Regional home parade showcases local builders

EAST COUNTY — Local homebuilders will showcase the newest in home design and trends this weekend as the HBA Manatee Sarasota kicks off its annual Parade of Homes event.

The two-county home tour will run Feb. 18 through March 4 and feature homes spanning from Englewood to Parrish. Of the 60 new, single-family models featured in this year’s event, more than half are located within the East County.

“There seems to be a lot of excitement with the builders; the market is getting better,” HBA Executive Vice President Alan Anderson said. “We have consistently. For the last three years, each year pulled more permits (for model homes) than in the previous year. It’s not great leaps, but it’s in a positive direction.”

Anderson believes builders now are seeing a pent-up demand from baby boomers and other prospective homebuyers who shied away from purchasing a new home during the economic decline.

East County communities, and Lakewood Ranch, in particular, offer a good cross section of housing that is available, from luxury homes to smaller, cottage-style houses, as well as plenty of amenities to go with them. The area also boasts easy access to Interstate 75 and close proximity to beaches, shopping and other destinations, he said.

For more information about the HBA Parade of Homes, visit www.paradeofhomesinfo.com. For information about the HBA, visit www.hbamanatee-sarasota.org.

By Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Click here to view the featured East County homes.