HousingZone Web Awards (2002 - Builders: Best Home Demonstration / Portfolio / Tour)

David Weekley's home demonstrations combine still photos and virtual tours in convenient, compact pop-up windows. While virtual tours on many sites are blurry and of generally poor quality, these are crystal-clear. The tours are more advanced than those on other sites, allowing users to view rooms in 3-D and 2-D, or to simply view an extensive slide show. Drop-down menus show still pictures from throughout the home - and there's no shortage of high-quality shots of furnished models. The virtual tour can be e-mailed to a friend or saved in a portfolio for later use. Although virtual tours are not available for every home on the site, all homes feature floor plans and elevations. A small video camera graphic designates homes featuring virtual tours, and a graphic of a camera accompanies homes that feature still pictures.

Bottom Line: David Weekley's home demonstrations take the form of sharp virtual tours, still shots and floor plans that provide an outstanding feel for its homes. These demonstrations blur the lines between visiting model homes in person and online, ultimately providing an accurate portrayal of the homes in a timesaving format not offered by other builders.