Showcase of Excellence: Tyler Area Builders Association’s Parade of Homes delivers the wow factor

Published 1:21 pm Tuesday, May 1, 2018

It’s the wow factor — the moment when someone walks into a new home and sees something they don’t expect or something so stunning that it takes their breath away. 

The possibility of seeing spectacular wooden flooring, one-of-a-kind granite countertops or an unusual light fixture is the irresistible lure that attracts people to the Tyler Area Builders Association’s annual Parade of Homes.

“Its what keeps them coming back year after year,” says Holly Edwards, the association’s public relations director and events coordinator. “It’s the excitement of going inside a million dollar home. How often do you get a chance to do that?”

This year the tour is set for June 2 to 10 and will feature more than 30 homes by the region’s most innovative builders.  

The homes are scattered throughout the area including in Lindale, Hawkins, Whitehouse and Bullard. A listing of the homes and their addresses are found on the association’s website, tylerareabuilders.com.

Entries span many architectural styles and floor plans and include everything from smaller, starter homes to large custom builds with high-end amenities

“It is a great opportunity to see the work of many builders all at once,” Libby Simmons, TABA’s executive vice president, says. 

PARADE HISTORY

The Home Builders Association of Tyler, now known as TABA, held its first Parade of Homes in 1953. 

“The Parade of Homes is more than a building promotion,” J.G. Powers, chairman of the first Parade noted in the Parade’s brochure. “It is a carefully planned and executed method of acquainting the public with better building … with the latest in design, materials, construction methods and household equipment and furnishings.”

At the time, only Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio had similar tours. 

The first Tyler Parade of Homes featured 10 homes within walking distance in the new Tanglewood subdivision. The newly formed association had 18 members and 59 associate members representing the many trades and crafts of the home-building industry as well as those involved in financing and furnishings.

Powers promoted the first Parade as a “veritable department store” of home building.

“In a representative group of homes, the prospective home owner can surely find the new ideas, new designs, time savers and money savers,” he continued.

The first Parade was a huge hit. According to news accounts, about 10,000 people toured the homes and it was featured in the magazine Living for Young Homemakers.

By 1955, the association was using the slogan “better living through better building.” In just its third year, the Parade of Homes had become the association’s signature event. 

A Home Builders Association of Tyler publication in 1955 encouraged prospective home owners to make sure the builder they select is a member of the association. 

“Since your home represents the largest single investment you will probably make in your lifetime, you want every assurance that its construction is in capable hands,” the publication said. “You get such assurance when you deal with a builder of the Home Builder. He has joined the HBA because he realized the helpfulness of this large organization in keeping him abreast of everything new. His work is closely checked by other members to make sure that it all lives up to standards of which all can be proud.”

In 1984, the name was changed to the Tyler Area Builders Association and membership was expanded to include builders and contractors in Anderson, Cherokee, Freestone, Henderson, Navarro, Smith, Wood and Van Zandt counties.

EXCELLENCE CONTINUES

Today, TABA has about 650 members and is one of the largest builders’ associations in Texas. Its mission statement is: “Building better builders by promoting quality, accountability and professionalism in the home building industry.”

John McKinney, owner of McKinney Homes and chairman of the Parade of Homes last year, says the parade continues to serve the dual purpose of helping builders get their homes in front of people and providing people ideas for their current or future home.

“It is a great opportunity for builders to showcase our product,” McKinney says. “This (parade) is very cost effective in that it allows many people to see our product in a very short amount of time.”

McKinney says that nothing tops the ability for builders to have potential clients go into a home they have recently built. “Absolutely the best thing thing is for them to see your craftsmanship and attention to details. They can see it and touch it for themselves.”

Whenever possible, McKinney tries to be in his Parade of Homes entry while the tour is taking place. He wants to be able to answer questions about the home and to get his name before potential home buyers.

“Often this is where the relationship between client and home builder begins,” McKinney says.

Builders, contractors and building trades service providers typically leave information about their products and services in the homes they have worked on.

The parade hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays June 2 and 9; 2 to 6 p.m. on Sundays June 3 and 10; 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, June 4 to 7; and 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 8.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under and will be available at the tour homes.

More information about the Parade of Homes is available at tylerareabuilders.com