"OpenLot leads are great... they come through with so much information." - Simonds Homes

Simonds Homes, one of Australia’s leading residential builders, has strengthened its early-stage buyer engagement through OpenLot, using the platform to connect with highly qualified customers well before they step into a display home. In a recent interview, General Manager of Marketing and Client Experience Maxine Dare, highlighted the importance of meeting buyers where they begin their research, particularly as today’s customers undertake extensive online exploration before making contact.

As a builder catering to a broad market, from first home buyers to knockdown rebuild clients, Simonds Homes places strong emphasis on visibility across the right channels. “Because OpenLot is a tool that is so helpful for buyers who are looking at house and land, it was just a no-brainer for us to be on there,” Maxine said. By positioning itself within a platform designed specifically for house and land search, the business is able to align with buyer intent from the outset.

A key advantage has been the depth and quality of lead information provided. With insights into buyer preferences, pricing expectations and location, Simonds Homes’ sales team is equipped to respond quickly and effectively. “Once it lands on our desk, our sales teams are able to act on it really quickly and have very productive conversations,” Maxine explained, noting that this immediacy helps streamline the path from enquiry to engagement.

The impact has been reflected in conversion speed and pipeline strength. “There’ve been some leads that have converted in as little as two weeks,” Maxine said. OpenLot has since become an important part of the company’s broader acquisition strategy, adding, “It helps you bring in buyers that are already actively looking… so it really helps to bolster your lead pipeline.”