A Very, Very, Very Fine House

At the risk of showing my age, one of my favorite songs has always been "Our House," a 1972 hit from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. You know the words—or at least a line from the chorus: "Our house is a very, very, very fine house."

That's OK—you don't need to sing it. But if you first heard this hippie anthem when you were a teenager, try listening to it again and see how much more meaningful the lyrics are now that you're an adult. It's about the joys of home and hearth, and the emotional connection people have with the places in which they live.

I found the familiar tune returning to the forefront of my consciousness recently, during the Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando's Parade of Homes. During the 53rd annual event, nearly 100 homes in every style and price range were open to the public—and as usual, local builders outdid themselves.

There were many very, very, very fine houses on display—although I failed to spot two cats in any of the yards (youngsters, download the song to your iPod and give it a listen so you'll get the reference).

As usual, Parade entries were judged by industry experts from out of the market, and prizes were awarded in each price range. Maybe you got to visit some of the homes during the event, which was held May 15 to 29. But if you didn't, we've got a story listing the winners in this issue.

Also in this issue, we take you on a tour of another very, very, very fine house—the Southern Living Idea House, now open in Victoria Park. The home, which resembles a Victorian farmhouse, looks old-fashioned but is equipped with all-modern bells and whistles.

Plus, the concept behind it reflects what's happening in society. As baby boomers age and lifespans increase, multigenerational living is becoming more commonplace. The Southern Living Idea House is designed to comfortably accommodate three generations under one roof, with common gathering areas, private spaces and plenty of storage.

It's a beautiful home and well worth the short drive to western Volusia County. While you're out there, check out quaint downtown DeLand and other points of interest in this quiet corner of Central Florida. You may be surprised at what you'll find.

Other stories in this issue of Orlando Homebuyer cover the trend toward town centers in master-planned developments. And we spotlight Art in Architecture, an outstanding program initiated by our old friend Steve Chitwood that makes affordable housing a reality for low-income buyers.

As always, we provide all the information you need to evaluate the education situation, including the most up-to-date FCAT scores and school grades. Finally, we conclude the issue with Bob Morris's pungent thoughts on a topic not generally discussed in polite company, but something that must be dealt with in steamy Central Florida: perspiration.

So I'll light the fire, you place a flower in the vase—yes, that's another CSN&Y reference—and let's relax in our very, very, very fine houses with another terrific issue of Orlando Homebuyer.