J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Centex Homes Hampton Roads Receives New-Home Builder

5 June 2006

CONTACT:
John Tews (JDPA)
(248) 267-6800
Stacey Twine (Centex Homes)
(757) 215-1554

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., — Centex Homes Hampton Roads is being recognized for providing customers with an outstanding home ownership experience, based on the J.D. Power and Associates Certified New-Home Builder Program.SM

More than 114 new owners of Centex Homes in Hampton Roads and Williamsburg, Va., were surveyed after approximately nine months of home ownership about their experience with the builder regarding customer service, home readiness, sales staff, quality of workmanship/materials, price/value, physical design elements, design center, recreational facilities and location. The division achieved or exceeded benchmark scores earned by the top 20 percent of new-home builders evaluated in the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study.SM

“The certification program is designed to help consumers make more informed decisions with regard to choosing a home builder that is committed to providing an outstanding customer satisfaction experience,” said Jim Howland, director of the real estate industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “To have far exceeded the customer satisfaction scores required for certification demonstrates an ongoing commitment by the Hampton Roads Division of Centex Homes to meet the wants and needs of their customers.”

The program is an extension of the firm’s annual New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study, which evaluates customer satisfaction among builders in a number of markets across the country. Certification is awarded to those builders that demonstrate the highest levels of customer satisfaction in areas of the country not covered by the study. In 2005, the study included new-home builders in 30 U.S. markets: Albuquerque, N.M.; Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Dallas/Ft. Worth; Denver/Colorado Springs; Detroit; Ft. Myers/Naples, Fla.; Houston; Inland Empire, Calif.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Las Vegas; Los Angeles/Ventura County; Minneapolis; Orange County, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Palm Beach, Fla.; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; Sacramento, Calif.; San Francisco Bay Area; San Diego; Seattle/Tacoma, Wash.; Tampa, Fla.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Washington, D.C.

New-home builders that have closed at least 150 homes in their respective markets are eligible to apply for certification. The certification is valid for one year, after which the new-home builder may apply for re-certification.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction. The firm’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 290 offices in 38 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

Media Relations Contacts:
John Tews
Director, Media Relations
J.D. Power and Associates
Troy, MI
(248) 312-4119, or cell (248) 321-5109
john.tews@jdpa.com
Stacey Twine
Centex Homes Hampton Roads Division
Suffolk, VA
(757) 215-1554
satwine@centexhomes.com

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates. www.jdpower.com

Contact Information

John Tews (JDPA)

J.D. Power Media Relations

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