The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) is proud to present the Spring 2013 Parade of Homes℠. Models are open March 2 through 24, 2013, Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 6:00 pm. In its 65th year, the Parade of Homes continues to offer area families the most comprehensive opportunity to see the wide variety of new homes on the market today, with 374 new homes open this spring. All are free to tour with the exception of three Dream Homes that request a $5 admission, which goes entirely to our charitable arm, the BATC Foundation.
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 February 15th, and can be picked up at the Home and Garden Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center from February 27th through March 3rd. Look for the Parade of Homes booth in the Green Aisle.
Speaking of green, the Parade of Homes will again feature Energy Efficient homes in a tour-within-a-tour in partnership with Xcel Energy. The revamped tour, the Green Path Energy Efficient Home Tour, will introduce Minnesota’s Green Path℠ Energy Tested rating, and includes 133 homes (17 of which have earned higher level MN Green Path Certifications). Each has been tested by an independent energy rater and will feature a MN Green Path 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 most spectacular homes on the tour have been selected by the BATC Foundation as Dream Homes, and will help the Foundation build and remodel homes for area families in need. Visitors will be asked to pay a $5 donation to tour each Dream Home. The three homes are #359 by Landsted LLC, located in Tonka Bay and priced at $2,535,000; #311 by TC Homebuilders, Inc., located in Edina and priced at $1,795,000; and a MN Green Path Certified home #41 by DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation, Inc., located in Golden Valley and priced at $1,270,000.
Integrated Online Options
The comprehensive website, www.ParadeofHomes.org, continues to add features to help make touring even easier. This spring the site will again provide a wide variety of search parameters from price to square footage to school district. Additionally, online visitors can save favorites to their own personal log-in as well as plan the best tour route with the new Trip Planner. Also new this spring: our interconnected mobile site that features all the homes plus information about the builders, products and services, plus the Parade of Homes blog, which features photos and trend information about many of the homes.
Prices range from $139,900 to $2,999,777
The Parade of Homes offers homes all across the price spectrum. The lowest priced home is #139, a $139,900 two-bedroom condominium located at Main Street Village in New Brighton offered by Dominium Development & Acquisition. The lowest priced single-family home is #155 by Graphic Homes, located at Lucht’s Crossing in North Branch at $164,900.
The most expensive home is #44 by On Time Contractors. At $2,999,777, this “castle on a lake” sits on Eagle Lake in Maple Grove. The second most expensive home is one of our Dream Homes, #359 in Tonka Bay by Landsted Homes priced at $2,535,000. There are 24 additional homes priced over $1,000,000.
Homes Located Across the Extended Metro Area Homes are located throughout the region, both close in and exurban. In-fill construction is growing, with three single-family homes in Minneapolis, one in St. Paul, and 10 in Edina, as well as in other close in suburbs from Robbinsdale to Roseville. Other homes range as far out as Wyoming, Cologne, New Prague, and Prescott, WI. The majority, however, are in the growing suburban areas, including 26 in Blaine and in Plymouth, 23 in Woodbury, 22 in Lakeville and 19 in Maple Grove.
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) 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 twice-a-year signature events: The Parade of Homes℠ and Remodelers Showcase®. In addition, BATC offers Minnesota’s Green Path℠, a growing new home and remodeling certification program providing healthy, durable, energy-efficient homes to buyers and homeowners.