The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) is proud to present the 2017 Spring Parade of Homes. In its 69th year, the Twin Cities Parade of Homes continues to present the most new homes and neighborhoods in one event for Twin Cities’ families to tour, free of charge. This Spring, there are 481 homes located all across the extended metro region. Homes are open from noon to 6:00 pm Thursdays through Sundays from March 4 through April 2, 2017.
Area families are encouraged to experience the value and benefits of new homes and neighborhoods, all across the spectrum of price, style and locations. The tour is also the best place to see the latest in home features, finishes, products, and colors for those who just love to see what’s new in home design and décor. All the homes are free to tour with the exception of four Artisan Dream Homes that request a $5.00 donation at the door. Proceeds from the Artisan Dream Homes go to the BATC Foundation to help them build and remodel homes for area families in need. Guidebooks are available at regional Holiday Stationstores beginning February 19th, and there’s plenty more online at ParadeofHomes.org (see details below).
Guidebook Features all 481 Homes and More
The magazine-style Guidebook showcases all of the Parade Homes℠, with images, descriptions, maps and prices to make shopping easy. Also, a variety of interesting articles are designed to whet readers’ appetites about new homes.
Our cover story shares the real-life home building experiences of three brothers and their families who chose to build with the same builder in neighborhoods where they could live close together. For those seeking inspiration, we’ve spotted the top design concepts from local Parade Home designers in our Style section. There’s a calendar of events so visitors can plan their tours to attend special events like wine tastings, design seminars, even a fun competition shooting hoops in a newly built sport court. Plus our Green Pages present the Green Path Energy Tour participants and helpful information about energy efficiency.
Green Path Energy Tour
This tour-within-a-tour, sponsored by Xcel Energy, has been a part of the Parade of Homes since 2012. Our goal is to help educate people about the value of energy efficiency and how MN Green Path Energy Tested homes provide independent evaluations to help them easily compare expected energy use between homes. This spring, 306 (64 percent) of the Parade Homes℠ have been independently energy-tested by a certified RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) rater and show testing results on a MN Green Path Home Performance Report (HPR).
Artisan Dream Homes Benefit BATC Foundation
Four high-end homes on the tour have been selected by the BATC Foundation as Artisan Dream Homes to 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 Artisan Dream Home. This Spring Dream Homes include: #206 by Traditions by Donnay Homes priced at $2,495,000 and located in Orono; #210 by Aspect Design Build, priced at $1,995,000 and located in Minnetonka; #257 by Sustainable 9 Design + Build, priced at $2,485,000 and located in Orono, and #258 by Pillar Homes Partner, priced at $2,290,000 and located in Wayzata.
Integrated Online Options
The comprehensive website, www.ParadeofHomes.org, is designed to make touring even easier, and the mobile site, m.ParadeofHomes.org, gives visitors mobile-friendly access to most 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 Trip Planner (which can then be accessed from the mobile site). Another online tool is the Personal Designer Idea Gallery where online visitors can change colors and finishes on many of the Parade Homes, then save and share them in their own gallery.
The website also includes a link to the entire Guidebook in e-magazine format, a Holiday Stationstore locator to make getting a free Guidebook easy, plus 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. There’s even a photo gallery with almost 8,000 photos from member builders and remodelers to gain inspiration and ideas.
Prices range from $199,000 to $2,495,000
Parade Homes range across the price spectrum. The lowest priced home is #450, at $199,000 (the only home priced under $200,000). The two-bedroom, two-bath rambler-style detached townhome is located in Isanti, and constructed by Semler Construction, Inc. The most expensive on the tour at $2,495,000 is Artisan Dream Home #206 by Traditions by Donnay Homes. At 6,538 square foot, the five-bedroom, seven-bath home is located in Wayzata. The highest priced home that is free to tour is #252 by Kroiss Development, located in Excelsior and priced at $2,250,000.
There are a total of 29 homes priced under $300,000; 84 homes priced in the $300,000s; 131 in the $400,000s; 76 in the $500,000s; 110 homes priced from $600,000 to $999,999; and 41 homes priced over $1,000,000. The total value of all homes on the tour is $286,090,083.
Homes Located Across the Extended Metro Area
Parade Homes are located in 97 cities throughout the region. Close in, there are eight homes located in Edina, three in Roseville, two homes in Minneapolis, and one each in St Paul, Crystal, New Hope, Shoreview, and St. Louis Park. Homes are also located on the outskirts of the region including in Faribault, Watertown, North Branch and River Falls, WI. The growing suburbs account for the greatest number of homes and include 43 in Lakeville, 29 in Plymouth, 26 in Blaine, 25 in Woodbury and 22 in Lake Elmo.
-30-
The 2017 Spring Parade of Homes is sponsored by the Tile Shop.
