My OperaRemodeling stores get spot on Home Tour
Sunday, September 19, 2010 5:13:43 PM
But that doesn’t mean this year’s upcoming Town & Country New Home Tour holds no interest, says Maurine Holle, spokeswoman for the Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne, tour organizer.
Despite canceling this year’s Parade of Homes because of monetary constraints on builders, the association decided to expand its scattered-site tour of new homes, Holle says.
The new wrinkle: Including stops at 17 area companies that offer home improvement supplies or services.
“It’s a brand-new idea,” she says. “What we’re envisioning for this show is that since not everybody is in the market to build new, although some are, a lot of people are looking to remodel to stay where they’re at.
“They’re wanting to update their current home or get it ready to sell when the market turns around. This gives them an opportunity to see what’s out there.”
Holle says the home improvement companies will have their showrooms listed within the tour booklet and be open during tour hours as well as their regular business hours during tour weeks.
But some will not be open on Sundays, she notes.
The tour will take place noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 26 and Oct. 2 and 3.
Among the vendors are companies specializing in cabinetry, flooring, lighting, roofing and siding, closet systems, home décor and appliances.
Many companies are offering tour-goers sales or other promotions, Holle says.
Kevin Hunter, president of Windows, Doors & More, says the tour gives the company a chance to get prospects into its showroom at 1121 W. Washington Center Road.
“When people go to these shows they go to get ideas,” he says, adding that his company focuses on sales to individual homeowners rather than builders.
The showroom features five home replicas that display high-end products that may not be used in builders’ model homes, he says.
And, tourgoers can become acquainted with the “more” part of the company, which includes remodeling services, kitchen cabinetry, tile and siding.
“We love to have individuals stop in and see it all, he says, acknowledging remodeling has been a bright spot in current housing market.
Jay Shipley, Home Builders Association president, says the vendors are unsung heroes of home tours because they provide products and put finishing touches on builders’ new homes.
“It’s fitting they get some additional recognition,” he says.
Holle says the tour features 21 homes and six villas plus two subdivisions with open lots.
“Almost all the houses are brand new and haven’t been within the show before. We’ve got lots of new inventory to look at,” Holle says.
Area builders have been selling through their existing inventory to fight the slump, and have built new models so they have something to show to customers, she says Country Style House Plans.
Participating builders are Bob Buescher Homes, Carriage Place Homes, colonial Homes, D&D Signature Homes, Delagrange Homes, Granite Ridge Builders by Tony Reincke, GRD Group, Heller Homes, Lancia Homes, Maggos Builders, Quality Crafted Homes, Star Homes by Delagrange and Richhart, and Windsor Homes by Jeff Gilmore.
Source: Journal Gazette
