Centex Homes ranks at the top of a new-home buyer customer satisfaction survey by J.D. Power and Associates that included the Grand Strand for the first time.

• Because of its building growth, Myrtle Beach was added to J.D. Power and Associates 2007 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study - identifying the Grand Strand as one of the 34 largest homebuilding markets in the country.

The addition of Myrtle Beach to the survey list was welcome news for Grand Strand builders, who said it proves that the number of building permits and home sales in the area can stack up against larger cities.

• J.D. Power looks at market share rankings and highly competitive markets when deciding which cities to include. Myrtle Beach was one of four cities added this year.

Centex took the top spot locally in every category of the study, showing that the Grand Strand’s largest builder can sell the most homes in the area and still please their buyers.

• Centex sold 1,185 homes and condos in the three-county area, giving it 10 percent of the market share in 2006, according to Market Opportunity Research Enterprises.

• For customer satisfaction, national builder D.R. Horton came in second and regional builder Bill Clark Homes third.

• Builders in this category are ranked on their warranties, their construction managers, sales staff and home readiness, among other items. Builders get more points for doing well in categories that are important to homebuyers.

For new home quality, Centex ranks first, Bill Clark Homes second and D.R. Horton third in the Myrtle Beach area. The category asks homebuyers about the amount and severity of construction problems.

For new home design, Centex ranks first along the Grand Strand followed by D.R. Horton and Bill Clark.

• Respondents say flooring, master baths and the kitchen are the most important part of the design of their homes.

• Nationally, homebuyers report that having a convenient arrangement of bathroom fixtures is more important than the size of the bathroom.

For more information on Centex Homes’ latest buyer incentives: contact Barbara Chartier by phone 843-902-0204 or email barbara.chartier@century21.com.

Source: Jenny Burns, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC