The parade was located in New Albany Ohio. This year I attended the preview party and was able to tour the homes a second time at a later date. Viewing the homes a second time gave a better view of all the unique features missed on the 1st visit. 

8 Custom Home Builders

The builders were required to adhere to a traditional Georgian exterior architecture, a strict New Albany building requirement. All interiors were very modern; every home was designed with an open floor plan with kitchens flowing into great rooms wonderfully designed for family living and entertaining. 

PreviewNight

All homes are judged. Awards are given for various outstanding features. 

Weaver Custom Homes

Won the most awards, a farmhouse interior with an awesome kitchen that flowed into the great room and dining room. The kitchen won the gold award for best kitchen design. The backyard patio with fireplace was another grand feature that won the bronze award. 

Kevin Knight & Company

The interior was showcased with so many unique products such as reclaimed hardwood floors, and selvage yard finds, won the gold award for its interior design. Loved the laundry room with potting table, the finished basement with walk-in wine cooler, rooftop garden and patio pizza oven. 

M/I – Showcase Homes

The BIA foundation house – all the proceeds from the sale of this home are donated to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. This home won the gold award for outdoor living area and separate studio living area above the garage. The upper level bonus room was very special. 

New England Homes and Garth’s Auctions

Most dramatic feature was the curved staircase. The huge central kitchen was accented by a charming bay window at the eat-in area, received the great room/family room gold award.    

Bob Webb Group

Received the gold award for the library/study, an elegant office space with an interior corner wall of windows. Also was awarded the silver for the formal entertainment area, a grand great room that flowed into a huge kitchen. 

Zeppernick Custom Homes

The 1st floor pub was an impressive feature, which was unique to the parade. The granite in the kitchen was unpolished, which created a buzz it was stunning. The huge bathroom window was also very impressive, won the bronze award for its landscaped balcony off the owner’s bath. 

Tuckerman Home Group

The beautiful open floor plan won the gold award for the formal entertainment area. The main floor exercise room was very unique. The elegant master bedroom had a huge sitting area. There was a back and side patio the builder was showcasing the side patio as the perfect location for a potted vegetable garden. 

Dani Homes

The front landscaping was very impressive which received a gold award. The enormous open floor plan won the bronze casual living space award. The owner’s suite was opulent which included a huge master shower, which acquired a silver award. 

Video

The video below has photos of the features mentioned in this post, now looking forward to the 2011 BIA Parade of Homes. Mark your calendar, contact me the 1st of July 2011 I always have a few free tickets to the Parade, don’t delay these tickets go fast. 

2010 People’s Choice Awards

Favorite House Division

1st Kevin Knight & Company, 2nd Zeppernick Custom Homes, 3rd Weaver Custom Homes 

Favorite Decor Division

1st Kevin Knight & Company, 2nd Weaver Custom Homes, 3rd Dani Homes 

At an open house in May, had a few quiet moments and thought I would look thru the newspaper to review the open house ads. Wow, what a surprise as I removed the plastic bag. On the very front page was a photo of a client’s son, photo caption “Prodigy To Play Carnegie” Arts and Life, E-1; quickly I turned to the page to read the article.

Memorable buying adventure

In 2007 a past client referred me to a cute family; mom and dad’s son brought joy to our house hunting day. This amazing little boy was 5 at the time when his parents started to look for that perfect house. Our first day out to preview listings I was in awe as Abhik rattled off names of area roads along with the names of all intersecting roads, remember this child was only 5 years old, he sounded like my GPS system. We had many fun adventures in the snow, sleet and rain; they started to look at houses in February and by March they found a great home that met their needs.

A Special dinner invitation

This sweet family invited my husband and I to dinner after they were settled in their new home. Sandip and Srirupa served us a dinner of Indian cuisine which was really yummy. Abhik made our visit very special by playing the piano for us, what a delight to hear this talented little boy playing those classical arrangements; it is hard to believe that a youngster could play such complicated piano compositions. My husband and I were honored for the family’s hospitality.

Carnegie Hall Follow Up

A few days after I discovered the Dispatch article I called Abhik, wanted to hear about the Carnegie Hall gig, talked to Abhik’s mom, she filled me in as to how Abhik was able to play Carnegie Hall. He was selected as the first place winner in his age division of the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition. The entire family had a fabulous day at Carnegie Hall, Srirupa told me after Abhik’s return home he has become more immersed in his music. Abhik is musically talented beyond his years but he is still a little boy who likes to have fun with his friends. He enjoys drawing; I have one of his special sketches hanging in my office.

The perks of doing a job that you love

Throughout my real estate career I have met many wonderful people. What a privilege to be able to provide assistance to others to obtain home ownership. A house becomes a home where memories are made. Sandip and Srirupa have made a wonderful home for Abhik to become an accomplished pianist along with a loving place to call home to just be a little boy.