Homearama showcases new trends Oct. 15-30

Houses with themes built into their function and dcor are the norm for Homearama.

This year’s showcase of custom-designed houses in northern Suffolk features nine with special uses and purposes you can see noon-9 p.m. Oct. 15-30 at The Riverfront at Harbour View, just across the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel.

There’s a Get Pink house and healing garden that’s already been purchased by a breast cancer survivor. Sentara will have its mobile mammography van there Oct. 19; register in advance by calling 1-800-Sentara. “Pink Day” at the house happens Thursday, Oct. 20, with Sentara doing free cholesterol and blood screenings and free chair massages, as well as healthy cooking demonstrations.

There’s also the Justin Kauflin Charity House that benefits the scholarship foundation by the Tidewater Builders Association, which sponsors the home show twice a year. The house spotlights the story and music of Kauflin, a blind scholarship recipient from 2004 who is now a professional jazz pianist. The association’s scholarship foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million to more than 400 students since its beginning in 1965.

Sasser Construction has put together The Social Media House with “Facebook for Business” sessions Oct. 19, and “Facebook Awareness and Safety for Parents” workshops daily.

The neighborhood is home to 1,000 families, and offers views of the Nansemond and James rivers. Each of the homes faces one of the community’s signature center island parks, giving each a green-space view. Homes range from 2,800 to more than 4,000 square feet, and are priced $550,000 to $750,000.

“The resort lifestyle and professional curb appeal of this community makes it an attractive and inviting place for Homearama,” said Bill Halprin, president of the builders’ association.

“It was the site for Homearama in 2001 when TBA broke the 100,000 attendance mark and we hope to have that same success this year.”

Fall Homearama

Tour nine custom-built, furnished and landscaped homes at The Riverfront at Harbour View noon-9 p.m. Oct. 15-30. The neighborhood is located in northern Suffolk, off I-664, near the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. $10 adults, ages 12 and under and guests in wheelchairs free; $3 coupon at homearama.tv.