FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Matt Derrick
HBA
(816) 733-2213

American Dream Awards Honor Area’s Top New Homes

Shopping for a new home and want to know what the experts think are the top new homes on the market today? The American Dream Awards do just that, recognizing outstanding new-home construction, architecture and design from the area’s leading home builders. The annual competition is held in conjunction with the Spring Homes Tour, produced by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City. This year’s tour opens May 4 and continues through May 18.

The American Dream Awards are the most prestigious honors presented for new-home construction in metro Kansas City. On May 2-3, a team of 40 industry professionals from across the nation travel to Kansas City to evaluate the entries. They will evaluate homes based on wide ranging criteria including concrete flatwork and foundation, framing, finish carpentry, drywall, floor coverings, landscaping and floor plan.

While many of the homes are fully furnished and decorated lavishly, the judges are not looking at what’s on the surface – they are at the details that go into the home’s overall construction. The American Dream Awards place a premium on criteria such as uniform and even surfaces on walls and floors, exterior framing free of imperfections and careful painting and caulking in appropriate areas. Points are awarded based on an array of criteria centered on their importance in the home’s overall performance and appeal to the homeowner.

“Local home builders put their hard work, talent and creativity into competing for an American Dream Award,” said Brian Sallee, chair of the HBA Tour Committee. “The fact that the winners are determined by an esteemed panel of judges from across the country ensures a fair, competitive contest. It means a great deal to be recognized by your peers in the housing industry as the best in Kansas City.

Homes entered in the American Dream Awards compete in categories determined by sales price and housing style. A Grand Award and First-Runner Up trophy are presented in each category, with awards  presented for single-family homes, maintenance provided-homes and multifamily homes. Price categories range from under $150,000 to $2 million. The winners will be announced online at www.kcspringhomestour.com on May 8 and profiled in The Kansas City Star and other local newspapers the weekend of May 11.

The 2008 Spring Homes Tour opens May 4 and continues through May 18. Homes are open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free. A total of 657 new homes throughout metropolitan Kansas City are featured on the tour, which ranks as the second-largest housing tour in the nation. For a complete list of entries and for more information about the tour, visit the event online at www.kcspringhomestour.com.

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Editor’s Note: Advanced lists of the winners of American Dream Awards will be available by request at approximately 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3for newspapers printing special sections with the winners. The HBA will also have a CD available by request with photos of all the winning homes available approximately noon, Monday, May 5. All winners lists and photos are embargoed for release until April 8 and may not be distributed or published in any form prior to April 8. For an advance list of winners and photographs, contact Matt Derrick at (816) 733-2213 or e-mail mderrick@kchba.org.