Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana welcomes professionals to an industry-focused tour of the Parade of Homes

On Tuesday, September 22, industry professionals and members of the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana (HBANWI) were up bright and early to join one another in the growing Stoneridge Subdivision for an industry-focused, private tour of the Parade of Homes. Attendees enjoyed hot coffee provided by Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee while they mingled with fellow builders, realtors, and members of HBANWI.

The Parade of Homes is a ten day walking tour within one subdivision, showcasing seven custom homes built by seven different builders within the Region. After securing a ticket, members of the community are able to begin the tour. Proceeds go to local causes, like Habitat for Humanity and relief efforts following severe weather in August. Each home can be thoroughly explored, with visitors browsing information through flyers or QR codes, and even chatting with the builders of the site, who are available throughout the parade, while meeting fellow attendees.

The Parade of Homes has brought visitors from all over the Region to take a peek at the new builds and what professionals in the area have to offer. While the afternoon would hold another Parade for the public, the morning was just for industry professionals.

“Today we’re starting early, and we’re gathering our builders, folks that have helped these homes come together, HBANWI members, contractors, and subcontractors, to celebrate this accomplishment,” said Jennifer Young, executive officer of HBANWI.

The professionals in attendance were able to take in the expanding subdivision at a leisurely pace, strolling through homes together and remarking on the craftsmanship of other builders. Each company visited one another as friends and allies, even when in direct competition for the People’s Choice Award — a title gifted to the home voted best by attendees through the parade.

“This is such a great event. You make friends with the other builders and compete in a healthy, fun way. It shows the best of what we do,” said Dan Steiner, owner and president of Steiner Homes. “We’re here to say to people, ‘Hey, we put together a fun, good product.’ Seven of us did, and we’re all friends.’”

The Parade of Homes has been a great opportunity for local builders, contractors, and realtors to get their work out into the public, while keeping the community it hopes to serve at the center of its mission.

“The community can see that the builders have integrity, that they’re building quality homes that people are going to love to live in. For us, that’s a win-win,” said Steiner.

The private tour was also a way for everyone involved to reflect and celebrate the dedication and effort it’s taken to see the development of the subdivision through. Builders, contractors, realtors, and everyone else in attendance were able to gather and stop to reflect back upon the heart of the mission: giving back to the community.

As a member of HBANWI, Habitat for Humanity was in attendance and was proud to continue carrying that mission forward while maintaining familiar connections and building new relationships. The Parade of Homes has been fantastic as a means of helping fund Habitat for Humanity’s mission and give some always appreciated exposure.

“The Parade of Homes provides an opportunity for us to talk to the builders, realtors, the contractors that are in the HBANWI, and members of the community to expose them to what it is we’re trying to accomplish: building affordable homes here in Northwest Indiana,” said Jim Drader, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana.

Habitat for Humanity, as with others in attendance, truly values and relies upon fostering strong relationships. As an alternative to typical methods of finding housing, with most clients in different states of need, the opportunity to chat over coffee, discuss local needs, and consider future developments will help strengthen its potential to help residents and continue being a part of HBANWI.

The private tour was meant to help bring together all the dedicated experts who help make the Parade of Homes happen in one area. To unite as members of the same industry, communicate, and continue planning for the future ahead.

To learn more about the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana, visit its website at hbanwi.com.

For information on the Parade of Homes, check out its website, paradeofhomesnwi.com.