wear off, particularly since, even after the recent spike, mortgage rates remain exceptionally favorable on a historic basis.”

In August, NAHB reported that new home sales plummeted by 13.4% for the month of July, due to the recently-announced increase in mortgage rates. While rates continue to remain historically low, homebuyers are still getting comfortable with the new rate announcement in July. August’s nearly 8% increase in sales reflects a growing homebuyer confidence.

“Sales of new homes bounced partway back in August from an unusual low in July,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. Crowe furthered, “That said, we are only about halfway back to what would be considered a sustainable level of activity in a normal economy, and the ongoing housing recovery continues to be slowed by consumers’ concerns about interest rates, as well as weak job growth and uncertainty about what’s happening in Washington.”

The Midwest posted a sales increase of 19.6 percent, the South gained at 15.3 percent, and the Northeast posted gains of 8.8 percent. The West, as an exception to the rule, posted a 14.6 percent decline.

Custom builders should breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to the news of August’s sales increase. The overall new single-family home supply decreased by 5.0% in August, and builders can safely continue to construct new homes without worrying whether they’ll sell. NAHB reports that many metro markets are improving across the country as well.

Lasso CRM software can help custom home builders and real estate agencies stay on top in today’s economy.

 When it comes to the business of selling homes, having a competitive edge has always been an advantage.  With Lasso’s new home builder software, that edge is easier than ever to achieve.  Standing out from competitors will increase sales, profits, and agency reputation. And Lasso has created a software system that helps custom home builders and real estate agencies do exactly that.

With the market beginning to return to pre-recession standards, leads are more important than ever.  Lasso’s innovative CRM software helps those in the industry of selling custom homes make tracking and recording leads an organized, simplified process, so that home builders need never lose track of a lead again.  Each visit to the home builder’s website or page is recorded, and return visits are immediately logged and responded to with a customized and personal ‘thank-you’ email to the prospective buyer.

In addition, Lasso’s software can help each company stay in full communicative connection with each of their agents, as well as those who are externally located. Forming these connections can be crucial to business specializing in real estate, as they can stay up-to-date on the latest open houses, events and upcoming residential projects and communities.  Staying in contact with external brokers and realtors can assist companies who have buyers looking for custom homes outside of their available area, enabling them to help more buyers in more ways than ever before.

Lasso’s unique realtor database will help a company to both manage and track their brokers, enabling them to pinpoint and reward excellence and superior performance. Staying in touch with the brokers and realtors in their own firms and those who operate externally can lead to decidedly positive advantages for any real estate agency, and give them the competitive edge that they’re seeking in order to stay on top of today’s changing market in the uncertain economy.

Lasso’s CRM software systems were created with real estate developers and sellers in mind. It’s designed to help you, the custom builder, with your specific needs in mind. Lasso’s innovative approach to customer relationship management is a step in the right direction for any home builder or agency.

Interested? For more information, visit their website. You can also follow Lasso on Twitter, check out their Facebook page, or  visit their YouTube Channel. For media inquiries, please contact Dave Clements.