Spring Parade of Homes tour adds more home styles to the mix

Whether you're looking for inspiration for a modest or luxe build, the spring Parade of Homes tour sets out to offer a range of price points, home sizes and styles across the Twin Cities.

This year's tour, which kicked off this weekend and runs through April 10, features 347 new homes and offers more entry-type homes than ever before.

A new "coming soon" category offers a glimpse of up-and-coming neighborhoods. The inaugural "ready-to-build" feature showcases floor plans available at a homesite with additional consultation available at a sales center.

"In this current housing market where existing inventory gives home buyers very little options, we're working to show buyers all of the options to build new through these additional entry types," said Katie Elfstrom, spokesperson for the Parade of Homes.

In addition to new homes, the final weekend of the tour will feature a Remodelers Showcase of 34 remodeled homes.

This year's tour also will feature a Parade of Homes First-time Home Buyer $10K Giveaway. Elfstrom said research by the Minnesota Realtors association and the Minnesota Homeownership Center revealed that nearly 110,000 Minnesota families are less than $10,000 away from becoming homeowners. The Housing First Minnesota and the Parade of Home giveaway aims to assist first-time homebuyers and expand homeownership opportunities.

"Looking at today's housing market it's clear the market is working well for some, but others — especially first-time homebuyers — face challenges in the search of a home," she said.

"[I'm] also seeing more designers and builders play with color and wallpaper throughout the homes. You'll see more homes that feature a pop of color in painted trim or cabinets," she said. "Where we were seeing it in small accents in homes, we're now seeing designers and builders have more fun with patterns of wallpaper throughout the house."

What: Self-guided tour featuring 347 new homes throughout the Twin Cities metro.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays March 12 to April 10.

Where: A free guidebook with addresses and maps is available at area Holiday Stationstores and Kowalski's Markets. An electronic version also is available online.

Cost: Free, with the exception of five Dream Homes (St. Croix Falls, Wis., Woodbury, Maple Grove, Edina, Minnetonka), which costs $5 for an all-access pass. Proceeds from the Dream Homes will benefit Housing First Minnesota Foundation, a nonprofit that builds and remodels homes for Minnesotans in need.