Homebuilder Nails it
Parade of Homes is personal, not just business
YUKON — Homebuilding isn't just business to builder John Nail, it's personal, and not just to him.
After 40 years in and around the business, he knows that new houses are personal to just about everyone, whether they're building, buying or dreaming.
All of that personal stuff will come together next weekend through Sept. 22 during the Parade of Homes Fall Classic presented by the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association: builders' touch, buyers' taste and dreamers' visions of home.
"The Parade of Homes is an exciting time of the year not just for homebuilders, but for the public," said Nail, parade chairman, who partners with his wife, Carrie, in John Nail Homes& Development in Yukon.
More than 100 new houses by some 60 builders will be open free to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. each day of the parade, sponsored by Pella Windows & Doors of Oklahoma. OnCue locations will have parade guide books starting Wednesday.
The featured neighborhood, with homes by Beacon Homes, Shaw Homes, and Shawn Forth Homes, is Woodland Park, north of E Cove ll Road and west of N Douglas Boulevard in Edmond. Go to www.ParadeofHomes.com for details and maps.
"Everybody likes new houses ," said Nail ,60, at a model home at 2221 War Eagle Lane in Water's Edge, the newest phase of his Stone Mill neighborhood. It' s on the west side of Mustang Road about a mile north of Interstate 40.
"But the Parade of Homes means something tome because I' ve been around homebuilding my entire life," he said. "My dad was a homebuilder years ago — in fact, I built my first home when I was 19 years old. I've been a member of the home builders association for almost 25 years. What they stand for, what they do for the community — it's just a real blessing that they allowed me to be the parade chairman this year.
"People get excited about new houses. We want all people to come, the l ookyloos, the tire kickers. And we want those that are serious ( and looking to buy). It just creates excitement f or our industry. But to me, it's more important in that it creates excitement for people. People love new houses."
At his model, people will see something unusual from Nail: a home in a transitionalcontemporary style ,2,950 square feet, three bedrooms, three bath san done halfbath, priced at $495,000. The neighborhood is carved around mature trees, using the lay of the land itself to create natural looking ponds, something Nail is known for.
Features include floor-to-ceiling windows; a large, open living room with cathedral ceiling, center wooden beam, towering 18- foot tile fireplace, exposed industrial steel I-beam, and a niche of floating shelves tucked under the staircase; a kitchen featuring quartz counters, a waterfall quartz island, inlaid hickory accents, and a walk-in pantry; upstairs game room with bar including sink and beverage center; and a master suite and bath with freestanding tub, large walk- in shower, and closet with access to the utility room.
"I'm very excited about this house ," Nail said ." I don't think I've ever built a prettier house."