Del Webb Ranks Highest in Satisfying Buyers in Active Adult Communities

Half of active adult buyers found in only six U.S. markets

September 14, 2006 - Del Webb ranks highest in customer satisfaction among the largest active adult community home builders, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study released yesterday. These are communities targeted to buyers who are 55 years old and older. Among active adult buyers, the survey found, more than one-half are located in six markets: Phoenix (18%), Chicago (10%), Inland Empire, Calif. (9%), Las Vegas (6%), Philadelphia (6%) and Washington, D.C. (6%).

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The study, which this year included satisfaction rankings of builders in 34 of the largest U.S. home-building markets, measured buyer satisfaction in active adult communities.

New-home buyers who are ages 55 and older comprise more than one-fourth (27%) of the respondents to the study. Of these respondents, more than one-third (34%) purchased a home in an active adult community.

“Age-targeted housing represents a big opportunity for many builders,” said Paula Sonkin, executive director of the real estate industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates.

	34 Markets Studied
	Albuquerque, N.M. Atlanta, Ga. Austin, Texas Baltimore, Md. Central Valley, Calif.* Charleston, S.C.* Charlotte, N.C. Chicago, Ill. Dallas/Ft. Worth Denver/Colorado Springs Detroit Ft. Myers/Naples, Fla. Houston Inland Empire, Calif. Jacksonville, Fla. Los Angeles/Ventura County, Calif. Las Vegas Minneapolis Nashville, Tenn.* Orange County, Calif. Orlando, Fla. Palm Beach, Fla. Philadelphia Phoenix Portland, Ore. Raleigh/Durham, N.C. Sacramento, Calif. San Antonio, Texas* San Francisco Bay Area San Diego Seattle/Tacoma, Wash. Tampa/Sarasota, Fla. Tucson, Ariz. Washington, D.C.

“The importance of maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is clear: Buyers of traditional homes today are potential active-adult buyers in the future. Recognizing the long-term value of customers remains an important builder strategy, especially considering the important role builder reputation plays in active adult purchase behavior.”

Del Webb, a brand of Pulte Homes, receives particularly high ratings in the three areas that are most important to active adult buyers: builder’s warranty/customer service; construction manager; and home readiness. Approximately one in three (37%) active adult study respondents selected a Del Webb home.

Following Del Webb in the active adult brand rankings are Pulte Homes, Shea Trilogy and US Home, respectively.

The study also highlights select active adult communities that perform within the top 10 percent of qualifying communities. These Active Adult Communities of Distinction are:

  ● Solera at Anthem, Las Vegas (Del Webb)
  ● Solera at Oak Valley Greens, Inland Empire, Calif. (Del Webb)
  ● South Shore Falls, Tampa, Fla. (Centex Homes)
  ● Sun City Aliante, Las Vegas (Del Webb)

The 2006 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 60,927 buyers of newly built single-family homes who provided feedback after living in their homes from four to 18 months, on average. The study includes responses from 6,219 active adult home buyers. For more comprehensive builder ratings for all 34 U.S. markets, visit www.jdpower.com

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction.  The firm’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually.  J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.