The news is hard to miss – the real estate industry has seen better times, foreclosures are mounting, gas prices are rising – the negative news seems to dominate local and national news. One Central Ohio homebuilder wants to give hope and help to people in need this holiday season.

While homebuyers have come accustomed to incentives from reduced prices, free laptops, upgrades, even OSU Football tickets, Schottenstein Real Estate Group is offering homebuyers an opportunity to donate up to $5,000 to the charity of their choice.

 
“We felt that this holiday season was a time for us to rise to the occasion for many in our own community,” says Schottenstein Real Estate President Brett Kaufman. “During these times of uncertainty we’ve made the decision to continue to make every effort we can to empower our homeowners to make good choices.”

Kaufman said this initiative allows their homebuyers to give a sizeable gift to any charitable cause that’s important in their lives and further invigorates the buying experience in a positive and exciting way.

“We have been offering our homebuyers’ incentives that help them buy homes during this buyer’s market – and we will continue to do that. This really is a great time to buy. But it is also a great time to give,” says Kaufman. “Central Ohio is a very caring community. We want to help our homebuyers spread the joy of their purchase to those in need – whether it be local food banks, places of worship, needy children, homeless shelters, or troops overseas – it is an opportunity to make a difference for those in need. We are aware that funding for charitable programs and foundations are in greater demand than ever this year. We hope by helping our homebuyers find the perfect house, we can help the greater community benefit from the sale of these homes.”

Kaufman said the campaign will be kicked off the first week of December and will apply to all contracts written by January 6, 2008.

Charitable contribution must be made to a registered charitable organization.
Schottenstein Real Estate was named Builder of the Year in 2006 by the Building Industry Association. The company owns or manages more than 1,500 homesites in the Central Ohio area.