10 Helpful Tips to Keep in Mind as You Tour the 2016 Parade of Homes
The countdown has begun for the 2016 Metropolitan Builders Association (MBA) Parade of Homes. You are only a couple of weeks away from being able to experience 20 new homes built by the best Wisconsin home builders, including the Dakota, built by yours truly.
This year’s Parade of Homes features homes in both the Windrush subdivision located in Hartland and the Weyerhaven subdivision in Menomonee Falls and will run Saturday, August 13 through Monday, September 5.
In order for you to have the best Parade of Homes experience and see the latest in home building design, decorating, and home building techniques and technologies, it is important to keep these helpful tips in mind to make sure it is as informative and enjoyable as it should be.
Tip #1: Wear comfortable shoes.
Although it’s the season for flips flops, you will be doing quite a bit of walking around Windrush and Weyerhaven subdivisions. The more comfortable shoes, the better. Also keep in mind that since these are beautiful, brand new homes, you will be asked to take your shoes off when you enter. Something that can easily be slipped off and on will work to your benefit. Some people also prefer to wear socks in the house rather than go barefoot – so no holes! If you don’t want to remove your shoes, stylish little booties will be provided to wear over your shoes.
Tip #2: Plan Enough Time
Viewing 20 different homes can definitely be a time commitment. Plan ahead by keeping the day clear of other appointments or errands and, although all family members are welcome, if you have children, you may want to consider other arrangements for them. This will allow you to focus on what you are there for. You won’t have to worry about scooting out to get somewhere else or keeping children entertained.
Tip #3: Take Two Days to Tour
If you want to break up the time commitment or just want to ensure you have enough time at each house, consider going to the sites on two different days. Your ticket is good through the duration of the parade. The tickets have a tear off for each site, so you don’t have to feel pressured to hit both subdivisions on one day – please note however that you can only visit a single subdivision once per ticket. Also, if you want to avoid the rush, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are quieter days during the parade. Using these days to your advantage will ensure you can take your time and soak it all in.
Tip #4: Come Prepared for The Elements
Since you will be moving about the subdivisions during an unpredictable Wisconsin summer, it is a good idea to have an umbrella on hand for rain and some bottled water to help stay hydrated. Please note that other drinks and food are not permitted in the models.
Tip #5: Plan for Parking
If possible, plan ahead for parking. Due to the popularity of the Parade and that fact that these homes are located in subdivisions, street parking is limited. You may be asked to park on the grass in a field. When deciding on whether to take the two-door low to the ground sports car or SUV, you may want to opt for the SUV which has a bit more room for clearance.
Tip #6: Don’t Miss Out
If there is a house(s) you have your heart set on seeing, make sure you see it during official Parade of Homes hours. Some of the homes will be for sale or open models following the official Parade, but many have already been sold or were custom built with a family ready to move in. Viewing these homes following the Parade will not be possible.
Tip #7: Get a Sneak Peak
To get a sneak peak at the houses of this year’s Parade, you can get an advanced copy of the official MBA Parade of Homes Plan Book. Visit www.mbaparadeofhomes.com to see locations of where you can pick up your copy. You can also purchase tickets in advance through the website, saving $2 on each adult ticket.
Tip #8: Keep Your Ticket Stub
Remember to keep your parade ticket stub. The stub will serve as your free ticket to the MBA Parade of Remodeled Homes September 10-11. You’ll enjoy a scattered site tour of some of the areas most impressive remodeling projects.
Tip #9: Visit the other Vendors
If you are building or just dreaming of building, the Parade of Homes can be a really fun adventure. However, much of the value is getting to meet some of our other members who have affordable products and services for remodeling, updating or caring for your current home. Be sure to visit the vendors scattered in tents throughout both Parade sites.
Tip #10: Respect the Builder’s Photography Rules
While it’s tempting to snap a photo with your smart phone, be sure to check inside each home to see if the builder allows photography. At Demlang Builders, we have two schools of thought – 1.) We allow photography and would love it if you take and share photos of your favorite Demlang home features on social media, but 2.) Also believe in “unplugging” from time to time. Sometimes the best way to experience a home is to just enjoy walking around it – soaking in the floorpan and features without the distraction of a smartphone. That’s why we post extensive photos of our models on our website later, so you can come back later, browse, pin, post and share to your hearts content!
We hope these helpful tips will come in handy as you visit this year’s Parade of Homes. We promise you will not be disappointed and we look forward to seeing you at our model – the Dakota. If you would like additional information on the Parade, please visit www.mbaparadeofhomes.com.
