The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) is proud to present the 2016 Spring Parade of Homes. In its 68th year, the tour features 459 new homes all across the extended metro region. This Spring, the tour runs from February 20 through March 20, with all homes open Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 6:00 pm.
The tour offers area families the opportunity to see and experience new homes and neighborhoods across the spectrum of price, style and location. All are free to tour with the exception of four Artisan Dream Homes that request a $5.00 donation at the door, which helps the BATC Foundation build and remodel homes for area families in need. Guidebooks are available at regional Holiday Stationstores beginning February 5th. Interactive searches, photo gallery, interactive Personal Designers, e-Magazine, plus a TripPlanner are all available online at ParadeofHomes.org and m.ParadeofHomes.org. See more details below.
Guidebook Features all 459 Homes and More
The magazine-style Guidebook showcases all of the Parade HomesSM, with graphics, descriptions, maps and prices to make shopping easy. There are a variety of interesting articles, including stories from real families who are loving their new homes (our cover “real family” story features local blogger Lindsay Truax). There is also an infographic explaining the home building process in ten easy steps.
As usual, there is a calendar of events so visitors can plan their tours to attend special events like wine tastings, design seminars and cinnamon roll Sundays. Plus Style editor, Katy Baar, shares top design and accessory trends from local designers.
Green Path Energy Tour
For the energy-conscious, the Green Path Energy Tour in partnership with Xcel Energy again identifies Green Path Energy Tested homes on the tour. This spring, 322 (70 percent) of the Parade HomesSM have been independently energy-tested by a certified RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) rater. Each can show their MN Green Path Home Performance Report (HPR) that documents the home’s HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index. This national rating system helps homebuyers easily compare expected energy use between homes. More information about MN Green Path energy testing and green certification program is included in the Guidebook, as well as tips and information about saving energy for all homeowners.
Artisan Dream Homes Benefit BATC Foundation
Four high-end homes on the tour have been selected by the BATC Foundation as Artisan Dream Homes, and will help the charitable arm of BATC build and remodel homes for area families in need. Visitors will be asked to pay a $5.00 donation to tour each Dream Home. Three Dream Homes are in Edina: #249 by Kroiss Development, priced at $1,625,000; #253 by Sustainable Nine Design+Build, priced at $1,975,000; and #257 by TC Homebuilders, Inc. and priced at $2,300,000. The fourth is #347 by NIH Homes, located in Orono and priced at $1,695,000.
Integrated Online Options
The comprehensive website, www.ParadeofHomes.org, is designed to make touring for visitors even easier, and the mobile site, m.ParadeofHomes.org, gives visitors mobile-friendly access to all of the main site’s features from their smart phone or tablet. There are a wide variety of search filters online, from price to square footage to school district. Additionally, online visitors can save favorites to their own personal login and then automatically plan the best tour route with the TripPlanner (which can then be accessed from the mobile site). The entire Guidebook is viewable online in e-magazine format, plus there are a number of resources (from mortgage calculators to home maintenance information), as well as the Parade of Homes Blog to help families make informed housing decisions.
Online inspiration is enhanced with our new Photo Gallery, offering more than 5,000 home photos to browse. Visitors can also use our interactive Personal Designers to access many of this spring’s homes to change colors and finishes, and then save them to their personal Idea Gallery.
REALTOR® Open
New in 2016, REALTORS® have been invited to the First Tuesday REALTOR® Open. On Tuesday, February 23rd, 170 Parade HomesSM will open their doors for a special showing just for REALTORS®.
Prices range from $179,900 to $2,300,000
Parade Homes range all across the price spectrum. The lowest priced home is #140, at $179,900. The two-bedroom, two-bath rambler-style single-family home is located in Somerset, Wisconsin, and constructed by Preferred Builders, Inc. Two homes tie for most expensive on the tour at $2,300,000. Artisan Dream Home, #257, by TC Homebuilders is a 6,100 square foot, five-bedroom, six-bath home designed to fit seamlessly into its Morningside Edina neighborhood. The other is a graceful cottage-styled home in Orono. #348 by Stonewood, LLC overlooks Lake Minnetonka’s Carman Bay and includes an array of upscale features and finishes.
There are a total of 39 homes priced under $300,000; 75 homes priced in the $300,000s; 115 in the $400,000s; 89 in the $500,000s; 100 homes priced from $600,000 to $999,999; and 40 homes priced over $1,000,000. The total value of all homes on the tour is $270,730,516.
Homes Located Across the Extended Metro Area
Parade Homes are located in 108 cities throughout the region. Close in, there are eight homes located in Edina, four homes in Minneapolis, two each in Golden Valley and New Brighton, and one each in Crystal, New Hope, Roseville and St. Louis Park. Homes are also located on the outskirts of the region including in Faribault, Watertown, Isanti and River Falls, Wisconsin. The growing suburbs account for the greatest number of homes and include 34 in Blaine, 32 in Lakeville, 29 in Plymouth, and 22 in Woodbury. Other popular communities include Lake Elmo and Otsego (14 each); Andover (12); Savage (11) and Brooklyn Park, Minnetrista, Prior Lake and Victoria (10 each).
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities is the leading voice for builders and remodelers. BATC represents 1,100 builders, remodelers, developers and industry suppliers with a mission of helping its members grow their businesses through marketing, advocacy and industry connections. BATC is widely recognized as a powerful force at the state Legislature and with state regulatory agencies. It’s also known for its signature home tour events: The Parade of Homes℠ and Remodelers Showcase®; and now the Artisan Home Tour®, a ticketed tour featuring high-end homes in June. In addition, BATC offers Minnesota’s Green Path℠, a growing new home and remodeling energy testing and certification program providing healthy, durable, energy-efficient homes to buyers and homeowners.
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The 2016 Spring Parade of Homes is sponsored by the Tile Shop and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
