Shea Homes is giving away free hybrid Toyota Prius cars if you purchase a “green” home in Encanterra (in Queen Creek — WAY out in Queen Creek) or Trilogy at Vistancia (a 55+ community in Peoria) by June 15.
Likely there are terms, conditions, restrictions and qualifications a mile long. (One favorite builder ploy is requiring the use of their in-house lender for certain incentives.)
It’s an interesting tactic. New home builders have been offering insane upgrades and specials as they try to unload stagnant inventory. Plays hell on the resale homes nearby — it’s tough to compete with thousands of dollars in “free” upgrades, free swimming pools, and automobiles.
As always, please seriously consider securing your own representation before you visit a new home builder. They have very nice and friendly agents in the showroom that will gladly help you. Just remember — they work for the builder, and have the builders interest, not yours, in mind.
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Artur | Phoenix Central Core Real Estate 05.30.08 at 7:28 pm
How about free gas to go along with that car? There are a few builders offering free gasoline to entice buyers. Now, where have I heard that one before! $2.99 gas guarantee?
Lenore Wilkas 05.30.08 at 9:02 pm
What ever moves your boat, as they say. It would be interesting to see how many houses they move with these incentives. Can you tell, Jay? In our area, they’re throwing in upgrades but nothing more.
Keep reminding everyone to use their own agent to protect their rights. Great advise. Builder’s are only interested in their bottom line, not the buyer’s best interest.
Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice 05.30.08 at 9:35 pm
Interesting to see. Here in the Santa Barbara and Montecito CA area, the Prius and other hybrids are becoming the default realtor car. I think we will only see more of this in the VERY near future. I am all for it.
Jim Duncan 05.31.08 at 4:49 am
I’d like to see developers in “walkable” communities include bikes with the home purchases. That would be green.
Bill Lublin 06.01.08 at 4:16 am
Jay; The more things change the more they stay the same (hey that’s a pretty snappy cliche - I may use that again). In a different time, iun a galxy far far away - actually in Philadelphia, around 1955 there was a development named Rambler Park where each new house came with a new Nash Rambler. The Nash is long gone but the name remains…
I like Jim Duncan’s bike idea - but in our ‘walkable” community in Playa Vista (Los angeles) the green option is the little electric car (like a golf cart)
Dental Websites 06.01.08 at 11:05 am
I am seeing more and more of these offers such as cars, cleaning service, furniture, etc. But are these really encouraging people to buy homes?
Scottsdale Homes 06.01.08 at 3:31 pm
“Plays hell on the resale homes nearby — it’s tough to compete with thousands of dollars in “free” upgrades, free swimming pools, and automobiles.”
That’s why the outer Valley areas were hit so much harder than we were here in town when the “bubble burst”. There’s an insane amount of new home building going on at the fringes of ‘The Valley Of The Sun”.
John Lockwood 06.01.08 at 6:16 pm
Where do I sign? I have Prius envy.
Too hot there, though. Dang.
Sam Chapman - Austin REALTOR 06.02.08 at 1:23 pm
What, no Smart car as a REALTOR bonus?
Texas Refinance 08.07.08 at 6:39 pm
I just got a prius And I LOVE IT!!!! With todays Gas Problems, it is the smartest money I’ve spent this year.
Shea Guy 09.14.08 at 12:04 am
Winning a Prius would be awesome. They are a bit on the expensive side. Anyone heard if the price on them will be coming down?