This weekend, the Home Builders Association of Statesboro will host its annual Parade of Homes. With more than 30 homes highlighted, the association is excited to showcase the work of its members.
      "This tour of homes is going to be a little different than ones we have hosted in the past," said Keely Fennell, chairman of the tour this year, and partner in NeSmith Construction and Land Development. "We aren't going to do our home show at the Homebuilders Association headquarters, but we will have local suppliers located at various homes throughout the tour. They will be on hand displaying the ‘latest and greatest' materials available in our industry."
       The homes on the tour are located in Statesboro, Bulloch County, and Metter. Not all of the homes will be new construction. There are a few that are less than five years old that will be showcased.
       "We felt like this was an opportunity to show some newer homes that are empty, and are for sale," Fennell said. "It opens up the tour a little bit, and gives people a broader choice. They may see something that they like in one of the homes that has been lived in, and translate it to new construction somewhere else. It's all about letting folks get a great feel for what is out there on the market, and to give them some ideas that they can use when buying or building a home."
       This year will also see the introduction of a new subdivision on tour - Alexander Farms. The Lotts Creek Road subdivision is the brainchild of local resident Irvin A. Brannen, Jr.
      Noted for its scenic terrain, including lakeside, creek side, and naturally wooded homesites, lots in phase one of the development are now available and accessible for tour.
      "We are very excited about the tour of homes, because it is an opportunity to show how unique Alexander Farms is," Brannen said. "My family has had a passion for this area for a very long time. Since developing Brannen Lake in the early 1980's, this type of a development has been our vision. We are creating Alexander Farms with conservation in mind. We love this land, and we want to both preserve it, and share it."
      There are 16 different subdivisions with homes on the tour. There are also homes on Mulberry Street in Statesboro, Lester Fordham Road in Bulloch County, and on Golf Club Drive and South Terrell Street in Metter.
      "You can pick up a Tour of Homes guide at any of the local banks, at the Home Builders Association office in the Market District, and at the Statesboro Herald," Fennell said. "The guide has a map in it marking each location and subdivision. It makes it easy to plan your trip, and to decide what homes you would like to tour."
      John Lamar, owner of Lamar Construction, has one home on the tour this year. "Ours is in Johnson Run," Lamar said. "I am proud to sponsor the Homebuilders, and this is a wonderful opportunity for people to get and see subdivisions around Bulloch County. The 2,500 square foot house that we have on the tour is in a great neighborhood with lots of amenities. I hope that folks will come out and see a great buy in a great market."
      The tour will run from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
      "There will be people in each home, so all you have to do is park out front and come on in," Fennell said. "That person will be able to answer any questions that you may have, and it is just an excellent opportunity to take your time shopping. From amenities to millwork to just general questions, if you aren't in the market to buy a home that is already constructed, you can get some great ideas to use when you start the process of having one built."