The big buzz on the opening weekend of the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association's Parade of Homes was all about Sharon Woods' remodeled home off Old Santa Fe Trail.

"I think that's why so many people came out," said Michele Thompson, perhaps overstating the situation just a bit as she toured a different home, a $3.3 million Tierra Concepts home in Las Campanas.

In fact, one parader was so eager to see Woods' home on 1001 Foothill Trail (No. 6 on the tour) that they arrived Saturday while Woods was still taking her morning shower.

"This is the jewel," said Janice Weisberg as she chatted with Woods. "It doesn't feel as big as it is," Weisberg said of the 5,600-square-foot "traditional" home, which includes several patios and courtyards, and sits on just over two acres. "At first you get the feeling it's just a little, intimate cottage."

Woods, who owns Woods Design Builders with her sons Shane and Bob Woods, said her "dream home" grew from the need for a "family home" when her two sons returned to Santa Fe after leaving the nest a few years ago.

"I wanted to create a warm home with classic proportions that took advantage of the spectacular views and could comfortably host family gatherings," Woods said in a guide to the home.

She said in remodeling the home, she raised the ceilings and moved interior walls to create a more open floor plan. In addition, the kitchen and baths were redesigned, windows and doors were replaced in large openings, and three portals and several landscaped courtyards were added.

The beeswax finish on the plaster walls caught the attention of several visitors who said it gave the rooms a warm, glowing ambiance.

With many family photos and personal touches in all the rooms, one felt more like you had been invited to the home for a gathering of friends rather than on a real-estate tour.

Woods said the annual Haciendas — A Parade of Homes, down to 16 homes from 28 last year and 40 in 2008, offers builders a chance to offer "really good examples of what their companies can do. ... Your heart and head are on the line."

Kim Shanahan, executive director of the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association, said that in years past, most of the homes shown have been built on speculation, but because of the recession, far fewer spec homes are being built and most homes on the tour have already been sold.

But even with only about half the number of homes as last year, styles, prices and features are diverse. They range from several sprawling high-end, finely detailed homes in Las Campanas to much smaller, lower-priced efficiency-conscious homes in Oshara Village and in the new Old Las Vegas Place subdivision, as well as the luxury Pinson Brothers downtown residence (No. 2) in the new Santa Fe Lincoln Square building.

"People are going to actually buy these homes," Eric Knee said of the Homewise model at 3711 Valmora Road (No. 8), among the Old Las Vegas Place homes.

He cited the price, about $260,000, and the many energy-conservation features, which were also promoted in the more expensive homes.

Builder Rob Gibbs, former president of the now-defunct BT Homes, said 17 homes are currently under construction in the subdivision, after Homewise opened up sales in early June.

He also cited the success of a recent 24-hour marathon open house, which he said attracted 500 people, many of them in the middle of the night.

The Haciendas parade again drew out-of-towners, who often combine the tour with a visit to Indian Market. However, there was no national promotion this year because the lower number of participants reduced revenues available for advertising.

Michael Gardner, touring a Homewise house, made the trip with some of his Colorado Springs, Colo., neighbors. He said he may soon be building or buying another home, and was looking for Santa Fe styles and concepts.

The parade continues from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and during same time Friday, Saturday and next Sunday. The $15 admission ticket covers entry to all homes both weekends.

On the Web: www.sfahba.com/index.php/site/haciendasparade/



IF YOU GO

What: Haciendas — A Parade of Homes

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Friday, Saturday and Aug. 22.

Tickets: $15 per person, available at the homes, the Lensic Performance Arts Center or www.ticketssantafe.org.