This Labor Day weekend, the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio 2017 Parade of Homes in Cheshire Woods of Berkshire Township opens to the public. It’s Delaware County’s third straight year hosting the parade.
“Home buyers over the age of 50 are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, creating the highest percentage of new home buyers,” said BIA Interim Executive Director Tracy Schiefferle. “These buyers prefer open floor plans and first-floor owner’s suites, both of which featured prominently in our three ranch homes.”
The homes are located near Alum Creek close to water sports and other outdoor leisure activities making the homes desirable for the targeted demographic. The parade features homes built by Central Ohio builders priced in the $600,000 range.
According to a study by the National Association of Home Builders, 75 percent of baby boomers, age 51 to 70, prefer single-story homes. Buyers want to enjoy the later years of their life by trading the hours spent doing house care task for travel and leisure enjoyment.
Manor Homes, this year’s recipient of 2017 BIA Parade Foundation Home, has an open-concept floor plan that incorporates reclaimed wood fixtures adding the warmth of rough cut wood. The posts supporting the upstairs balcony, the ceiling of the master bath and a wall in the front entrance all feature the reclaimed wood.
Westport Homes doesn’t bulldoze development properties with standing barns any longer.
“We have the Amish come out and disassemble the barns,” said Westport Homes Sales Manager Rob Little. “They use the wood to make furniture.”
Westport’s home is a ranch offer extra living space on the lower level, in addition to its three bedrooms and 3.5 baths. The lower level has a large finished bar, media and gaming center giving it a man-cave feel that’s ideal for entertaining. The open-concept floor plan and formal dining room are aimed at the preferences of older home buyers.
Wood isn’t the only thing being reclaimed and finding new life in this year’s Parade of Homes. The Silvestri Group’s home features one of a kind, custom lighting fixtures designed from reclaimed scrap steel and other materials.
Local designer Jenny Jehnzen of Ms. Two J’s and Co. Customized Rustic Decor created many of the fixtures in the Silvestri Group’s home.
“They call and tell me what’s the theme or what palette they are using,” Jehnzen said. “Or I’ll show them examples that they will pick and choose from.”
Jehnzen said she frequents flea markets for materials and ideas for her one-off creations.
The Maple Craft home is a customized, contemporary ranch, adapted to meet the needs of people of all abilities. Wider doorways and a zero-entry shower allow for wheelchair accessibility. A covered porch with retractable screen off of the great room offers a view of the beautiful lot and extends the living space to the outdoors. The ranch is a low-maintenance with three bedrooms, two full baths and two half baths ensuring space for visitors.
Parade of Homes is open Sept. 2-17 at Cheshire Woods in Delaware County. Parade hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Tickets are $15 at the door. Advance discount tickets are available online for $13. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking costs $5 per car.
The Parade is sponsored by AEP Ohio, America’s Floor Source, Columbia Gas of Ohio, EverDry Waterproofing, First Federal Lending, and LP SmartSide.
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