news-record.com

Greensboro builders plan to use the fall 2009 Triad Parade of Homes to convince potential clients the home of their dreams is within reach.

The event that starts next weekend is the second the Greensboro Builders Association organized this year, a first for the group, according to executive officer Cheryl Collins. Another unprecedented move is the collaboration with the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem.

The two groups are joining forces to market their respective Parades together to maximize exposure to the public and increase opportunities for buyers, she said.

The result is a homes extravaganza spanning five counties and showcasing 91 homes, including options for first-time buyers and high-end custom projects. Sizes range from 1,400 to 8,400 square feet, with prices from the low $100,000s to over $2 million, and styles include townhomes and single-family dwellings.

The Parade offers home shoppers the opportunity see the latest in new home construction techniques, exterior and interior design, and energy-efficient technologies. Trends like open floor plans, large master suites, granite countertops, ample storage and closet space, luxury bathroom amenities and expanded outdoor living areas will all be on display. 

For the builders, the Parade is a chance to expand their reach.

Paige Friddle of Friddle and Co. said the Parade provides a great marketing tool for builders, particularly smaller companies, to showcase their homes. “It not only gets our name out, it also gets potential buyers in the door to learn more about us,” Friddle said. “It’s an opportunity to show them our quality and value.”

Friddle collects visitors’ names and contact information at the Parades and maintains e-mail contact, updating potential customers on lot availability and upcoming events. The database has worked for Friddle.

“We sent out an e-mail prior to the last Parade (in May) to invite potential buyers we’ve been in contact with before,” she said. “One of the recipients of that e-mail contacted us — we told them of another home we were building in their price range, and we had a contract on that home within one month of the e-mail.”

Whether Parade-goers are ready to build a home or are still weighing options, the event is “a great opportunity to visit and talk with builders,” Collins said.

The communication works both ways, as customers get firsthand opportunities to talk to builders or builder representatives, as well as see examples of their work.

“Seeing is believing,” Friddle said. “Getting potential buyers in our homes speaks volumes.”