Builders expo offers ideas to homeowners

Jim Abraham is building a new house in Springfield and Joe and Helen Swaar want to make some improvements to their home in Mason City.

All three were at the Springfield Area Home Builders Association’s 2012 Home Expo Friday to get ideas for their upcoming projects. The Swaars checked out window replacement companies, and Abraham was looking for suggestions for both for inside and outside.

“We’re looking for some landscaping ideas, paint and closet organizing systems. We’ve gotten some great ideas,” Abraham said.

This year’s expo runs through Sunday at the Prairie Capital Convention Center. There are 140 exhibitors that specialize in everything from banking, building, and landscaping to flooring, garages and cabinetry.

Misty Buscher, director of the expo, said the show was set up for people just like Abraham and the Swaars.

“It’s very low pressure. People can come out and browse what’s new in the remodeling and building industry and not feel like they are being pressured to buy anything,” Buscher said.

It’s not uncommon for people building a new house to bring their plans to the show and talk to exhibitors, she said.

“On the remodeling side, we see people come out, and then come back the next day with measurements of their kitchen or bathroom,” Buscher said.

Joe and Helen Swaar said the window project has a sentimental side.

They lived in the same house outside Mason City for 47 years while Joe farmed. The house had a bow window that they enjoyed, but when they moved into Mason City eight years ago, their new house didn’t have such a window.

Bow windows protrude outward from the house. Inside, there often is a bench in the window.

“We decided that the thing to do was come down here to the home show and see if we can take the windows out and put a new one in. We’ve gotten several good ideas,” Joe said.

About 6,000 people attended last year’s home show.

Buscher a loan officer at Security Bank,  said she has noticed an increase in the last two months in the number of people coming in to get loans for new construction.

“Interest rates are low, and people are starting to feel comfortable spending money again. Everybody was holding back for awhile,” Buscher said.

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Want to go?

What: Springfield Area Home Builders Association’s 2012 Home Expo

Where: Prairie Capital Convention Center

When: Today, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission: $6; children 12 and under enter free. Today, $1 off admission for firefighters, police officers, EMTs and military personnel. On Sunday, $1 off admission for people 65 and older.

People can also get $1 off admission each day by bringing canned goods to the expo. The items will will be donated to the St. Martin de Porres Center.

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Builders expo offers ideas to homeowners