Posts Tagged Spring Homearama

Meeting brings together old and new Homearama builders

Jul 30

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

Developer Robert Zirpoli speaks to prospective Homearama builders

Developer Robert Zirpoli speaks to prospective Homearama builders

It was “old home” day of sorts at the informational meeting at the Eagle’s Nest community in Virginia Beach.

Representatives from 15 building companies gathered to hear about plans for Tidewater Builders Association’s Spring Homearama in 2011.

Many were regular Homearama builders during the 80s who haven’t showcased their talent in the event for a decade or more.

Developer Robert Zirpoli, West Neck Properties, led the discussion, telling builders a requirement for brick or stone exteriors is one of the few stipulations they would have.

Real Estate Broker John Savino, whose job is to market the community, reported that three lots have sold in the past two weeks, and he’s confident homes priced in the $500,000s in this community will be marketable in the spring.

The developer has offered discount lot prices of $125,000 to Homearama builders. A lot drawing for those interested in participating will be held August 19.

Builders interested in participating should contact Sandra Amidon at 305-9045 or samidon@tbaonline.org

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Chefs warm up chilly Homearama evening

May 18

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

 
Builder Ed Sadler, second from right, with staff from Vintage Tavern. Sadler's Homearama home was the fifth one to sell.

Builder Ed Sadler, second from right, with staff from Vintage Tavern. Sadler's Homearama home was the fifth one to sell.

Outside, it was a cold and rainy and the streets were nearly deserted. Inside, it was a completely different story.

Each of the eight Homearama showcase homes were host to chefs from Isle of Wight area eateries and they were serving up warm hospitality – in large portions. The weather may have hampered attendance, but those who ventured out were well rewarded by the menu.

Imagine scallops wrapped in bacon from Smithfield Station; she crab soup from Cedar Pointe Country Club; tender ribs from Frank N’ Bubbas; rich brownie bites from Lisa’s Sweet Shoppe and boneless wings in hot sauce from AJ Gators. How about piggly sticks with blueberry gastrique and custard bread pudding with bourbon zabaglione from Smithfield Gourmet Bakery?

Visitors line up for J.W. Cowlings

Visitors line up for C.W. Cowlings

The parmesan crusted tilapia from C.W. Cowlings was served by the restaurateur who braved the weather despite expecting triplets any minute.

At the end of the day, it was the homemade biscuits with Edwards Country Ham, marinated shrimp, pimiento cheese and deviled eggs from Vintage Tavern that took home the most votes from visitors, as well as from the food writers and culinary experts who gave them the Critic’s Choice Award.

The evening was sponsored by Hampton Roads Magazine and Columbia Gas of Virginia. Hampton Roads Magazine’s Food Editor Patrick Evans-Hylton led the team of critics and sales and promotions staff organized the event.

Tidewater Builders Association’s Spring Homearama continues through May 23 at Founders Pointe in Isle of Wight County.

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It was “judgement” day at TBA

May 5

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

streetscape with judge

A Homearama judge hard at work

It was judging day in more ways than one for Tidewater Builders Association.

For builders in Spring Homearama, the judging will determine who will take home the coveted Critic’s Choice Awards at the Preview Party opening on Friday evening.

For students in local high schools, the judging will determine who will win scholarship awards from the TBA Scholarship Foundation’s Young Designer Scholarship Competition.

In Isle of Wight County, professional builders, landscapers and designers from outside the area converged on the Founders Pointe neighborhood to select winners in a variety of categories, from best kitchen to best curb appeal to the coveted Best in Show.  Homearama guests will get to judge for themselves in the People’s Choice voting at the event, May 8-23.

Builder Ken Cohen judges student drawings

Builder Ken Cohen judges student drawings

In Chesapeake, stacks of house designs from local high school students filled the TBA board room. It was the first year only Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings were part of the competition. Professional builders and architects selected the winners, who will be recognized at an awards breakfast in early June.

The school that submitted the most entries will also receive a cash award to be used in their drafting program.

On Friday, another panel of judges will select recipients of the Foundation’s annual academic scholarship awards, based on academic achievement, community service and financial need.

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Potential buyers at Dusty Boots Open House

Mar 29

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

Builder Mike Newhall , right, points out details in his Homearama home.

Builder Mike Newhall , right, points out details in his Homearama home.

Spring brings fresh hope and optimism for the local housing market as hundreds of potential buyers streamed through homes in various phases of construction during the “dusty boots” preview of Tidewater Builders Association’s Spring Homearama  last weekend. 

The Homearama builders got some valuable face time with potential customers on Saturday and Sunday. 

While some visitors were just curious to see what’s in store for Homearama, others were weighing in on whether any of the eight homes could be theirs.

Sheila Hohmann with Hohmann Builders reported one woman spent over 45 minutes in their Homearama home and came back to take photographs.

Builder Russ Hohmann greets visitors to his Homearama home.

Builder Russ Hohmann greets visitors to his Homearama home.

Even though their Homearama home has already sold, Les Ore and Bill Brice of Bill Ore Inc., said they now have two solid leads of potential buyers who would like to build the home elsewhere.

Builder Eric Sasser said he got to visit with 30 of his past and current customers over the course of the weekend. He also met a couple that indicated they would like to buy his Homearama home when their current home is sold – even if he has to build it for them on a different lot after the show.

One guest told Builder Ed Sadler he owned a waterfront lot and was looking for someone to build his dream home.

East West Communities Senior Vice President Mark Edwards reports he has two consumers sending “buy” signals over Mike Newhall’s Homearama home and a serious prospect for Norman Miller’s as well.

In addition to the home by Bill Ore Inc., the home by Birdsong Builders has also been sold. Spring Homearama is set for May 8-23 at Founders Pointe in Isle of Wight County.

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Homearama builders celebrate spring with dusty boots open house

Mar 20

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

Mark Edwards and Branch Lawson of East West Communities survey the Homearama site

Mark Edwards and Branch Lawson of East West Communities survey the Homearama site

Builders in Tidewater Builders Association’s first Spring Homearama are celebrating the start of the spring season by sprucing up their home sites for a “dusty boots” open house next weekend. They will be available to meet guests and prospective buyers from 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28.

Eight Homearama homes are currently taking shape in the Founders Pointe community in Isle of Wight County. They’ll still be in various phases of construction for the free open house next weekend. Comfortable old shoes are recommended to visitors.

The homes feature distinctive architectural styles and range in price from the $500,000s to $675,000.  Two have been sold. The Homearama section of the neighborhood hosts an 800-plus -foot community pier over Batten Bay, and most of the homes offer marsh or water views.

Click here to see a photo gallery of the homes in progress by Daily Press photographer Adrin Snider.

The fully furnished and landscaped homes will be on display during Homearama from May 8-23. More about the event is at www.homearama.tv

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Homearama home features music of Ryan Farish

Feb 25

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

Farish

Ryan Farish's music is virtually everywhere

If you’ve ever watched The Weather Channel’s “Local on the 8’s” or “Storm Stories,” you’ve listened to the music of Ryan Farish. His compositions are virtually everywhere – on the major news networks, on hundreds of YouTube videos and even on ringtones.

One YouTube video that went viral, “Remember me,” honors the sacrifice made by our military and features a soundtrack from Ryan Farish.

During Spring Homearama at Founders Pointe, you’ll hear his unique style of composition emanating from the home being built by veteran Homearama builder Chip Iuliano of Area Builders or Tidewater. He is naming his entry in the event, “The Music House: A tribute to Ryan Farish.”

A 1993 graduate of Chesapeake’s Western Branch High School, Farish is described on wikipedia as ”an American electronica artist/producer, songwriter and composer.” He is a past Grammy nominee and has won national Gospel music awards.

Iuliano knows Farish through his parents, for whom he built a home. He plans to get his technology company to provide an extreme electronics package to showcase the artist’s talents in audio and visual presentations.

Farish himself plans to visit the home to meet show guests during the event. And, if the mood strikes, he says might even take a seat at the piano.

Farish says he is “thrilled” to be honored this way and looks forward to the event. Tidewater Builders Association’s Spring Homearama at Founders Pointe is set for May 8-23.

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Spring Homearama 2010 is a go!

Oct 29

Posted by mprier in TBA Blog

TowneBank's Wayne Humphreys walks to community pier after a builders'meeting this summer

TowneBank's Wayne Humphreys walks the community pier after a builders'meeting this summer

Plans for a Spring Homearama are moving full speed ahead as two Culpepper Landing Homearama builders came away with buyers interested in a home in Founders Pointe, site of the event that is tentatively scheduled for mid-May of 2010.

Homearama 2009 builder Bill Ore Inc. is joining up with seven builders already committed to the event: Area Builders of Tidewater, Birdsong Builders, Hohmann Builders, Newhall Construction, Norman Miller Builder, Sadler Building Corporation and Sasser Construction.  Another Homearama 2009 builder is currently negotiating a contract for a show home.

Already home to 130 families, Founders Pointe borders Batten Bay, the James River and its creeks. The Isle of Wight County community is being developed by East West Partners, who have also developed Eagle Harbor in Isle of Wight, The Riverfront in northern Suffolk and Gatling Pointe in Smithfield.

Home prices start in the $470,000s. With last week’s sale of Norman Miller’s $659,00 spec home, only eight inventory homes remain for potential buyers, several of which are still under construction.

Anyone interested in participating should contact Teresa Howell at thowell@tbaonline.org at Tidewater Builders Association.

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