The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Fate of Homearama uncertain

Submitted The Susanna by K Homes was one of the homes featured during the 2009 Homearama in Mason. Contributed photo

By Ed Richter, Staff Writer 11:15 AM Thursday, January 28, 2010

CINCINNATI — A decision is expected in February if one of the longest home shows in the nation will continue.

Homearama, an annual event for the past 49 years sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati, has not been scheduled for 2010, according to executive director Dan Dressman.

“I would hate to miss a year, and I hope we don’t have to,” Dressman said.

Last year’s Homearama was in the Carmelle subdivision in Mason with houses that ranged from $550,000 to $950,000. The home event has been in Warren County for seven of the past eight years.

Dressman said sites for the 2010 Homearama are being considered in Warren and Hamilton counties.

He said he believes that the credit crunch in the residential home sector may be a factor for builders to get financing to build these homes.

“It’s a bridge to cross and a big commitment for builders to do Homearama,” Dressman said.

While the Cincinnati area’s Homearama has yet to be decided, Dressman said Citirama will feature seven newly built homes in the Rockford Hills subdivision in Cincinnati during that show in early June. Citirama will enter its ninth year in 2010.

In addition, he said the Cincinnati Home Builders will partner with their counterparts in northern Kentucky for the Cavalcade show of 50 homes for two weeks in May as well as a tour of remodelled homes this fall.

While Homearama is being considered, similar events sponsored by the Home Builders Association of the Miami Valley and the Homebuilders Association of Dayton have opted to forgo their events due to the housing market conditions.

Walt Hibner, executive director of the Dayton organization, said there was a lack of interest by builders and that its become harder for builders to get financing without a buyer. He said most builders don’t want to take on the risks associated with speculative building.

Staff writer Tim Tresslar contributed to this report. Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or erichter@coxohio.com.

Share this article