The Parade of Homes, Remodelers Showcase, and Artisan Home Tour are long-standing traditions for many Minnesotans and have consistently been important tools for builders, remodelers, and suppliers to reach new clients. So what makes home tours such a powerful marketing tool for members?
The Power of Home Tours
Home tours give builders and remodelers the opportunity to reach consumers directly and advertise their work, all while the public can see what’s on the market in new home construction and the latest in remodeling. They also serve as the perfect vehicle to showcase new products, technology, and features to homeowners and buyers.
“The Parade of Homes is by far one of the strongest sales and marketing tools for us,” shared Kate Hamilton of Custom One Homes following the spring tour. “The opportunity to feature our homes and share our process with several hundred people within four to five weeks is powerful.”
Housing First Minnesota puts on the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase twice each year. This spring’s tour featured more than 340 new homes and 40 remodeled homes over five weekends. Following the spring event, 100% of builder survey respondents reported the success of the Spring Parade of Homes as Excellent or Good.
“The Parade of Homes historically is the best marketing event a homebuilder or remodeler can do each year,” said David Frosch of Kootenia Homes. “I highly recommend every member company enter the tour each and every year.”
Many consumers come out to see the homes on the tour because they intend to build or remodel within the next year. Others may be gathering ideas or aren’t quite ready to move yet, but they are establishing relationships though repeat visits to builders’ homes on the tour.
“It is fun to see familiar faces come back to our homes and hear about the long tradition the Parade of Homes has been for friends and families!” said Hamilton.
Tours often catapult consumers to act on their projects, and they help them narrow down who they decide to work with. For remodelers, the opportunity to showcase real projects and connect with new clients in person has an unmatched impact.
“Having visitors see real-life examples of what can be done to houses similar to their own home sparks authentic interest,” said Deanne Beaudet of AMEK, Inc.
Upcoming Home Tours
- 2022 Fall Parade of Homes: Sept. 10-Oct. 2, 2022
- 2022 Fall Remodelers Showcase: Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2022
- 2023 Spring Parade of Homes: March 4-April 2, 2023
- 2023 Spring Remodelers Showcase: March 31-April 2, 2023
- 2023 Artisan Home Tour: June 9-25, 2023
