"I wanted to get decoration ideas and see what the prices on the market are," said Pat Putaski of Saratoga Springs. "Plus, it's a nice way to spend your Saturday."

Putaski and her granddaughter, Sara Hayes, 11, were heading down the stairs, after looking around the pale, green two-story $700,000 home.

It was finished this week and was one of eight homes featured in the 10th annual Showcase of Homes, which takes place today, Oct. 2-3 and Oct. 9-10.

The Saratoga Builders Association organized the event, which benefits Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Saratoga County. While Habitat builds new homes and sells them at no interest to eligible families, Rebuilding Together repairs old ones.

"They need money and they need volunteers," said Kathie Carswell, from Rebuilding Together, who greeted people on the porch of the home before entering.

There's a $10 fee to see all eight homes, and tickets are good for all three weekends. Last year, the showcase raised $226,000 for the two local charities.

"It's our opportunity to put our best foot forward for the community," said Sam Stephens, director of sales and marketing for Witt Construction Inc. Witt Construction built all the homes in the development Lakeside at Riley's, off of Crescent Avenue, near Saratoga Lake.

The event also offers a raffle, in which names are drawn. The first place winner gets a $2,000 travel package and second place gets a $500 gift-certificate for the Sagamore Resort.

Some people over the years have turned the event into a tradition.

"I come every year to get ideas for our home." said Jennifer Scully, 34, of Wilton.

Scully is doing waines-coating in her own home. "I wanted to see how they did it," she said.

The most impressive part of the house is the basement, said Susan Rose, who lives nearby, and watched the different stages before the house was finished.

The basement includes a bar, a home theater area with a big flat screen TV and cozy black leather chairs.

"Beautiful decorating," Rose said. "It's just great for entertaining."

Silver light fixtures hang from the ceiling and modern art from the walls. The bathroom near the bar is contemporary, too.

"I would have never thought to paint the bathroom black," Rose said.