Homearama 2008 - Local man's home on display

When Al Bennett builds a house, he wants the owners and their guests to feel at home the minute they walk in the door.

Bennett, of Simpsonville, said creating a welcoming atmosphere is done by adding extra details and making sure that everything in the house is of the highest quality.

"That's what buyers are looking for," he said. "So I try to give it to them."

Because of Bennett's reputation as an innovative builder, he was asked to design and construct a house for this year's much-anticipated Homearama.

Homearama, a home showcase put on by the Home Builders Association of Louisville, travels to different sites throughout the Louisville metro area.

This year's event, which started on July 12 and runs until July 27, displays some of the latest trends and ideas in home design.

This year the exposition is held at the Locus Creek development about a mile west of the Shelby County line.

Bennett's house, which is house #5 at the show, is called Braxton Manor.

The building is 5,100-square-foot and is designed as a walkout ranch house.

The two-floored structure has four bedrooms, 3.5 baths and has several special features such as detailed crown molding, state-of-art appliances and a custom theater room.

The house is currently on the market and is listed for $709,900.

Despite slow real-estate sales, Bennet said quality homes are still selling.

"I believe if you build a house that is attractive enough and it gives the customer what they are looking for, you'll have a much greater chance of selling it," he said. "But you've got to make sure the quality is there."

The public will vote on the best home in the show. Bennet said being named the best home in the show would be an honor.

In the past week and a half, thousands of people have walked through the homes at the event.

Some may be in the market to possibly buy one of the homes on display, but most people are just looking for ideas.

That's the reason Brian Romine and his daughter Lauryn go to the expo every year.

Romine, of Simpsonville, said while some of the design concepts in the houses are out of his price range, seeing what others have done with their homes sparks his imagination. Brian said such ideas proved useful when he remodeled his basement.

While he enjoys going to the show, Romine doesn't anticipate making an offer for any of those house in the near future.

"I'm just here to get ideas," he said.