Oklahoma homebuilder launches app to improve buying, building process
From groundbreaking to move-in day and beyond, an Oklahoma homebuilder is the first in the state to roll out a new mobile app to better ensure that customers stay privy to their build progress and maintenance timing. Norman-based Ideal Homes has soft-launched an application aimed at establishing greater transparency by converting back-end enterprise resource planning data into an interface that allows buyers to see paint color selections, get automated to-do reminders and monitor warranty repairs. Company leadership expects the app to result in a reduction of repetitive customer-care inquiries and more streamlined post-sale service. Genesis of the application The app represents a yearslong effort from Ideal Homes and Neighborhoods President Steve Shoemaker, who has wanted a tool for customers to help manage their home-buying and ownership experience, but finding the right solution required looking at a number of options. “There’s a lot of prop tech, homebuilding technology companies that are out there that build apps for customers, but what we found is those apps were either specifically for the sales process or for a customer that was buying a house, but then it didn’t really help them after that,” said Erin Yarbrough, director of marketing for Ideal Homes & Neighborhoods.
