Tidewater Builders Association’s charitable work was honored at two back-to-back Charity events this week. That’s because this year, Homearama builders are constructing not one – but two – homes to benefit local children’s causes.

On Tuesday evening, builder Eric Sasser of Sasser Construction was recognized for building a Charity House to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia in the Spring Homearama at Founders Pointe. The evening was in celebration of the “Evening with the Stars” 2010 Youth of the Year Awards Dinner.

On Wednesday evening, at a 65-year anniversary celebration for St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children, TBA President Bill Halprin officially announced that St. Mary’s will be the recipient of proceeds from the Fall Homearama Charity House in Norfolk’s East Beach community.

Also on hand was Scott Crumley from The Crumley Group, who has volunteered to build the Fall Homearama Charity House. TBA old-timers will remember that Scott’s mother, Judy, chaired TBA’s Young Designer Scholarship Competition for many years.  The company will need contributions of materials and services to the Homearama home to increase the proceeds available to the charity.

The mission of St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children is “to provide quality, specialized care within a homelike environment for special children with severe disabilities, so each child can achieve to his or her fullest potential.

Click here to read the press release.

If you build it affordable, they will buy it. That was the message for home builders Wednesday during the Hampton Roads Real Estate Market Review & Forecast at Old Dominion University by its E.V. Williams Center for Real Estate and Economic Development.

The residential market report by Van Rose of Rose & Womble was one of six market reviews on the local economy. Rose reported on a brisk pace of sales of new homes and existing homes in lower price ranges. Unfortunately, short sales and foreclosures made up nearly 20% of those sales, historically high for our region. Still, he also reported new home inventory in those lower price ranges is at an all-time low.

While last year’s panel was cautiously optimistic about 2009, this year’s panel was mainly cautious about predicting anything. That’s likely because many of their 09 predictions fell short as the economy slugged along.

Tidewater Builders Association President Bill Halprin, in his role as a senior vice president of multifamily property at S.L. Nusbaum, reported on the growing rental vacancy rate. At 6.9 percent, it is actually worth celebrating, said Halprin, considering the national average is 8 percent. With more units coming on the market, owners and managers will have to compete with incentives and amenities, he said.

There was a bright spot from David Machupa of Thalhimer/Cushman & Wakefield, who reported the retail sector has held its own, with new companies quickly absorbing prime space vacated by other retailers.

He actually sees positive indicators for 2010, including an increase in retail sales in January and February and expected growth in tourism. With retail sales responsible for the largest component of the U.S. economy, he urged those in attendance to “spend.”

More than 30 veteran Homearama builders showed up at the East Beach Bay Front Club for an informational meeting about the site of Tidewater Builders Association’s Fall Homearama in Oct0ber.

They heard presentations from the developer about the available lots, house plans and architectural details.

They also heard  there have been 3 sales in the community in January 2010 for East Beach Realty and 30 sales in 2009 , a number that was higher than in 2008, when 21 sales were recorded for the community.  The average selling price in the community is $685,000.

During January, 118 people came through to look at the Norfolk coastal community through the East Beach Realty office.

It will be the second Homearama for the Norfolk coastal community, which launched its residential development with the 2004 Homearama showcase.

A lot drawing is scheduled for Feb. 17. Interested builders are asked to contact Sandra Amidon at 305-9045, or [email protected].