Spring Homearama offers a scenic look at life in Isle of Wight County

Founders Pointe Pier

“Take the scenic route in life” is the theme of Tidewater Builders Association’s first spring Homearama, set for May 8-23 in the Founders Pointe community in Isle of Wight County, a neighborhood that incorporates nature and wildlife as part of its resort-style amenities.


The community overlooks marshes, creeks and tributaries flowing to the James River and offers an 844-foot community pier over looking the Batten Bay. It is centrally located – about 25 minutes from downtown Norfolk and 10 minutes to Newport News.

Spring Homearama will feature eight fully furnished and landscaped showcase custom homes with distinctive architectural styles including several designs by Frank Betz Associates Inc. The homes range from 3,000 to 3,800 square feet and are priced from the $500,000s to $675,000.

“The spring Homearama, the first of two this year, gives us the chance to stimulate interest in new homes and new home products during the traditional selling season,” said TBA President Bill Halprin. “More people tend to be interested in exploring options for a new home or fixing up their current home when they’re heading into the summer than when they’re heading into the holidays.”

As usual, the event offers a chance to learn about innovations and trends in new home construction, design and materials, added Halprin. “Today’s homes offer modern floor plans, low-maintenance materials and state-of-the-art products and features. Homearama is the best place to learn all about it, and to get ideas for decorating and landscaping while you’re at it.  There is also a big emphasis on energy-efficiency this year, which is good for the environment and good for your utility bills.”

Founders Pointe, home to 150 families, is being developed by East West Communities, which has developed The Riverfront in Suffolk and Gatling Pointe in Smithfield. The community hosts a clubhouse, swimming pool, playground, miles of leisure trails and a full social calendar, thanks to an on-site activities director.

The Homearama builders are: Chip Iuliano, ABT Custom Homes, Chesapeake; Russ Hohmann, Hohmann Builders, Smithfield; Billy Birdsong, Birdsong Builders Inc., Carrollton; Mike Newhall, Newhall Construction, Smithfield; Norman Miller, Norman Miller Custom Builders, Chesapeake; Ed Sadler, Sadler Building Corp., Virginia Beach; Eric Sasser, Simply Custom by Sasser Construction, Portsmouth; and Bill Brice and Les Ore, Bill Ore Inc., Chesapeake.

Homearama feature homes include:

  • The Charity House, built by Eric Sasser of Simply Custom by Sasser, will be sold to benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia. Children from the Douglass Park Unit in Portsmouth painted a colorful mural inside the garage.
  • The Music House, A Tribute to Ryan Farish, built by ABT Custom Homes, has been designed for electronics and music, with digital connections for various music sources. Musician Ryan Farish will be available to meet fans of his unique brand of electronic harmonies from 2-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and 23. The home also features a kid cave for electronic games, the new Apple iPad, and an interactive coffee table to power up the components.
  • The Man Cave, in The Garden House built by Sadler Building Corp., is in the three-bay garage, providing refuge to the man of the house with a space designed solely to allow him to enjoy his TV time.   
  • The Smithfield House, built by Newhall Construction, will incorporate features of Smithfield history, hospitality and tourism designed to show visitors how to incorporate antique and sentimental pieces into modern contemporary homes. 
  • Nature Watch, built by Hohmann Builders, will feature landscaping aimed at certification as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and Habitat at Home by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. 
  • The Artist’s House, built by Birdsong Builders, will feature a working artist’s studio and an exhibit of work by artists from The Smithfield Art Guild.

Spring Homearama is open from noon until 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. General admission is $10. Active duty and retired military guests and seniors (62 or better) get a $3 discount Mon.-Thurs., and a $1 discount on weekends. Children 12 and under and guests in wheelchairs are free. Ticket sales will stop one hour before closing.

Sponsors include Columbia Gas of Virginia, Dominion Virginia Power, Food Lion, TowneBank and Superior Equipment Sales. Promotional co-sponsors include The Daily Press, The Virginian-Pilot, and  RSVP Publications.

For more information and a $3 discount coupon (Mon.-Thurs.) visit homearama.tv.