A trusted leader in the St. Louis new home industry for 65 years, Fischer & Frichtel is recognized for its unique ability to analyze local market conditions and anticipate housing trends.

The nationwide economic downturn as produced a significant shift in consumers’ approach to purchasing a new home, and Fischer & Frichtel has responded with introduction of a companywide program to address these changing issues.

“Faced with financial uncertainty and increasingly strict mortgage qualifications, pricing has become the homebuyer’s paramount concern, “CEO John Fischer stated. “Families are reevaluating how much square footage they really need, and many of the desirable ‘frills’ seem less important. In every price range, today’s buyers are paying much more attention to how much home they can actually afford. They want comfortable, manageably-sized living space that suits their lifestyle and budget. But they still expect value and aren’t willing to settle for inferior quality.”

Although many area builders have lowered their prices by substituting less expensive materials and products, the challenge for Fischer & Frichtel was to achieve more affordable price points in its 16 established communities, while still maintaining the firm’s enduring reputation for top-quality homes.

Months of intensive research, design effort, and collaboration with subcontractors and suppliers has resulted in a program that, in Fischer’s words, “opens our neighborhoods to a whole new market.” He added, “We want people who thought they could never afford a Fischer & Frichtel home to realize that they now have that opportunity.”

In early January, all-new 2010 design portfolios were unveiled in the firm’s various “prestige”communities, where starting prices have been reduced by as much as $164,600.

Structurally, the new product lines are designed with virtually all of the same high-quality components previously included, but customers now have almost unlimited freedom to select their preferred amenities.

“Base prices on these new plans have been pared down to rock bottom, “Fischer explained, “and we’re giving cost-conscious buyers far more latitude in choosing their interior features, which translates to greater control over the final contract price.”

For added economy, buyers can opt for special packages that have been assembled at substantial discounts and vary by community. Examples include appliance, interior finish, kitchen, energy-saving, and finished entertainment and outdoor living area packages.

To kick off 2010, $10,000 to $20,000 in free options of choice are also being offered to the first five purchasers in select communities.

“The ability and willingness to customize have always been a Fischer & Frichtel hallmark, “noted Linda Linden, Director of Sales, “and that’s not something you’ll find with other volumne builders especially in today’s market. We’re taking customization to a whole new level - basically, giving our customers the freedom to make even more choices and personalize the affordability of their new homes.”

Tremendous savings are also available to purchasers in the company’s entry-level communities, where pricing was reduced last fall in conjunction with the federal first-time-buyer stimulus program. Some of these neighborhoods offer additional incentives, and the remaining inventory homes in various close-out communities have been dramatically reduced for quick sale.

Fischer predicts that the impetus to invest in a Fischer & Frichtel home will be at its height over the next few weeks. “it’s the ‘perfect storm’ for smart homebuyers,” he observed. “Prices and interest rates are at historic lows and have nowhere to go but up. The federal stimulus plan expires this spring, and Missouri tax credit funds are limited. So, now is definitely the time to maximize the value of your investment.”

For complete details on the 2010 design collection, Fischer & Frichtel communities metrowide, current pricing and promotions, visit www.FandFHomes.com