ROSEVILLE, MINN. (August 15, 2012) — The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) is proud to present the 64th annual Fall Parade of Homes, open from September 8th to the 30th. All 301 new homes and neighborhoods are open Thursdays – Sundays from noon to 6:00 pm; and all are free to tour with the exception of three Dream Homes that request a $5 donation to the BATC Foundation to enter.
The comprehensive Guidebook again features all of the homes plus editorial including stories from real homebuyers, listings of special events, top design trends, and more. Guidebooks are available at area Holiday Stationstores beginning August 25th, and can be picked up at the MN State Fair from August 23rd through September 3rd. Look for the Parade of Homes Chalet on Carnes just west of Underwood, and visitors can register to win a Dream Home Limo Tour for eight at the Fair.
The Parade of Homes will once again feature an Energy Efficient Home Tour, sponsored by Xcel Energy. This tour-within-a-tour will showcase 103 homes that have been tested by an independent energy rater to earn a HERS (Home Energy Rating Score). Of those, 22 have been certified byMinnesota’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.
Three of the MN Green Path certified homes have been selected by the BATC Foundation as their Dream Homes. Visitors pay a $5 donation to tour these homes, which helps the Foundation continue to build and remodel homes for area families in need. The three homes are #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).
New This Fall BATC is pleased to launch the all-new www.ParadeofHomes.org, which is also accessible at www.ParadeofHomes.com for the first time. The website has a fresh new look as well as easy-to-navigate search capabilities to bring visitors all the information they need to tour the homes and learn more about the builders. A mobile site and iPhone and Android app lets smart phones and tablets search quickly and easily, too.
Prices range from $139,900 to $2,780,000 The Parade of Homes offers homes all across the price spectrum. The lowest priced homes are in the northern suburbs and include #147, a $139,900 two-bedroom condominium located at Main Street Village in New Brighton offered by Dominium Development & Acquisition; #118, a $184,900 one-level villa at Alexandras Cove in Coon Rapids by Shamrock Builders; and #115, a 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 our Foundation’s Dream Homes, #293 by Erotas Building Corporation. It is a four bedroom, two-story home at Wayne Terrace in Edina, and priced at $2,780,000. The most expensive home that is free to tour is #174, a five bedroom, 10,000 square foot home by Dreamstructure, Inc. Located at Artisan in West Lakeland, the home is priced at $2,600,000. Two more homes are priced over $2 million, and 15 homes are priced between one and two million dollars.
Homes Located Across the Extended Metro Area Homes are located throughout the region, both close in and exurban. Two homes (a downtown condominium by Sherman Associates, and a single-family home by Lee Homes) are located in Minneapolis. Other homes range as far out as North Branch, Waconia, New Prague, and Prescott, WI. The majority, however, are in the growing suburban areas, including 23 in Plymouth, 21 in Blaine, 19 in Woodbury, 17 in Lakeville, and 16 in Maple Grove.
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), presenters of the Parade of Homes and the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase, represents over 1,000 member firms involved in all phases of the home building and remodeling industries. The leading voice for Builders and Remodelers, BATC is dedicated to providing a diverse selection of quality and affordable housing to the Twin Cities area. Parade of HomesSM and Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase® are service marks of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities.
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