2014 Fall Parade of Homes a winner for Rodrock Development

With five fantastic wins and steady, strong traffic throughout the Fall Parade of Homes, Rodrock Development ended this year’s tour with deep gratitude to all Parade-goers — and no little bit of celebration.

“The traffic has been great,” said Brenda Sanders, president of Rodrock & Associates, Realtors. “Even with the Chiefs and Royals playing, our communities were still very busy. The Parade has led to contracts and lot holds, and the feedback has reported great available inventory and choices.”

According to Rodrock marketing agent Bruce Stout, the Fall Parade of Homes has generated fantastic results for his community of Forest View in Olathe. The majority of visitors were tour-goers, but a sizable contingent was serious homebuyers. In fact, the agents at Forest View ended up opening up all completed spec homes during the Parade due to the high interest.

“With a J. S. Robinson’s Distinctive Plan and Design First Place winner and James Engle Custom Homes earning the Distinctive Plan and Design Runner Up, our traffic has been exceptional,” Stout said. “We’ve taken two lot reservations, sold one unit and have met extensively with a number of clients over the past week who have interest in a variety of lot choices and floor plans. With a slight slowdown during late August and September, the activity we’ve seen in the last several weeks is a testimony to how strong our market bounces back in Johnson County.”

The Stonebridge communities — consisting of Stonebridge Trails, Stonebridge Village, Stonebridge Meadows and Stonebridge Park — also were thrilled to welcome strong Parade traffic.

“Stonebridge Trails was especially busy during the Parade,” said longtime marketing agent Joan Jacquin. “We had two Parade winners: Gabriel Homes Inc. and Summit Custom Homes. The buyers were very impressed with our homes and, of course, the community itself. There were several days when we lost track of how many tour-goers came through, as we were so busy. We did one lot reservation and have taken many names for future buyers, as well.”

Parade-goers were particularly excited to see all the potential of Stonebridge Trail’s second phase, which includes many lots that back to an open area with ample trees.

“When we discussed this with folks, they were very excited and eager to receive information when we have it,” Jacquin said. “We also are pleased that several of our speculative homes are nearing completion and will be ready very soon, with several having 30-day occupancy.”

Also feeling the Parade appreciation was Stonebridge Park, which had a Pick of the Parade Runner Up with a reverse 11/2-story by D & M Homes Inc., situated at 16335 Twilight.

“Weekends were very busy with lots of traffic, and we enjoyed steady traffic during the week,” said Rodrock marketing agent Julie Parman. “We had lots of interest in our beautiful James Engle Custom Homes model and our new phase. And of course, we received very positive feedback from people about the whole Stonebridge Community. The walking trail that will connect our neighborhoods is a big draw. Everything is so family friendly and welcoming.”

The high number of visitors continued in Grayson Place in Olathe. The first weekend alone, the community saw some 20 groups come through on Saturday and Sunday, despite the weather and sporting events in the area. The vast majority were interested in Grayson Place’s maintenance-free villas.

“We sold one custom build for Chris George Homes and are working on a spec home sale thanks to all the Parade interest,” said marketing agent Mike Slaven, who boasts more than 20 years of experience with Rodrock Development. “We’ve had excellent weekend traffic in our single-family and maintenance-provided neighborhoods. People are impressed with the great prices and variety of choices of floor plans.”

The high interest in serious home buying is not a surprise to Ed Rafferty, a lender at Community America Credit Union. “Rates have been solid, if not dropping a little, within the past few months,” he said. “It’s a great time to buy a home, and people see that. We’ve been just absolutely busy as can be with new home loans.”

But just because the Parade has drawn to a close, that doesn’t mean the fun is over in Rodrock communities. The season of pumpkins, costumes, and candy heralds in the second annual Cutest Kid Halloween Photo Contest. But this year, the treat has grown: The grand-prize winner will receive $1,000 in cash.

“The lighthearted contest is one more way the Rodrock Development Moms’ Council seeks to bring people and communities together,” Sanders said.

The contest is a partnership between the Rodrock Development Moms’ Council and The Kansas City Star, an idea designed to extend the celebration of childhood’s favorite holiday. Submit your favorite photo by visiting KansasCity.com/contests and clicking on the Rodrock Development Cutest Kid Contest icon; a link is also provided at Rodrock.com. Photo submissions can be uploaded online from Oct. 20 through Nov. 3. Vote daily on your favorite photo and enjoy all the treats of the season with no tricks.

For more information, visit Rodrock.com.

This story was originally published October 17, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "2014 Fall Parade of Homes a winner for Rodrock Development."