Saint Paul Real Estate Blog

Spring Remodelers Showcase – Twin Cities Parade of Homes 2012

The Spring Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase® is this weekend, from March 30 - April 1. Now in its 25th year, homeowners will find inspired ideas for remodeling their own homes, while getting a chance to interview a range of professional remodelers about their skills.

The tour has opened to the public 68 beautifully remodeled homes in 25 communities across the extended Twin Cities metropolitan area. Virtually every type of remodeling is showcased on the tour, including:

  • 12 whole-house remodels
  • 39 kitchen renovations
  • 19 additions
  • 16 baths
  • 13 lower-level finished

Other projects include decks, porches and exteriors, owners’ suites, mud rooms, home offices, laundry rooms, and garages.

The Remodeler’s Showcase Dream Home is a historic whole-house renovation located in the Southwest Minneapolis Community near Lake Harriet. It was remodeled by Feehan Design & Build, Inc.

The Parade of Homes Spring Remodelers Showcase is presented by Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) and sponsored by Marvin Windows and Doors. The tour homes are open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday March 30, and 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. on both Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, April 1. The Remodelers Showcase Guidebooks are available free at all metropolitan area Holiday StationStores. Searching for Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase projects is easy at www.paradeofhomes.org.

Remodeling representatives from 52 firms that performed the work will be on hand at each home to answer questions...

Spring Parade of Homes 2012 in the Twin Cities

The Spring Parade of Homes is in full swing again in the Twin Cities! And what great weather for it, too!

As of March 3, 2012, 306 brand new homes are on display in Twin Cities communities across the Metro. The Spring Parade of Homes is an excellent time for prospective home buyers to get ideas.

This year’s selection features several "Green Path Homes" that showcase eco-friendly amenities. MN Green Path certifies efficiency and performance in new home construction and remodeling projects. One of the Green Path homes featured on the tour is a simple looking farmhouse with incredible energy efficiency – and it belongs to none other than Don Shelby!

This ongoing real estate event is also an opportunity for builders to display their talents and now is a great time for it. The Parade of Homes is occurring at a time when the housing market is trying to make a rally nationally and locally. Construction seems to be gaining momentum in the Twin Cities.

The Spring Parade of Homes continues in the Twin Cities on weekends through April 1.

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Home Buyer Advice: What Home Owners Love (and Loathe) About Their Homes

Every house hunter has a list of "must-haves" when it comes to the house he or she plans to purchase. Which features and amenities stand the test of time?

MSN asked readers what they love most about their current home and what they used to love that "was clearly just a passing fancy."

  1. It's not a mansion. According to respondents, it was the small conveniences that have retained luster – like a laundry room near the bedrooms - but the one thing that appears to maintain the most satisfaction are open floor plans with plenty of space - regardless of the actual square footage.
  2. Let there be light. Large windows with a nice view can also make up for a home's shortcomings. Home owners love large windows that allow cheerful sunlight in at various times and spaces throughout the day. A great view outside those windows is an added bonus.
  3. Comfort-adding features. Home owners love their central air conditioning and modernized heating systems for the comfort and convenient maintenance. Of course, storage is a necessity, so plentiful kitchen cabinets and large closets ranked high as well.
  4. Mistake to avoid? One respondent said the mother-in-law suite she was determined to have has created strife for her family. Friends and family that know about the space think it is okay to stay there for extended periods of time. At the same time, when the space is not in use, it adds unnecessarily to heating and cooling bills.

Buying a home is likely the single biggest purchase decision anyone will make during a lifetime. Knowing what types of features people continue...

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