So, our main man Jeff took off a couple of days and headed out east to Tulsa to check out some homes. Calm down, he’s not leaving us for another area. He was chosen to be THE only judge from the smikity-smack state of Oklahoma (along with judges from surrounding states, including Kansas and Arkansas) to evaluate the 2011 Tulsa Parade of Homes put on by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa. Judges for this fine fierceness consist of builders, designers, and remodelers whom are deemed to possess the experience and range of familiarity in construction and design to objectively score the homes on 17 different factors. IMHO, Jeff is just tailor-made for this deal.

The 2011 Tulsa Parade of Homes is from June 11-19.  See their digital Parade Guide.

Here’s the low down on how this works. It’s kinda cool, so pay attention:

Each year, the Tulsa HBA gives awards for the top 2 highest-scoring homes in each price point, along with a separate “Best Merchandising” award for each price point. There were three teams consisting of said three judges assigned three different categories of homes to gauge. (THREE you got it?) The categories are based on price points and all homes in the same price point are judged against each other regardless of geographical location. Jeff’s team judged the $130-160k, $250-320k, and $800K+, price categories. They viewed close to 40 houses in 2 days (yes, that’s 20 houses a day) and filled out a full-page assessment complete with comments supporting the scores. Hey, even a local car dealer donated demo cars for the judging, and a volunteer HBA member toured the judges all over the greater Tulsa metroplex for two days to conduct the “bidness”.

A perfect score is 100 so out of the 17 factors, 16 of those factors are ratings from 1 to 5, with the 17th being a 20-point value. Judges in each group then determine a consensus-base “Wow! Factor” that each home possesses.

The judges for the 2011 Tulsa Parade of Homes.  (Jeff is in front in black. The bald one!)

The judging criteria include ratings of up to 5 points each for general curb appeal, initial impression from the exterior, kitchen layout, master suite, unique features, fixtures, wall coverings & finishes, patio & garage, use of space, overall floorplan, etc.  Quality of craftsmanship in areas such as flooring, paint, trim, drywall, and cabinetry. Pretty much the nitty-gritty of the house. As Jeff says, “I was a pretty stiff critic.  Most of my total scores averaged in the 75-85 point ranges, with some of the lower scores in the 60s.  All but one of our criteria had up to 5 points to give, and 3 was considered average. So an average home would be around 60 points. One thing I counted off for was the use of fiberglass tub and shower inserts.  I just don’t think a home over $250k should ever have one, and I saw several.  We don’t even use them in our Urbana Series homes in the $150k-180k price range.”

However he was floored at the at not only the quality, but the level of the stylish finishes that were going into some of the Tulsa homes in the $130k-$160k price point. Particularly impressed by Simmons Homes, one of the top builders of new homes in Tulsa.  They create not only a home but an experience. “These guys have done two homes for Extreme Makeover Home Edition, and packed even their tiniest plan with giant punch.”

Now, the last criteria is a 20-point factor, and it’s independent of the others, considering the value for the price.  In other words, for the home’s price, is it a quality package?  Does the buyer get a lot for that? Or, it’s what the actual home buyer might ask themselves before purchasing a house. Think of it that way. Also what this does is helps bridge the disparity that might exist between a home priced at $130k vs. one at $160k, though they were judged in the same category.  So a home at $130 that had granite counter tops might get a higher valuation score over a home that was priced at $150k without granite counter tops.

Despite being a pretty tough judge, Jeff did award two perfect 100s.  These went to homes that were just over the top. He even mentioned that one was the “absolute best home I’ve ever set foot in.” Wow, I say. “It was perfectly laid out, superbly furnished, and full of sex appeal. The other wasn’t furnished, but it was meticulously designed to maximize the view of a swimming pool from multiple rooms. It had the most amazing faux finish combinations I’ve ever seen, not to mention a palatial outdoor living space.”

These two perfect scoring homes were so impressive, Jeff immediately called up good friend and fellow Oklahoma City builder, Steve Allen, of Allenton Homes / Allenstyle Homes. “Steve is known to put on the best show every year during the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association’s Parade of Homes. He’s got the awards to prove it. But these Tulsa homes were ones I thought he needed to see because of how exceptional they were.”  These two homes ended up tying for first place awards.

And there you have it. But if you can’t make it to the Tulsa Parade of Homes, you have this to look forward to: the Central Oklahoma Home Builder Association’s 2011 Parade of Homes on October 14-23. Jeff Click Homes is planning what we believe will be our best show yet as far as new homes in Oklahoma City are concerned. Let’s hope our judges are giving those perfect 100s in October! Oh. Yeah.