Good news for homebuilders

BRANDON — Homebuilders in Tampa Bay received positive news for their industry and region as the Tampa Bay Builders Association announced that visitor traffic increased 53% for the first four days of the Parade of Homes this year compared with the same period of 2011's event, the organization says in a release.

In addition, the total number of visitors at the event has increased over the previous year's for the first time since 2006.

Traffic for new homes in the $500,000 to $900,000 price range increased 21% compared with 2011, which is encouraging, TBBA President Marshall Gray says in the release.

The event is a two-week long showcase of Tampa Bay homebuilders' products and work. The event, which began March 17 and runs through April 1, is one indicator for homebuyer interest.