Founders Pointe hosts preview tour

Published 9:56 pm Wednesday, August 10, 2016

The Founders Pointe housing community will host a sneak preview of its new homes next weekend.

On Aug. 20 and 21, the free Dusty Boots tour will allow attendees to see the homes that will be featured in the Parade of Homes in October. However, the homes will not be furnished or completed.

Mark Edwards, senior vice president and broker of East West Realty, anticipates seven of the eight homes will be open for the tour.

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This is an opportunity for attendees to “look past the home décor and to see the sticks and bricks,” Edwards said.

The showcase homes, which are on a lakefront cul-de-sac overlooking the Batten Bay, range from 2,500 to more than 4,250 square feet, with prices from the upper $400,000s to more than $750,000.

Edwards said the homes are currently available for purchase. To date, three of the homes have been sold.

The Peninsula Housing and Builders Association selected the site for this year’s Parade of Homes, which will be held Oct. 1-16.

This year’s event will be the fifth major home showcase for East West Partners. The company’s first event in 1993 attracted more than 55,000 visitors to Gatling Pointe South.

During the October event, in addition to home tours, there will be food, live music and wine tastings and other activities for all to enjoy. Edwards predicts more than 30,000 people will be in attendance.

“They aren’t just seeing eight finished models but to also enjoy the show,” Edwards said. “There will be something for everyone.”

A portion of the proceeds accumulated from ticket sales and other events onsite will be donated to various organizations.

Tickets are $10 apiece, $8 for military and senior citizens, and children 12 and under will be admitted for free.

E.R. Lenz Contracting, one of the builders onsite, plans to donate to the Habitat for Humanity. Once the house sells, it will donate some of the proceeds to the organization.

Lenz has been involved with the organization for several years and was happy to help.

“I think having a home is a special thing in life,” said Randy Lenz, president. “This is key to a stable home life, and Habitat for Humanity helps with that.”

Roc Solid Foundation, which makes playgrounds for kids battling cancer, will also benefit from the event. A portion of the money raised from the event’s 5k run will be donated to the foundation.

The homes are expected to be complete by the end of September, according to Edwards. Once the homes are completed, judges selected by the Peninsula Home Builders Association will survey the homes and present awards for the best features.