Annual Parade of Homes
Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Building Excellence

The Metropolitan Builders Association is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Parade of Homes this year. With two distinct subdivisions dedicated to conservancy, the Parade offers sixteen spectacular homes for consumers to view. Mark your calendar for August 20th to September 11, 2005, so you can explore the homes waiting for you at Hawks Bluff subdivision in Mequon and Prairie Grass Preserve in Franklin.

Hawks Bluff in Mequon is a conservation community consisting of 19 lots on approximately 100 acres. Home to four Parade models well in excess of one million dollars, Hawks Bluff provides the perfect setting for luxury homes with over 60% of the site in preserved open space. Builders with homes in the Hawks Bluff subdivision include James H. Hoffman Builders, Inc., JFK Design-Build, Inc., Lifestyle Homes of WI, LLC, and Victory Homes of Wisconsin, Inc.

Prairie Grass Preserve is a mixed use residential subdivision which offers one of the rarest prairie - savanna remnants in Wisconsin. Prairie Grass Preserve features twelve Parade models, priced from approximately $350,000 and up, along with 30 acres of permanently preserved open space. Builders with homes in the Prairie Grass Preserve subdivision include Allan Builders, Aspen Homes, Inc., Badger Home Builders Inc., Mark Carstensen Construction, Inc., Ideal Homes, Inc., J. Anthony Homes, Kings Way Homes, Inc., Lemel Homes, Inc., Life Homes, Inc. (2 models), Trustway Homes, Inc., and Victory Homes of Wisconsin, Inc.

Sixty years ago, many Parade homes consisted of a two-bedroom, one bath home with no garage. The comforts offered in these basic, standard new homes pale in comparison to the amenities offered in today's Parade homes. While Parades past and present represent the top of the line in the industry, the Parades of yesteryear were a tool to try and increase homeownership among area residents. With homeownership rates in the Midwest at 73.1% for the first quarter of 2005, it's clear that consumers understand the value of owning a home. Today, the Parade highlights new and exciting trends within the home building industry.

If you'd like to see firsthand the products and designs that are driving the housing industry in 2005, you won't want to miss the Parade of Homes. Everywhere you look, you'll notice the latest trends in housing. Look up and you'll notice that ceilings have taken on a much more dramatic role. Look left and take in the view waiting just beyond that wall of windows. Look right and admire the mural in the niche just off the living room. Look down and you'll notice flooring that takes your breath away.

The Parade of Homes isn't only for those interested in building new. The Parade offers the perfect environment for those looking to improve their home as well. It's much easier to envision the kinds of products you would like included in your project once you have seen them up close and personal in a Parade home.

The Parade is also the ideal spot for consumers looking for decorating and landscaping ideas. This is your chance to learn from the professionals. All Parade homes are professionally decorated inside and out.