Don't Miss the Parade

Everybody loves a parade-and everybody who's in the market for a new home loves the annual Parade of Homes. The big event, sponsored for 53 years by the Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando, runs April 23 to May 7.

This year there are 110 entries throughout Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. There are single-family homes in every price range, condominiums, townhomes and even remodeled older homes, all beautifully decorated, staffed and open for your inspection.

Our staff is heavily involved in the Parade of Homes. In addition to publishing Orlando Homebuyer, we're proud to publish the official Parade of Homes Guidebook, which contains floor plans and photography of every entry, plus locator maps and other important information.

Over the decades, the parade has reflected conditions in the local housing market. And in Orlando, conditions are almost always good to great. Last year was an odd one, though, as a number of factors ranging from hurricane hangover to interest-rate drops combined to create a situation that was, well, a little too good.

Many builders were working down backlogs of sold but not-yet-constructed homes. Many buyers were participating in lotteries for the opportunity to bid on a new home that might not be completed for a year. And investors further skewed the situation by buying and quickly reselling homes to take advantage of rapid price appreciation.

It was an unsustainable situation that benefited neither builders nor buyers. And all of us are grateful that this year the market seems to be back to something approaching normal. And by normal, I mean terrific-just not crazy.

This year, for example, if you find a home and a community you like, you'll probably be able to sign the papers and move in right away instead of taking a number and waiting. And although interest rates are a bit higher than they were a year ago, they're still low enough that you'll be able to afford a lot more home than you might expect.

A buyer's market? I wouldn't go quite that far. People are still flocking to Central Florida, demand is still strong, and another big year is expected. So if you're waiting for the real estate bubble to pop in hopes of snapping up a bargain, you're likely in for a very long wait. Frankly, there just doesn't appear to be any bubble to pop-at least, not locally.

But if you want a beautiful home at a price that's still relatively affordable compared to other Florida markets, then I suggest you not miss the 2006 Parade of Homes. For more information, log on to www.comehomeorlando.com.

You also shouldn't miss this issue of Orlando Homebuyer. We've got an update on booming Orlando" target="_blank">Lake County, a look at the trend toward green building and a feature on organizational systems for the home, along with our usual community roundups, development directories and school scores.

Enjoy! And I'll see you at the Parade of Homes.