01/24/06

Parade of Homes set for February

Southwest Florida home buyers and homeowners looking for the latest in remodeling ideas will have the chance to see the newest in quality home construction during this year's Parade of Homes, featuring 39 area home builders from Punta Gorda, North Port, Englewood and Port Charlotte.

The Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association is presenting the Parade of Homes with the theme "Footprints in the Sand" from Feb. 4-19. Single-family and multifamily homes ranging in price from $60,000 to more than $1.5 million.

"It's a chance for builders to show their best, and it highlights not only floor plans and elevations, but also imaginatively decorated interiors that bring the homes to life," said Gayla Lees, president of The Real Connection and chair of the 2006 Parade of Homes.

The 2006 Showcase Home, a focal point of the Parade, was built by Ryland Homes. The Sanibel model, located at Suncoast Lakes, measures 1,688 square feet and features a sunlit Florida kitchen, complete with island, and an expansive family room. Ryland, one of the nation's largest builders, is offering the two-bedroom, two-bath model for $247,490, making it one of the most affordable in the parade.

"Ryland is just one example of the high-quality builders this year's Parade of Homes is attracting," Lees said.

Habitat for Humanity will participate for the first time this year with an entry called the Learning House. Located at 320 Boca Grande Blvd. in Punta Gorda, the Learning House was built to educate the community about how Habitat for Humanity is answering the dream of homeownership for economically challenged families. The Learning House, sponsored by Elizabeth McCrea, is a 1,375 square-foot home valued at $60,000, including the lot.

The Grand Sponsor of this year's Parade is AAA Insurance Agency. Gold Sponsors include American Pest Control Management, Exit Realty, Stock Development, Brent Garrod Drywall and Fifth/Third Bank. Silver sponsors are Exotic Pools by Janeen, Countrywide Home Loans, Englewood Bank, Charlotte State Bank, First State Bank of Arcadia and SandStar Custom Homes.

Homes participating in the "Footprints in the Sand" Parade of Homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. A special VIP Realtor Tour will be held Feb. 10.

All entries will be judged by a panel of industry professionals. Awards for the top picks will be presented on March 16.

Provided by the Charlotte-Desoto Building Industry Association