Things are looking up in the housing industry. Consumers have more confidence in the market, builders are building and selling again, and homeowners are ready to start sprucing up their existing houses.
These signs of an increasingly health home market are producing interest locally in the 48th Tri-State Home Show, hosted by the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga. The annual event will take place Friday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, March 2 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
The doors will open at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and remain open until 8 p.m. on those days. Sunday, the showroom floor will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $7 per ticket, although senior citizens get $2 off the price on Friday and a can of food for the Chattanooga Food Bank is worth a dollar off on Saturday and Sunday.
As always, the Association has activities planned for the whole family. On Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Clements Antiques of Tennessee will be on hand to appraise items people bring to the show. Saturday will also see the return of the ever-popular “Star Wars” characters. Finally, Lookout Louie will be at the show on Sunday giving away 500 Lookouts baseball game tickets to kids.
When it comes to giveaways, the vendors are pulling out all the stops this year. Some of the bigger giveaways include a $599 gathering grill from General Shale Brick, a garage and garage door opener from Access Door Company, up to $12,500 worth of windows from Madaris, a playhouse from Best Builders, $10,000 worth of windows from TKR Construction, a six-person storm shelter valued at $5,745, and more.
Once again, the show will offer “everything for your home under one roof,” says Teresa Groves, executive director of the Association. With 470 vendors, people can expect to find the latest products for their homes on display. They’ll also be able to talk with experts in each field. “We’ll have builders that will be able to talk with you about building a home, remodelers who can turn your existing home into your dream home, and more,” Groves said.
As always, vendors will be working to attract the most traffic by creating eye-catching booths. Groves said several landscaping companies will be replicating spectacular outdoor spaces inside the Convention Center, and she’s anticipating a lot of interest in a vendor that will be building a deck on the showroom floor.
Groves is also expecting a lot of interest in products aimed at enhancing backyards, as recent trends suggest homeowners are becoming more and more enamored with outdoor living spaces. “Instead of going on vacation, people are staying home and putting that money into their homes. We’ll have outdoor kitchens, pool companies, and more at the show,” she says.
Another trend in the home market is the purchase of amenities for new or older homes. “Homeowners who are downsizing still want granite countertops and hardwood floors,” says Groves. To that end, visitors can expect to see the latest lighting, kitchen, and window upgrades, among other products.
“Instead of fixing up your house to sell it, fix it up to live in it,” Groves says. “Re-do your bathroom and your kitchen, and build a deck. You deserve to enjoy your home.”
For more information about the 48th Tri-State Home Show, visit www.hbagc.net.