• This, the 64th annual Fall Parade of Homes, is presented by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) members.
• The tour runs from September 8th to the 30th, with 301 new homes and neighborhoods open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 6:00 pm.
• All the homes are free to tour with the exception of three Dream Homes that request a $5 donation to the BATC Foundation to enter. The three Dream Homes include #76 by Homes by Tradition LLC in Golden Valley (priced at $1.079 million), #186 by Hartman Homes, Inc. in St. Mary’s Point (priced at $1.85 million), and #293 by Erotas Building Corporation in Edina (priced at $2.78 million).
• A comprehensive Guidebook includes information including maps and photos or illustrations of all the homes, and will be available, free of charge, at area Holiday Stationstores beginning on August 25th. Four families share their real home-building experiences in the guidebook, and one family is featured on the cover.
• The Guidebook will also be available from the Parade of Homes booth (on Carnes near Underwood) at the Minnesota State Fair from August 23 through September 3. Visitors to the State Fair booth can register to win a Dream Home Limo Tour for eight.
• The Parade of Homes will once again feature an Energy Efficient Home Tour, sponsored by Xcel Energy. This tour-within-a-tour includes 103 homes that have been tested by an independent energy rater to earn a HERS (Home Energy Rating Score).
• Twenty two homes on the tour have been certified by Minnesota’s Green PathSM, and feature a Home Performance Report (HPR) that graphically explains the home’s HERS score as well as other energy and green features built into the home.
• A brand new, easier to navigate website will be launching by August 20th at www.ParadeofHomes.org or www.ParadeofHomes.com. A mobile site (m.ParadeofHomes.org) and an iPhone and Android app (MyHomeFound) is also available.
• Several of the builders are hosting over 40 special events during the tour that include design trend seminars, home buying and home building informational events and one-on-one opportunities, as well as wine and appetizers. All events are noted in the Guidebook and online.
• The lowest priced home on the tour is #147, a $139,900 two-bedroom condominium located at Main Street Village in New Brighton offered by Dominium Development & Acquisition.
• The lowest priced detached homes are #118, a $184,900 one-level villa at Alexandra’s Cove in Coon Rapids by Shamrock Builders; and #115, a $188,766 single-family home with three bedrooms located in Arbor Creek in Otsego and built by Semler Construction.
• The most expensive home is one of the BATC Foundation’s Dream Homes, #293 by Erotas Building Corporation located in Edina, and priced at $2,780,000.
• The most expensive home that is free to tour is #174 by Dreamstructure, Inc. and located in West Lakeland, priced at $2,600,000.
• One home is priced under $150,000 and ten are priced between $150,000 and $200,000. A total of 65 homes are priced less than $300,000. With 71 homes priced between $300,000 and $400,000, this is the largest $100K spread. There are 57 homes priced between $400,000 and $500,000
• A total of 88 homes are priced between $500,000 and $1,000,000; 15 homes are priced between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000, with four homes priced over two million dollars.
• A total of $156,586,357 dollars in housing is represented in the 2012 Fall Parade of Homes.
• Homes are located throughout the region, from two homes in the city of Minneapolis to homes located as far out as North Branch, Waconia, New Prague, and Prescott, WI.
• The growing suburbs account for the largest number of homes and include Plymouth (23), Blaine (21), Woodbury (19), Lakeville (17), and Maple Grove (16).
More Information
Joan Knight, PR Specialist, Knight & Associates
763-205-2720 • mobile: 612-889-7721
Wendy Danks, Dir. Mktg & Communications, BATC
651-697-7565 • mobile: 612-296-5551