Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 17, 1991 TAG: 9103190024
SECTION: TODAY'S HOME PAGE: TH-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Along with house cleaning comes the renovating, the remodeling and the sprucing up.
To help homeowners survey a variety of goods, the Better Living Expo '91's Home Show at the Salem Civic Center March 22-24 will present exhibitions of goods from plumbing fixtures to speciality products, from floor treatments to cabinetry, from banks to fencing.
More than 100 exhibitors will show off their newest products, according to Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association Vice President Melody Williams.
With a theme of "Where Dreams Begin," the 21st Home Show "gives our patrons the opportunity to walk in and visualize some of the thoughts they have on ways to improve their home," Williams said. "It gives them something tangible. You have an idea, but until you see it, you don't know whether it's going to work or not. You can touch and feel it here."
A private preview on Saturday, March 23, will allow builders, developers, architects, engineers and other professionals to review the newest products. Judging categories have also been set up for best cabinet displays, best theme displays and best interior and exterior building products.
The Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association, which is affiliated with the Home Builders Association of Virginia and the National Association of Home Builders, was formed in 1955. Its president, Bob Flynn, said the regional office represents not only Roanoke Valley but the ing counties of Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Pittsylvania and Bedford.
Although the annual Home Show is one of its major events, the association has many purposes. "Some are to be a voice in the building industry; to promote business opportunities for our members; and to lobby in the Roanoke Valley and on a state level. We also want to be active in the growth of the region, and are very involved as a clearing house of industry information," Flynn said.
The association's involvement in the growth of the area extends to quarterly meetings in the cities and counties of its region to discuss and share long- and short-term plans and how they affect the housing industry and water and sewer treatments, Flynn said.
Although the building industry is acutely aware of the recession, Flynn said Virginia is fortunate to have a diversified economy. "Things are not moving along at as fast a pace as the last couple of years; but we have Smith Mountain Lake, relocation of businesses and private concerns. Whatever recession we have is mildly affecting us," he said.
He envisions Roanoke as the third hub in a state triangle of Northern Virginia, the Eastern Shore and Southwest Virginia. Although Roanoke's population has been stable the last 10 years, the outlying areas have experienced tremendous growth surges, according to Flynn. "There are needs now, and it's a good time to do it," he said about building.
The association has also recognized a need for affordable housing for the working poor. Last year, it built its first Habitat for Humanity house and has set October 1991 as the completion date for a second one. "Ours was completely, 100 percent volunteer - all materials, labor," he said. "This is a little unusually, but we did not incur any costs. And we'd like to continue building - we certainly want to try and make it an ongoing thing."
Another way the association has helped the Roanoke Valley is through its Remodeler's Council and through its cooperation with the Better Business Bureau's Remodel Care program. The latter program has set up a system of warranties and information for people interested in remodeling their homes. They encourage use of the BBB's reference checks for local contractors. The Remodeler's Council provides a set of guidelines for homeowners.
by CNB