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

Finally a builder is listening. I have always been astounded at the price ranges that have been showcased in previous Parade of New Homes, Homeramas, etc. In this past year we had the PHBA Peninsula Home Builder Association Parade of Homes in our Taylor Farms community in York County. Surprisingly it was the builders who participated who decided that the prices should be in the $800k to $1.4 million dollar price range ( whew) Granted the homes were breathtaking and loaded with many unique features. The  major downside was that hardly any of the attendees needed or could afford homes that size and price.

Well someones listinening the  Tidewater Builders Association has announced that the 2009 Homearama showcase of homes will be held at Hampton Roads Crossing, a mixed-use community located in northern Suffolk.

Members of the Tidewater Builders Association said they would change course this year, moving the annual Homearama event from its scheduled location in Virginia Beach’s exclusive North Shore community to a somewhat less-exclusive mixed-use development in North Suffolk.

Search For Homes For Sale in Hampton Roads Crossing

Homes in the North Shore community range in price from $700,000 to more than $1 million. Homes in Hampton Roads Crossing, the Suffolk community that now will host the event, are expected to sell for around $400,000. Those currently selling in the area are fetching even less princely sums, from just under $200,000 to a little more than $300,000.

Considering the state of the housing market in Hampton Roads and the nation, changing the venue for the area’s showcase real estate event was a good public relations move and a smart business decision.

The vast majority of Hampton Roads home buyers could only dream of setting up house in one of the million-dollar mansions under construction in Virginia Beach, and those dreams are even further out of reach with the collapse of the nation’s mortgage-lending sector. Showing potential home buyers the quality they can expect at attainable price points will be more likely to endear the home builders to their potential customers.

The city of Suffolk will come out as a big winner in the deal, as potential home buyers and browsers, alike, have a chance to see all that the city has to offer. It’s a testament to good planning in the North Suffolk area that the city was ready with a community to host the event. Here’s to hoping that it’s a success.

Homearama 2009 will demonstrate traditional neighborhood design in a pedestrian-friendly, walkable community, a new urbanist trend that is sweeping the country and is showcased in many of the current home and living publications.

These traditional two-story homes will feature front porches and rear-loading garages reminiscent of the bungalow and craftsman architecture of yesteryear while, in keeping with the tradition of previous shows homes, providing the custom craftsmanship that has become the hallmark of Homearama. The builders association is also working with Southern Living to sponsor one or more of the showcase homes.

The homes are expected to average 2,500 square feet and sell for approximately $400,000, putting them in reach of many of the attendees to the annual show. The schedule for Homearama 2009 is currently proposed to run from September 19 through October 4.

“It’s a Homearama tradition to showcase trends in home designs,” added Kotarides. “Our guests have been asking us to show off what can be done in a more moderately priced home. We’re confident they’ll be pleased to see the level of detailing and creativity we can offer in a home more suited to the typical Hampton Roads family.”

The community is being developed by The Terry Peterson Companies, who approached TBA after being originally awarded Homearama for their Virginia Beach North Shore community with an idea that showcasing affordable homes in an exciting mixed-use setting might be a better fit.  ( YEA !)

Hampton Roads Crossing is designed in a mixed-use campus environment where residential, retail and commercial business districts will develop over time. The office campus is currently anchored by Old Dominion University’s VMASC (Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center) and Tri-Cities buildings. The residential campus features The Residences At Hampton Roads Crossing where the home show will take place. Luxury apartments will break ground in early 2009 and the anchor tenant for the retail district is on contract and should begin construction in 2010.

The site is located in the northern Suffolk growth corridor with easy access to Interstate 664 and the Western Freeway, making it easily accessible to all of Hampton Roads and placing it only minutes from the Peninsula and downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Currently, the commercial campus is comprised of three state-of-the-art buildings situated along the Western Freeway. The MAST Center is home to the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) and the Tri-Cities Center, both operated by Old Dominion University. These buildings, along with office space located in the Mast One building, add a high-tech sophistication to the Hampton Roads Crossing community. Additional office buildings and a hotel site are planned for the future.

The Hampton Roads Crossing retail campus will front College Drive. Once developed, this exciting shopping district will feature key anchor tenants and boutique shops, as well as several out-parcels. Live/work residences may also be added to the mix. And with all three campuses located within easy walking distance of one another, you’ll discover that The Residences at Hampton Roads Crossing will become an incredibly convenient place to live.

John Womeldorf is Mr. Williamsburg, sharing his thoughts, real estate expertise, and “all things Williamsburg” in an effort to spread the word that Williamsburg and Hampton Roads, Virginia is the greatest place on earth to live!

Contact me at John@MrWilliamsburg.com

Research the area at www.WilliamsburgsRealEstate.com

Or ask any questions about homes, neighborhoods, schools, amenities, recreation , shopping or anything else about the area.

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