Grand Rapids Parade of Homes Starts Friday
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Courtney Perna FOX 17 News Reporter / Producer 7:02 p.m. EDT, May 26, 2011 GRAND RAPIDS -— For more than 50 years, it’s a sign of Spring. Grand Rapids’ Parade of Homes starts Friday, and builders say there’s something for everyone at this year’s showcase. Even if you’re not in the market to buy or sell, the state of Michigan recently passed updated energy codes for new construction, so this may also be a good chance to learn how you can make your home more energy efficient.
This year, builders promise a wide variety of floor plans and price ranges, featuring 50 new homes, 5 remodeled homes, and new this year are conceptual homes, which you can tour online.
But builders say it’s just not the same. “It’s still pretty hard to beat the touchy, the feely, the smelly,” explains Daniel Engelsma, owner of Engelsma Homes and Parade of Homes Chairman. “A lot of people go to Parade of Homes to get (building and decorating) ideas, and we welcome that.”
Thursday, builders were busy putting on the finishing touches, even if the weather is not cooperating.
“We’re laying sod out front right now … on muck instead of black dirt,” smiles Bill Roersma, owner of Roersma & Wurn Builders and Parade of Homes Vice President. “We’re all fired up about Parade of Homes, and looking forward to it. We want our best foot forward, so we double and triple check everything.”
Some realtors, like Diane Griffin of Griffin Properties, encourage their clients to attend showcases like this and ask questions. She says it helps homebuyers get an idea of exactly what they want and what they can afford.
“The Parade of Homes is an excellent way to see houses, understand what values are, to see what upgrades are more valuable, and to see what’s available in the market,” Griffin says.
Roersma adds, “You’re getting your answers right up front and you’re getting them from the builder, so yeah, that a big positive.”
If you’re shopping for a home, you’re in luck, as builders and realtors agree that it’s still a buyers’ market.
“Sub-contractors and builders have all taken a cut in their margins, because of the economic times, so it’s a great time to go out and shop for new homes,” says Engelsma.
Griffin says sellers in the area are becoming more realistic about their asking prices. “List prices are lower, which means value is higher, and it really doesn’t matter whether it’s a foreclosure or a well-priced listing, I think buyers can get great value.”
But she also believes there are indicators that the tides are turning, and some Grand Rapids neighborhoods may quickly become sellers’ markets…
“We’re starting to see some stability (in certain neighborhoods), and when I say stability, I mean we’re starting to see houses sell more quickly, and we’re seeing fewer houses on the market, but it doesn’t mean the prices are going up.”
However, Griffin says hopefully for sellers, more stability will lead to higher prices, and points out that there is a shortage of listings in West Michigan, so if you’re looking to sell your home, now may be a good time.
Click here for more information on Parade of Homes.
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