The Roanoke Parade of Homes had twice the amount of homes as last year, according to WSLS.

Homeowners looking to update their homes in effort to improve home value and make their home more enjoyable can get some great ideas by touring the Parade of Homes.

"The Roanoke Parade of Homes has finished up for now, but it will continue next weekend.

Brent Fortenberry, a co-chair of the Parade of Homes, took us on a tour of a home on Roycroft Drive in Roanoke County.  He says real estate has picked up a bit during the recession.

During this year’s event, there are twice as many homes on parade for a total of 45.

The parade lowered its price of entry so more builders could take part.

Fortenberry is also pleased with the government’s tax incentive for first-time home buyers.

'That seems to be helping. We’re hopeful Congress will decide to extend that beyond the end of November. It runs out then. We think it’s a great thing. It allows people who just don’t quite have the down payment to get something going to actually be able to get into a home," said Brent Fortenberry, President of Bench Mark Builders.

The Parade of Homes will continue October 10-12 from 12 noon to 5 p.m."

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