Photo courtesy: Toll Brothers

The Parade of Homes is presented by the Home Builders Association of Northern Colorado, Sept. 11 to 13 & Sept. 18 to 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photo courtesy: American Legend Homes

If you are like most Coloradans, you have spent a lot of time inside your own home and very little at anyone else’s this year. If you are in the mood to get out of your house and into some of the most beautiful new construction homes in Colorado, you are in luck. NoCo HBA’s Parade of Homes is here! The event showcases the value, quality and craftsmanship of some of NoCo HBA’s best builder members. As a bonus, this year’s attendees can also visit showrooms of some of Colorado’s top vendors in the homebuilding industry.

The parade will take place over two weekends, September 11 – 13 and 18 – 20. Homes and showrooms will be open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This year there are 30 homes and showrooms. Building professionals and business owners will open their doors and welcome guests inside to enjoy their designs and products. The parade is your opportunity to see the latest design trends and newest materials in-person. Builders, realtors, remodelers and financial representatives will be at select sites answering questions.

This year will look a little different. NoCo HBA officials are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. COVID-19 precautions will be strictly enforced; including hand sanitizer available in all homes, staff and customers will practice frequent hand-washing, frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected often, social-distancing strategies will be in place including maintaining a 6-foot distance and avoiding hand shaking, and masks are mandatory inside of homes (in accordance with Colorado Executive Order D 2020 138).

The event helps support Colorado’s homebuilding industry. Colorado homebuilders had expected 2020 to be a strong year, and then came COVID-19. Colorado’s construction industry kept its doors open because of its critical infrastructure designation. Despite layoffs and a recession, the outlook is still looking positive for the homebuilding industry. According to a survey from the National Association of Home Builders, 15% of Colorado residents planned to purchase a home within the next year. These homebuyers will most likely be able to take advantage of the historically low interest rates that are expected to stick around for a while. But even with low rates, unemployment and the cost of housing are two of the biggest barriers prospective homeowners face.

Northern Colorado is currently underbuilt, meaning new construction is in demand. As current and incoming Colorado residents seek new housing, new construction will help lead the economic rebuild. Although most homebuilders will not likely meet their initial goals for the year, many are now predicting roughly 80% of their original plans.

The Parade of Homes is the perfect event for prospective homebuyers or anyone with an interest in design. Attending the event is an opportunity to get ideas and build important relationships with builders. The Parade of Homes would not be possible without the event’s generous sponsors: FNBO, StrucSure Home Warranty, Wonderland Homes, Elevations Credit Union, Alpine Lumber Company and Xfinity.

Attendees are also eligible for the FNBO $2,500 Parade of Homes Giveaway Contest prize. Every home attended is an opportunity to win. Attendees just need to enter the text-to-win information found in each home or showroom, or ‘like’ NoCo HBA or FNBO on Facebook.

After you have toured the homes remember to vote for your favorites and help select the StrucSure Home Warranty People’s Picks winners. Cast a vote for your favorite home, builder, kitchen, bathroom, neighborhood, landscaping and master suite. You can vote online at nocohba.com. Voting ends at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21.

And be sure to take advantage of additional Parade fun:
• Stop by Specialty Appliance for live cooking demos and snacks
• Tharp Cabinets will be providing snacks, drinks, goodie bags and door prizes
• Visit Bath & Kitchen Design and enter to win several giveaways including new plumbing items and luxury products
• Landmark Homes will be raffling off rounds of golf and giving out coupons for Pizza Vino
• Visit the Windmill Homes beer tent on Friday, Sept. 19 
• Lennar will be giving away a $100 gift card drawing at Mosaic and Shadow Grass locations: 458 Zeppelin Way – Fort Collins; and 1518 Otis Dr. – Longmont
• American Legend Homes will have pre-packaged snacks and beverages at their locations: 534 South 5th St. – Berthoud; 4456 Martinson Dr. – Loveland; and 2132 Glean Court – Windsor

For more information on the parade, visit www.nocohba.com/paradeofhomes.

By Nikki Giordano, Executive Officer, NoCo HBA