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Parade of Homes kicks off
By: Jessica Marshall, Managing Editor
The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City presents the annual Fall Parade of Homes – which features 435 new single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and lofts throughout the metropolitan area – from Sept. 7-21.
The parade ranks as the second-largest housing tour in the country, according to the association. Admission is free and homes are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Home prices range from about $100,000 to more than $2.6 million. Of the 179 Johnson County homes included in the tour, prices range from $150,000 in Gardner to $2.185 million in Overland Park.
Tom French, of Tom French Construction in Overland Park, said in the 32 years he has been building homes, he always has many entries on the parade.
“I really believe in it,” he said. “It always makes a difference when you have furnished models, people want to see that. That’s why we do it every year.”
Don Julian, of Don Julian Builders in Lenexa, also has entered homes on the tour for the past 30 years.
“People keep the parade books and sometimes call us years later. It is the best and the ultimate new home advertising ‘tool’ in Kansas City, if you have a new home to sell,” he said.
The fall parade typically is larger than spring parade, French said. But this year’s spring tour featured 657 homes.
“I think the market is still affected by the state of the economy and by the state of housing in general,” French said. “But I would say it’s a buyer’s market right now. It’s a great time to buy a home because builders certainly want to sell.”
Julian agrees now is the time to buy.
“The housing market has now bottomed out and the shrewd buyers are out working their best deals, because they realize prices are definitely going to be higher next year,” he said. “The traffic through our model homes has increased dramatically and we expect to see record crowds during the fall parade.”
French said he is “cautiously optimistic” about the housing market.
“It’s been down, but we see signs where people still want a home. The local market is still basically good. People have been cautious, but they still want to buy a home,” French said.
“Through the other down times over the years that I’ve been building, we’ve always come through. I don’t think we’re in dire straits by any means. In the long run, we’re going to come back to a strong market.”
According to the association, the tour comes “at an exceptional time” for buyers due to low mortgage rates, competitive home prices and new tax credits for first-time buyers:
• The slowdown in the nation’s housing market has made prices more competitive and eased inflation fueled by rising material prices, and higher labor and land costs.
• Mortgage rates are hovering around 6 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. With inflation on the rise, signs point toward the Federal Reserve raising interest rates over the next year.
• The housing stimulus package passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this year includes a tax credit of $7,500 for buyers who have not owned a home during the past three years.
For more information, visit www.kchba.com.
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The parade ranks as the second-largest housing tour in the country, according to the association. Admission is free and homes are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Home prices range from about $100,000 to more than $2.6 million. Of the 179 Johnson County homes included in the tour, prices range from $150,000 in Gardner to $2.185 million in Overland Park.
Tom French, of Tom French Construction in Overland Park, said in the 32 years he has been building homes, he always has many entries on the parade.
“I really believe in it,” he said. “It always makes a difference when you have furnished models, people want to see that. That’s why we do it every year.”
Don Julian, of Don Julian Builders in Lenexa, also has entered homes on the tour for the past 30 years.
“People keep the parade books and sometimes call us years later. It is the best and the ultimate new home advertising ‘tool’ in Kansas City, if you have a new home to sell,” he said.
The fall parade typically is larger than spring parade, French said. But this year’s spring tour featured 657 homes.
“I think the market is still affected by the state of the economy and by the state of housing in general,” French said. “But I would say it’s a buyer’s market right now. It’s a great time to buy a home because builders certainly want to sell.”
Julian agrees now is the time to buy.
“The housing market has now bottomed out and the shrewd buyers are out working their best deals, because they realize prices are definitely going to be higher next year,” he said. “The traffic through our model homes has increased dramatically and we expect to see record crowds during the fall parade.”
French said he is “cautiously optimistic” about the housing market.
“It’s been down, but we see signs where people still want a home. The local market is still basically good. People have been cautious, but they still want to buy a home,” French said.
“Through the other down times over the years that I’ve been building, we’ve always come through. I don’t think we’re in dire straits by any means. In the long run, we’re going to come back to a strong market.”
According to the association, the tour comes “at an exceptional time” for buyers due to low mortgage rates, competitive home prices and new tax credits for first-time buyers:
• The slowdown in the nation’s housing market has made prices more competitive and eased inflation fueled by rising material prices, and higher labor and land costs.
• Mortgage rates are hovering around 6 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. With inflation on the rise, signs point toward the Federal Reserve raising interest rates over the next year.
• The housing stimulus package passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this year includes a tax credit of $7,500 for buyers who have not owned a home during the past three years.
For more information, visit www.kchba.com.