By Emily Williams
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or moving on to a larger or smaller home, the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builder’s 2018 Parade of Homes will have something to pique your interest.
The annual event will be held over two weekends, April 27-29 and May 4-6, offering tours of more than 90 newly built houses throughout the greater Birmingham area. The homes range in size from 1,000 to 4,500 square feet and will be presented by more than 30 builders.
The guiding light of the tour’s offerings is the 2018 Ideal Home, built by AGH Homes Inc., located at 871 Southbend Circle in the newly developed Southbend community at the corner of Rocky Ridge Road and Wisteria Drive in Vestavia Hills.
According to AGH’s Alicia Huey, the home exemplifies the “ideal” of functionality and family-living. It has enough bedrooms to suit a five-member family and keeps daily life centered on the main floor in the large open living space.
Homes featured on the parade route are throughout the Over the Mountain area and in other suburban communities.
In addition to showcasing builders and their homes, GBAHB will highlight twenty villages and neighborhoods on the tour, with Over the Mountain communities including:
BROOK HIGHLAND
This North Shelby County community, managed by Eddleman Residential, consists of more than 1,000 homes and includes 700 acres off U.S. 280 East. The tour will showcase the community’s Club Place neighborhood.
HIGHLAND LAKES
The more than 1,700-acre community in North Shelby County on the ridge of Oak Mountain includes four lakes stocked with fish and a variety of home designs. Homes on the tour are shown by Eddleman Residential LLC.
LAKE WILBORN
This Signature Homes community is located in Hoover, adjacent to Cahaba River surrounds Wilborn Lake. The neighborhood embraces its access to nature with walking trails by the river and includes a clubhouse with a fitness center and a swimming pool.
MCGILL CROSSINGS
This gated community, in Hoover next to Deer Valley Elementary School, prides itself on its professionally designed landscapes surrounding a variety of homes that range from 2,300 to 4,500 square feet.
MT LAUREL
This North Shelby County community features walkable neighborhoods, a fishing lake and greenspaces. Its traditional community atmosphere has earned it recognition as a Southern Living Inspired Community. It incorporates a town center with restaurants and shops, a public library, Mt. Laurel Elementary School and Hilltop Montessori School.
ROSS BRIDGE
The Hoover community will highlight its Reynold’s Landing (pictured below) community, designed by Signature Homes in partnership with Alabama Power. The smart neighborhood will feature 62 homes that featuring emerging energy-efficient technology, material and appliances, including a community-scale micro grid of solar panels, backup generators and battery storage.
SOUTHBEND
One of Vestavia Hills’ newest developing neighborhoods, the community is on the corner of Rocky Ridge Road and Wisteria Drive and offers 45 custom-built homes. In addition to homes built by Taylor Burton Company, AGH Homes Inc. will showcase the 2018 Ideal Home.
THE PRESERVE
A Hoover community known for its festivals and art shows, the 300-acre neighborhood backs up to Moss Rock Preserve and features houses built in classic American architectural styles. Amenities include a town center with restaurants and shops, walking trails and a town hall.
THE VILLAGE
Located just across the road from Mt Laurel, the North Shelby County community features walkable streets, parks, trails, a pool, cabanas and access to Mt. Laurel Elementary School. Eddleman Residential LLC will be featuring a variety of its homes on the tour.
The 2018 Parade of Homes will begin with a kick-off party April 24 from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Ideal Home. It will include music, food, cocktails and a presentation of the Parade of Home award winners.
In addition, the annual Chefs on Parade will be held on the evenings of April 26 and May 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tastings prepared by local chefs will be hosted at select homes on the tour. Tickets to Chefs on Parade are $25 per night or $40 for both evenings.
The 2018 Parade of Homes is free and open to the public. Homes will be available to tour each Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and each Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit birminghambuilder.com. ❖
