I’m blessed to be able to announce the birth of our second daughter, Giavauna Leona Click.  Deziray gave birth to her early Friday morning, and she weighed in at 7lbs. 15oz. and 20 1/4” long.  Mom and Baby are doing well, and Big Sis, Alessondra, couldn’t be more proud (or protective.)

The Oklahoman’s Real Estate Editor, Richard Mize, picked up on the news via my Facebook status update and echoed the announcement in his Saturday Real Estate section.  Needless to say, Giavauna is already a fan of his work…

Giavauna poses with a copy of her first official press.

Aside from the news about Giavauna, the article covers the first-of-its-kind iPhone App for the 2010 COHBA Parade Of Homes in October, as well as the Social Media Seminar that I will be a participating in as a panelist along with friends and associates, Ryan Hukill of Platinum Partners and Tyler Smith of Traction Marketing.

Also, don’t forget that voting for the Readers’ Choice awards ends Monday, and you can still earn your chances to win a new Apple iPad!

We were nothing short of blown away last year when Jeff Click Homes was first named a finalist, and then winner of last year’s 2009 Readers Choice Awards.  It did amazing things for the morale of the company staff, as well as the work force who have muscled through the largest downturn in housing history.  We were at a loss as to how to show our appreciation to those who voted, as “Thank You!” just didn’t seem to be enough.

When our clients and fans nominated us again this year, we decided to add a way we could say “Thank you!” to those who take a few minutes out of their day to cast a vote of support for us.  That’s where our Readers Choice iPad Giveaway, launched this week, came about. 

We chose an iPad not just because it’s a hot item or of significant value, but because…as anyone who knows us, or has been in one of our furnished model homes, or has read an article about us...we’re a company known for building high tech homes, and we’re huge Apple fans.  Apparently our fans are too, as almost every client we’ve built for in the last year totes an iPhone.  Technology, and namely Apple gear, is part of the Jeff Click Homes brand.

We’re also a company that strives to do things differently and we aim for bold outcomes.  It’s evident in our homes, our marketing, and it’s clearly stated in the words of our fans and clients.  We love technology, and our online efforts are the largest component to our promotional strategy.  When we (myself, the Jeff Click Homes staff, and a few others who provide insight and feedback to me on such matters) planned the iPad giveaway, I certainly considered that it might be viewed by some as a form of enticement to stimulate votes we might not otherwise receive.

Patrick Allmond is one of those who doesn’t like our Readers’ Choice giveaway.  For those who aren’t familiar with Patrick, he’s a consultant and active member of the Oklahoma City Metro social media space.  He recently commented on the Jeff Click Homes Facebook Page regarding our Readers Choice iPad Giveaway, and even blogged extensively about it.

It’s worth asking: what exactly is “Readers’ Choice”? 

It’s a popularity contest.  Plain and simple.  It’s an ad campaign for the paper, and a potential marketing campaign for the finalists who play along.  Marketing, in part, is about building popularity.

Readers’ Choice is not unlike other contests where voting is involved, from elections, to American Idol, to the Oscars.  Anything that involves voting to determine the outcome is already based on this proposition…that a voter casts a vote of support on behalf of a person, entity, or idea, with the hopes that there is a chance that the voter gets something out of the outcome of the cumulative votes.

It’s no secret that many other companies provide giveaways or promotions to help motivate their family, friends, staff, and patrons to vote in Readers Choice.  I also know of companies who have, for a fact, bought thousands of copies of the ballot edition of the paper so they can, on their own, “stuff the ballot box” to win.  The former I believe is an acceptable, the latter is not.

Patrick doesn’t pull any punches, and he’s come down pretty hard on Jeff Click Homes to make his point.  According to him, this giveaway is shady.  He’s even insinuated that our giveaway somehow lacks integrity and stands in stark contrast to our company mission statement and core values.  He even challenges whether I can look at myself in the mirror each morning if Jeff Click Homes wins. 

I think Patrick is taking this popularity contest thing a little too seriously, and I disagree that this somehow downgrades my integrity, or compromises my core values.  In fact, I believe this campaign is in alignment with one of our company core values in particular:

He also says we should be showing “the full slate of other choices”...as though we’re somehow limiting our voters from knowing who our competitors are on the ballot.  I’ve got mad geek skills, but I have no idea how I could ever pull this off.  Hack the Readers Choice ballot at NewsOK’s site so that only Jeff Click Homes appears when our tweeps vote?  This notion couldn’t be more blatantly false, as evidenced by a screenshot from our giveaway video…

Free iPad or not, every voter has the choice of any of the five builders.  It’s worth noting that of the five builders in the “Best New Home Builder - North” category, Jeff Click Homes is the smallest building company by a large margin.  In fact, we only build 4% of the number of homes that the largest builder on our ballot built in 2009, and 6% of the volume of the second largest.  So based on potential base of clients, we’re in a position where we have to amplify the voice of our much smaller following in order to reasonably compete.  I have a great deal of respect for every builder we’re up against on that list, and am honored to be among them. If this campaign has upset some of them, as Patrick has suggested, I regret that’s the case and I’m disappointed they’re going to Patrick about this rather than me. 

Either way, considering those stats, it’s apparent who has the advantage.

So this discussion begs the questions…

If incentivizing participation in this contest isn’t acceptable or a legitimate strategy, what is acceptable? 

Is advertising that you’re a finalist acceptable?  OPUBCO thinks so.  This whole event is a common advertising blitz many publications do across the country, and others do it here in OKC.  They approach every finalist to take out a premium-priced ad to help encourage people to vote for you, and then if you win, they offer you an ad to say “Thanks!” to your voters.  The more eyeballs driven to their ballot, and thus their site, the better for NewsOK.

In my view, rather than spending big dollars to pay for a relatively meaningless “Thank you!” ad, I think the better way to show appreciation for your voters is to offer them something of value.

Is leveraging your following to help you achieve an outcome that suits your interests a compromise in your integrity?  If you, as a finalist, have a large following, whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog, is asking for votes going too far?  Unless Patrick has recently changed his mind, he doesn’t have any problem with this method when it comes to promoting his own ambitions.

If emailing, tweeting, and Facebooking is a reasonable tactic, should it be made clear that out-of-towners shouldn’t vote?  What about those out-of-towners who formerly lived in one of your homes or used your product?  What about your out-of-state family members who have seen you grow up and witnessed your growth into a business worthy of nomination for such a contest?  If that’s unacceptable, does it change things if the out-of-towner is still actually a “Reader” of the paper hosting the contest?

I’ll digress, as we’ve already proven we can win this popularity contest in the past without a giveaway.  Our work force was so moved by winning last year against the more “Titan” builders, we’ve placed real effort into winning it again.  We were so excited that so many people found us deserving of winning it that this time, we wanted to do more than just an expensive “Thank you!” ad.  Some will participate and vote for us, some will vote for another builder to spite us or because they like the other builder, and some won’t do anything at all. 

Then there are those like Patrick who will see this negatively and blog about it.  I can live with that, disagree with his opinions, and still respect him and his views.  And while Jeff Click Homes has been been made an example of by him as a company who has, in his view, compromised its integrity in a popularity contest, I disagree and stand behind our reasoning for the giveaway…and the giveaway will continue, as caving to criticism and canceling it altogether would be the real abandonment of my personal and company core values. 

And in the interest of “bold outcomes”, maybe I should just up the ante and give ol’ Patrick an iPad, too, if Jeff Click Homes wins Best New Home Builder - North.

Updated 06.17.10: After making this post, I discovered an interesting tidbit regarding Patrick, who places a premium on integrity, challenging others to “set a higher standard of business.”  In his critical challenge of Jeff Click Homes, he failed to disclose that he was recently hired as a consultant by one of our direct competitors to aid them in their online marketing efforts.  I have what I consider to be a great relationship with the guys behind this competing building company, and don’t believe they instigated or were behind Patrick’s efforts.  I just think it’s worth noting that Patrick was less than transparent regarding this fact when he launched his criticisms of our giveaway.  As he said in his closing words in his post, “Let’s set the bar high and keep it there.”

You honored us last year by making us NewsOK’s 2009 “Best New Home Builder - North” in the Oklahoma City Metro. We’re thrilled that you’ve nominated us once again this year as a 2010 finalist!  How thrilled are we, exactly?

We’re giving away a 16GB Wi-Fi Apple iPad™.  Check out details below…

To say “Thank You!” for voting daily for us this year, and to make it a bit more exciting, we’re giving away a brand new Apple iPad™ Wi-Fi. 

Check out this video, which explains…

You can earn up to three chances daily until June 21st, 2010.  Here’s how it works.

Step 1: VOTE!

Vote each day for Jeff Click Homes in the 2010 NewsOK Readers Choice Awards. If you’ve never voted, you’ll go through a quick registration process, and then you’ll get to the ballot.  We’re in the “Home” category, and listed at the top of that category under “Best New Home Builder - North”.  You can vote once per day through June 21st, 2010.

Step 2: After you’ve voted, do any of these daily…

Daily Chance 1: Tweet It.

Simply Tweet that you’ve just voted for @JeffClickHomes for Readers Choice, and include a link back to this page.  Here’s an example:

If you choose to word it another way, be sure to link back to this page so others can learn about the give-away.

To make it easy, if your’e already logged into your Twitter account, you can tweet this by simply clicking here.

Daily Chance 2: Facebook it.

This way works almost just like tweeting it.  From your Facebook profile, update your status with something like this…

Again, be sure to link back to this page so others can learn about the give-away.

You can update your status right now clicking here.  In your status update, remember to link to us by typing it as “@Jeff Click Homes”.  You’ll see a menu pop up where you can select our name and it will create a link to our page, which we’ll use to register your entry.

Daily Chance 3: Blog it.

If you have your own blog, you can make a post on your blog about how you’ve just voted for Jeff Click Homes, and even explain more about our iPad giveaway.  To make sure we “count” your post as an entry, be sure to track back to this page, or you can a link to your post to let us know you’ve posted.

For each time you do one or more of those, you’ll be entered into our drawing for the new iPad.  If we win Best New Home Builder - North, then we’ll do the drawing, which will be hosted live on Ustream.com on July 26, 2010.

So here are some Frequently Asked Questions…

So how do I win, again, exactly?
It’s easy.  Vote for us, then do one or more of the following: Tweet that you voted for us, Facebook that you voted for us, and/or blog that you voted for us.  In all three cases, include a link back to this page with your post.  Each time you do one of those three items, your name will be entered in the drawing.  You can be entered up to three times daily through June 21st, 2010.

Do you consider this buying votes?
We’ve been asked that, and we explain our position on this in this post.

What model iPad are you giving away? (Added 06.17.10)
It’s the 16G Wi-Fi model, and the specs are available at Apple’s site.  Sorry, but there are no substitutions or cash alternatives to the prize.

Who is eligible?
Anyone who is not an employee of Jeff Click Homes, or an immediate family member of Jeff Click Homes employees.  (Same goes for any of Jeff Click Homes’ listing Realtor® agents and their family members.)

Do I have to live in Oklahoma City to participate?
No, not at all.  However, each state has different laws regarding giveaways.  So, as they say, “Void where prohibited.”

How will I know you’ve recorded each one of my chances?
We’ll monitor our twitter name, so be sure to refer to us on Twitter as “@JeffClickHomes.”  You can do similarly on Facebook by typing in “@Jeff Click Homes” (note the spaces) and it will create a link to our Facebook account, which we’ll be monitoring.  If you blog about the give-away, use a trackback to this post, or email us to let us know you’ve posted.  We’ll try to respond to each Twitter mention, Facebook mention, or blog post to let you know we’ve seen it.

When will the drawing take place?
It’s important to note that for the drawing to take place, Jeff Click Homes must win “Best New Home Builder - North” in the 2010 NewsOK Readers Choice Awards.  When we win, the drawing will take place July 26th, and we’ll broadcast it live on Ustream.tv.  Leading up to the drawing, we’ll post information on the exact time and URL for the broadcast.

What if I win the iPad?
If you are drawn, we’ll contact you to let you know (but hopefully you’ll be watching it on Ustream).  We’ll have the new iPad shipped directly to you at no cost to you.  As the winner, you agree to allow us to publicize you as the winner, though we will not divulge any personal contact information.

There was something else I was going to ask, but I forget what it was…
Go vote first.  Then, when you think of it, come back and ask it as a comment to this post, or .

Good luck!

First, there are a few timing issues that have to be considered. You must have a purchase agreement in place by April 30, 2010, which means your first step is to claim your new home.  Next, the home has to close no later than June 30, 2010. Closing is just the official term used for the formalization of the purchase…it’s at this point that the place is officially yours.

So how much do you get in tax credit?  If you are a first time home buyer or have not owned a home in the last 3 years then you are qualified for an $8000 tax credit. If you have owned the same home for 5 of the last 8 years then you are qualified for a $6500 tax credit.  It’s always a good idea to consult your CPA for the specifics of your personal eligibility.

The bad news: the time to build a custom home and still qualify for the tax credit has come and gone.

The good news: we have a limited supply of homes that are either finished or will be complete by the expiration of the tax credit, and we’ve listed them below for your convenience.

17413 Hawk Tree Lane - Numbers Plan - 2450sf - $260,357

3016 Firewheel Drive - Romans Design - 2599sf - $269,289

2409 NW 176th - John Design - 1751sf - $198,762

2208 NW 173rd - Daniel Design - 2213sf - $239,623

2425 NW 176th - Daniel Design - 2213sf - $239,913

2201 NW 172nd - Shalom Design - 1670sf - $178,736

2112 NW 172nd - Shalom Design - 1670sf - $179,506

2204 NW 172nd - Cielo Design - 1579sf - $168,828

Stay tuned to our site for the most up to date information on which of these homes are still available.  Hopefully this info helps answer some questions you may have had regarding the tax credit, and feel free to stop by our model home in Silverhawk if you have any more specific questions.

It’s undeniable that the vibe at Starbucks has contributed to its success with, from the music and lighting, to the interior design, decorating, and furnishings.  It all creates a cohesive atmosphere that complements the products they sell, all of which reflects the personality they project as a company, which in turn resonates with the personalities of the people who hang there.

Perhaps most reflective of our personality is our own living spaces, and unlike our work space, the home is where we do have some control in the look and feel.  It’s easy for nearly everyone to identify what they do and don’t like in design and decorating, but not everyone can pinpoint their own personal style, let alone communicate it.

No worries. 

Our friends at one of our favorite modern furniture stores, IO Metro, led us to a great find via their modern decor blog, Hello Metro.  They point us to a recent feature at Real Simple magazine‘s site, which divides decorating styles into four categories and runs you through a quiz that, through a few simple visual questions, will help you determine your “decorating personality.”

After going through a step-by-step visual survey, you’ll discover whether your decorative style is Sophisticated Classic, Cozy Casual, Vintage Eclectic, or Modern Graphic.

A beautiful example of Modern Graphic decorating from Real Simple

And if there’s any question lingering as to the decorative personality of our modern new homes in Edmond and Oklahoma City, you guessed it: Modern Graphic.

In this series, we’re looking at some of the hottest Master Suites in new homes in Edmond, Oklahoma built by Jeff Click Homes, showcasing some of the best looks and trends found in the mid-level price point.  Check out a few photos from our furnished new home model in Silverhawk.

WOW-Factor: Just as we did in the entrance to the Master Suite, we add a little “holllah!” to the
to the first view of the bathroom.

Lighten Up: Lighting is the “bling” of a house, and should make a statement, but never neglect
attention to good lighting function.  Ladies need it for perfecting their look, and bros need it
to insure a crisis-free shave.  Natural light enhances it all the more during the day.

Blush & Brush: While we strongly encourage as much fun as possible in the Master Bath, let’s remember
it’s a place for work, too.  Good counter top space, adequate storage, and a place
for the Princess to pretty up, are all essential.

Bathing Beauties: A romantic bathroom isn’t so without a roomy bath for two.

Showered With Love: So maybe the bath tub isn’t an every day affair, but we hope a shower is. A
roomy shower is a must for any steamy encounters…
or just to get ready for the day.

There are a few other niceties that we like to throw into our Master Bathrooms in all of our new homes in Edmond and Oklahoma City.  One of the more popular amenities is our proximity-sensing light control, which detects your presence and turns on your lights for you for an adjustable period of time.  We also include a heat lamp and vent light combo, which provides a boost of heat for those chilly mornings, as well as helps better ventilate the room should things get a little too steamy, so to speak (which we strongly encourage!).  Jeff Click Homes also tiles all shower walls and bath tub backsplashes for added style and longevity.

To see our unique, modern home designs that have amazing master baths, might we suggest The Numbers Plan, The Daniel Plan, The Psalm Plan, and The Romans Plan.

Up next: The Master Closet.

The Master Suite: One of the most romantic spaces in a home.

So what makes a great Master Suite?  Not to be coy, but aside from a few rules of thumb, the answer is simply “it depends.”  Let’s start by being honest; unless you’re a single guy, it’s usually the women that call the shots when it comes to decisions about the home.  If you ask any group of women, you’ll probably receive some common answers and as opinions and preferences on what makes the perfect Master Suite as what goes into the Perfect Man.

Check out a few important aspects of a well-designed Master Suite, as demonstrated by our furnished new home model in Silverhawk.  By implementing a few of these key aspects of design, your new home‘s master suite will be sure to arouse the senses.

First Impressions: The entrance to the Suite needs to be impactful.  Use of natural light, color,
and ceiling heights all play a role in making a statement.

Size Matters: The room need not be huge, but it does need to be spacious enough to remain functional
once furnishings are in place.  This master suite maintains adequate walkways between a low-profile
dresser and a queen sized bed with average-sized nightstands.

Next, we’ll explore another aspect of the Master Suite: The Master Bathroom.

The fellas from Jeff Click Homes have a little fun demonstrating how to properly clear a driveway of Oklahoma snow and ice in under 2.5 minutes at the Jeff Click Homes furnished model home in Silverhawk.

OK, so maybe not exactly that fast, but here’s a crash-course tutorial on how to properly clear a driveway from snow and ice. The team from Jeff Click Homes has a little bit of fun demonstrating this at the 2010 Jeff Click Homes Furnished Model Home in the Silverhawk Addition in Edmond, Oklahoma.

The great room view of the entry of our Parade Home at 2412 NW 174th St in Silverhawk

As announced by the Parade Committee, The Oklahoman, and NewsOK, the Jeff Click Homes Parade Home, based on a newly redesigned version of our Daniel Plan, picked up three Parade of Homes Awards in the $200,000 - $400,000 price point in the Edmond Area:

• Best Overall Design - Considers plan layout, usability, and general design ideas
• Best Kitchen* - Considers layout, usability, and arrangement of work space. *We tied with Adams Kirby Homes on this one.
• Best Decorating - Considers furnishing, accessories, and staging of the home.

The super sleek, and now award-winning kitchen of the JCH Parade Home, which included
stainless appliances, glass backsplash, and stainless built-in table and bar.

Complete information on the home in Silverhawk at 2412 NW 174th, including pricing, photo tours, and our new NewSpin360 Virtual Tour is available for you to check out anytime here at our site.

If you didn’t get a chance to see it during the Parade, no worries!  We’ll be modelling out of this one while our new Furnished Model Home in Silverhawk is getting wrapped up.  We’ll be open daily (except Tuesdays) from 1-6.  Stop by and see it and us!

The sexy master bathroom of the JCH Parade Home, with 3D mirror
arrangement, raised Euro cabinets, modern lighting, and lots of surprises.