CANFIELD, Ohio – As communities across the Mahoning Valley prepare for next month’s celebrations marking the nation’s 250th Independence Day, a different kind of parade officially got underway in Canfield.
The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of the Valley marked the opening of its Parade of Homes with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at Legacy Villas and Homes, where five custom-built houses will be showcased during the event’s two-weekend run.
The parade, which opens to the public June 11-14 and June 18-21, marks the return of an HBA-sponsored Parade of Homes after an absence of about 20 years. Five local builders, Russo Builders, G. Sorice Builders, SMS Custom Homes, DeLucia Builders and Custom Designed Homes by Mark Ramunno, are participating.
Thursday’s ceremony served as both an official kickoff and a preview event, with builders, industry representatives, family members and invited guests touring the homes before the public gets its first look this weekend. Visitors wandered through open-concept living spaces, examined custom finishes and gathered on patios and outdoor living areas as builders discussed design choices and construction trends.
Trisha Howe, executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of the Valley, said bringing back the event was an opportunity to showcase local builders and remind prospective homeowners they can find experienced custom builders close to home.
“I thought it was a good time to let everybody know what the HBA does and to introduce our builders,” Howe said. “These are local custom homebuilders that we have right here in our area.”
The return of the parade also reflects what builders describe as continued demand for new housing throughout the region.
“I would say new construction is very popular right now, not only here in Mahoning County, but also in Trumbull and Columbiana County,” Howe said. “It continues to thrive.”
She said the region’s affordability remains a significant advantage, particularly for residents who commute to larger metropolitan areas for work.
“We live in one of the most affordable housing areas in the nation,” Howe said.
National housing construction data paint a mixed picture. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, privately owned housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.46 million, up 4.6% from April 2025 but down 2.8% from March.
Building permits, often viewed as an indicator of future construction activity, rose 5.8% from March to an annual rate of 1.44 million but were essentially flat compared with a year earlier.
Single-family construction, however, softened nationally. The Census Bureau reported single-family housing starts fell 9% from March to an annual rate of 930,000 units, while single-family building permits declined 2.6%.
Even so, local builders said demand for new homes in the Mahoning Valley remains strong despite challenges that continue to affect the industry.
For builders, the parade serves as both a marketing opportunity and a chance to demonstrate the range of products available from local companies while reconnecting the public with an event many in the industry remember from its previous run.
“It’s good for business, and it’s good for the area,” said Sal Sorice, manager of SMS Custom Homes. “We haven’t had one in 20 years.”
Giuseppe Sorice, president of G. Sorice Builders, said the event allows companies to remain visible in the community while reaching potential customers.
“It’s been quite a while since there was a parade,” he said. “Just staying active in the community and keeping your name and your product out there for more people to see.”
While builders expressed optimism about demand, they also pointed to several challenges facing the industry.
Interest rates remain a concern, particularly for prospective buyers weighing the cost of new construction.
“Interest rates are still a challenge to us,” Sal Sorice said.
Land availability is another obstacle.
“We have no land, per se, to us to go out and build on,” he said.
Builders and HBA leaders also highlighted infrastructure costs as a major hurdle to residential development.
“If we don’t have the infrastructure, then we can’t build the homes,” Howe said. “The infrastructure is extremely expensive.”
She said additional support from state and local governments could help developers create new housing opportunities by reducing the cost of extending utilities, roads and other infrastructure needed for residential developments.
Affordability remains another pressing issue.
“Affordable housing is a big challenge,” Giuseppe Sorice said.
To address that concern, he said his company is exploring modular construction as a way to lower costs and increase production. The company is planning a development in Campbell that could include about 50 homes built using factory-produced modular units placed on traditional foundations.
By manufacturing homes in a controlled environment, builders can stabilize costs and reduce construction expenses, he said.
“They build it in a factory,” Sorice said. “They’re able to keep their cost stable. They mass produce them.”
The homes featured in this year’s parade also offer a snapshot of changing consumer preferences.
According to Howe, buyers continue to favor open-concept layouts that blend kitchens and living spaces rather than maintaining separate formal dining and living rooms.
She said dedicated home office space is in demand and outdoor living spaces also remain highly sought after, with decks, patios and gathering areas playing a prominent role in new home designs.
Other trends are driven by practicality. Howe pointed to the growing popularity of “drop zones” and direct access from garages to basements, allowing families to manage muddy shoes, sports equipment and winter clothing without tracking dirt throughout the house.
“A lot of the popular things and trends that are still happening are the outdoor spaces,” Howe said.
For some builders, differentiating their homes is part of attracting buyers.
Sal Sorice said his company’s parade home was designed specifically with empty nesters in mind.
“We kept square footage and everything smaller than everybody else,” he said. “We’re the only ranch home here, so we tried to be a little bit different.”
Despite the challenges, builders remain optimistic about the market’s future.
“If you have a product and it’s well built, it will sell,” Giuseppe Sorice said.
As visitors begin touring the homes over the next two weekends, organizers hope the event will showcase not only the craftsmanship of local builders but also the strength of a housing market that continues to evolve.
“I’m hoping that they see that our area is thriving with new construction and it’s a great place to call home,” Howe said.
Pictured at top: Trisha Howe, executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of the Valley, stands outside one of the homes featured in the organization’s Parade of Homes, which returned this year after a 20-year hiatus.