All of those out-of-state movers to Sioux Falls might be looking for a house that feels a bit more like their former home.

At least, that’s what builder Dennis Lewis is speculating.

His eastside home is the featured on the Fall Parade of Homes, which concludes this weekend, and it stands out for multiple reasons.

Generally, the featured homes are custom built, already sold but shown on the parade so others can see examples of a builder’s work and come away with ideas.

In this case, Lewis built the home in the Arbor’s Edge neighborhood without already having a buyer.

“Sioux Falls is such a growing market,” he said. “It’s a great place to live, so we’re getting a lot of people moving in from California and Minnesota and a lot of other areas. And with that comes a real taste for a different type of architecture, so in this house we want to provide something for that.”

The 4,800-square-foot, four-bedroom ranch features an open layout with the kitchen leading to the dining room and great room.

“The front of the house is more the social area – wide open plan, clean lines and then a lot of glass,” Lewis said.

Off the dining room, an “outdoor room” includes a fireplace, seating and retractable doors and screens. It’s similar to what many restaurants are using to open to their patios.

Lewis said he debating whether to add them, but couldn’t resist.

“It’s part of the overall feel and design,” he said. “The whole purpose of that is to make it a very laidback, very easy living kind of room.”

The home also reflects a couple pandemic-driven trends. There’s a home office and a fitness room, as people are doing more of both work and exercising at home, he said.

“Too many times you come home and it’s just kind of boring,” he said. “We tried to make this house just really user-friendly.”

The house is one of more than 30 on this year’s tour.

The event runs Sept. 18 and 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.

The first weekend “was very successful,” said Craig Wynia, co-owner of Jeren Homes and vice chair of the parade committee.

“We had a lot of people through the homes and a lot of good response from people on the parade.”

Builders continue to be plagued by supply chain-related delays and price increases on materials, along with availability of labor.

If you plan to build a home any time soon, “you’re going to want to hook up with a builder sooner than later,” Wynia said. “Lots are always a concern right now. As soon as developments come up, a lot of builders are circling and buying up lots as fast as they can and selling them as fast as they’re getting them.”

Proceeds from the $5 admission to tour the Feature Home will benefit the Sioux Empire Home Builders Care Foundation. The Sioux Empire Home Builders Care Foundation supports scholarships for students studying in the building trades, a middle school construction camp, a workforce development grant, and the Repair Affair program among a number of other programs.

“There’s going to be a shortage of builders in this area,” Wynia said. “We don’t see enough people coming into the industry to take over … it’s a challenge. We put money into schools and education to expand workforce development.”

Homes on the tour are either sold or for sale, but if you’re looking for ideas to build your next dream home, this is the perfect event to find inspiration and it’s free to attend. Also, some builders have added a virtual tour option to their home’s listing. View the virtual tours from the comfort of your home by visiting the event’s website at hbasiouxempire.com.