Published: June 12, 2009 08:52 pm      

Parade of Homes opening doors to potential buyers in Southern Indiana

Second-year event more inclusive to those of different income levels

The second annual Parade of Homes in Southern Indiana — a showcase for builders, home suppliers and those associated with the construction of new homes — begins today and runs through June 21.

The parade has taken the place of the Home Expo — formerly a showcase for higher-end structures — and will feature 22 homes ranging in price from $125,000 to $500,000. The majority of the houses fall into the $150,000 to $200,000 price range.

“A lot of it is a product of the economy, and we wanted the show to benefit all of our members, not just a select few,” said Charlie Smith, Parade of Homes chairman and a sales representative for Porter Paints.

All the houses in the parade are for sale, and 10 already have been purchased. Nine were sold within a month of the showcase ending last year.

Smith cited the increase in homes sold this year to more budget-conscious buyers and the benefit of an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers.

“Last year, people were still trying to buy that $300,000 house they really couldn’t afford,” he said.

The market also has pushed builders toward making more affordable, efficient and green homes, while still providing the amenities customers want, Smith said.

Builders have looked at the average income of a Clark County resident — $43,000 — and built homes to suit those individuals.

“Basically, it’s finding out what the market can bear,” Smith said. “[The] home-building business is one of the few businesses that can change with what the market requests.”

Bill Burns, president of Aristocrat Builders, has four homes in the showcase and has sold two of the properties. The parade is better for the builders because they are able to participate in different price zones and have actual buyers walking through the homes, he said.

“I think the overall picture of the Parade of Homes is what it’s done to the community,” Burns said. “It’s really a terrific time to buy in our area.”

The parade is not only for those in the market to buy, it’s also for those looking to renovate, remodel or simply looking for design ideas.

“Our industry affects so many different things,” Smith said. “We reach so many different people ... we are truly a base of the economy and we want people to come and see that.”

The homes are located in Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Washington counties and will be open to the public for free — 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, visit www.siparadeofhomes.com.



PARADE OF HOMES INDEX

1. Gary Moschowsky — Pure Comfort Sunny Acres, 6701 Sunny Drive, Lanesville

2. Steve Smith — Overview Builders Westridge Forrest, 7009 Westridge Forrest Court, Lanesville

3. Jeremy Loftus and Nick Romeo — Loftus/Romeo The Meadows, 6477 Stillbrooke Place, Georgetown

4. Steve Smith — Overview Builders Lot 29, North Fork Court, Salem

5. Steve Klein — Klein Homes LLC Majestic Meadows Condominiums, 1915 Majestic Meadows Drive, Clarksville

6. Jason Sillings — Sillings & Co. LLC Muirfield, 3902 Kyra Circle, New Albany

7. Jason Sillings & Bill Burns — Spring Gate Partners, 1720 Spring Gate Circle, Jeffersonville

8. Steve Klein — Klein Homes LLC, Hunters Trace (Condo) 8441 Hunters Trace, Sellersburg

9. Roger Schmitt — Schmitt Co. Inc. The Fields of St. Joe, 2220 Honeysuckle Way, Sellersburg

10. Alan Conner — Leisure Living Homes, Courtyards of Buttonwood, 2403 Aspen Way, Jeffersonville

11. Bill Taylor — Bill Taylor Construction Inc., Riverwalk Courtyards, Jeffersonville

12. Bill Burns — Aristocrat Builders, Whispering Oaks (Lot 445), 6201 Caleigh Drive, Charlestown

13. Bill Burns — Aristocrat Builders, Whispering Oaks (Lot 459), 6231 Caleigh Drive, Charlestown

14. Bill Burns — Aristocrat Builders, Whispering Oaks (Lot 460), 6233 Caleigh Drive, Charlestown

15. Randy Westerfield — Westerfield Builders, Whispering Oaks, 6209 Caleigh Drive, Charlestown

16. Alan Conner — Leisure Living Homes, Stonybrooke, 5302 Cassandra Court, Jeffersonville

17. Steve Klein — Klein Homes LLC, Kingsland Fields (Lot 123), 811 Graceland Drive, Memphis

18. Alan Conner — Leisure Living Homes, Stonybrooke, 5301 Chateau Court, Jeffersonville

19. Greg Lander and Dave Miller — Land-Mill Developers, Raintree Ridge (Lot 272), 5609 Scarlet Oak Road, Jeffersonville

20. Steve Smith — Overview Builders, Lake Ridge Estates, 424 Lake Ridge Drive, Henryville

21. Steve Klein — Klein Homes LLC, Harmony Woods, 5508 Harmony Woods, Memphis

22. Steve Thieneman — Thieneman Builders Inc., Woodford Farms, 8818 Woodford Drive, Charlestown



Price range break down

• $301,000 - $500,000 — Nos. 1, 2

• $201,000 - $300,000 — Nos. 4, 6, 10, 11, 17

• $151,000 - $200,000 — Nos. 3, 5, 7, 8, 16, 18, 19, 20

• $125,000 - $150,000 — Nos. 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22