Tidewater Builders Association’s Fall Homearama promises to live up to its theme, “Inspiring. Enchanting. Life Changing,” when the showcase of homes returns to Norfolk’s East Beach community Oct. 16-31. The community is located on the Chesapeake Bay, just off Shore Drive near Taylor’s Landing.

Nine fully furnished and landscaped custom showcase homes, a condominium at The Villas at East Beach and an Idea Marketplace with more than 100 exhibitors will inspire visitors with ideas for their own homes. 
The walkable community with its parks, porches, sidewalks and beach access to the Chesapeake Bay will enchant visitors with streetscapes that showcase attention to architectural detail.

For those who decide it’s time to make their move to a new home in this buyer’s market, the event could well be life changing, said TBA President Bill Halprin. “Homearama was designed to educate consumers about the latest trends and innovations available in new homes,” he said. “The current housing market offers buyers more opportunities than they have had in years. With historically low mortgage rates, homes are more affordable. Also, housing prices are at or near their bottom.”

The Homearama showcase homes range from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. The condominiums start in the low-$300,000s and the custom homes in the mid-$500,000s.

The first streetscape in the East Beach neighborhood was created for Homearama 2004, after the city of Norfolk and the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority cleared the blighted area. East Beach is a public-private initiative that includes the city of Norfolk, the Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority and East Beach Co. LLC.

The community features a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly design that incorporates homes, shops, workspaces and community buildings with parks and open spaces for residents to enjoy.

Homearama builders are: Chip Iuliano, ABT Custom Homes, Suffolk; Bill Brice and Les Ore, Bill Ore LLC, Chesapeake; Mary-Dolph Simpson, Howard Simpson and Page Simpson, Simpson Builders Inc., Norfolk; Scott Crumley, Crumley Group Inc., Virginia Beach; Jim Richardson and Edward Hewitt, Richardson/Viridian Homes, Norfolk; Chris Kanter, North Shore Construction Co., Norfolk; Larry Hill, L.R. Hill Custom Builders Inc., Virginia Beach; and Steve, Stephen and Alex Quick, Stephen Alexander Homes and Neighborhoods, Chesapeake.
Feature homes include:

• “A Tribute to the Armed Forces,” built by Richardson/Viridian Homes. Besides incorporating the theme into its décor, the home will host activities presented by Cox Communications and the USO to pay tribute to the men and women who serve in the armed forces.
• “The Norfolk House,” built by Bill Ore LLC, will highlight the city of Norfolk and host activities by Norfolk schools and its cultural venues. 
• “Family Tides: Celebrating today’s modern family,” built by Simpson Builders Inc., is designed to suit the changing needs of a growing family. Just as the tides change with time, so do a family’s needs, which are reflected in this home that features a custom design for a family with three pre-teenagers.
• “The Charity House,” by first-time Homearama builder Scott Crumley of Crumley Group Inc., will be sold to benefit St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children. Professionals from the International Interior Designers Association contributed the home’s interior design.
• “The Idea House,” built by Stephen Alexander Homes, is designed to inspire visitors with ideas that can be adapted to their own homes. It features historical styles of the past using modern materials with special emphasis on the kitchen, an outdoor kitchen and a three-season porch as well as a high-tech audiovisual system.
• “The Oktoberfest Haus: Celebrating Norfolk’s Sister City in Wilhelmshaven, Germany,” built by Simpson Builders Inc., will pay tribute to Norfolk’s sister city, Wilhemshaven, Germany, with a decidedly European flair. Wilhelmshaven is a harbor town that hosts cultural and educational exchanges with Norfolk and proudly displays a mermaid sculpture.

Homearama is open to the public Oct. 16-31, noon until 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Ticket sales will stop one hour before closing.

General admission is $10 for a one-day pass and $17 for a two-day pass. Active duty and retired military guests and seniors (62 or better) get a $1 discount Monday-Thursday. A $1 discount coupon good for Monday-Thursday will be available at homearama.tv. Only one discount applies. No discounts Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Cox Communications customers who present a bill can purchase two tickets for the price on one on Tuesdays, Oct. 19 and Oct. 26. Military guests can buy-one, get-one free on Military Appreciation Day, Monday, Oct. 18. Children 12 and under and guests in wheelchairs are free.

Presenting sponsor is BB&T. Official sponsors are the city of Norfolk, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Dominion Virginia Power, Monarch Bank, JES, Phillips Automotive, Titan America, Virginia Natural Gas and TowneBank.  Promotional co-sponsors are RSVP publications, Cox Communications and Pilot Media.