As President of the Home Builders & Contractors Association of Brevard I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the 2008 Spring Parade of Homes™. Our Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and has grown to more than 800 member companies, with more than 15,000 employees in Brevard County. The Parade of Homes™ has 54 entries ranging from $104,990 to $1.5 million, offering homes for everyone's interest.

Our Chairperson for this Spring Parade of Homes™ is Jerry Flies of JERJEF Homes. He has asked that I share the format for this year's awards in the Parade. There will be a Platinum Award and a Gold Award for the Best Overall in each price category. In addition, a Merit Award for the best feature in each model home will be presented. On April 12th judges from counties outside Brevard volunteer their time to view and determine the awards. Judges will also be asked to select the best craftsmanship in each model. This concept focuses not only on the best homes in each price category, but also on the features of the homes in which buyers are most interested.

More than half the Home Builders & Contractors Association of Brevard membership is comprised of our Associate members. For everything that goes into these homes, from state-of-the-art building materials to landscaping, we depend on these quality-driven associates. Without these talented trade partners and their products and services, we could not present you with the homes you are about to visit. This year, some entries have taken the first steps towards "Green Building", featuring products and building techniques that will allow them to be certified as an environmentally conscious, Green Built Home.

The outstanding centerpieces of this Parade of Homes™ are the official Showcase Home and Showcase Community. The spectacular Showcase Home, "The Montserrat", is presented by JERJEF Homes, and is located in Veranda Place off Eau Gallie Blvd. and our Showcase Community, "Pineda Ridge" located in Melbourne off N. Wickham Road, is presented by Lifestyle Homes.

Special thanks go out to our Corporate Sponsor, National City and to our Silver Sponsor, Shelter Mortgage, for their generous sponsorships; and also to our volunteers that have helped me make this spectacular 2008 Spring Parade of Homes™ possible.

Come visit the homes of some of our finest builders, constructed by the best quality craftsman, dispersed within the most desirable communities. Whether large or small, mainland or beachside, all are beautiful examples of how you can achieve the home of you dreams. One of them may become your home!

Just follow the official blue and yellow Parade of Homes™ directional signs to realize your piece of the "American Dream". This is the best time to invest in your future and the future of America.