New Homebuyers Go From Clicks To Mortar With Miller Homes

Over 100 homebuyers have reserved their dream home on the Miller Homes website following the launch of a new online reservation tool last Autumn. 

Miller Homes is the first major UK housebuilder to offer such a service, enabling house hunters to reserve their chosen property and pay a reservation fee to secure it at a time and place that suits them.  Since its launch in September 2017, online reservations now account for 6% of private net sales, demonstrating demand for the innovative new system.

The offering was launched as a result of the company’s ambition to provide its customers with greater flexibility in the ways they can purchase a new home.

Anne Marie Britton, National Sales & Marketing Director at Miller Homes, said: “Online purchases contribute to 16.5% of retail sales in the UK*, so by identifying a new opportunity within the industry, we have been able to provide buyers with a service on our website to secure their home in much the same way. 

“Now, we are effectively open 24/7, 365 days a year providing homebuyers with greater flexibility. We understand that buying a new home is a huge investment and this new tool makes it possible for customers to go home, consider, do further research, chat to family and friends, and then go on to make their purchase whenever it suits them to do so. This adds another important step in the decision making process that fits in with our customers’ varied lifestyles.”

The introduction of the online reservation tool has enabled Miller Homes to launch its first development online, a number of weeks prior to the opening of the on-site marketing suite. Westburn Village in Hebburn, South Tyneside, received nine online reservations within just 45 minutes of its online launch, further confirming the fact that house hunters are embracing this new, more convenient way to secure their dream home.

Anne Marie added: “An online reservation can be made at any time of the day, however we’ve noticed that two-thirds have been made in the evening or when our marketing suites are closed.  The online launch of our Westburn Village development also shows the benefits of the system for those keen to snap up the home of their dreams as soon as it is released for sale.

“We view online reservations as providing our customers with real added value in response to changing consumer behaviour, and they along with our customers who prefer the traditional method of buying a new home will continue to enjoy the excellent levels of service and customer care for which we are known.”

Following the completion of an online reservation, the property will be removed from sale and the price frozen. The customer will then need to visit the development marketing suite in person within 72 hours to confirm their reservation. The reservation fee will be deducted from the property purchase price.

For further information, visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.