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Featured Stories

Featured Stories Archive

These featured stories are from previous editions of the Parade of Homes^SM guidebooks.
back to the Current Featured Stories

Click on one of the guidebook covers below to read its articles.


2009 Spring Preview	2009 Spring Remodelers Showcase


2008 Spring Preview	2008 Spring Remodelers Showcase	2008 EasyStreet	2008 Fall Showcase	2008 Fall Remodelers Showcase


2007 Spring Preview	2007 EasyStreet	2007 Fall Showcase	2007 Remodelers Showcase


2006 Spring Preview	2006 EasyStreet	2006 Fall Showcase	2006 Remodelers Showcase


2005 Spring Preview	2005 EasyStreet	2005 Fall Showcase	2005 Remodelers Showcase


2004 Spring Preview	2004 EasyStreet	2004 Fall Showcase	2004 Remodelers Showcase

2009 Spring Remodelers Showcase
The Builders Outreach Foundation...Dream Remodeled Project
Jann Fritzhuspin and Michelle Bruhn
The Builders Outreach Foundation (BOF) is the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC). Making a difference…One home at a time is BOF’s motto and they have been hard at work doing just that for more than 17 years
(click here for the whole story)

Four Fabulous Remodels
Michelle Bruhn
Whether you’re in the market for a whole house makeover or just a little cosmetic touch-up, the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase^SM is the best place to start. There’s simply no better way to discover all the opportunities remodeling has to offer than by seeing and touching real remodeling projects. Get set to visit 80 incredible remodeled homes this spring. From fabulous whole house makeovers to gracious new additions, from exciting new kitchens to gloriously finished basements, they’re all here for you to tour.
(click here for the whole story)

Choose a Professional Remodeler
Wendy Danks
When you’re ready to remodel, your first choice should be to work with a professional remodeler. Professional remodelers are in the business of managing a myriad of people and products, as well as interacting with your family on a regular basis. They must be ethical, professional, and well-trained to assure you of a job well done.
(click here for the whole story)

How to Pay For Your Spring Remodeling Project
Mike Schrader – Vice President Real Estate Lending, SPIRE Federa
As residents begin to thaw out from another long, cold Minnesota winter – minds naturally begin to dream about spring home improvement and remodeling projects. Whether the plan is to accommodate the needs of a growing family or empty-nesters converting home space as they enter a new stage in their lives, there are still financing options available to make dream projects come true.
(click here for the whole story)

Child-Friendly Remodeling
Laura Skrivseth-Orfield
Kids are a joy...and often the reason your home may need some remodeling. If you have kids, here are some great tips to help you plan your remodeling from the Professionals at Orfield Design & Construction, Inc.
(click here for the whole story)

Green Remodeling, a Wise Decision with Minnesota GreenStar - Certified Green Homes and Remodeling
Mike Williams and Wendy Danks
There are a lot of reasons to remodel your home today. Older homes often have a lot of charm and unique features, but they also are often short on storage and closet space with rooms walled off from one another. Your household may be changing with a new baby, pre-teens needing a little more privacy and space, you’re ready to cater to your needs now that yours is an empty nest. Or you could just be tired of living in a home that looks like it belongs on a TV sit com from the 80s or maybe even the 60s.
(click here for the whole story)

Operation Dream Makeover Update
Wendy Danks
Last spring we introduced you to Kyle Anderson and his family. Kyle, a decorated?Marine, was wounded while serving in Iraq in 2004. He spent months in a coma and by the time we met him in 2007 he had regained very limited movement on his right side and was learning to speak again, having mastered about 35 words.
(click here for the whole story)

2009 Spring Preview
Look for your Lifestyle, then find your Dream Home
Wendy Danks
This spring’s fabulous mini tour showcases our newest Parade of Homes^SM feature: Lifestyle searches. You’ll love visiting these ten gorgeous homes, each selected to demonstrate one of our new lifestyle categories.
(click here for the whole story)

Great Green Homes
Mike Williams and Wendy Danks
Learn more about Minnesota GreenStar - Certified Green Homes and Remodeling at this Spring's Parade of Homes^SM
(click here for the whole story)

Builders Outreach Foundation Dream Homes
Jann Fritzhuspin and Michelle Bruhn
Learn more about our charitable arm, the Builders Outreach Foundation and this spring's two fabulous Dream Homes.
(click here for the whole story)

Parade of Homes^SM ...The ONLY Tour Presented by the Professional Builder Members of the Builders Association of the Twin CIties
Wendy Danks
Choosing the right contractor is key to a successful and satisfying home building experience.
(click here for the whole story)

Marketplace
Michelle Bruhn
Hot new products are making their way in to new homes today. Check these out today.
(click here for the whole story)

Congratulations to our 60th Anniversary Parade of Homes^SM Prince and Princess
Michelle Bruhn and Wendy Danks
Last fall, as part of our 60th Anniversary celebration, we decided to bring back one of the traditions from our history — Parade of Homes^SM royalty. We'd like to introduce you to our winners!
(click here for the whole story)

Dollars and Cents
Wendy Danks and Michelle Bruhn
Buying a new home means you won’t be surprised with unexpected and expensive maintenance and repair issues.
(click here for the whole story)

Why New is Better
Wendy Danks and Michelle Bruhn
New homes are better than ever before! Really. A new home built in Minnesota today has better components, better materials, and they’re constructed in a way that is, quite simply. They’re more durable, safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.
(click here for the whole story)

Welcome to the 2009 Parade of Homes Spring Preview^SM
Mike Swanson, 2009 BATC President
Once again, the members of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities would like to welcome you to tour the best new homes in the Twin Cities on display during our 60th year hosting the Parade of Homes^SM!
(click here for the whole story)

2008 Fall Remodeler Showcase
Welcome to the 21st Annual Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase^SM
Marlene Killa
The members of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities Remodelers^SM (BATC Remodelers) welcome you to our Fall 2008 Parade of?Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM.
(click here for the whole story)

Choose a Professional?Remodeler
Wendy Danks
When you’re ready to remodel, your first choice should be to work with a professional remodeler.
(click here for the whole story)

The Builders Outreach Foundation...Making a Difference One Home at a Time
Wendy Danks and Nikki Nau
The Builders Outreach Foundation is the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), and has been constructing homes for low-income families since 1994
(click here for the whole story)

Eight Magnificent Metamorphoses
Fran Howard, Michelle Bruhn, Wendy Danks
Whether you’re in the market for a whole house makeover or just a little cosmetic touch-up, the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase^SM is the best place to start your home’s metamorphosis
(click here for the whole story)

The Greening of Minnesota’s Homes is Here...Minnesota GreenStar
Mike Williams and Wendy Danks
There’s definitely an emphasis on Green these days. As the cost of fuel is going through the roof, Global Warming concerns are rising, and landfills are no one’s idea of a great use of property, Americans are becoming Greener all the time. But what exactly is Green and why are people interested?
(click here for the whole story)

Trend Spots
Wendy Danks
Remodeling your home is about creating the right space and layout to suit your lifestyle, but it’s also about the colors, styles, shapes and textures that truly make your home your own.
(click here for the whole story)

2008 Easy Street
The 2008 Parade of Homes Easystreet^SM Features a Wide Variety of Association-Maintained Homes
Wendy Danks
This year’s Parade of Homes EasyStreet^SM is the place to shop for an association-maintained home. We’ve selected a few that represent the broad range of options for today’s home buyers.
(click here for the whole story)

Association Maintained Homes are a popular choice
Phil Bolsta and Wendy Danks
Association-maintained homes can be attached (townhomes, condominiums, row-homes, and the like) or detached (single-family), but at minimum we define them as homes that provide at least some maintenance through the development’s homeowners association.
(click here for the whole story)

2008 Spring Remodeler Showcase
Operation Dream Makeover, A Remodeling Project to say Thank You
Wendy Danks
Last fall we introduced you to Operation Dream Makeover, a remodeling project we have undertaken as a way of saying thank you to Kyle Anderson, one of the countless veterans who have sacrificed so much in service to our country. This spring we’re very excited to be able to show you the finished project, and give you an opportunity to meet the heroic young man for whom many, many companies and individuals have worked so hard over the past six months.
(click here for the whole story)

Two Dream Remodeled Homes to Benefit Builders Outreach Foundation
Wendy Danks and Michelle Bruhn
This spring you can tour two fabulous "Dream Remodeled Homes" and help the Builders Outreach Foundation continue their work helping families become homeowners. You'll be asked for a donation of $5.00 at the door of either of these fabulous homes.
(click here for the whole story)

The Builders Outreach Foundation...Making a Difference One Home at a Time
Wendy Danks
The Builders Outreach Foundation, the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), has been making a difference one home at a time by constructing homes for low-income families since 1994.
(click here for the whole story)

Welcome to the new Spring edition of the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase^SM
Marlene Killa
The members of the Builders?Association of the Twin Cities Remodelers^SM (BATC?Remodelers) welcome you our brand new Spring version of our popular Parade of?Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM.
(click here for the whole story)

2008 Spring Preview
The Builders Outreach Foundation...
Wendy Danks
The Builders Outreach Foundation, the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), has been making a difference one home at a time by constructing homes for low-income families since 1994, mostly in the Frogtown area of St. Paul.
(click here for the whole story)

Building Green: The Future is Here Today
Wendy Danks and Michelle Bruhn
This Earth Friendly Mini Tour is where you can see just what Green construction is all about.
(click here for the whole story)

Local Builders roll out Green Building Program
Fran Howard
“Green” can mean different things to different people.
(click here for the whole story)

New Home Neighborhoods Sampler
Michelle Bruhn
Local developers have taken the pulse of Twin Citians, and while our pulses are ever quickening in the work world, architectural designers have focused on ways to help us all breathe easy at home, where the heart of the midwest lies.
(click here for the whole story)

Homeownership - Still the American Dream
www.openthedoortc.com
Owning their own home is a goal most Americans continue to strive for, but in today’s economy many families are wondering if things have changed.
(click here for the whole story)

Mission Impossible: Trying to Sell Your Home in a Buyer’s Market
Kelly Lucente
So, you have your home for sale. How’s it going so far? Any offers? If the answer is no, you’re not alone. As of the end of October 2007, there were 34,042 homes on the market just in the Twin Cities alone and this statistic does not include homes that are available “for sale by owner.”
(click here for the whole story)

2007 Fall Showcase
Welcome to the 2007 Parade of Homes Fall Showcase^SM
Michael Noonan
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities is proud to present the 2007 Parade of Homes Fall Showcase^SM. This is the 59th year that the local Builders Association has presented the Parade of Homes^SM, and it’s still the best way for you to choose a new home, select a home builder, and to see the latest designs, styles, finishes, materials and products for your own home.
(click here for the whole story)

Marketplace
Wendy Danks
New Products You'll Love!
(click here for the whole story)

Owners’ Suites: A Soothing Spaces Mini-Tour
Wendy Danks and Michelle Bruhn
Relax. Rejuvenate. Rekindle a little romance. This is what a great owners’ suite is all about. And, this fall we wanted to give you a peek into how today’s new homes are serving up all three, beautifully.
(click here for the whole story)

Sleeping Chamber Comforts
Fran Howard
If there’s one space in the home that owners can call their own, it’s the appropriately dubbed owner’s suite, a place where after a grueling day of meetings, kids, and traffic, a person can retreat, relax, and rejuvenate.
(click here for the whole story)

Five Great Reasons To Buy Now
Wendy Danks
A new home is always a great investment, but in today’s “buyers market,” it’s better than ever. Here are just five reasons why you really should make the decision to buy now:
(click here for the whole story)

The Builders Outreach Foundation...Making a Difference One Home at a Time
Wendy Danks
The Builders Outreach Foundation, the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), has been making a difference one home at a time by constructing homes for low-income families, mostly in the Frogtown area of St. Paul since 1994. The Foundation has completed homes within a few block radius for over a dozen families who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the benefits of homeownership. They have helped improve the neighborhood in the process.
(click here for the whole story)

Sample some of the Twin Cities’ Exceptional Neighborhoods
Lucie B. Amundsen
There’s more to finding your perfect dream home than choosing a style, design and floor plan. Like the old adage says, it’s all about location, location, location, and today’s new neighborhoods have a lot more to offer than a great school district. You can find communities that offer an incredible array of amenities from community centers and pools to putting greens and picnic areas. You can also find boutique neighborhoods that will fulfill your desire for an idyllic wooded enclave, a bustling urban streetscape, or just about anything in between.
(click here for the whole story)

Introducing Minnesota GreenStar - Certified Green Homes and Remodeling
James Vagle
Green building is no longer a practice reserved for a niche' market of industry professionals and consumers. The concept of green building, which applies innovative design and construction techniques and development practices to conserve energy and other resources and improve occupant health and durability, is moving into the mainstream throughout the country.
(click here for the whole story)

Welcome to the Wild Wild Mid-West
Scott Hayne
Oh the doom and gloom continues! Just when the housing market was poised to regain its balance, along comes the troubled sub prime mortgage industry to yank the rug out from under its feet. Scandalous behavior by unethical mortgage brokers and guideline savvy borrowers led to double digit foreclosure rates and have forced lenders to pile their money into safes and do their best to prevent anyone from buying a home.
(click here for the whole story)

Taming the Maintenance Monster
Tracey Gundersen
Go ahead, admit it. Like most people, the thought of new home maintenance sounds like too much work, right?
(click here for the whole story)

A Home for all Seasons … of your Life
Scott Hayne
Just 10 years ago, this guidebook was full of 4,000 square foot homes, many of them occupied by small families, or even just married couples with no kids. With so much space for so few inhabitants, the homes featured rooms knowingly designed to be used perhaps only once a year. Formal dining rooms, formal sitting rooms, and even master suite libraries were included seemingly for lack of something better to do with all that space.
(click here for the whole story)

2007 Remodelers Showcase
Welcome to the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase^SM
Marlene Killa
The members of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities Remodelers^SM (BATC Remodelers^SM) welcome you to our 20th anniversary edition of the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase^SM. This national award-winning remodeled home tour lets you see firsthand the most and best remodeling projects in the Twin Cities. Whether you’re looking for ideas, looking for a remodeler, or looking for an enjoyable afternoon, I am certain you’ll be amazed and inspired by this year’s entries.
(click here for the whole story)

Remodelers Look Back: Strides in 20 Years
Carla Waldemar
How has the remodeling industry changed? We asked four remodelers who were part of the very first Remodelers Showcase^SM in 1988 to tell us what they’ve seen over the past two decades.
(click here for the whole story)

The Builders Outreach Foundation: Making a Difference One Home at a Time
Wendy Danks and Michelle Bruhn
The Builders Outreach Foundation, the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), has been making a difference one home at a time by constructing homes for low-income families, mostly in the Frogtown area of St. Paul since 1994. The Foundation has completed homes within a few-block radius for over a dozen families who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the benefits of homeownership. They have helped improve the neighborhood in the process.
(click here for the whole story)

Operation Dream Makeover: A Remodeled Home to Say “Thank You.”
Wendy Danks
Every day thousands of courageous American men and women stand in harms way as they serve in America’s armed services. As this war takes its toll on so many families, the members of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and its charitable arm, the Builders Outreach Foundation wanted to find a way to offer our thanks and to honor the service and sacrifice of so many. When we met Kyle Anderson, we knew we had found a way.
(click here for the whole story)

Introducing Minnesota GreenStar, Certified Green Homes and Remodeling
Corey Brinkema
With the first green certification for remodelers in the nation, Minnesota is leading the way to encourage homeowners to choose more efficient, healthy, and environmentally-sensitive design and construction practices for their homes. See the first home to be remodeled under the MN GreenStar Pilot Program during the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase^SM and ask your remodeler about certifying your project under the MN GreenStar program.
(click here for the whole story)

Professional Remodelers, The Smart Choice
Wendy Danks
When you’re ready to remodel, your first choice should be to work with a professional remodeler. Professional remodelers are in the business of providing a service that involves numerous products, dozens of people, and interacting with your family on a regular basis. They must be ethical, professional, and well-trained to assure you of a job well done.
(click here for the whole story)

2007 EasyStreet
Welcome to the fifth annual Parade of Homes EasyStreet^SM!
Michael Noonan
The Parade of Homes EasyStreet^SM is a very special new home tour just for those of you who really do want to live on Easy Street. Here is where you’ll enjoy all benefits of homeownership while avoiding a lot of the hassle. Every EasyStreet^SM home on the tour has lawn care and snow removal provided through its homeowners association (and in many cases many other services).
(click here for the whole story)

Choices Galore on EasyStreet
Lucie B. Amundsen
This season’s easy living options run the gamut offering handsome choices for nearly every lifestyle and budget. There are new construction options for those looking for chic and urban living, luxury in coveted communities, styles that throw the cookie cutter away and even a good deal or two. And their locations are as varied as the missions these homes are built to carry out. So grab your EasyStreet Guide and come see the latest in Twin Cities has to offer in maintenance-free living.
(click here for the whole story)

Notice & Opportunity to Repair ... Communications is Key
Tracey Gundersen
Recently, Minnesota adopted a Notice and Opportunity to Repair (NOR) law to assist consumers and homebuilders in finding resolution to consumer defect complaints. The law, two years in the making, provides a fair, equitable process both the home building industry and consumers. The following gives you a general outlook on NOR. In no way is this intended to replace legal interpretations or legal counsel's advice.
(click here for the whole story)

A Brush with Style
Carter Averbeck
Just as the styles of fashion change, so do the styles of interior design - including what your walls are dressed in. A decorative painter can help you attain a look for your walls that is as comfortable as your favorite piece of clothing.
(click here for the whole story)

The Best of 50+ Design and Marketing Awards
Wendy Danks
Fueled by the entrance of baby boomers into the already hot active adult market, the 50+ housing market is the fastest growing segment of the home building industry. As this market expands, the design criteria for active adult and senior housing is changing to better meet the needs of this consumer group.
(click here for the whole story)

Dressed-up lighting
Marcia Jedd
Lighting schemes are bold and varied to impart drama and contribute to décor.
(click here for the whole story)

Unique Art on a Budget
Scott Hayne
Let me paint a picture. No not that kind of picture, trust me – it is best I stick to writing. I mean a not so hypothetical picture; a scenario with which you may be all too familiar. Perhaps you just graduated from the status of renter, or the kids have moved out and you don’t need all that space.
(click here for the whole story)

2007 Spring Preview
Memories are Made of This...Follow the dots to our three Kitchen Mini-Tours
Wendy Danks
The Kitchen...it truly is the heart of your home. It’s where many of your most treasured memories are made. Do you remember your first breakfast together when neither of you noticed the burned toast and undercooked eggs? Or how about when dad re-lived your first big midget hockey win with you, play by play, over hot chocolate and cookies? Maybe it was sitting down with mom and a midnight snack while you told her all about your first date. And, of course, it’s where you pass on favorite family traditions, like the proper lefse-rolling technique or how to make grandma’s perfect chile.
(click here for the whole story)

New Products for Your Kitchen
Wendy Danks
We've collected several cool new kitchen products you'll want to check out!
(click here for the whole story)

Welcome to the 2007 Parade of Homes Spring Preview^SM
Michael Noonan
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities is proud to present the 2007 Parade of Homes Spring Preview^SM. In its 59th year, the Parade of HomesSM is truly the best way for you to choose a new home, select a home builder, and to see what’s new in styles, finishes, materials and products for your own home!
(click here for the whole story)

Mortgages Made Easy
David Welsch
There are many steps to purchasing a new home….finding that “perfect” home in the country, finding a neighborhood that suits your personal tastes, or that condo with the million-dollar view. It is a challenging yet rewarding process. One thing that does not have to be a challenge is being prepared from a financial perspective. Hopefully in this brief primer I can shed some light on the few factors I would consider when getting prepared to purchase a home. Actually, it is quite simple!
(click here for the whole story)

A Glimpse into Your Future Kitchen
Wendy Danks
Today’s kitchens are smart and beautiful. So what do the experts think tomorrow’s kitchen will look like? Most sources say the kitchen of the future will be just as beautiful, but a whole lot smarter.
(click here for the whole story)

HOT TRENDS FOR COOL KITCHENS
Wendy Danks
Today’s kitchens are a lot more than just a place to cook meals, they really are the heart of most homes. They’re roomier, more interesting, and better equipped than ever before. So, we checked with some experts around the country to find some of the hottest new kitchen trends to share with you. Read on!
(click here for the whole story)

See What’s New with Neighborhoods!
Jane McClain
The Twin City area is filled with variety. Parks, playgrounds, lakes, and rivers—the Mississippi being the queen—provide opportunities for relaxation and fun. From sports teams to live theatre, we have plenty to entertain us. Zoos, museums, and the Minnesota Arboretum educate us enjoyably. Variety comes in housing choices also. You’ll find condominiums, townhomes, and single family homes in a wide price range. Find your home in the center of a city, in a suburb, or a small town. You’re invited to look, to visit, and to choose.
(click here for the whole story)

The Builders Outreach Foundation...Making a Difference One Home at a Time
Wendy Danks
The Builders Outreach Foundation, the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), has been making a difference one home at a time by constructing homes for low-income families, mostly in the Frogtown area of St. Paul since 1994. The Foundation has completed homes within a few block radius for over a dozen families who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the benefits of homeownership. They have helped improve the neighborhood in the process.
(click here for the whole story)

Singles' Match
Carla Waldemar
Not so long ago, the typical homebuyers were Mom and Dad with their two-point-something kids. But in recent years, the make-up of the “typical American household” hasn’t been quite so typical anymore. The most recent U.S. census reports that unmarried adults now outnumber their married counterparts. What hasn’t changed, though, is our yearning for a place to call our own. Single folks are buying homes.
(click here for the whole story)

2006 Remodelers Showcases
2006 Remodelors Showcase^SM
Wendy Danks
If your home isn’t quite right, the Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM should be first on your to-do list. There’s simply no better way to discover how remodeling really can transform a home that doesn’t work into one that’s just perfect for its family.
(click here for the whole story)

Hot Kitchen Colors and Materials
Jane McClain
Today there is a wider variety of choices for kitchens than ever before. From copper sinks to Japanese sea grass flooring; from cupboards that are beaten to make them look old to refrigerators with glass doors; from all white kitchens to colorful tiles on a backsplash; the choice is yours.
(click here for the whole story)

Kitchens Take On New Heights
Marcia Jedd
Today’s kitchens show off style and set their own space with natural lighting and specialized storage.
(click here for the whole story)

The 2006 Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM
Ali Awad
Welcome to the biggest tour of remodeled homes anywhere!
(click here for the whole story)

2006 Fall Showcase
Marketplace
Wendy Danks
Check out some great new products for homes today.
(click here for the whole story)

SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER
Phil Bolsta
How to organize your stuff and maximize storage in your new home
(click here for the whole story)

Set the Stage: Boost your current home’s resale potential
Wendy Danks with Deanna Ryan and Lori Matzke
You’ve toured dozens of Parade Homes^SM. You’ve interviewed builders, strolled neighborhoods, and negotiated must-have features with your spouse. Now, you’ve found your perfect, new dream home. But there’s still one more thing to do: find a buyer for your current residence.
(click here for the whole story)

Fashionable Homes Are Wearing Green
Carla Waldemar
It’s keen to be green. In the dialogue between builder, architect, manufacturer and home owner, that’s one thing all can agree on. What was once viewed as a freaky practice advocated by hemp-clad hippies and eco-zealots waving “Repent or Perish” signs has moved from far-out to all-out, driven in part by rising energy costs, forecasts of global shortages, looming threats of blackouts, dependency on foreign oil, and health issues stemming from indoor air quality. Green building is inching its way into the mainstream as we look to the future.
(click here for the whole story)

The Outlook on Exteriors
Lucie B. Amundsen
The high price of oil isn’t just pushing up prices at the pump; it’s changing the look of our houses.
(click here for the whole story)

The Builders Outreach Foundation...Making a Difference One Home at a Time
Wendy Danks
The Builders Outreach Foundation, the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), has been making a difference one home at a time by constructing homes for low-income families, mostly in the Frogtown area of St. Paul since 1994.
(click here for the whole story)

Neighborhoods You’ll Want to See
Jane McClain
Options for living are expanding in the Twin Cities. From having woods, prairie, and rivers right out your door to tree-lined streets and a panorama of downtown Minneapolis, your choices are growing. From urban lofts to suburban single family homes and town houses to plenty of land in the exurbs and country, you’re sure to find a home you’d love.
(click here for the whole story)

A Perfect Match
Wendy Danks and Chris Williamson
In today’s marketplace, finding a new home that’s a perfect match to your family’s wants and needs, style and tastes, budget and location requirements is easier than ever. That’s especially true when you start with the Parade of Homes^SM.
(click here for the whole story)

Welcome to the 2006 Parade of Homes Fall Showcase^SM
Curt Swanson
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities is proud to present the 2006 Parade of Homes Fall Showcase^SM
(click here for the whole story)

2006 EasyStreet
The Association Maintained Handbook
Scott Hayne
If one were to reflect back on the past several decades of home ownership, it would reveal that as the years change, so do the trends. These trends occur in the types of homes people build, where they build their homes, and even the way they live in those homes. Ramblers gave way to split-levels, then to modified two-stories, and now it seems it is all about urban condos.
(click here for the whole story)

Boomers Demand the Best
Carla Waldemar
“Grow old along with me/The Best is yet to be….” penned poet Robert Browning, but those lines could just as easily have been tapped out on the computer screen of a baby boomer. They’ve earned the good life, and they’re ready to cash in on that reward.
(click here for the whole story)

Media Rooms: Plugged In for New Technology
Marcia Jedd
First-time townhome buyers to luxury high-rise condo dwellers want high-tech spaces. High-speed Internet access, cable, satellite and more converge in the media room.
(click here for the whole story)

Indoor Plants for Green and Brown Thumbs
Jane McClain
Today’s association-maintained homes usually include beautifully landscaped grounds, some even include individual or common area garden space. But it is Minnesota with our six months of white or brown landscapes. For this issue of the Parade of Homes EasyStreet^SM guidebook, we asked Jane McClain to provide an indoor plant primer so that even those of us with truly brown thumbs can select the right houseplants to liven up our indoor spaces.
(click here for the whole story)

Life really is sweet on EasyStreet...Take a look!
Wendy Danks
When you want a great home but prefer to leave the yard work and snow removal to the professionals, then the Parade of Homes EasyStreet^SM is just for you!
(click here for the whole story)

Welcome to the fourth annual Parade of Homes EasyStreet^SM!
Curt Swanson, 2006 BATC President
The Parade of Homes EasyStreet^SM is a very special new home tour just for those of you who really do want to live on Easy Street.
(click here for the whole story)

2006 Spring Preview
Colors for Kids
Jane McClain
“Life is colour and warmth and light.” Julian Grenfell
“A can of paint is the last thing to buy,” Steve Ingersol, Color Specialist and Trainer at Hirshfield’s says. Before picking out paint, Ingersol suggests we do our homework.
(click here for the whole story)

Builder, Remodeler, and Associate of the Year Awarded
Wendy Danks
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities is Pleased to Present: J. B. Woodfitter & Associates, LLC, 2006 Builder of the Year; New Spaces, 2006 Remodeler of the Year; and Pro Drywall & Painting,2006 Associate of the Year
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Why Buy New? Benefits of New Construction
Scott Hayne
It seems that everywhere you turn these days; there is a new community popping out of the ground. If one were so inclined to swing a deceased feline, odds are you might hit a new home under construction.
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LET THERE BE LIGHT...Fun and functional lighting features and fixtures
Phil Bolsta
If Mad Magazine icon Alfred E. Neuman built a new home, his attitude would likely be, “Watt, Me Worry?” Big mistake, Alfred. Lighting options for your new home are indeed something to worry about—unless you choose the worry-free route of working with a knowledgeable lighting professional.
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Kitchen Connections
Kim Albrightson
The idea that your environment should reflect who you are, creating the perfect, comfortable, functional place for you and your family is an underlying message within my SHUKKA® philosophy. When it comes to your kitchen, we want to look at not only how you organize, store, prep, cook, serve, and clean, but we also analyze how you interact with your family while you are embarking on these tasks.
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Some Like it Hot…Like These Hot Bath Trends
Lucie Amundsen
If your bathroom isn’t hot, it could be. Homeowners are choosing baths that exude the cozy heat we yearn for during our long winters and chilly springs. Radiant floors, towel heating racks, steam bath inserts, and even gas fireplaces can bring a little August to your February.
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What’s New In New Home Customer Service?
Tracey Gundersen
Convenience Comes Home With Trend Setting Warranty Services
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The Builders Outreach Foundation...Features Two Dream Homes
Wendy Danks
The Builders Outreach Foundation, the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), has been making a difference one home at a time by constructing homes for low-income families, mostly in the Frogtown area of St. Paul since 1994.
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Neighborhoods on Parade
Nate Duoss
The Twin Cities metropolitan area is a beautiful area to live and work; full of activities and amenities unique to the region.
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Clearly, the Choice is Yours
Wendy Danks
Choosing a home today is about a lot more than finding the right price in the right location. Style, size, layout, home features, and neighborhood amenities are as varied as the families that will live there.
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2005 Remodelers Showcases
Choose a Professional Remodeler
Wendy Danks
When you’re ready to remodel, your first choice should be to work with a professional remodeler.
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SENSATIONAL SURFACES FOR REMODELING
Lucie Amundsen
Selecting new surfaces for one’s remodeling project can be a project all its own. The marketplace offers a dizzying assortment of countertop, tile, and flooring choices all with varying grades and price points within each category. So with all these options, where are suppliers seeing consumer interest?
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Bringing Light into Your Home
Jane McClain
“Light is the first of painters.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Light enhances the colors and details you’ve chosen for your home, so bring in the light in a variety of ways. The most obvious way is through windows.
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The Builders Outreach Foundation...Dream Remodeled Home
Wendy Danks
One fabulous remodeled home will help raise money to build homes for families who couldn't otherwise afford one — and help victims of Hurricane Katrina. You donate $5.00 to the Builders Outreach Foundation Dream Remodeled Home during the Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase Making a Difference One Home at a Time^SM and one half will go to the Foundation's work, and one-half will be matched by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and go to help hurricane victims.
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See What’s Possible in The 2006 Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM
Wendy Danks
If you’re thinking about remodeling, there’s simply no better way to help you see the possibilities than to tour the Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM. This year you can visit 98 real remodeled homes. See gorgeous gourmet kitchens, luxurious baths, open and inviting living spaces, glorious decks, elegant conservatories, finely-finished basements, and lots more. Here’s where you can find out how professional remodelers can transform a not-quiet-right residence into a homeowne’rs dream.
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2005 Fall Showcase
Bathroom Design: Basics to Bathing
by Kim Albrightson
In designing a home, quite possibly the most challenging space is the bathroom. There are so many functions and fixtures, storage requirements and adjacency issues; it may seem nearly impossible to fit all of those things into one of the smallest rooms in the house. Proportionately this room serves the most purposes within the smallest amount of square footage making planning the critical first step toward the creation of this space.
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OPPORTUNITY'S STILL KNOCKING
Buying a Home Is a Smart Long-term Investment
By Phil Bolsta
What goes up must come down, right? Not when it comes to housing values. Over the last few years, home values have risen so fast so quickly-prices in the Twin Cities rose 9.67 percent in 2004, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight-that some industry analysts have been covering their ears in anticipation of a bursting price bubble.
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See Something Special
by BATC
The Parade of Homes^sm is where the region's top builders really get to show off their talents. You can always find lots of great design, exceptional craftsmanship, cool neighborhoods, and top value on the tour. You can often find some pretty unique homes too. This fall, we wanted to tell you about a few homes that do offer something a little different. We've got concrete and timber framed homes, active senior living condos, a home that will be auctioned for charity, and a first for Habitat for Humanity. Take a look at these really special homes this fall during the Parade of Homes^sm.
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Dream Homes
by The Builders Outreach Foundation...Making a Difference One Ho
The Builders Outreach Foundation, the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), has been making a difference one home at a time by constructing homes for low-income families, mostly in the Frogtown area of St. Paul since 1994. The Foundation has renovated one home, constructed two owner-occupied duplexes, and five new single-family homes along the 600 block of Edmund Avenue. Another new single-family home will begin construction soon a few blocks away on Western Avenue.
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See the Possibilities
by Wendy Danks and Joan Knight
With 1,126 homes and neighborhoods of all shapes, sizes, locations and prices to see during the 2005 Parade of Homes Fall Showcase^sm, virtually everyone can find the home of their dreams. There's just nowhere else where you can find so many different homes from so many builders, all open for you to tour free of charge.
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Welcome to the 2005 Parade of Homes Fall Showcase^sm
by Doug Nelson
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities is proud to present the 2005 Parade of Homes Fall Showcase^sm. In its 58th year, the Parade of Homes^sm is truly the best way for you to choose a new home, select a home builder, or find out what's new and exciting for your own home!
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2005 EasyStreet
Cooking the EasyStreet Way
Wendy Danks & BATC Members
Ahh, the EasyStreet life. Forget the yard work and spend time on your hobbies or in the neighborhood pool. Skip the snow-blowing and hit the community center for a game of cards. Give up ever having to clean the gutters when the golf course is calling. And come dinner time, restaurants and take-out are right around the corner.
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Living is Easy on EasyStreet ... Here’s Just a Sampling
Wendy Danks & Joan Knight
This year’s Parade of Homes EasyStreet^SM has a fabulous array of association-maintained homes in all shapes, sizes and locations. Want an urban loft? We have them! Looking for an affordable first home? Look no further! Seeking the perfectly appointed detached townhome? Take your pick! You’ll find traditional townhomes, historic row homes, expansive villa homes and lots more. And they’re located all across the Twin Cities.
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The City Life
Scott Hayne
Forget about the “Twin Cities.” According to the National Census Bureau, we are the “Tri Cities” and well on our way to becoming a metropolis sprawling from St. Cloud to Eau Claire and from Forest Lake to Rochester. Many homeowners are defining new suburbs as they move to further outlying communities in search of less expensive lots. As the population distribution shifts, employers, retailers, and service providers follow, creating new urban centers in areas such as Maple Grove, Apple Valley, Blaine, and even Hudson, WI.
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Association Maintained Housing Trends
Kelly Lucente
All right people, enough with the heroism. We know a lot of you macho types don’t think you’re a real homeowner unless you’ve fallen off your own roof while trying to clean out your gutters. But let’s be put things in perspective for a moment, this isn’t Arizona. We have a little more to worry about than just making sure that the chlorine in the pool is at the right level.
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2005 Spring Preview
A Tasty Selection of Homes and Neighborhoods in the 2005 Parade of Homes Spring Preview^SM
Wendy Danks
While you won’t be able to see all 1,173 homes and neighborhoods on the 2004 Parade of Homes Spring Preview^SM, here’s a sampling to whet your appetite.
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Two Dream Homes Featured
Wendy Danks
The Builders Outreach Foundation once again is hosting two fabulous Dream Homes during the Parade of Homes^SM this spring.
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How Can I Get What I See on TV:
Jane McClain
How to Make Great Decorating and Selection Choices
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Romance in the Master Bedroom
Kim Albrightson
Local architectural designer and design consultant, Kim Albrightson has coined the term Shukka^SM to describe her holistic approach to home design. Shukka^SM principles literally save time by creating more function with less space that is comfortable, energizing, and beautiful. We’ve asked her to share some of her concepts in this and upcoming columns.
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DESIGNING A TREND-FRIENDLY HOME
Phil Bolsta
How builders are integrating consumers’ values and passions into dream homes
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2004 Remodelers Showcase
Dream Remodel Project 2004
Wendy Danks
Dream Remodeled Home in the 2004 Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM... A great way for you to help us make homeownership a reality for low income families is by visiting the Builders Outreach Foundation’s Dream Remodeled Home during the Remodelors Showcase^SM.
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Remodeled, and Glad About It
Carla Waldemar
Four of the families whose remodeled homes are featured in this year’s Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM share their remodeling experiences with us.
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Snapshots from the 2004 Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM
Wendy Danks
With 89 remodeling projects on tour, this year’s Remodelors Showcase^SM is bigger and better than ever.
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Welcome to the 2004 Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase^SM
Shawn Nelson
The Remodelors Showcase^SM is a national award-winning home tour that allows you to see first hand the best remodeling projects in the Twin Cities.
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Looking for featured stories from current Parade of Homes^SM guidebook?
view the Current Featured Stories