Companies across the board have experienced layoffs, and many cut back on costs as the economy steadily declined. Among survey respondents, 25% noted their strategy has remained unchanged, while 35.7% cut advertising dollars. "These figures are not surprising as the normal cost-saving strategy is to cut marketing and advertising dollars," notes Don Smolev, Alliance member and president of the Marcon Group.

"At the same time, 67.8% of builders surveyed are utilizing new techniques like Internet marketing and print and broadcast advertising--50%--while 60.7% continue to use traditional methods such as brochures and flyers," Smolev tells GlobeSt.com. "The 'new marketing' employs all possible elements available, including a great Web site, e-mail blasts, Facebook, Twitter, pay-per-click, online media, print ads, direct mail, traditional print and public relations. Each brings a percentage of the total traffic required to sell successfully."

To give buyers peace of mind and assist homebuyers with their financing issues, 50% of builders surveyed are now offering homebuyers financing assistance, and 42.8% are picking up the closing costs to save the buyer money.

After the sell-out of a community, builders were asked if they review their actions to obtain a better grasp on their successes and problems during the selling process. Most respondents--64.2%--noted they review the process, while 21.4% review the process "sometimes."

"The review process can be extremely beneficial in avoiding future mistakes and learning what works best with buyers during a given time period," says Joe Di Bernardo, Alliance member and president of Joseph L. Di Bernardo & Associates. "Almost 80% of the builders who take a look back at the sales process agree that it is a step in the right direction."