Computers for First-Time Buyers

More and more builders are pre-wiring homes to make computer system upgrades easier for their buyers. That trend, however, presupposes that the buyer owns or will buy a computer. Most of Armadillo Homes’ first-time buyers don’t, so the south Texas builder is giving them one, in addition to the wiring.

The pilot community for the promotion is 430-home Canterbury Farms, a San Antonio development where home prices start at $70,000.

Jeff Czar Jr., president of Armadillo’s San Antonio division, likens throwing in a computer to offering kitchen appliances standard. For the builder, it’s a construction cost, but for first-time buyers without a lot to spend, it makes a huge difference.

"A lot of these people will not go out and buy [computers], so this is a big deal - for the kids especially," says Czar.

The computer system offered was tailored for Armadillo by a local Hewlett-Packard distributor and includes a variety of kid-friendly and home-management programs, a printer, a two-year service plan, setup and technical support.

"It’s kind of giving back," Czar says. "It’s a good marketing deal, too. The community doesn’t even have the sales center open, and we’ve sold 25 homes already."