Mr Williamsburg, Revolutionary ideas on real estate!Hampton Roads Virginia

I had previously posted an article about The Peninsula Housing and Builders Association (PHBA) selecting  Founders Pointe in Isle of Wight, VA to host their 26th Annual Parade of Homes event in the spring of 2009.  As you have now discovered this did not happen. Then I wrote that Hampton Roads Crossing was the new location. This also was changed.  The association changed the location from Hampton Roads Crossing in northern Suffolk, a successful mixed-use development after builders who were initially interested in participating indicated the time frame, the lot size and the unique design requirements didn’t allow them to use their standard plans. 

Subsequently  Tidewater Builders Association  ( TBA)  announced the Homearama 2009 showcase of homes will be hosted at Culpepper Landing, a mixed-use traditional neighborhood development in Chesapeake.
The event, set for Oct. 3-18, 2009 They expect to feature 12 single-family homes ranging from the mid-$300,000s to the low $500,000’s.

I then wrote about The Oaks at Fenton Mill being chose for a Fall 2009 Parade of Homes. As of last week this apparently is in jeopardy as well. Seems that they cannot get enough builders to commit. Who can blame them, not me. Having participated in a previous Parade of Homes in York County at Taylor Farms I was amazed at how much effort goes into producing an event like this. I witnessed builders and subcontractors working 24 hours a day to get the homes ready as well as volunteers by the hundreds working to make it a success.

I am not sure if it will occur but the Tidewater Builders Association is seeking builders to participate in a spring 2010 Homearama at Founders Pointe in Carrollton, Va. 

The spring Homearama at Founders Pointe is tentatively scheduled for April 17-May 2, 2010. There are 15 home sites available to custom home builders who would like to participate. Lot prices range from $112,500 for wooded views to more than $300,000 for waterfront views.

With lot prices like that the builders would have to price the homes from $450,000 to $1,200,000. That’s assuming they get concessions from their suppliers and vendors if they want to load up the homes with options like they normally do.

I have a novel idea. Why not have a Parade of Homes or Homerama for the first time home buyer ? See what you can build for $200k or less. How GREEN can you build it ? Big homes are passe. I see them languishing all over the place. Most home buyers don’t want them even if you give them the extra space for free.

So how about it TBA. Let’s see a Homerama with a $200,000 cap on pricing. Let’s give an award for the home with the lowest monthly utilities. Let’s showcase GREEN Building techniques. Let’s have numerous Habitat For Humanity Homes builds happening during the Homerama or Parade of Homes. Invite the public to help build the Habitat Homes. Teach them how. Show them how you build your homes.

It is easy to build a showpiece with tons of molding and electronic displays. Show us what can be done with efficient floor planning, energy saving appliances/systems and above all common sense site planning. Make it a show of building ideas and not about room staging.

Or what about a show that features updated/repaired homes bought at bargain rates from older neighborhoods. Buying what’s less than desired and making the most out of it is what most people face. Builders would still have a hand in redoing kitchens, adding sunrooms, adding molding, landscaping, etc

Anyone listening ?

Filed under: Chesapeake VA, chesapeake va builders, chesapeake va real estate, Founders Pointe, Hampton Roads Crossing, isle of wight, Isle of Wight neighborhoods, New Home Communities, suffolk va, Suffolk VA Neighborhoods |