This home, located at 4129 Seele Way, and its neighbor are among several houses on display around Lawrence in the Spring Parade of Homes.

Saturday marked the beginning of the Lawrence Home Builders Association’s Spring Parade of Homes, as the public got a peek inside several newly constructed homes Saturday.

The self-guided homes tour isn’t designed necessarily as a sales event, said Bobbie Flory, executive director of the Lawrence Home Builders Association. The event is intended more to give the association’s members a chance to show off their newest homes, and to give members of the public a chance to see what’s out there.

Merv and Betty Lynds, Lawrence residents, took advantage of the opportunity Saturday afternoon and looked at a new home on North Carver Lane, just northwest of Free State High School.

“We’re actually looking at floorplans,” Merv said, adding the couple probably won’t be buying a home until next year.

They found a few things they liked in the house — Betty liked the crown molding, for example, and the attention to detail.

“He likes different things and I like different things, but we’ve always ended up saying ‘This is it,'” in the end, she said. Though the couple have lived in their current house just off Crossgate Drive for 18 years, they’re looking to move one more time in their lifetimes.

Realtor Mary Lou Roberts with Stephens Real Estate was showing off the home for builder Kettler Construction. She said she enjoyed participating in the Parade of Homes.

“I think it’s an excellent opportunity for the public to view the quality and design of all the builders and compare” them, she said.

Flory said the homes on the tour this year are priced between $163,000 and $350,000.

“We’re definitely seeing more energy efficiency with a smaller square footage,” Flory said. “The price range has shifted and has become more affordable.”