20 th Annual Parade of Homes to Focus on Green-Building-- Showcase 49 Treasure Coast Model Homes

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL -Interest rates are low, inventory is high, and prices have fallen-- it's a great time to buy a new home! Treasure Coast residents looking for their dream home, design ideas, or even an opportunity to see the latest green technology and energy efficient products for the home, won't want to miss the Treasure Coast Builders Association's 20 th Annual Parade of Homes set to run from March 7 through March 16.

This year's Parade features 49 model homes throughout Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties. Home styles range from contemporary to traditional and include townhomes, single-family homes, estate and luxury residences ranging in size from 1,656 square feet to 13,175 square feet.

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"This is a great way to find your dream home, or even grab some ideas to incorporate into your existing home," said Parade of Homes Co-Chairman Arlene Brown.

Co-Chairman Don Santos adds "Many of these models feature energy saving and green-build technology, smart-home systems, and reclaimed and renewable products. If you're interested in learning more about green-build, this year's Parade is for you."

Touring the Parade of Homes is free. Models will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Parade magazines will be available for pickup at any National City bank after March 6. Flyers will also be inserted into all local Scripps Treasure Coast Newspaper publications and in the Palm Beach Post on March 8 and 15. Model home entries can also be viewed on-line at www.TCPalm.com in the "Home" section throughout the month of March and on www.treasurecoastba.com, in the "Publications" section.

In addition to showcasing their best homes, Parade of Homes builders will also compete for awards: the Peoples Choice Award, which is voted on by the viewing public; Subcontractor's Excellence Awards, which are nominated by the participating builders and will be awarded at a special reception on April 22; and Platinum, Gold and Silver honors in thirty-two categories, which are judged by out-of-area professional builders, architects and interior designers. An Energy Efficiency Award, judged by Florida Power and Light, will also be given. New to the Parade this year is the Green Building Award, given by the Treasure Coast Builders Association Green Build Council. All Platinum winners will be eligible to win the Grand Award, which will be given at an awards banquet on May 6 at the Pelican Yacht Club in Fort Pierce.

The 2008 Parade of Homes is sponsored by National City Mortgage, Labor Finders of the Treasure Coast, It's a Buyers Market (Treasure Coast Builders Association Special Campaign), Hanover Homes, The Palm Beach Post, Scripps Treasure Coast newspapers, FPL BuildSmart, Wayne-Dalton, Wachovia Mortgage and Whirlpool. For more information on the 'Parade,' including a locator map, participating builders, and showcased homes, visit http://www.floridabuild.com, www.treasurecoastba.com or www.tcpalm.com.

TREASURE COAST BUILDERS ASSOCIATION is a 1,200-plus member association that represents and protects the interests of the building industry in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. Membership is comprised of builders, developers, sub-contractors, suppliers, lenders, architects, realtors, and manufacturers who are dedicated to building stature and respect for the industry in the community. For more information, please visit the TCBA web site at www.treasurecoastba.com.

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