Parade of Homes

Room and (Chalk) Board

2012-02-24T16:41:34Z

Chalkboards may be irrelevant in the classroom, but they're making a huge comeback in the home. The look is extremely versatile and combines decorative flare with everyday functionality. Here's how you can utilize this popular trend in almost every room of your home:

The Kitchen:

Chalkboards make a lot of sense in the kitchen, probably because menus are at the top of every chef's list (and what better place to recreate the quaint cafe chalkboard experience than in one's own personal eatery?). For most of us, however, the chalkboard is a necessary style upgrade for displaying our grocery, to-do, and chore lists. To avoid a chalk dust frenzy, purchase a wet-erase chalkboard marker (in every color) for a clean and crisp look.

The Accent Wall:

I know what you're thinking. Accent walls shouldn't be black. Well, think again. A chalkbaord accent wall gives you the creative license to speak through your very walls. Decoratively displaying your favorite quotes, lyrics or messages can add charm and character to a space, while letting the room's personality brighten the wall color. By the way, chalkboard paint comes in many colors, so choose a color that's to your liking!

The Office:

Magnetic chalkboard paint will let you organize your schedule multiple ways.

The Bedroom:

Sometimes a restless mind can leave you, quite literally, restless. Try sprucing up an old wooden headboard with chalkboard spraypaint. In one easy stroke you can quit counting sheep and start writing your thoughts as they come to you at night.

The Play Room:

No more being the bad guy. Your kids can now write on the walls freely (and so can you)!

Pictures: Inglenook Decor, design-59, apartment therapy, Wallies

Pillow Talk

2012-02-20T22:25:08Z

Let’s talk pillows.

It’s pretty safe to assume that most people agree with them. They make relaxing more comfortable and sleep more enjoyable, after all. Pillows can also bring life into a room that needs a pop of color, soften a masculine space, add new vigor during changing seasons and inspire the personality of a house, all on a realistic budget.

Take a look at how you can incorporate this year's top pillow trends in your home.

1. Floor Pillows can increase seating availability while adding both charm and personality to a room. In some instances, floor pillows can also double as sofas, like this example from Design Sherpa. Bright colors and bold prints are especially popular with floor pillows since they can easily be moved from room to room. With floor pillows you have the freedom to mix and match as you see fit.

2. Decorative Pillows, like the handmade floral design (featured in the picture above) from etsy, combines two popular trends for this season: bold prints combined with soft features. Combining contrasting elements like hard lines with rounded petals creates a vibrant energy in the room.

3. Texturized pillows can instantly inspire a room's personality. Burlap designs are rustic and best suited for vintage-looking spaces. Silk pillows will soften a room by adding a touch of femininity. Ruching on a pillow, like this pillow from Sears, can add depth to a smaller sofa.

Lighten Your Laundry Load, When You're 50+

2011-12-22T18:39:50Z

No matter what age, lightening your laundry load has universal appeal. I can say this as someone who has done a lot of laundry in my young life, including a brief career as a laundress for my university’s football team. I’ve since fared well with a profession that’s far less foul, but the laundry loads in my life still pile up every week (I’m sure you can relate).

For the 50+ Housing market however, laundry can lead to more trouble than simply being inconvenient. Easy access to the laundry room and space optimization are important discussion points for 50+ demographics, especially since this market is choosing to stay in their homes longer. According to Whirlpool’s senior design manager Terri Connett, the 50+ housing market is at a face-off with “The Great Laundry Migration.”

“No longer a staple fixture in the corner of the basement, laundry rooms are moving closer to bedrooms or living quarters,” says Connett. “For seniors seeking single-story, open-floor plans, positioning the laundry room on the main floor close to the master bedroom is an excellent selling point.”

Find out how Connett addresses noise concerns, limited storage and functionality issues that can occur when the laundry room moves from the basement to the main room.

*Photo Credit

Holiday House-Warming Gifts

2011-12-14T18:50:23Z

Even if you’re not moving to a new home, when the ground is white and the fireplace is your go-to spot, a housewarming gift is relevant to everyone. Here are ten unique Holiday gift ideas (under $40) that will warm your heart and your home.

1) 12-Volt Heated Car Blanket: $26.99, sears.com

Why wait until home to cozy-up in a warm blanket when you can stay toasty on the trip to get there? It takes only 15 seconds to heat! Perfect timing on frigid nights when the car is slow to warm-up.

2) Monogram Mug: $6, Anthropologie.com

You’ll always know which cup is yours when you sip hot coco, coffee, or whatever your cup of tea.

3) Battery Wax Candle (3 piece): $39.99, mrlight.com

A candlelit look can keep a dorm room feeling homey when flames aren’t allowed.

4) Scrabble Flash: $19.89, target.com

Flash forward and try a new twist on an old classic. With multiple game options, you can play with friends or scrabble solo.

5) Blueprint Placemat: $22, cakevintage.com

Where prim and property meet down-home dining.

6) Popover Pan: $19.95, william-Sonoma.com

Served straight from the oven this light and airy dish tastes delicious.

7) Table Topics Box: $24.95, generalstoreofminnetonka.com

Get the conversations flowing and discover something new about a family member, co-worker, or loved one.

8) Mini Cook & Serve Dish: $24.95, patinastores.com

Say goodbye to the TV dinner tray and hello to this cute single serve dish for a quiet evening at home.

9) Rubber Address Stamp: $19.95, etsy.com

Personalize the home-front with fonts that are handcrafted from Etsy.

10) Design Sponge at Home: $35, Barnesandnoble.com

Cuddle up with a book all about rejuvinating your home. We guarantee you’ll be inspired!

Is Your Home Ready for Tangerine Tango?

2011-12-09T17:22:17Z

Every season, Pantone spins their magic color wheel to reveal the latest in color trends. Trying to stay current and keeping your home up to date with an ever evolving palette is enough to leave a homeowner’s head spinning! Here’s how you can keep your home looking fresh, without falling out of style and (dare I say it) having to repaint the walls:

Tangerine Tango is the 2012 color of the year according to Pantone, the leading worldwide authority on color trends. The hue is a vibrant red orange that is energizing and uplifting. With a color this lively, a touch of paint doesn’t sound that bad and Apartment Therapy (featured in the picture above) seems to agree.

However, while Tangerine Tango makes a fun statement, the color could overpower a room if used in excess. So, if you can’t pull off Tangerine Tango walls, check out HGTV for ideas (and pictures) on how to utilize Pantone shades in your home this season.

Parade of Homes' Builder's Mixer Leads to Weight Gain

2011-12-08T22:56:23Z

BATC Holiday Mixer Leads to Weight Gain

THE HOLIDAY MONTHS DON’T ALWAYS SIT WELL WITH OUR STOMACHS. We have an appetite for shopping, but our spending can feel like a punch in the gut. The stress of hosting dinner can leave us spread thin and why is it that Uncle Dave’s jokes always hit below the belt? And then there’s the food. We’ve indulged in Turkey, loosened our drawstrings and OD’ed on tryptophan, and that’s just the warm up. Bring on the cookies – gingerbread, shortbread, candied fruit bread (did I mention plain old bread?) – all in an effort to carb load before the inevitable resolution to lose all the weight we’ve pounded on!

While this list may sound familiar to some, it’s especially true for the attendees at our very own BATC Holiday Mixer. For Mixer goers, however, it only took one night to really pack on the pounds – 372 of them to be exact!

That’s right, this year’s Holiday Member Mixer has led to an incredible weight gain of 372 pounds, but not all was gained in lb’s. That’s because members truly tipped the scales by donating over 220 canned goods and 346 boxed goods to Second Harvest Heartland, weighing in just under 400 lbs.

Donations were delivered on Tuesday to Second Harvest Heartland, the upper-midwest's largest hunger relief organization and member of nationwide food distributer Feeding America, which encompasses more than 200 food banks nationwide. According to Feeding America’s website, approximately one in six Americans does not have access to enough food.

In the land of plenty, and during a season of indulgence, the simple act of donating canned goods to someone in need can make all the difference between celebrating the Holiday season with a spirit of mirth and celebrating with a belly full of girth.

Thank you again to every member who donated at our Holiday Mixer. You really stepped up to the scale!

To learn more about hunger in North America take this survey from Feeding America.

While this list may sound familiar to some, it’s especially true for the attendees at the Parade of Homes' Builder's Holiday Mixer. For Mixer goers, however, it only took one night to really pack on the pounds – 372 of them to be exact!

Thank you again to every member who donated at our Holiday Mixer. You really stepped up to the scale!

To learn more about hunger in North America take this survey from Feeding America.

New Homes of the Future

2011-11-22T22:33:59Z

Good bye McMansions, hello performance and function! The economic downturn has changed the way Americans look at a lot of things, including what they are looking for in their next home. A study by the National Association of Home Builders suggests that prospective home buyers have shifted their perspective on the housing they want and need, and that the new home of the future will focus more on efficiency than indulgence.

Here's what NAHB reports about the survey and it's results:
The survey asked builders, designers, architects, manufacturers, and marketing specialists about what they thought the likely characteristics of the average, new single-family detached home would be in 2015.

First, the typical size of new homes will continue to shrink, with respondents saying they expect homes to average 2,152 square feet. That is 10 percent smaller than the average size of single-family homes started in 2010. Census Bureau data shows that the average size peaked in 2007, at 2,521 square feet.

This decrease is likely influenced by economic hardship, with consumers focusing on lowering the cost of heating and cooling their homes as well as no longer having a lot of equity in their current homes to finance purchasing a much larger one. An aging population — 29 percent of the U.S. population will be 55 and older in the year 2020 — will also increase demand for smaller homes as empty-nesters downsize into easier-to-manage properties.

A smaller home means the space must be better suited to modern lifestyles. Fifty-two percent of builders expect the living room to be merged with other spaces in the home by 2015 and 30 percent said it will vanish entirely. Respondents also expect the entry foyer and dining rooms to become smaller, or merge with other spaces. A great room comprised of the kitchen, foyer and living room is the most likely room to be included in the average new home. Some of the rooms least likely to be present include two master bedroom suites, a sunroom, a hobbies room, and a media room.

Kitchens are also expected to become more functional. Double sinks, recessed lighting, table space for eating, a breakfast bar and pull-out drawers are the features most likely to be in the new home kitchen in 2015.
In addition to floor plan changes, it is expected that new homes in 2015 will include more green features and technology, including low-E windows; engineered wood beams, joists or tresses; water-efficient features such as dual-flush toilets or low-flow faucets; and an ENERGY STAR rating for the whole house. (Stay tuned for the Spring 2012 Parade of Homes where you'll get to see 19 homes certified under the new Minnesota's Green Path, each boasting of a Home Performance Report that shows you exactly what energy and green features are included.)

Surprisingly, some new home features that have been popular in recent years are expected to lose favor with home buyers in the future. Less than a third of survey respondents said they thought more technology features, more universal features and more outdoor living features would be the first or second most probable trend.

Give to the Max Today

2011-11-16T17:23:17Z

While the Christmas Holidays lend to a spirit of giving, in the month of November, we garner a heart of thanksgiving. Today, you have the special opportunity to incorporate both aspects of this holiday season.

You have the chance to show your thanks and support to a special charity or nonprofit by making a simple contribution for Give to the Max Day, a special 24 hour day where Minnesotans come together to support local nonprofits and help them win big. For every donation made, the BATC Foundation has a chance to win an additional $1,000 prize grant. These grants are awarded every hour until midnight tonight so don’t delay.

We appreciate your donations and support! Here are the folks who your donations helped this fall:

The BATC Foundation renovated the home of Wesley Cureton, a wounded Veteran who served his country with seven active duty tours. His remodeled home will be safer and more comfortable for this American hero.

We also just finished a new home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity for the Ahmed family of seven.

Your donation today will help us do more!.

Garage sale on TV

2011-11-14T21:28:43Z

This could be yours, and so could an assortment of furniture, cabinets, lighting, appliances and accessories! With items donated by Parade of Homes builders, this weekend’s BATC Foundation Garage Sale is the perfect excuse to pamper your pad after a favorite Parade Home.

Items will be on sale November 18-20 at the Midwest Home Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Be sure to come early for great finds, or stop by before the show wraps for great deals (Sunday discounts!).

Can’t wait for this weekend’s garage sale? Tune in to KARE 11 today and tomorrow for a preview of select sale items. Watch at 4 p.m. today and 11:30 a.m. tomorrow for a special sneak peak.

BATC Foundation garage Sale

2011-11-03T21:05:38Z

We know a lot of you visit all those gorgeous Parade of Homes models to get decorating ideas and see whats new in furnishings. Now you can get some of those furnishings for yourself! Our charitable arm, the BATC Foundation, is holding their 3rd annual Midwest Home Show Garage Sale. A number of our Parade builders have donated tons of cool furniture, accessories, and building materials (lighting, cabinets, we even are selling the kitchen sink).

Come on down to the Mpls. Convention Center to the Midwest Home Show on November 18-20 and pick up some cool deals for your home.

Here's how our warehouse looked several weeks ago -- we've got plenty more items that have come in since.

Charles Cudd DeNovo wins top Reggie Award

2011-10-28T12:50:40Z

The Reggie Awards gala a couple weeks ago was a lot of fun for all who attended, but a real treat for the winner of the million-dollar homes category, Charles Cudd DeNovo. We thought you'd like to see a few photos, and don't forget to check out the video here.

14 Parade Homes earn Reggie Award

2011-10-17T19:16:08Z

Last Saturday was an exciting night for Parade of Homes builders! 14 of the gorgeous Parade Homes earned the coveted Reggie Award! These homes were judged by builders, industry professionals and regular folks in the community. The gala red-carpet event was a night to remember, especially for these 12 builders (two won two awards!). (The price category is listed in parentheses.)

BlueStar Homes, LLC #243 for their home in Andover ($129,900 to $179,999)

Stone Cottage Construction, Inc. #88 for their home in Farmington ($180,000 - $203,999)

Hans Hagen Homes, Inc. #157 for their home in Cologne ($204,000 - $244,999)

K.A. Witt Construction, Inc. #91 for their home in New Prague ($245,000 - $269,999)

Knoblauch Builders, LLC #117 for their home in Shakopee ($270,000 - $284,999)

TJB Homes, Inc. #256 for their home in Blaine ($285,000 - #304,999)

Lee Lyn Construction, LLC #173 for their home in Delano ($305,000 - $354,999)

Homes by Tradition, LLC #72 for their home in Lakeville ($355,000 - $384,999)

Hartman Homes, Inc. #32 for their home in Hudson ($385,000 - $419,999)

Hartman Homes, Inc. #18 for their home in Lake Elmo ($420,000 - $474,999)

D.T. Carlson Co. #55 for their home in Cottage Grove ($475,000 - $574,999)

Homes by Tradition, LLC #73 for their home in Lakeville ($575,000 - $749,999)

J.B. Woodfitter & Associates, LLC #93 for their home in Credit River Township ($750,000 - $999,999)

Charles Cudd DeNovo, LLC #128 for their home in Edina ($1,000,000 and above)

Congratulations also to these suppliers and vendors that earned Trillium Awards for their part in the creation of these fabulous homes. Glowing Hearth & Home won four Trillium Awards, Granite-Tops, LLC won three, and six firms won two Trillium Awards each (Aspen Electric, Inc., Bayer Interior Woods, Designed Cabinets, Inc., Minnesota Exteriors, Inc., Southern Lights, and Warners’ Stellian Co., Inc.) Here are all 17 companies:

Trillium Award Winners:
Aspen Electric Inc., Savage MN
Brock White Company, St. Paul MN
Brush Masters, Plymouth MN
Designed Cabinets, Inc., Lakeville MN
Ferguson Kitchen, Bath & Lighting Gallery, Golden Valley MN
Gallus Painting, Inc., Delano MN
Glowing Hearth & Home, Jordan MN
Granite-Tops, L.L.C., Cold Spring MN
Mayer Lumber Co., Inc., Mayer MN
MCI Paint & Drywall, Farmington MN
Minnesota Exteriors, Inc., Osseo MN
Martha O'Hara Interiors, Minneapolis MN
Scherer Bros. Lumber Co., Brooklyn Park MN
Southern Lights, Burnsville MN
J.J. Vanderson & Co., Blaine MN
Village Floor & Wall, Inc., Blaine MN
Warners' Stellian Co., Inc., St. Paul MN

Congratulations Mary Young- Dream Home Limo Tour Winner!

2011-10-05T02:06:09Z

The Parade of Homes® and Remodelers Showcase® concluded in style this past weekend with a VIP event. Mary Young of Minneapolis and her entourage toured the five Dream HomesSM Sunday afternoon.

Awaiting Mary and her group was a white stretch limo by Renee’s Royal Valet stocked with delicacy’s from Keys Café. There was much to celebrate toasting champaign to a beautiful day, good company and luck of the draw.

Mary was the one winner chosen this fall for the limo tour of the Dream Homes out of over 1,000 entrants that stopped by the Parade of Homes® booth at the Minnesota State Fair.

The Spring PreviewSM dates are March 3- April 1st and the Remodelers Showcase is March 30th- April 1st. This is no fools day joke, save the date of April 1st if you’ll be chosen as the winner for our next Dream Home Limo Tour Giveaway. Stop by our booth at the Home and Garden Show, Feb. 29 - Mar. 4, 2012.

What Does It Mean to Go "Zero-Energy?"

2011-10-01T00:19:27Z

Parade visitors learned what it means to go "zero energy" during a tour of home #199 last weekend. Builder Rocky DiGiacomo discussed how a combination of technologies, such as geothermal heating/cooling, photovoltaics, spray foam insulation, LED lighting, and Energy Star appliances, can reduce a home's initial and on-going energy footprints so that, over the course of 12 months, it can operate with almost no net energy.

DiGiacomo shared eight-months worth of Xcel Energy and Centerpoint Energy utility bills from the 4,200 square foot parade home in Golden Valley. He projects, at current energy prices, that it will cost no more than $650/year to heat, cool, and operate the home.

Check it out for yourself at Parade Home #199 this weekend! DiGiacomo will be available to answer questions or contact DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation directly: www.designbuildmn.com.

Parade of Homes® Event Recap

2011-09-21T19:49:49Z

During the Tear Down and Rebuild Process Simplified event attendees learned that when considering a tear-down/rebuild project, it all starts with a land survey and the parameters of the lot. Determining if what they want to build will fit within the limitations the lot may present.

Bjorn Freudenthal and Bonnie Trowbridge with College City Design/Build, Inc. discussed features of the current home that may impact the scope of the new build. Some features include the existing foundation (could this be re-used?) as well as the locations of the existing building systems, such as plumbing and HVAC.

Participants left with an understanding of the steps that move the project from start to finish working with both the city and builder, as well as a rough idea of what to expect with timeframes and general costs.

The September 17^th event was held at Parade of Homes® entry #130 and model by College City Design/Build, Inc.

New! 2011 Fall Dream Home Videos

2011-09-14T22:14:09Z

Wow, our two new BATC Foundation Dream Homes on display during this fall's Parade of Homes are fabulous! Check them out on our hot new videos.

Charles Cudd DeNovo, #128 in Edina

and

Smuckler Custom Homes, #167 in Orono

Parade Goers Learn to Decorate with the New Neutral: Gray!

2011-09-12T00:08:00Z

Parade goers toured the $1.34 million home in Golden Valley Saturday with designer Gigi DiGiacomo to get a first-hand look at decorating with the all neutral palette of grays and taupes.

"An all-neutral palette can look flat unless elements of contrast, texture, and pattern are introduced," DiGiacomo says. "During the tour we talked about how these elements were incorporated into the home's palette through the use of wall coverings, stone countertops, bamboo flooring, handmade tiles, raw linen furniture and other soft accessories."

See it for yourself at Parade Home #199 by DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation.

Thanks to our guest blogger: Gigi DiGiacomo
DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation
www.designbuildmn.com

Fall ShowcaseSM Starts Tomorrow

2011-09-09T13:47:27Z

Plan your tour this weekend to coincide with some of the great events. Additional events online at www.ParadeofHomes.org

Meet the Architect

Get your new home plan questions answered!

Berger Built Construction Co. Inc.

#7 20054 Fern Glen Lane N., Forest Lake

2:00 to 3:00 pm

Decorating with Color, Texture, and Pattern

Join Finish Selection Specialist, Gigi DiGiacomo, for a tour of this Dream Home. You'll learn where and when to incorporate color, texture and pattern in the neutral palette with budget friendly finish ideas.

DiGiacomo Homes, Inc.

#199 237 Janalyn Circle, Golden Valley

2:15 to 3:00 pm

Eat & Greet Grand Opening

Join us for a BBQ and see our newest model in Hampton Hills. Meet Bob McDonald, President of McDonald Construction and Architectural Designer, Teresa St. Amant of St. Amant Design LLC. Contact Kim Vetter for information at 763-228-0110.

McDonald Construction, Inc. at Hampton Hills

#188 5525 Polaris Lane N., Plymouth

12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

Lori & Julia from myTalk Visit a Parade Home!

2011-09-02T14:52:13Z

We had a blast hanging out with Lori and Julia from MyTalk 107 this week. We met them at Parade Home #13 in St. Paul to talk about the tour. Listen during the next five weeks as they talk about the Parade of Homes.

Here they are touring the home (we all loved the rooftop deck)!

New Parade of Homes TV Spot

2011-08-26T16:49:07Z

Check out our new TV commercial!

Look for it in the morning news shows on Channel 4, 5, 9 and 11!

Tell us what you think.

Lucas From KDWB Tours Two Parade Homes

2011-08-10T20:20:45Z

The Parade of Homes® is almost here. September 10^th will be the first day to tour over 270 homes. Start making your tour plans to avoid missing what these beautiful homes have to offer. In the last week the Parade of Homes® had four personalities from Clear Channel tour the homes. Soon you will see Amy James, Dan the Common Man, Lucas Phelan, and Lee Valsvick tour homes part of the Parade of Homes®.

Today we toured with Lucas from KDWB. We met him in New Brighten at Main Street Village Condominiums and later went to Blaine to visit a Shaper Homes’ detached townhome. Lucas seemed to really enjoy the homes and their amenities. Here are some pictures from the shoot today and the final videos with each radio personality will be available soon on www.paradeofhomes.org.

Parade of Homes (R) at the Minnesota State Fair

2011-08-05T14:14:00Z

The event on everyone’s calendar this summer is coming up, the Minnesota State Fair. Parade of Homes(R) will be there too, pick up your guidebook just days before they hit Holiday Station stores. Come find us behind the giant slide, right next door to Dino’s. Now, see how much you really know about the Minnesota State Fair below.

1.     What year was the first Minnesota State Fair held?
2.     The 330-foot Space Tower was built in Germany, and shipped to what Minnesota city before being loaded onto 20 trucks to finally arrive at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds?
3.     What year was the first Minnesota State Fair held on the current fairgrounds?
4.     What were the fairgrounds before they were the Minnesota State Fairgrounds?
5.     What special event took place at the fairgrounds on June 20, 1910?
6.     When did the State Fair attendance first top the one million mark?
7.     What is the Minnesota State Fair’s all-time attendance record and when was it?
8.     Who broke the all-time record for the most tickets sold to a single Grandstand show?
9.     Which United States President gave one of his most famous speeches at the State Fair?
10.    During a typical year, how many gallons of milk are served at the American Dairy Association’s all-you-can-drink concession?

Come join us at the fair and enter to win a limo tour of our fall Dream Homes. The tour starts on September 10th with over 270 new homes to check out. Trivia questions and answers can be found on the Minnesota State Fair.

Vang Celebration

2011-08-03T22:05:57Z

The Vang Celebration (the most recent project completed by the BATC Foundation) this morning only occurred because of a conversation between Kristine and Steve Heckler and friend Jerry Peterson who sits on the BATC Foundation Advisory Board. Last fall Kristine, a social worker with Hennepin County shared how deserving the Vang family was for some assistance.

The Vang family had been working through a variety of hardships -- physical injury, illness, unemployment and homelessness. A glimmer of hope shone when Kia’s sister gave them a rental property, which she then quit-claimed to Kia. The Vangs were thrilled to have this small home, and squeezed in their family of seven.

Jan Berg, BATC Foundation Executive Director, after meeting with Kristine and the Vangs, put a proposal together regarding the project for the Board’s review. The BATC Foundation and Showcase Renovations with their partners were able to build two bedrooms and a bathroom in the unfinished basement to give the family much-needed, additional living space.  The celebration was heart-warming, filled with plenty of thank you’s and more than a few tears.

See for yourself on the first of our two videos. Second video can be viewed here.

Thank you to all of the individuals and companies who participated in the project, with a special thanks to Cookie Cart for donating cookies for the ceremony celebrating the completion of the project and this wonderful family.

Showcase Renovations

Showcase Carpentry

Allied Electric

Scherer Bros.

B&D Plumbing

Zahler Heating & Air Conditioning

Biffs

Carl Hanson Drywall

Pro Coat LLC.

Groundbreaking a Bright Future

2011-07-19T22:15:30Z

Spirits were high despite the pouring rain last Friday morning in Shakopee during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ahmed family. The Parade of Homes builders that make up Builders Association of the Twin Cities and its charitable arm the BATC Foundation are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for Hussein and Ruqiya Ahmed and their five children.

Mary Schumacher the Chief Operating Officer of Habitat for Humanity Twin Cities welcomed the attendees including individuals from Habitat, The BATC Foundation and the family. Mary gave the floor over to Erik Johnson with Habitat, the site supervisor. Erik shared that Habitat was able to acquire ten lots in the development via auction. Homes will be built on the lots over the course of three years. This home will be completed by BATC volunteers over the next five weeks.

Sara Anderson, The BATC Foundation chair, introduced the Ahmeds and expressed the excitement that she and The Foundation share for being able to work on this project. Hussein and Ruqiya were emotional as they briefly spoke about their family and what this home means to them.

A special thanks was extended to Lyman Lumber for all they have done for The Foundation, as well as Mike McCalvy, the Building Coordinator, and Jan Berg, Executive Director both from The BATC Foundation.

Check out the video here!

Cabinetry Trends

2011-07-08T18:34:14Z

Our member, Brush Masters, shares the hot trends in cabinetry stains. The up and coming way to stain your cabinet uses many different types of materials to create the “in” look. The types of stain range from a weathered barn look to an old rust look. Most of these new techniques can be done on your existing cabinets. And now here are the four hottest looks for cabinets in today’s housing market.

Distressed Warm Brown Stain: Rasped and worm-holed distressing are used to achieve a look that one would think had been there for years and years.

Barn Wood Replica: Ordinary cabinet door made to look like weathered barn board. This look can be achieved on any style of cabinet but looks best on flat profiles.

Rust Reactive Paint: This process simulates old rust patina finishes and can be applied on any substrate; wood, walls, interior or exterior, to achieve an old rust look. The upper portion seen in the photo, currently in it’s raw state, will continue to react to temperature changes or years to come. The lower portion has been clear coated to stop reactions caused by temperature changes, this color will not change.

Multi-Step Painted Distressed Door: This process is achieved by using multiple colors, distressing the wood using rasping techniques give the appearance of hundreds of years of aging. A spot release technique produces a layered look while a crackle medium in random areas creates a timeless, old, weathered look, and feels.

A Dream Not Deferred

2011-06-30T22:41:02Z

Interesting article published in the Washington Post shows "Despite the current housing downturn, Americans still see homeownership as a core value and a key building block of being in the middle class and creating strong jobs in their communities." The study was conducted by our parent organization, the National Association of Homeowners. We agree!

Is this the First day of Summer?

2011-06-21T21:16:05Z

Happy First day of Summer!

Forget the weather, have you noticed we live in a pretty amazing place? From neighbors that step up and lend helping hands, to weather that changes its mind faster than hotdish disappears in a church basement... Now that it is officially summer, we need to get out there and enjoy our backyards because we’re looking at a long, slow slide into the depths of winter.

But seriously, Minnesota has many months great for getting out and exploring your surroundings. That’s probably why Explore Minnesota! is such a well-used website.

Get out and take advantage of local events all across the metro like White Bear Lake’s Market Fest. For a full listing of summer events check out: Metro Mix’s TC Summer Guide 2011.

There is so much to do in your own backyard, kind of like the Science Museum’s display “The Big Backyard.”

And then there are our legendary MN state parks, cheap or free to hang in (pending any government shut down) burn off some steam and make some great memories to see you through the winter months.

There are roughly 105 days until we expect the next freeze... let’s make them count, because from now on the days just keep getting shorter until mid December!

Cheers to the 2011 Twin Cities Summer!

-Michelle

One Hundred Year Throwback

2011-06-16T15:57:03Z

The Year is 1911!
Gearing up for the 4^th of July, let’s take a look back a full one hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics on the ‘American Dream’ for the Year 1911:

The American flag had 45 stars.

The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
(I couldn’t find the average for women which is also very telling)

HOME LIFE

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

TRANSPORTATION

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
(Think about your commute at 10mph on a dirt road!)

Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.

WORK

The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.
The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
(How could you afford your cell phone?)

POPULATION
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30 people.
(Today, Minnesota houses 5.3 million with 3.5 million residents claiming the Twin Cities as home.)

...and, the tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

I wonder what we’ll look like in another one hundred years?
What will our homes look like then, how efficient will they be, where will they be, and what will be doing in them?
Fun thoughts for a Thursday...
Michelle

Unlocking the Mystery Behind the Window Label

2011-05-31T18:53:49Z

Energy-efficient products now are highly sought after by homeowners, whether for new construction or for renovation. The introduction of new regulatory programs and ENERGY STAR’s new 2010 criteria point to the growing importance and recognition of energy efficiency in every part of our built environment — be it in household appliances, windows, or doors.

Currently, there are a few prime gauges of performance that can be found on your window’s labels. Every label highlights the various characteristics and performance factors of your window, such as whether or not a window is dual-pane or has a specific U-factor.

Every label lists several performance values: the U-factor, the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), the visible light transmittance value (Vt) and a design pressure rating (DP). Here is a quick explanation of each of these terms:

NFRC U-factor: The U-factor tells you the window’s rate of heat loss and how well it insulates. The lower the number, the better a product is at keeping heat inside a building and the better its insulating value.

NFRC Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): The SHGC tells you how well a product blocks heat from the sun. This is an important value – just think, someone in Arizona will certainly have different solar heat gain coefficient needs than someone in Minnesota!

NFRC Visible Light Transmittance Value (Vt): The Vt is a measure of how much visible light passes through the window and door. Be aware that the values shown on the label are for the entire unit – glass-only values will be much higher. However, different types of glass and coatings have different visible light transmittance values.

WDMA Design Pressure Ratings (DP): The DP measures the amount of pressure a door or window will withstand when closed and locked. Each DP rating also establishes other performance factors such as water penetration, air infiltration, structural pressure, forced entry, and operational force. The higher the DP numbers, the better the performance. Look for the Hallmark certification of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association. DP is particularly relevant to energy performance because it contains information regarding certain air infiltration thresholds.

And, don’t forget: Make sure your window or door label states that it meets ENERGY STAR® guidelines. Here's a PDF with ENERGY STAR recommendations by zones: energystar_page5_ONLY.pdf

By Christine Marvin of Marvin Windows

Thanks to Christine for sending htis info our way - Hope the window label mystery is a bit clearer!

North Minneapolis Tornado from the Homebuilding Industry Viewpoint

2011-05-26T13:51:50Z

Since the F2 tornado touched down in North Minneapolis there has been lots of coverage, in pictures, Stories and opinions on the tornado itself, the city and other’s responses.

Those not directly affected have been giving thanks, and offering help to neighbors like good Minnesotans. We can also be thankful that the tornado that hit North Minneapolis, although life changing and tragic, was not of the magnitude of what happened in Joplin, MO. The following is an excerpt from a letter that came to our office in an email from one of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) economists, Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. who was to be in Joplin when the storm hit.

“To me the most poignant part of natural disasters is hearing survivors talk gallantly about rebuilding their destroyed homes and neighborhoods. No one cries about a car, boat, iPhone or credenza that was destroyed; they are all easily replaced. Yet, people regularly weep when surveying the wreckage of their destroyed home. This is because homes are repositories of memory and because homes speak to the importance of place. And our place and our memories intimately revolve around our homes. Thus, the profound desire to rebuild even though moving away is so much easier.

“What rebuilding homes in Joplin and New Orleans and Memphis does is offer people and communities hope about the future, comfort that they are part of it, and validation of their lives.”

I think that encompasses why we love working in the housing industry, why we are hanging in there with the rest of you in this down economy. Because we believe that “home” plays a fundamental role in your life, and the community you build around it becomes part of it.

We are currently working with the City of Minneapolis and our state association to provide information and resources to help North Minneapolis families begin to rebuild.

-Let the Rebuilding begin!

Michelle

Throwback Thursday: Growing up with the Parade

2011-05-19T21:36:32Z

After 64 years the Parade of Homes has become a multi-generational event -- for a number of our builders, but also for those of you who can't wait for the next tour. Caitlin, a second generation fan, shared this with us:

"My mom and I have been going to the Parade of Homes every fall and spring since I can remember. I absolutely LOVE houses. When I was little I had it in my head that I was going to make a deal with the Parade of Homes when I got older. I would become an interior decorator and I would decorate all of their houses so people could see my work. I now plan on designing and decorating my own home. It's been a goal of mine since my mom and I started our tradition some 15 years ago. It's become one of my life goals! Now when we go see the houses I take pictures of all the things I like and save them into my "home model" folder on my computer. My house is going to end up being a culmination of all the things I've seen throughout the years."

Thanks for sharing Caitlin, and for coming back year after year.

If you've got a Parade of Homes story, share it here! And get your touring shoes ready, only 114 days until the Fall Parade of Homes opens.

Have you Hugged Your Remodeler This Month?

2011-05-13T18:53:20Z

In Honor of National Remodeling Month, we’d like to tip our hat to our great remodelers in the Twin Cities.

Sooner or later you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. Perhaps it was that moment when you realized that avocado green and harvest gold are no longer the "in" colors for today's trendy kitchens. Or maybe you had an epiphany one day as you stood in line to use your own bathroom. Whatever the impetus, the thought has crossed your mind: Maybe it's time to start a home remodel. The reasons for home remodeling are as varied as the projects we undertake.

Some of these include:

Adding more space
Upgrading cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures.
Creating a floor plan that's customized for your lifestyle
Improving energy efficiency with new windows, doors, insulation, and climate control systems
Increasing the resale value of your home

-taken from the NAtional Association of Homebuilders Website

Read more about it:

On a side note, we have some great info on remodeling on our Parade of Homes website as well. So go on and get it over with - Hug Your Remodeler TODAY!

-Michelle

Throwback facts on Mother's Day

2011-05-05T21:05:35Z

For all the mothers who keep the American Dream alive and who love their homes, for keeping houses all across America clean and for those mothers who’ve broken through the glass ceiling… Here’s a Throwback Thursday Blog Post just for you.

Happy (almost) Mother’s Day!

From roots in goddesses and the early church, to changes when the first English settlers came to America. While the British holiday would live on, the American Mother’s Day would be invented—with an entirely new history—centuries later.

The first North American Mother’s Day was conceptualized with Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870. Despite having penned The Battle Hymn of the Republic 12 years earlier, Howe had become so distraught by the death and carnage of the Civil War that she called on Mother’s to come together and protest what she saw as the futility of their Sons killing the Sons of other Mothers. With the following, she called for an international Mother's Day celebrating peace and motherhood:

After Anna Reeves Jarvis died, her daughter Anna M. Jarvis campaigned for the creation of an official Mother’s Day in remembrance of her mother and in honor of peace. In 1908, Anna petitioned the superintendent of the church where her Mother had spent over 20 years teaching Sunday School. Her request was honored, and on May 10, 1908, the first official Mother's Day celebration took place at Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia and a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The West Virginia event drew a congregation of 407 and Anna Jarvis arranged for white carnations—her Mother’s favorite flower—to adorn the patrons. Two carnations were given to every Mother in attendance. Today, white carnations are used to honor deceased Mothers, while pink or red carnations pay tribute to Mothers who are still alive. Andrew's Methodist Church exists to this day, and was incorporated into the International Mother’s Day Shrine in 1962.

US Government Adoption

In 1908 a U.S. Senator from Nebraska, Elmer Burkett, proposed making Mother's Day a national holiday at the request of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). The proposal was defeated, but by 1909 forty-six states were holding Mother's Day services as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.

Anna Jarvis quit working and devoted herself full time to the creation of Mother's Day, endlessly petitioning state governments, business leaders, women groups, churches and other institutions and organizations. She finally convinced the World's Sunday School Association to back her, a key influence over state legislators and congress. In 1912 West Virginia became the first state to officially recognize Mother's Day, and in 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed it into national observance, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

The Fight Over Commercialization

The holiday flourished in the United States and flowers, especially white carnations, became very popular. One business journal, Florists Review, went so far as to print, “This was a holiday that could be exploited.” But the budding commercialization of Mother's Day greatly disturbed Jarvis, so she vociferously opposed what she perceived as a misuse of the holiday. In 1938, Time Magazine ran an article about Jarvis's fight to copyright Mother's Day, but by then it was already too late to change the commercial trend.

When the United States congress approved Mother’s Day in 1914, they designated it for the second Sunday in May, and required that the President proclaim the Holiday every year shortly prior to its commencement. A recent example of a presidential Mother’s Day proclamation can be seen here. While the president proclaims the event, some mothers who lost a child use it to protest against war.

TODAY

Typically a family in the United States will devote Mother’s Day to activities in honor of Mom, whether playing games, going out to dinner, taking the weekend off or going on a walk in the park. Flowers are popular, dating back to the original celebration where Anna Jarvis handed out carnations to the church-goers. It is also common to give Mother cards and chocolate candies on her special day.

In the United States Mother's Day continues to be highly commercialized.

The National Retail Foundation predicts Mother's Day is a $14 Billion industry, offering demographic spend breakdowns.
Google Trends shows a sharp spike in search traffic for Mother's Day on Mother's Day in the US and UK and the month leading up to it.
Florists see their highest sales in May.
US restaurants claim that it is the busiest day of the year.
Long distance telephone calls also peak on this day.
The US Postal Service experiences increased volume during the surrounding days.
According to Hallmark, 96% of American consumers take part in shopping on Mother's Day, while retailers report it as the second highest gift giving day of the year behind Christmas.

So, I truly wish all the mom's out there the Happiest Mother's Day ever- hope you get to take time and enjoy your home and your family!

-Michelle

Happy National New Homeowner Day!

2011-05-01T12:02:40Z

May Day is also National New Home Owner Day- who knew?!?!

If you are one of the 598,033 Americans who bought a NEW Construction home in 2010, welcome the world of Homeownership! Along with all that pride and excitement comes some pretty awesome responsibility…

The New Homeowner Day recognizes this and works as a catalyst to remind all homeowners (everyone relaxes a little over the years) of the basics of owning a home.

Home Maintenance
So, it turns out you actually need to take care of this beautiful investment… if changing furnace filters, cleaning gutters and checking smoke alarm batteries doesn’t come naturally to you check out the Home Energy Resource website
which (way at the bottom of the page) you can sign up to reeive email reminders for all those tasks that tend to go forgotten. This is a great site to peruse for other home related questions too!

The National Association of Home Buildershas a list of super smart ways to keep and even add value to your home:

Nothing like a pop quiz to brighten your day – right!?!
National Association of Home Builders has put together a Home Maintenance Quiz
to test your wits!

Tax Credits
The National Association of Home Builders has a great website with information on the federal housing tax credits.

The federal home buyer federal tax credit expired on April 30, 2010.
The information in this link is for people who bought a home or had a contract in place by the deadline and would like information on other qualification requirements.

All About the Energy
If you have a home built in the last few years, congratulations on your lower energy usage and costs! Since there is always room for improvement, you might want to Assess Your Home’s Efficiency with an Energy Audit.

So congratulations on your NEW HOME! And while you are taking pride in your (probably) biggest lifetime purchase- remember to stop and smell the tulips, whenever they decide to show up!

-Michelle

April Showers

2011-04-26T19:16:46Z

With All This Rain, the mind gets flooded with questions like when did humans first realize that they could be smarter than the water and move it away from their dwellings… ahh the birth of the gutter!

A Brief History of Gutters

AD 47: The Romans bring drains to Britain. They understand the importance of water management and have a goddess of the sewers, Cloacina.

1066: The Norman invasion instigated a massive rebuilding of English towns and churches. Grand buildings have stone roofs and parapets, which lead to gutters and gargoyles to throw the water clear.

1240: Possibly the first British downpipe erected at the Tower of London to protect the newly whitewashed walls.

Middle Ages: Cramped conditions and vulnerable building materials make gutter disputes among the most frequent cases heard by local authorities. Anti-fire legislation encourages tiled roofs, which are easier to attach wood, lead or clay tile gutters to.

1539: The dissolution of the monasteries provides large quantities of recycled lead and creates a flowering in rainwater goods, with hopper heads and cisterns on grand houses incorporating dates and heraldic designs.

1709: Coke first used in the production of cheap and plentiful cast iron. By the 19th century cast iron had replaced lead as the most popular material for rainwater goods.

1939 - 1945: World War II speeds up the development of plastics and by the 1950's cheap plastic gutters and downpipes supersede cast iron.

From England’s Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) website, where there are quite a few other fun links, especially if your home was built in the dark ages.

To bring your gutters into today’s world, try out Rain Chains. Whether you are just looking for an accent to your home or garden decor, adding curb appeal, looking for a feature in a Zen garden or a water/ movement piece for Feng Shui, you can find all of this with a rain chain. As the water flows down the chain, a lovely water feature is created before your eyes!

If you are ready to dive into rainwater collection check out http://www.rainxchange.com/

for the most innovative systems.

Regardless of where all the rain ends up, I am looking forward to the May Flowers!

Umbrellas Up!

Michelle

Building Green on Earth Day

2011-04-22T13:34:14Z

by Guest Blogger Erin Mathe, Xcel Energy

Today is Earth Day, so many of us will take on a project or change a habit to give a little something back: plant a tree, clean up the neighborhood or maybe swear off bottled water.

Would it surprise you to know that Twin Cities builders are doing their part to lessen their environmental impact? A growing trend in the last several years is building homes with efficiency and conservation in mind. And one way they do that is to build Energy Star® homes whihch follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines. They’re 15-30% more energy efficient than the average home.

Here are some of the things that set them apart:

•   Effective insulation (attics of Energy Star homes are sealed to reduce air leaks and the proper amount of insulation is installed so the chances of ice dams are much lower)
•   High performance windows
•   Tight construction and ducts
•   Efficient heating and cooling equipment which makes the home more comfortable
•   Efficient products and appliances (compact fluorescent light bulbs, low-flow faucets, Energy Star-rated refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, etc.)
•   Sustainable materials (recycled materials for flooring and countertops)

To date, more than 2000 Energy Star Homes have been built in MN. Not a bad start. Here’s to the Earth – and everything we can do to preserve it.

For more information on Energy Star Homes, click here.

Homeowners Report Financial Value in Owning Their Homes

2011-04-19T13:48:41Z

Financial Value of Owning a Home Hard to Beat, Public Tells Pew Researchers

Despite a five-year “swoon” in housing prices, the American public’s confidence in the investment of homeownership remains unshaken, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center.

Of the adults whom Pew surveyed by telephone during the second half of March, fully 81% agreed that buying a home is the best long-term investment a person can make.

The researchers pointed out that the intensity of the public’s faith in the financial value of homeownership has softened a bit since the same question was asked in a CBS News/New York Times survey in 1991.

Twenty years ago, 49% of the respondents “strongly” agreed that owning a home was their best investment and 35% agreed “somewhat.”

When the question was posed last month, 37% agreed “strongly” and 44% said they “somewhat” agreed.

“Even so, confidence at any level these days is notable, given that the housing market is mired in the longest and deepest decline in modern American history,” the report says.

Of those polled, about half (47%) reported that their home was worth less than before the recession began; 31% said its value had stayed the same; and 17% indicated their home had seen some appreciation.

“Of those who say their home has lost value, 86% say they expect it to take at least three years to recover to pre-recession levels; 42% say it will take at least six years; and 10% say it will take more than 10 years,” according to the report.

Also among the survey results, 81% of renters said they would like to buy a home one day and 80% of all respondents said that being able to own a home is an important long-term financial goal.

Of those enlisted to participate in the survey for the report — “Five Years After the Bubble Burst — Some Sweet Home. Still.”— 57% owned a home, 30% were renters; and the remainder had other arrangements, such as living with family members.

- From Pew Research Center Article

60,000 Thanks!

2011-04-13T19:32:45Z

The Parade of Homes Spring Preview has come to a close and now it’s time to welcome the warmth of the sun, the birds singing and the grass growing! We hope you all had wonderful experiences on your treks out to see the homes. Because of your generosity, the Builders Outreach Foundation (BOF), the charitable arm of the Builders Association can continue working full force on our mission of offering affordable housing solutions through out the Twin Cities area.

This spring, BOF has teamed with the Jared Allen Foundation in assisting a wounded veteran with his home projects. This veteran lost his sight and has come back to some pretty heavy obstacles. By partnering with this Foundation, we can work together to lighten this family’s load.

We want to especially thank you if you visited one of our five Dream Homes. DiGiacomo Homes Inc, Highmark Builders Inc, and Stonewood LLC were our three Dream Home and House Lift Remodelers and Ispiri LLC. were our two Dream Home Remodelers and they all did a great job, as shown by the record number of visitors to these homes during the Spring Preview!

So once again, Thank You! We raised over $60,000 during our spring campaign and proved once again, that dreams can come true.

A special guest blog by the Builders Outreach Foundation

Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

2011-04-05T19:29:13Z

“People are starting to give themselves permission to dream about a new home again and for the first time in several years actually are considering houses that are slightly larger than their existing homes." Taken from a Better Homes & Gardens survey(source: MarketWatch).
But while you all want more room, you also want a high return of function for their investment. And thus responses trended toward the desire for "spaces" rather than simply space per se.
Among the must-have spaces consumers wanted was an outdoor grilling/living area.

Now that the last signs of winter finally melted from our patios, Minnesotans are itching to get outdoors.
Whether you want a second kitchen and living room or simply a spot to grill a burger and grab a beer while enjoying the great outdoors, here are smart options to consider when specifying outdoor kitchen appliances.

Gas grill
The workhorse of an outdoor kitchen, gas grills’ speed and convenience work best for weeknight dinners and impromptu get-togethers. If you’re looking to do more, some brands offer innovative features such as:

Searing zone to reach high temperatures (700 degrees!) quickly to give your meat a steakhouse-quality exterior
Rear infrared burner to deliver consistent, evenly distributed heat for rotisserie cooking
Smoker boxes to fill prepackaged hickory or mesquite chips, which give foods a distinctive, smoky flavor
Side burners to prepare sauces and sides like beans or vegetables or to keep food warm until it is ready to be served
Lighting to illuminate the cooking surface for late-night grilling

Charcoal grill/smoker
As our own grilling guru Stu Glock says, “You have two cars. Why not two grills?”

Charcoal grills, smokers and/or cookers deliver flavor you can’t get in a gas grill — if you have hours to get it. Owners of the Big Green Egg rave about the unique flavor of their ribs, brisket and roasts they get in this ceramic cooker.

Viking also makes a ceramic cooker, but with a stainless steel finish.

If you have the time to kick back and just grill, the extra time is definitely worth the flavor.
Warming drawers
Cut down on the running back back and forth from your main kitchen. Warming drawers keep grilled food warm (and sanitary) once prepared and work great for make-ahead dishes from your main oven.

Homeowners with outdoor pools appreciate warming drawers for heating towels to keep them cozy after a late-night swim.

Kegerator/beer tapper
Arguably as important as the grill itself is beer on-demand. Aside from the convenience, an outdoor keg fridge makes an unbeatable conversation (and party) starter. DCS, Viking, and Marvel, make draft beer dispensers specifically for the outdoors.

Outdoor kegerators come in built-in or freestanding.

Wine chiller/beverage center
If you’re more of a wine-o than a beer drinker, you might consider storing your bottles outside, in the proper wine chiller, of course. Look for models with precise temperature controls, racks to accommodate various bottle sizes and minimum vibration.
Beverage centers, though less precise in temperature control, make a viable option for combination beer/wine/soda, etc. storage.

Refrigeration
I know what you’re thinking: “But I already have a wine fridge!”
But your wine fridge is 55 degrees, remember? Even your beverage center isn’t designed to refrigerate food and condiments. Please don’t keep your barbecue meats in a beverage fridge!

Ice maker
If mixed drinks and soda are more your thing, maybe you’d like an ice maker. Marvel‘s and U-line have refrigeration suitable for outdoor use clear ice makers that store 25-30 pounds of ice.

Patio heaters

Denial: it ain't just a river in Africa. It's an outdoor barbecue in the Twin Cities in April.
I might not have a pool, but living in Minnesota, you better believe I have a patio heater . Fueled by a the same kind gas tank you use for your grill, these easily extend construction season into early winter (or “fall”). And this model, the Totum, entertains with colorful LED lights and iPod connectivity to play your music while keeping you cozy.

-Fun Sharing with you!!

Warners' Stellian

Love the One You're With

2011-03-31T17:56:36Z

The only downside I can see with the Parade of Homes {wait, did I just say there's a downside!?} is that we can’t all afford those multi-million dollar dream homes, or even a part of the million dollar ones...

So let’s put on our big girl pants, hunker down and figure out a way to appreciate what we have until we can make our next move... because while new housing is way more affodable than lots of people think, remodeling is also growing in popularity right now.

So, how do we love the one we’re with?

One way to love your older home is to find out how your home fits into the bigger picture; within your neighborhood, town, historically. And, guess what, our very own Minnesota Historical Society has oodles of ways to help.

This is the story of how one Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase owner found out more about her home-

“When Amy Handford agreed to show her home on the Parade of Homes she wanted to include a brief history of her house for tour attendees. But where to begin? Handford was fortunate, in that, her home had been included in a historical review of the Dayton's Bluff district done in the early 1980s, so she knew something of it's past. "When we bought the house all we knew was the name of the family that had built it and the year it was built, " said Handford. "The historical review gave us some very good information but nothing too detailed.”

So while you are out looking at all the great remodeled homes this weekend (yes, the Remodelers Showcase starts tomorrow!!) ask yourselves how these homes fit into their neighborhoods, I’d love to hear what you think!

Just For Fun:

The Minnesota Historical Society photograph collection includes individual building exteriors and interiors, as well as street scenes and broader landscapes.

Search the Visual Resources Database by town name, street name, or individual address.

(the first set of steps in Stillwater- cool right?!)

Placeography: A really cool wiki where you can share the history of and stories about a house, building, farmstead, public land, neighborhood or any place to which you have a personal connection.

For more resources on your home’s history check out another great resource from the U of M.

Have fun finding the ways you could love your home a little more at the Remodelers Showacse this weekend -

Michelle

Bring It On!

2011-03-30T20:09:18Z

Upfront, I admit unabashed favoritism, bias, and single-track-mindedness…but this weekend is going to ROCK!

Over 400 new & remodeled homes where you can marvel, drool, sneak into hidden rooms (no really #151 has one), ohh and ahh at the views (from the St. Croix River to Minnehaha Creek) and gasp at the leaps home technology has taken in the last year.

Told ya, that whole paragraph reeks of preferential treatment towards new or newly remodeled homes – but come on, twice a year we get to sink our teeth into mouthwatering designs, finishes and detail all artfully brought together by the building and remodeling teams of the Twin Cities.

This weekend is the grande finale for Parade of Homes® Special Events as well. With Eleven different events scheduled for this weekend, there really is something for everyone.

Fun and Free events you could probably talk your hubby (or wife) into, like:

Chef Appetizers
What Really Sells Your House?
Kitchen Design Party
Cheese, Wine and Design
Design/Build Panel Discussion

These are happening all over the Twin Cities from Burnsville to Minnetonka and Minneapolis to Forest Lake. Full Calendar Listing of Special Events available on the paradeofhomes.org website.

AWESOME SIDE NOTE: This spring’s Dream Homes have already raised more money in proceeds than in recent years… Way to go you Home-Fanatics, you have raised $49,000 for the Builders Outreach Foundation, which partners with local organizations to build, repair or remodel homes to promote safe, affordable housing and revitalize communities.

Go tour your hearts out : )

-Michelle

Forward Friday: Looking Ahead

2011-03-25T13:16:41Z

While we usually look backwards in our Throwback Thursday blogs, this week we're looking ahead, and asking for your feedback. Why? Well two reasons. First, I wanted to share some exciting news. Our Executive Director, David Siegel, was just named one of 40 Minnesotans on the Move by Finance & Commerce Newspaper. This is a pretty nifty honor for David, who joined us just last fall. And for all of us here at the Builders Association and for those of you who enjoy and follow our Parade of Homes. Dave has brought a new energy to our endeavors and challenged us with a lot of questions so that in the end, I know you're going to find our events and our website will be become even more relevant and functional.

Which brings me to the second reason. We will be rebuilding and redesigning our website in 2012 and we would love to hear your thoughts about how we can make it better. We've already added a mobile site and iPhone app, and hope to add a Droid app this fall. But everything is on the table. Do you use and like the TourPlanner? Do you need more search options or are there too many? Do you want more resources and links to help you make decisions about buying or remodeling? You get the picture. Please, weigh in! Let us know what you think can help us make ParadeofHomes.org the best it can be.

March Meltdown MN-Style

2011-03-22T13:35:45Z

Spring thaws and March (wait isn't that April?) showers bring…puddles.

Puddles on sidewalks, on driveways and in yards. Even well constructed hard surfaces on your property can be troubled by standing water because, well, they’re hard surfaces that don’t absorb water. Our lawns contribute to run off problems. Turf is called “green concrete” because the majority of turf grass varieties have short, dense root systems that only absorb the first π inch of rainfall. The rest runs off. If you have drainage problems in your yard, there’s good news – there are many possible solutions!

(photo of a raingarden at work)

Most of our homes are built on sites with compacted soil. There aren’t a lot of natural places for water to soak into the soil like it did before our neighborhoods were developed. Water can flow off our hard surfaces and collect in low spots in our yards, or flow onto the street and into storm drains and storage ponds, lakes and streams. The problem with that is, it washes a lot of pollution -- from organic materials and fertilizer to automotive fluids – into our lakes and streams. The best thing to do with rainwater is have it soak down into the soil right on your property. That will filter out pollutants and naturally recharge our waterways.

(photo of an underground rainwater harvesting system that holds 1,500 gallons of rainwater- hidden genius!)

Things you or a landscape contractor can do to help this infiltration process include:

Install drainage systems (catch basins, drain tile, channel drains) to carry excess water away from saturation points to places where it can slowly soak into the soil.

Install raingardens, which are bowl-shaped gardens that collect and hold rainwater no longer than 48 hours before it soaks into the soil. The soil in and under raingardens is typically loosened and augmented with compost to mimic pre-development, uncompacted soil, which more readily absorbs water. Native plants in these gardens have long roots that draw rainwater down. With this combination of loosening soil and installing the right plants, raingardens can help absorb excess water even if you have clay soil. Metro Blooms holds seminars around the Twin Cities about raingarden design and construction. Another great local resource is www.bluethumb.org.

Replace sagging or cracked asphalt and concrete with permeable paver systems. These work particularly well in sandy soils, but can also be engineered for denser soils. A technical explanation of the system can be found at www.icpi.org/node/553.

Plant trees. They act as vertical raingardens, slowing the velocity of rain, allowing evapotranspiration through the leaves and using their heavy-duty root systems to soak up water from the soil.

Install rain barrels and larger capacity rainwater harvesting system to capture and reuse the best water for your gardens and lawn. You’ll find videos about some of the systems available at www.rainxchange.com.

You’ll find a wealth of information about these practices online. I’ve included some links to get you started. In some cases, you can do the installation yourself. In other cases, like a permeable paver system, professional design and installation by a certified installer is recommended. All of these landscape practices will result in drainage corrections with the added benefit of making your home and yard look better. Paver driveways, for example, give an immediate boost to curb appeal at the same time they provide stormwater management benefits.

Finally, many cities and watersheds offer property owners grant cost sharing assistance for installing raingardens, permeable paver systems and other stormwater best management practices. For a list of available grants, consult your local watershed or Blue Thumb Grants. I had the honor of working with residents in south Minneapolis last summer on a Clean Water Fund grant cost share project that involved over 60 stormwater management projects. You can read a summary of the project HERE.

Thanks to Tina Plant of Hedberg Landscape & Masonary Supplies for the great article -enjoy the rain!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

2011-03-17T18:46:39Z

Since it feels like a good day for a walk, let’s take a stroll down memory lane with a few past Parade of Homes® Guidebook covers...

Through the years with the work of many different builders and ohh so many different homes, we have showcased the changing housing dreams of Minnesotans.

One question we (the people who help get this event off the ground each year) are continually asked is “didn’t you have thousands of homes at one time, and now you only have hundreds?”
To which I reply, “why yes, we have right-sized the event, and just curious... how many hundred homes do you see each event?”

Okay, okay, sorry for the quip, but I believe so strongly in quality over quantity - and that’s what we have for you in this spring’s event, absolute quality. From great design to quality construction practices, greener and more energy consciousness to family companies run by third and fourth generations. The builders and remodelers in this spring’s events (remember the Remodelers Showcase runs April 1-3 this year) are top notch, have weathered the winter-storm and welcome you to stop in for a visit.

Just to set the record straight - here are the numbers of homes entered in the Spring Parade of Homes for the following years:

2011 - 342
2010 - 368
2009 - 403
2008 - 742
2007 - 1,109
2006 - 1,249
2005 - 1,168
2004 - 1,057
2003 - 963
2002 - 824
2001 - 790

**Hats off to any of you who remember the first run of one of these magazines!!**

Three weekends left to explore todays dream homes: paradeofhomes.org
Enjoy - Michelle

Smaller New Homes

2011-03-14T14:43:06Z

10%. That's the prediction home builders, architects, marketers, manufacturers, and designers have suggested as the amount of shrinkage in average new-home square footage by 2015. National Association of Home Builders researcher Rose Quint examined survey data to report on what new homes will look like in a couple of years.

Here are the broad trends:

The average, new single-family home will be smaller and have more green features.
The living room will either vanish or merge with other spaces in the home.
The 'Great Room' is the likeliest room to be included in the average new home.
Low-e windows and engineered wood products are the likeliest green features.
A double sink, recessed lighting, and table space for eating are very likely in kitchens.

The survey data also indicate that the average new single-family home in 2015 will be about 2,152 square feet, 10% smaller than the average size of a comparable home in 2010."

A welcoming first week

2011-03-11T15:29:52Z

The Parade of Homes is barely underway, but already it's clear that plenty of you are serious about finding a new home this year. It's also clear that touring huge, multi-million dollar homes are plenty of fun! One of this spring's Builders Outreach Foundation Dream Homes has created a real buzz, and no wonder. It's over 10,000 square feet priced at over $5 million once the pool and outdoor terracing are finished.

Besides seeing 1200 visitors over the first two days, the home has been featured on Channel 5, Channel 9, and the subject of a Homegirls Star Tribune blog by housing reporter Lynn Underwood. Some of the coolest features: the lower level rathskeller (I had to look it up too) with three interconnected wine cellars recreates a true old-world pub, down to the reclaimed bricks and stone walls. The technology will blow you away too -- one example is that the wine cellar boasts biometric security so only a select few will have access to the expensive collection.

Just got our video uploaded, check it out!

It's definitely a must-stop on your tour so you can get a little fantasy fix. Then go on to tour some of the 341 homes to find the one that will beckon you home.

I Love You, Tomorrow!

2011-03-04T18:57:32Z

...You're Only A Day Away! Starting tomorrow, March 5, the Spring Preview opens the doors to 342 new model homes and neighborhoods located in 74 cities across the Twin Cities. There are 146 builders and developers participating in the event. New this time is an Energy Efficient Home Tour, with 94 verified homes, which gives you all a chance to tour a seriously wide variety of energy efficient homes.

With a total value of $163,076,794 in houses on tour, there are 865,986 finished square feet to oooh and aaah over. With 1,216 bedrooms and 1,060 bathrooms open to tour, you'll find something for everyone, and a whole lot of toilet paper ; )

There's also tons of variety in price and location. The homes are scattered across a broad spectrum of prices. Five are priced below $150,000. A total of 229 homes are priced below $500,000, which represents 70 percent of the entries. A total of 17 homes are priced over $1,000,000, with two of those priced over $3,000,000. Enter the Dream Homes- three truly unparalleled homes to tour, your $5.00 donation at the door helps our Builders Outreach Foundation to continue their mission of promoting homeownership through affordable housing and to contribute to the revitalization of communities. The homes are open Thurs- Sun now thrugh April 3.

Plan your attack online at:

paradeofhomes.org

So, Energy, Efficiency, Dreams and new paint colors-- TOMORROW- HERE WE COME!

-Michelle

Throwback Thursday: Ice Dams

2011-02-24T15:34:19Z

This has been quite a winter. Record snowfalls, and for some of us, record icicles and ice dams. I used to look at pictures like this and remember how much fun it was to crack off a big old icicle and square off for a dramatic sword fight with my sister. Now, as an owner of an old house, I just think about the expense to replace the roof.

If you suffer from ice dam-itis, the University of Minnesota's Cold Climate Housing has a great website with lots of tips.

And with that in mind, I wanted to remind you that our Spring Parade of Homes starts in just over a week. With a new home you won't have to worry about ice dams. Even better, check out the 94 homes on the Energy Efficient Home Tour in partnership with Xcel Energy that are featured this spring. Along with ice-dam prevention, these homes will save you money on energy...and with oil prices on the rise, they'll save even more! Click on the Energy Efficient Home Tour button on our home page to get started.

Meet the Spring Parade of Homes Cover Family

2011-02-21T22:03:51Z

Each Parade of Homes® event, we feature a local family and their home-buying story. This year we got to meet Lani & Dave- they were so much fun to meet, hang with and understand just what they were looking for in a home, a builder, a neighborhood.

Here's their story:
Lani & Dave are one of those couples that knew exactly what they wanted, and took their very own route to making it happen.
“I'd had my eye on Four Seasons for years, and always wanted it to work out,” said Lani during a visit to their home. Their excitement grew once they found out a newly completed home in the development had just come on the market. Almost a year later, they are still glowing... more at: http://newsroom.paradeofhomes.org/sp11-families

Everybody Loves a Parade...

2011-02-11T17:27:24Z

...Especially when it gets you over the last bout of cabin fever- unless this fabulous weekend weather has fooled you into believing that winter has lost its grip (HA!). Each Spring the real estate world- which has been ‘all shook up’ as of late, gets a little jolt in the arm. Sometime after the Superbowl and before the snow melts Minnesotans want to get the H-E- Double Hockey Sticks out of their homes and see anything but their own living rooms for a few hours. Maybe in a different neighborhood, maybe in a higher tax bracket, just give us something new to look at please!

Parade of Homes® saves the day!

It is a right of passage for newly weds, a fun passtime many families, a pilgrimage for design students, and a hobby for many others. That’s why the Parade of Homes works so well, it has filled-in the cracks left by the melting snow and given us Dream Houses to inspire us to at least paint the walls of our bathrooms that new ‘spa-blue’ or change out the old wood fire place for an energy efficient gas burner.

Almost more important than the results of what we do after we tour is the fact that we went. We saw. We conquered our cabin fever. And the Parade of Homes is as dependable as the changing of the seasons- rain, snow or shine it is ON! It always has homes to make you think, drool, compare, obsess over and laugh at.

And, whew, it’s less than a month away. The Beloved Guidebooks are due into the Holiday Station Stores this weekend- and our website will updated with all the spring homes by then too!!

Enjoy- Michelle