
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994                   TAG: 9404140296
SECTION: TODAY'S HOME                    PAGE: 2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Donna Musselwhite
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ANNUAL SHOW ZEROES IN ON HOME

Have you ever wished you could ask all the questions you have about building a home, financing a home, insuring a home, or remodeling a home? All without any sales pressure? With everyone you need to talk to under one roof at one time?

Well, now you can. Builders, bankers, insurers, contractors, decorators, and retailers of every type will be at the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association's "Better Living Expo '94 - THE HOME SHOW" March 25, 26 and 27 at the Salem Civic Center.

This is the 24th annual show put on by the Home Builders Association, "and we'll have every nook and cranny filled with exhibits," said Melody Williams, executive vice president of the association.

More than 120 exhibitors will showcase their wares and services at the show. Topics will include anything involved with building or remodeling - "from the ground up," Williams said. Outside, you'll find utility buildings, spas, construction vehicles, recreational vehicles and even a crane from a local sign company showing how trusses are set during construction.

Inside you'll find windows, log homes, sound systems and companies showcasing everything from plumbing to flooring to decks.

The show drew more than 12,000 visitors last year. Williams credits its success to the fact that it is an exposition where consumers can ask questions, review products and collect information without direct sales pressure.

"It provides a big boost to our association members by helping make people aware of what they offer, but it's also a big help to consumers. It really gives them a great opportunity to shop around in a very low-key way. Where else would you find all these products and so much expertise under one roof?" Williams said.

The show also features two seminars: Housing Direction of the '90s, which will address having a custom home built, and Remodeling, which will deal with getting the most for your remodeling dollars. Both seminars will run twice daily on Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27, in Parlor B. The building seminar is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and the remodeling seminar at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Admission to "Better Living Expo '94 - THE HOME SHOW" is $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for seniors, and children under 12 with an adult get in free. The show's hours are 3 p.m. until 9 p.m., March 25; 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. March 26; and noon until 5 p.m., March 27. Parking at the Salem Civic Center is free, and there's plenty of it.

by CNB