Presented by the Home Builders Association of Northern Colorado, Sept. 18 – 20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
The events of 2020 have changed the landscape of life in America. COVID-19 quickly made many people realize the limitations of urban areas. Many bigger cities with higher population densities and less access to the outdoors saw longer, tighter restrictions. Suburban and rural areas give people more access to space and the ability to socially distance more effectively. People were drawn away from the hustle and bustle of the big city to the prospect of a quiet home in the country in states like Colorado.
The trend of moving from more populated areas to less dense areas is a trend Colorado has already been experiencing. In recent years, Northern Colorado created more jobs at an annual percentage than the Denver Market, according to John Covert, a director at Metrostudy. In March 2020, Weld and Larimer counties reached a peak labor force of 290,000. With increased activity home prices are rising in Larimer County, while Weld County prices have remained a little steadier.
The homebuilding industry is not able to keep up with the influx of new people. Northern Colorado entered 2020 underbuilt. Most new homes under construction are single-family homes and that is exactly what people are looking for especially in the wake of the pandemic. The coronavirus hit multifamily homes significantly more than single-family, especially apartments. Sales for these types of units are expected to be down more than 20% this year.
The pandemic might also leave a lasting mark on hom
e design. People are not necessarily looking for more square footage, however they are looking to allocate space to home gyms and offices. Although it was originally forced by COVID-19, many employers now realized the benefits and possibilities of employees doing part-time or full-time remote work. With this shift in work, homeowners realize the importance of having a dedicated office space that allows them to be more productive and efficient while at home.
And with mask and social distancing requirements, gyms are not looking quite as appealing to many. But that does not mean they are willing to sacrifice their health. Many people are looking to create their own gyms, especially with the booming popularity of virtual workout class options. Companies that sell workout equipment are facing backlogs and demand they have not seen before. People are doing what they can by putting treadmills in the bedroom and bikes in the living room. But this trend toward at-home gyms are making people rethink the way they look at bonus rooms or extra space.
The annual Parade of Homes is an opportunity for people to get inspiration for space and more. If you are looking for a home to purchase, staging and décor inspiration, or just want to spend the day viewing what our local builders have to offer, the parade is always packed with inspiration and enjoyment.
Whether this is your first Parade of Homes or you’re an annual attendee, here are some tips and tricks to help you have a successful experience.
Essentials Checklist
Before you hit the road be sure to stock the car with water and snacks. Also, check that you have sunglasses, a phone charger and extra layer of clothes for pop up Colorado summer storms.
Pick Your Playlist
You’re going to be on the road most of the day, make your drive time enjoyable with a playlist of your favorite tunes!
Bring a Friend
Brighten your day by bringing a friend! Sharing your opinions and inspiration from all the beautiful homes you visit is an even more special experience.
Plan a Route
There are 30 homes and showrooms in the Parade this year. In order to make the most of your day we highly recommend planning a route. Start with your “must see” homes. Don’t worry – if you don’t get to all of your homes in one day you can split your route up into two days or even two weekends as the Parade takes place Sept. 12-13 and Sept. 19-20.
Budget Your Time
Since there are many homes to see and only two weekends to do so, we suggest setting a time limit for every home you visit. A good amount of time is about 20 minutes.
Be a Judge
This year’s Parade of Homes invites you to be a judge and cast your vote in the virtual People’s Picks categories. Come with your best viewing eyes and make notes of your favorite rooms, finishes, overall homes and more!
Safety First
Assure that you’re ready to safely parade the day away with a mask, hand sanitizer and social distancing practices in mind. Each home will adhere to local and state COVID-19 mandates and encourage all these forms of safety protocols to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Shoes Off, Shoes On
It’s polite home visiting etiquette to either wear shoe booties or to take your shoes off. To make things easy, wear shoes that are easy to slip off and, on all day, or ones that you’re okay placing booties over.
Follow the Red Balloon
As you are traveling from house to house, keep an eye out for large balloons in the sky. These help you locate the homes. Many new communities don’t register on GPS quite yet, so these big red balloons will help you find your destination.
Stay Connected
Take photos and tag the builders on social media. Share your photos so they can hear about what you liked in their homes, and maybe even get featured on their page!
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s Parade of Homes.
Win Big FNBO is giving away $2,500 to one lucky attendee! Visit all 30 Parade entries for multiple chances to win!
For more information, visit: www.nocohba.com/paradeofhomes.
By Nikki Giordano, Executive Officer, NoCo HBA
