The 2017 Parade of Homes will be open for another week. If you haven’t visited, take a few hours and head up I-71 to Cheshire Woods to soak in the latest home construction and interior design trends. Here’s what it looked like last year!

Parade Overview

The Parade of Homes subdivision is located at Cheshire Woods, approximately 15 minutes North of Polaris near the new Tanger Outlets. Cheshire Woods is close to I-71, so you can hear traffic noise when you are outside.

There are only 9 homes on display. Some prominent custom builders are missing, such as Bob Webb and Romanelli & Hughes. They were probably too busy to build a display home for the Parade, and then there’s the price.

All 9 Parade homes are priced around $600,000, which is certainly more affordable than the million dollar homes we saw in previous years.

The cost to attend is $15. You can get discounts if you buy online, if you are military, or with your AAA membership.

Click Here for details and to purchase tickets!

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Parade of Home Trends

First Floor Living

Ranch style homes are coming back. Many buyers demand first floor bedrooms to avoid climbing stairs.

Entertainment Rooms

Every single home has a party room in the basement, with full bars, pool tables, shuffle boards, and large TV or movie screens.

Huge Kitchen Islands

It seems as kitchen islands are getting larger every year. They are the central part of a modern kitchen surrounded by commercial style appliances. Cabinet space on the other hand has been shrinking. Not sure where the homeowners will store all their dishes, pots and pans.

Barn Style & Mid Century

The exterior design of most homes resembles the popular barn style. We also saw a comeback of mid century modern furniture and light fixtures.

The Former Library

Remember the time when every (upscale) home had a library near the main entrance? This space still exists, but it has been re-purposed. Most interior designers envision the library as a Bourbon or wine tasting room for a small group of guests to hang out in a private space.

Front Porches

Most homes come with a front porch to improve community, as homeowners will have more opportunities to talk to neighbors. One home even features a cabbage patch in front of the house (see below).

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What’s Missing in New Homes?

Outdoor Living Spaces

I was surprised by the small backyards and the lack of any significant patio or deck designs. This is quite different from the extensive outdoor living areas and walk-out basements we saw in previous years.

High Tech

Central Ohio builders aren’t featuring any new technology in their homes. I did not see a single NEST thermostat or smoke detector. At the most you can find built in speakers and intercoms, which have been around for 20 years.

Sustainability Features

You would expect that new homes display some “green” design features to improve sustainability. Unfortunately, local builders are satisfied with energy efficient appliances, furnaces and standard wall insulation.

Call or text me at (614) 975-9650, if you are interested in one of the Parade Homes. I was told that many are still available and the builders are eager to make a deal!