Americans love to be inspired. 

Ever since the original home improvement show “This Old House” debuted in 1979, dozens of shows have focused on building, remodeling, renovation, real estate, decorating and design.

Decades before people watched these episodes on television or online, they found ideas and inspiration in person at a Parade of Homes. 

The nation’s first home tour of this sort was held in 1946 by the Salt Lake Home Builders Association. In 1948, the Minnesota Builders Association organized a home show under the name Parade of Homes, and the concept took off in cities across the country.

Here in Central Florida, the Home Builders Association of Lake-Sumter (HBA-LS) showcases the industry’s best and brightest at the 2025 HBA-LS Parade of Homes, February 15-23. 

The showcase provides a perfect opportunity to discover the latest trends and innovations of skilled tradesmen as you tour stunning homes constructed by area builders.

The HBA-LS was chartered in 1973, and their Parade of Homes has been a regular event for over 30 years. The association’s last Parade of Homes took place in 2019. As in many other states, the pandemic derailed plans and took home tours off the calendar, so there is great enthusiasm for the upcoming event. Jennifer Pryor of the HBA-LS notes the plan is to again have the Parade of Homes every year.

“We’re really excited to bring the Parade back. The response has been great. Builders are doing so much and have much more inventory now,” Jennifer says. 

So much to see

Variety is the spice of life—and of the Parade of Homes. Attendees can tour different types and styles of homes throughout Lake and Sumter counties. 

Parade entries are in numerous categories:

• Single family homes
• Multi-family homes
• Remodels
• Special categories
• Communities

At press time, there were already over 40 entries, with more being added. In order to highlight more of the trades involved in the home construction industry, Special Categories was expanded to include:

• Kitchens
• Master baths
• Pools
• Landscaping
• She sheds/Man caves
• Entertainment centers
• Docks
• Outdoor living

The expanded Special Categories exposes attendees to more options and possibilities. You may not be buying or building a home, but you’ll find plenty of inspiration among the various entries if you’re considering a kitchen or bath remodel, putting in a pool, or adding an entertainment area. 

Harbor Hills is the Dream Community for this year’s Parade of Homes. The park-like setting includes spectacular waterfront property on one of the county’s largest freshwater lakes. The community is all about “endless possibilities for living well.”

Located along the shores of Lake Griffin, this distinguished gated community features an 18-hole championship golf course, private marina, dock and boat ramp, restaurant, clubhouse, junior Olympic pool, fitness facility, pro shop, Har-Tru clay tennis courts and Har-Tru pickleball courts, and many other amenities. 

The Reclinta model home in the Bella Vista section of Harbor Hills is one of the Parade entries. 

Virtual entries 

The Parade of Homes also includes virtual entries, which allows homes already occupied to be included in the event.

Virtual entry viewing days will take place at the REALTORS® Association of Lake and Sumter Counties (RALSC) office in Tavares on Saturday, February 15 and Saturday, February 22. Some of the builders of virtual entries will be on hand at the RALSC office to chat with attendees on those two viewing days.

“People can see more homes because of the virtual options. There will be links to websites so there’s an easy way to reach out with questions to the builders and subcontractors,” says Nick Smith of Trident Construction in Eustis, who has two virtual entries in this year’s Parade. 

In addition to custom home builds, remodels and renovations, his company does marine construction. He has a custom home entered in the Parade, as well as a dock (Special Categories). 

Nick, the incoming president of the HBA-LS, is enthusiastic about the association’s momentum as the housing industry continues to grow. “We’ve had a lot of participation in HBA-LS in recent years. The residential markets are flourishing here,” he notes.

This year’s event has attracted entrants who haven’t participated in past Parades. Among them is Philip Mastrosimone III, whose Leesburg-based company, Mastropiece, does projects for both residential and commercial spaces. The company specializes in custom home upgrades and millwork.

Philip explains that pieces are built and finished in the company’s large workshop, which limits inconvenience and construction debris in clients’ homes.

His company has four virtual entries in the Parade. He’s entered a kitchen and a bathroom in Remodels, along with an entertainment center and a man cave in the Special Categories section.

He’s proud of all four projects and especially excited for people to see the unique details included in the man cave. This includes hidden door bookcases that open into an unexpected tucked-away entertainment area, reminiscent of a speakeasy.

“I want to show people a high quality of next-level craftsmanship they can’t buy anywhere else. Everything is handcrafted and designed here,” Philip says.

Judging and awards

Before the Parade of Homes opens, all entries are judged by a panel of experts comprised of REALTORS®, engineers, interior decorators, etc. 

Jennifer explains that the judging panel focuses on workmanship and construction, rather than décor, but attendees will appreciate the many decorating and design ideas. Homes are judged in price point categories, so a $400,000 home isn’t judged against a million-dollar home.

Judges consider the following details:

• Exteriors
• Curb appeal
• Overall architecture design
• Landscaping
• Floor plan
• Room sizes
• Individual rooms and areas
• Overall quality of workmanship
• Quality of material used
• Perceived value

There are 1st and 2nd place awards in each category, as well as merit awards. Awards are displayed in the homes on the tour.

“Cecil Clark Chevrolet, one of our sponsors, will provide cars for our judges to be driven to the entry locations on judging day,” says Jennifer. “Judging takes place a week prior to the Parade’s opening so winners can proudly display the awards in their homes.”

Attn: Real estate pros 

Real estate professionals are invited to experience the Parade of Homes entries the week before the event opens to the public, thanks to REALTOR® Days Bus Tours.

Included in these tours are production and custom-built homes in specific areas of Lake and Sumter counties:

• North: Fruitland Park, Lady Lake and Wildwood
• South: Groveland, Clermont, Montverde
• Central: Mount Dora, Leesburg, Tavares, Umatilla, Eustis

“The bus tours for REALTORS® are both educational and energizing. They provide agents with the opportunity to explore new communities and gather essential information to better educate their clients. These tours also offer the convenience of visiting multiple Parade communities in one day, making it a perfect blend of fact-finding and networking,” says Steve McDonald of the REALTORS® Association of Lake and Sumter Counties (RALSC).

REALTOR® Days Bus Tours take place Monday through Wednesday, February 10-12. To participate, real estate pros should reach out to HBA-LS to book a spot on the bus tours.

Steve says this is an ideal way for participants to explore different housing communities, learn about various floor plans, and see the latest trends in technology and design firsthand.

“Lots of REALTORS® do the tours and they even have their own awards, the REALTORS® Choice Award,” Jennifer says.

“This parade is highly anticipated as Central Florida continues to thrive, with housing starts serving as a key indicator of our growing economy. REALTORS® are encouraged to join the buses and explore the opportunities available for home buyers. The REALTORS® Association of Lake and Sumter Counties is proud to partner with the Home Builders Association and looks forward to many more Parades in the future,” Steve says.

Mark your calendar

Whether looking to buy or build, remodel or just gather ideas and inspiration, the Parade of Homes appeals to a wide variety of attendees.

“Consumers are more knowledgeable now,” says Jennifer, noting that home improvement shows have made the housing and construction industry more relatable to the average buyer and homeowner.

“You can see what different builders are doing and what’s new in the industry. You can see and feel fixtures and finishes, which are things you can’t do when you’re watching a show on TV,” she adds. 

Although tours are self-guided, builders and tradesmen are on site to answer questions. You can also gather information to review after the tour. 

In the past, local newspapers printed a guide for the Parade of Homes, but times have changed. Now you simply visit the Parade website at www.lakesumterparadeofhomes.com. Click on the listing of each entry you want to tour, and the website provides a Google map for you to follow. 

The 2025 HBA-LS Parade of Homes is all about discovering potential from the region’s top builders, architects, designers, and tradesmen.

You may be looking to buy or build a new home. Or perhaps you’re happy in your current home but thinking about remodeling a certain area. You may want to increase your options for enjoying the Central Florida lifestyle by adding an outdoor entertainment area, dock or improving your landscaping.

Discover what’s trending and what’s new in the home building industry. You may just find your new home, and at the very least, you’ll walk away inspired and brimming with ideas. 

Photos: Provided