Parade of Homes – Memphis Flyer

In the midst of an uncertain housing market, the Memphis Area Home Builders Association has decided not to hold its biannual Vesta Home Show this fall.

The showcase, held for more than 20 years, has wowed visitors with state-of-the-art homes in posh neighborhoods. Last spring, the show’s seven homes — priced between $500,000 and $650,000 — were sold before the event officially began. It was the first pre-show sell-out in Vesta’s history.

But the builder’s association recently decided that instead of doing Vesta, it would host a 2007 Mid-South Parade of Homes.

“The Vesta show was a success — everything sold — but it was only a success for those builders involved,” says MAHBA executive director Don Glays. “To be honest, there were not a lot of developers coming to the table saying I’m willing to risk the advertising and marketing budget.”

And with a weak housing market, the association wanted to give all of its member builders a boost.

“We’re going through a market correction that is probably a little more severe than it has been in the past,” Glays says. “We decided to carry on by doing a Parade of Homes that would interest all markets, not just the upscale market.”

Glays, who became director in May, has spent 25 years in the home-building industry. He says the association was considering doing a Parade-type event before he was hired. In fact, he was even asked about it during the interview process.

The Parade of Homes, which will be held in conjunction with the North Mississippi Home Builders Association, will run from October 12th to 28th and will feature 161 homes in 40 communities throughout the tri-state area. Seventy builders are involved and have built houses that range from $125,000 to $1.25 million.

Vesta may introduce buyers to top-of-the-line homes, but Glays thinks it offers an inaccessible product for most consumers. He hopes that a showcase aimed at drawing potential homebuyers into the market will work better than one that leaves them dreaming.

“When people go to Vesta, most say this is really nice, but it’s not mine. I’ll never have this,” Glays says. “With Parade of Homes, you can visit homes and say this is what I really want and I can afford this.”

MAHBA plans to hold another Parade of Homes in the spring and then return with the Vesta concept in fall 2008.

Have you ever been told to “get with the program”? Or maybe you remember a time when you were ostracized for not being up-to-date with society’s latest trends. With the overabundance of how-to books and Web sites, people can learn about the new and upcoming trends of nearly any industry they choose. When it comes to the home-building industry, however, why go out and buy a book or spend hours surfing the Web when you can see the latest developments in home building and interior design with your own eyes?

At the 2007 Mid-South Parade of Homes, which runs October 12th to 14th, 18th to 21st, and 25th to 28th, you can witness the newest ideas for kitchens, bedrooms, ceilings, floors, screened porches, technology centers, bathrooms, landscaping, home décor, landscaping, and more. Best of all, there are over 160 model homes in this year’s Parade of Homes, ranging from the $125,000 starter home to the million-dollar custom home. We have the perfect variety for consumers with a particular preference. Whether you are considering building a new home or remodeling your current home, you will find fresh ideas to help you succeed.

Maximizing space is becoming an increasingly prominent factor for new-home builders and remodelers. Large islands and an abundance of countertops are becoming exceedingly popular in kitchens and provide plenty of room for families to cook, children to do homework, or hosts to entertain guests. Ten-foot ceilings — or higher — with barrel-vaulted and wood-beamed effects make the home not only look but feel more spacious. Oversized windows are also becoming more common and create openness. Screened porches offer extra space for homeowners to relax with views of the outdoors, and some lead to an open deck area, perfect for summer get-togethers. Clearly, these new homes prove there are a variety of ways to make the most of your space.

Not only will this year’s Parade of Homes show you great ways to enhance space, you will also observe trendy ideas for spicing up your home. Hardwood cherry floors are popular, especially in the kitchen and living-room areas. Brick and stone accents around walls and fireplaces make the home distinguished, while double-door entries offer guests a friendly welcome. Crown-molded and multi-layered ceilings, two traditional trends, are gaining popularity once again in both “great rooms” and master bedroom suites. Decorated arched openings, the most popular trend of all, give formal distinction to spacious rooms. Regardless of the amount of space, areas should be tailored to give the home unique character.

Before constructing a new home, be sure to “get with the program.” Observe the clever use of space, unique styles, and other home-building trends at the 2007 Mid-South Parade of Homes. The innovative homes at this year’s event are definitely something you won’t want to miss. ■

Visit www.memphisparade.com for more information regarding the 2007 Mid-South Parade of Homes.

Keith Grant is president of the Memphis Area Home Builders Association.