Homearama 2009 kicks off

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Homearama 2009 kicks off this weekend at Culpepper Landing in Chesapeake, and whether you're looking for a new home or just some new ideas, developers say come check it out.

Every year Homearama showcases some of the newest trends in home building. The housing market has had a tough go of it in the last few years, but organizers told WAVY.com they hope people who come to check out the houses will see them as a snapshot of a slowly improving real estate picture.

From the outside the home couldn't look more inviting. Perfectly maintained landscaping and beautiful blue, sparking swimming pools are just two elements of Homearama 2009.

"This year's Homearama sits right in the sweetspot of the housing market," said Hampton Roads realtor Van Rose.

Rose says that sweetspot rests between $250,000 and $450,000.  12 new, model homes in Chesapeake's Culpepper Landing comprise this years' event. Whether you're looking to buy or just get ideas, each of these homes offer something different.

"It's not a buyers' market, it's not a sellers' market, it's just a healthy market," Rose told WAVY.com

It's also one that, according to statistics, seems to be improving in Hampton Roads over the last three years.

"From 17,000 houses of inventory on the market to 13,000 today," said Rose.

But if all goes as planned, this year's builders will very likely have someone else to thank when it comes to closing the deal.

"The tax credit's obviously been one of the greatest things the federal government has done for the economy, it's had a monster effect on people buying houses," Rose continued.

That $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit ends November 30th and Homearama runs Saturday October 3rd through the 18th.