News & Events

In the midst of a significant, two-year national slump in housing, Birmingham area home builders are optimistic enough about the 2010 buying season to revive the popular Parade of Homes event. Low interest rate mortgages, up to $8,000 in tax credits and an abundance of environmentally-friendly home features are just a few of the reasons to showcase our area’s new homes for sale. More than 100 homes are included in this year’s tour.

“People may delay the decision to move,” says Bobby Smith, president of the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, “but they still have dreams about the home they’d like to own. A free event like the Parade of Homes gives them an opportunity to get out and see what great values there are today. That keeps those dreams alive. Fortunately, some of them will need to make a move this year, and this event can help connect their needs with builders who have the perfect home for them.”

Though the Parade of Homes has been an annual tradition in Birmingham since 1965, there was not enough confidence in the housing market in 2009 to justify the effort of putting on the multi-week event. This year is different. “Our event is perfectly timed to coincide with the $8,000 tax credit’s expiration,” says Bud Cantor, this year’s chairman of the Parade of Homes. “We’ll kick off the Parade on Friday, April 16^th and host open houses and educational seminars through Sunday, April 25^th. In order to qualify for the credit, a home has to be under contract by April 30^th. That creates a sense of urgency.”

The tax credit has made a difference in driving sales in recent months, according to Bart Fletcher, executive vice president of the local association. “First-time homebuyers are eligible for up to $8,000, which is an incredible opportunity,” says Fletcher. “New households are forming all the time and these young working professionals have the good fortune of being in the market when conditions are extraordinarily in their favor.” The tax credit also applies to current homeowners who, if they’ve lived in their present home for five consecutive years, “are eligible for up to $6,500 in tax credits,” says Fletcher. “That’s a huge difference in how many people can benefit from the credit. This type of government incentive to buy has never been seen before, and may never be available again.”

There will be many new features and innovative upgrades to see in this year’s Parade. “We’re showcasing green home benefits,” says Mike Wedgworth, builder and developer of the Viridian community in Vestavia where the Parade will host Green Home University. “People often think green building means they’ll have to spend more money, but that’s not necessarily the case,” says Wedgworth, who will have three homes in the parade. “The way our homes are built to Level Two Energy Key Standards, our customer will pay about the same for the house but save money every year and stay more comfortable.”

In addition to providing tours of energy-efficient homes, Green Home University will include educational seminars hosted by a variety of companies and manufacturers. “People who want to make their current home more comfortable and economical can see the best products available,” says Wedgworth. One such product is a tankless natural gas water heater. According to Amy Dunavant, manager of Residential Marketing for Alagasco, the presenting sponsor of the Parade, “This technology saves tremendously on energy bills because there’s no tank sitting, waiting for someone to use hot water. It also saves space, which in turn saves money in construction.”

Seminars at Green Home University will be free to the public on Saturday, April 17^th and Saturday, April 24^th and will be hosted in the Ideal Home at Viridian off Tyler Road in Vestavia. Homes on tour in the Parade will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and during the week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The association’s website, www.birminghambuilder.com, includes floor plans, photographs, company profiles and maps to help home shoppers plan their Parade route.