The Parade of Homes Twin Cities returns this September, offering Minnesota families an unparalleled opportunity to explore hundreds of newly built and remodeled homes across the Twin Cities metro. Running September 5-28, 2025, every Friday through Sunday from 12-6 p.m., this free, self-guided tour showcases everything from budget-friendly models to luxury custom designs.
Whether you're a first-time homebuyer gathering ideas or an established family considering a custom build in Prior Lake or Lakeville, the Parade of Homes serves as your comprehensive inspiration resource. Here's how to maximize your experience and transform those weekend tours into actionable plans for your dream home.
Why should you attend the Parade of Homes this year? With over 75 years of tradition, the Parade has evolved into a showcase of residential innovation, design trends, and construction excellence. This year's event promises to display the latest in home technology, energy efficiency solutions, and design aesthetics that reflect how families actually live.
The 2025 Parade will feature:
For families considering custom acreage homes in Prior Lake, the Parade offers invaluable insight into how luxury features translate to real-world living.
What should you do before visiting Parade homes? Successful home tours require strategic preparation to maximize your time and capture actionable insights.
Create Your Route Strategy: The Parade spans the entire Twin Cities metro, so planning your route prevents wasted time driving between distant locations. Group homes by geographic area and prioritize based on your specific interests and timeline.
Define Your Goals: Are you gathering general inspiration, researching specific features, or seriously considering building? Your goals determine which homes deserve the most attention and what questions to ask.
Research Participating Builders: Understanding each builder's specialties, price ranges, and construction methods helps you focus on the most relevant homes. Companies like Moderno Construction Management specialize in custom acreage builds and project management approaches that differ significantly from traditional production builders.
Which features deserve the most attention during Parade tours? Focus on elements that significantly impact daily living, long-term satisfaction, and resale value.
How do families actually move through these spaces? Pay attention to traffic patterns, natural lighting, and how rooms connect. The best custom homes feature layouts designed around family lifestyles rather than architectural trends.
Consider these critical layout elements:
What construction details reveal builder quality? Look beyond surface finishes to assess fundamental construction quality that impacts long-term satisfaction.
Key quality indicators include:
Modern homes increasingly integrate smart technology for security, energy management, and convenience. Observe how successfully builders integrate these systems without overwhelming the home's aesthetic or functionality.
What should you ask builders during Parade visits? The right questions reveal crucial information about construction processes, timelines, and costs.
About Their Process:
About Customization:
About Local Expertise:
Companies with deep local expertise, like Moderno's three generations of South Metro experience, understand regional challenges that significantly impact construction success and long-term home performance.
How do you turn Parade inspiration into a realistic building plan? The most successful Parade attendees develop systematic approaches to capture and evaluate inspiration.
Create a Comprehensive Record: Photograph or sketch features that interest you, noting specific details like dimensions, materials, and design elements. Organize information by category—kitchens, master suites, outdoor spaces—for easier comparison and decision-making.
Rate and Prioritize Features: Not every inspiring element fits your budget or lifestyle. Develop a rating system that considers both aesthetic appeal and practical value for your specific situation.
Understanding True Costs: Parade homes often showcase premium features and finishes that significantly impact overall project costs. Work with experienced builders who provide transparent pricing and help prioritize features that deliver the best value for your investment.
Moderno's open-book pricing approach eliminates surprises by providing clear cost breakdowns for each design element and upgrade option.
What design trends will dominate the 2025 Parade of Homes? This year's showcase homes will likely emphasize functionality, sustainability, and technologies that enhance daily living.
Minnesota's brief but beautiful summers drive demand for seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces. Expect to see:
How do you select a builder who understands your vision? The Parade of Homes provides direct access to Minnesota's top builders, making it an ideal opportunity to assess their capabilities and approach.
Project Management Philosophy: Understanding how builders manage projects reveals their commitment to client satisfaction. Look for builders who emphasize client communication, transparent pricing, and collaborative decision-making.
Customization Capabilities: If you're considering a custom build, assess each builder's flexibility and experience with unique requests. Custom acreage builders face different challenges than subdivision developers and require specialized expertise.
Local Market Knowledge: Builders with deep local roots understand regional building codes, soil conditions, climate challenges, and community preferences that significantly impact project success.
What comes next after the Parade of Homes? For families seriously considering custom construction, the Parade serves as just the first step in a comprehensive planning process.
Site Selection: If you don't already own land, research available lots in your preferred communities. Scenic Bay Estates offers premier acreage lots in Prior Lake, while communities like Cardinal Pass provide upcoming opportunities.
Budget Development: Work with potential builders to develop realistic budgets that include site preparation, home construction, and finishing allowances based on your Parade observations.
Design Team Assembly: Identify architects, designers, and builders whose work aligns with your vision and budget parameters.
Timeline Management: Custom home construction typically requires 12-18 months from initial planning to move-in. Factor this timeline into your current housing situation and family needs.
Financing Preparation: Construction loans differ from traditional mortgages and require additional documentation and preparation. Connect with lenders experienced in custom home financing early in your planning process.
Permit and Approval Process: Understanding local building codes, subdivision restrictions, and permit requirements prevents delays and budget overruns.
The 2025 Parade of Homes represents an invaluable opportunity to explore Minnesota's finest residential construction, gather inspiration, and connect with experienced builders. By approaching your tours strategically—with clear goals, prepared questions, and systematic documentation—you'll transform weekend touring into actionable plans for your dream home.
Whether you're drawn to luxury custom builds or seeking inspiration for home remodeling projects, the Parade showcases the possibilities available through Minnesota's premier builders and designers.
Ready to turn Parade inspiration into reality? Connect with Moderno Construction Management to discuss how our three generations of South Metro expertise can bring your custom home vision to life. With over 800 successful builds and a commitment to client advocacy, we guide families from inspiration to move-in with confidence and transparency.
