October 2016
Kickin’ It at the Fall Awards Celebration Learn from the Experts – page 7 Membership Month – page 8 Political Forecast Breakfast – page 11
Member Profile: Brent Symonds, See page 6
Winners of the Distinctive Plan & Design and Pick of the Parade contests were announced as HBA members gathered at Children’s Mercy Park (home of Sporting KC) for the Fall Parade of Homes Awards Celebration. Special thanks go to Jennifer Bertrand, HGTV Design Star winner, for announcing the winners and to Misty Hanson, Stewart Title, for distributing the award trophies. The contest winners were announced in the October 2nd issue of the Kansas City Star and are featured on the newly re-designed Parade website, kcparadeofhomes.com. The Fall Parade features two contests: Distinctive Plan & Design, which focuses on interior design and architecture and Pick of the Parade, which ranks homes based on construction techniques, material selection, and craftsmanship. Housing professionals from outside the Kansas City area toured contest homes September 22nd and 23rd. Criteria for Pick of the Parade contest include, among others: exterior flatwork and foundation, framing, window and door installation, cabinetry quality and installation, painting and floor covering. Judges in the Distinctive Plan & Design contest considered: curb appeal, layout and use of space, design and special features of the kitchen and bath, unique
accent areas, lighting, furnishings and window treatments. Special thanks go to HBA members who volunteered to drive the judges through the metro area; because homes are placed in categories based on selling price, some routes required several hundred miles of driving. Consumer traffic has been heavy during the 2016 Fall Parade of Homes, which
featured 318 homes constructed by 94 KCHBA builder members. The Home Builders Association appreciates continuing support for the Parade from Stewart Title, presenting sponsor. Plans are now underway for the Spring 2017 Parade, to be held April 22 through May 7.