It’s time once again for the ultimate home tour in Hernando County, a grand parade of residential designs that rank among the most beautiful, creatively designed, and technically groundbreaking.
Sunrise Propane and the Hernando Builders Association, in association with the Florida Home Builders Association, will present the 2023 Hernando Parade of Homes. Models will be open Monday-Saturday 10 AM-5 PM, and on Sunday, 12 PM- 5 PM, February 24 – March 12. All models are located in Spring Hill or are virtual.
“You and your family will be able to view some of the finest built affordable homes on the Nature Coast. This self-guided tour is a unique opportunity to see “WHAT’S NEW?” in new homes offered by our local building industry,” read an event announcement. “Featuring home builders from Hernando County, there is sure to be a model home to view in a neighborhood close to you.”
Event chairperson Halie Eaton anticipates an exciting and beneficial Parade event. “We have 13 total homes this year, six are built models, and seven are virtual,” she said. “This is the big chance for our builders to show what they have and for guests to explore a beautiful home tour filled with houses that they can specify and upgrade with a number of options. And they can find out about lenders who can help them buy these homes.”
These model home entries showcase the latest and greatest available in-home designs, innovative home products, decor, technology, energy efficiency, and comfort, all of which can be customized to suit homeowners’ needs.
“Our homes range from 1400 to 2500 square feet and offer a good variety in all price ranges,” said Eaton. “There’s something for everyone.”
This year’s parade features home highlights that include modern to gourmet kitchens, relaxing owners’ suites to spa-like baths, as well as ideal spaces for entertaining family both inside and out.
“A lot of customers like to have a flex room in their homes that they can make into a home office, a gym, anything they need,” said Eaton. “And they like lots of energy-efficient features, as well as features that keep the bills down.”
Nita Beckwith-Melaugh, CEO of Hernando Builders Association, agrees. “Many homeowners like Smart homes, equipped with the technology needed to create home offices. So many people work from home,” she said. “Many of these models have outdoor kitchens and bigger kitchens. In general, our builders offer so many options and upgrades, based on the needs of homeowners, while also keeping up with trends.”
Both Eaton and Beckwith-Melaugh agreed that, as they tour these homes, guests can discover the stores, restaurants, businesses, nature trails, and amenities of Hernando County.
“Guests can make a day of it on the Parade of Homes,” said Beckwith-Melaugh. “This event gives big exposure to our builders, to show what they offer, and introduces new homes to people moving to the area. This is a great opportunity to come out, to see the affordably priced models and ask questions–to see what our builders can do for you.”
And once again, this year, the Parade of Homes website, located at https://hernandoparadeofhomes.com, offers content and information that will guide guests through all the parade has to offer. The site offers detailed information and photos of each model entry, as well as addresses, directions, and maps to each of the homes on display–also virtual tours showcasing some of the custom designs available from local custom home builders. The site also hosts a full listing of event sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor Sunrise Propane, Banquet Sponsor Tibbets Lumber Co. Inc., and Gold Sponsors Builders FirstSource, Cemex, Hernando Sun, Palmwood Construction, Rinnai Water Heaters, and Withlacoochee River Electric Company.
“All of us at Sunrise Propane are proud once again to be the presenting sponsor of the 2023 Hernando Builders Association Parade of Homes,” said Andy Carr, VP of Growth and Development for Sunrise Propane. “This is going to be a fantastic event again this year, thanks to our committee chairperson Halie Eaton. There are beautiful model homes built by our professional builders of Hernando County for current and future residents to preview. Our nature coast here in Hernando County is a wonderful community, so it’s no wonder more and more folks are looking to relocate here.
Sunrise Propane is a locally owned and operated company that has provided our quality service to the residents of Hernando County for 35 years. We enjoy working with all of the builders here, and we look forward to providing energy-efficient propane services for their clients’ new homes.”
On the 2023 Parade of Homes, Artistic Homes will offer the Grand Cayman, a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 2002-square-foot model, Dream Custom Homes offers the 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 3505-square-foot Don Valencia, the Don Crystal, which offers the 3-bedroom,3-bathroom floorplan, and 3425 square feet, and the Don Calais, which offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2233 square feet, Legendary Construction and Remodeling offers Sierra, a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2169-square-foot model, Modern Day Builders II offers The Bella, a 3-bedroom, a 2.5-bathroom, 2655-square-foot model, Palmwood Construction offers Cabana Cay, a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom, and 2381 square feet model, Cabana Key, a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 1934 square foot model, and St. Kitts, a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 2404-square-foot model, Pastore Custom Builders offers St. Martens, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1382-square-foot model, Probuilt US Inc. offers the Camilla, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1973-square-foot model, Royal Coachman Homes offers the 3-bedroom, 2 bath, 2162 square-foot Royal Chesterfield, and Townsley Construction offers The Hamblin, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1832-square-foot model.
Joseph Pastore, president of Pastore Custom Builders, says that the St. Martens model is an affordable model perfect for the first-time homebuyer or for seniors looking to downsize. “It’s a beautiful model with a breakfast nook, natural light, an open patio, a big walk-in master closet, a lanai, and cathedral ceilings,” he said.
Pastore sees the Parade of Homes as a beneficial event for both builders and clients.
“For new people not familiar with the area,” she said. “This is a chance for them to get to know local builders.”
Chris Glover, vice president of Palmwood Construction, is bringing three models to the Parade.
“Cabana Cay and Cabana Key are courtyard models,” he explained. “Cabana Key is part of our Estate series, larger, with cathedral ceilings and a wraparound courtyard. Cabana Cay is more economical, part of our Americana series. Our virtual model, St. Kitts, has a traditional layout that has a master suite, kitchen, walk-in pantry, and other important rooms close together, streamlined and easy to reach.”
Glover sees the Parade as “a place to pool resources…a way to bring a lot of people out at one time.” Halie Eaton, vice president of Probuilt, says the Camilla is “a southern-style home, with craftsman cedar shutters, Hardie Board gables, and many other features.”
Joshua McDermott, Townsley Construction, offers The Hamblin model. “This is our second best-selling model, a modern farmhouse with a lot of modern features,” he said. “It has a great, well-thought-out floor plan and is affordable.”
This marks Townsley’s second year of participation in this model home event.
“This event is great for getting the word out to the public,” said McDermott, “And connecting us with new clients.”
Beckwith-Melaugh has some advice for those planning to find their dream home at the Parade of Homes Hernando County. “Don’t delay,” she advises. “Buy today!”
