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75TH MINNEAPOLIS HOME AND GARDEN SHOW. Home-related products, resources and seminars on topics such as building green, staging, selling tips, designing a new home and geothermal energy. The Idea Home is a 1,400-square-foot prefabricated home incorporating the latest designs and materials. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Av. S. Tickets: Adults $12 at the door; $9 online; ages 6-12 $4. www.homeandgardenshow.com.
60TH PARADE OF HOMES. Tour 403 model homes in 98 communities throughout the Twin Cities area. Homes range from a $126,900 townhouse in Hugo to a $3.9 million house in Shorewood. Noon to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, through March 22. Free with the exception of a $5 charitable donation to the two Dream Homes. Free events on energy-saving features, entertaining, home staging, the design process and other topics are scheduled at some of the homes. Go online for more information. Parade of Homes guidebooks are available at Twin Cities Holiday stations and at www.paradeofhomes.org. Presented by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. 651-697-1954.
REAL ESTATE IN AN UPSIDE DOWN MARKET. "Owning Real Estate" explores different options regarding foreclosure. 10 to 11:30 a.m. "Buying Real Estate" explores buying a short sale or bank-owned property. 12:30 to 2 p.m. Real estate attorneys will lead the seminars, and local nonprofit groups and businesses will offer housing-related information and services. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Free. Sponsored by Liberty Title and Nash & Lodge. Rogers Community Room, 21201 Memorial Dr., Rogers. For information, call 763-862-6100.
BUYING A DUPLEX AS AN INVESTMENT. Topics include tax benefits of owning rental property, how to evaluate property and protecting yourself as a landlord. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wed. $15. Robbinsdale Community Education, Plymouth Middle School, 10011 36th Av. N. 763-504-6999.
REVERSE MORTGAGES FOR SENIORS. Learn the facts about this potential source of retirement income. 1 p.m. Thu. $9. Robbinsdale Community Education, Winnetka Learning Center, 7940 55th Av. N., New Hope. 763-504-6980.
FINDING AND BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME. Topics include choosing a mortgage, first-time home-buyer programs, government loans and negotiating the best price in a buyer's market. $15. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thu. Robbinsdale Community Education, Winnetka Learning Center, 7940 55th Av. N., New Hope. 763-504-6999.
NORTH HOUSING AND HOME IMPROVEMENT FAIR. Lenders, real estate agents, contractors and representatives of community organizations will be on hand help homeowners, buyers and renters. Topics include first-time home buyer programs, resources for home improvement loans, mortgage foreclosure prevention and how to lower utility bills. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 21. Free. North Community High School, 1500 James Av. N., Mpls. www.northhousing fair.com.
