Homearama opens well
After its opening this weekend, Homearama officials said they are thrilled with how the home showcase is going so far.
The Tidewater Builders Association fall Homearama opened Saturday at The Riverfront at Harbour View, and TBA president Bill Halprin said he is pleased with attendance.
We think its going really well, he said. I think were going to have great attendance numbers.
Halprin said the opening days breezy and sunny weather brought many people out to the event.
The weekend had great weather and a great amount of traffic going through, he said.
Before the event, TBA had estimated about 80,000 visitors would attend Homearama, but the group wont have official numbers until the event closes at the end of the month.
The event includes 150 vendors in a marketplace that guests walk through on their way to and from the cul-de-sac where nine houses are set up for touring.
Halprin said the number of vendors is lower than it has been in previous years, but despite the dip, he thinks its a very nice marketplace.
Those are the kind of things a lot of people go for, because not everybody can afford to buy a house, Halprin said. I think a lot of people go out there to get ideas for their own houses.
Additionally, Halprin said, he is especially excited about is how well the homes are selling.
Six out of the nine homes on Shelter Cove Court have sold or are under contract, he said.
Thats great, considering the way the market is, Halprin said.
He said he thinks these homes are selling because they are smaller and less expensive than ones in previous shows, reflecting what people want to buy in the current economy.
Matt Hover of Sasser Construction, which built two of the houses, said he thinks people will enjoy this Homerama, because they will feel at home.
This is the most livable show in several years, he said.
Stephen Quick of Stephen Alexander Homes, which also built one of the homes at The Riverfront, said he thinks the houses and the entire community look great.
He said he thinks this Homearama is doing its job to get people excited about homes again.
Everyones very upbeat, cheerful and happy to see everything, he said.
Homerama is open every day from noon to 9 p.m. through Oct. 30. Tickets are $10 for one day and $17 for a two-day pass.
Published 11:25pm Wednesday, October 19, 2011
