Utah Parade of Homes to Kick Off Its 2007 Season

RISMEDIA, May 31, 2007-(MCT)-

Some Utahns are drawn to the Parade of Homes for the decorating or design ideas. Others are in the market for a new home. Some just like to tour model homes for fun.

Whatever the reason, thousands of Utahns are expected to attend the half-dozen Parade of Homes events staged now through early September.

For the builders that organize them, the events provide a way to showcase the latest in design, features and gadgets.

"It's difficult to know who is seriously looking for a home and who is just looking for decorating ideas," said Clark Ivory of Utah's Ivory Homes. "But it's still a great marketing tool."

There are plenty of choices beyond the Salt Lake Parade of Homes, scheduled for July 27-Aug. 11. Other parades include the Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes, which includes homes as far south as North Salt Lake and as far north as Willard. There are also Parade of Homes covering Cache and Iron counties and the Park City area. St. George builders held their own event in February.

Homes are generally scattered throughout a fairly large area rather than being located on just one street or in one neighborhood. Attendees pay one fee to drive around and see the different homes.

While there are certainly homes with price tags out of reach of most buyers, most Parade of Homes properties these days include a mix of lower- and higher-end homes.

The Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes, for example, features more than two dozen homes scattered from North Salt Lake to Eden in Davis and Weber counties, houses ranging in price from $275,000 to $2.3 million.

"Whether you're looking for a starter home or something bigger, there is going to be something for you," said Jared Wangsgard of the Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes. St. George builders already have staged their Parade of Homes, but builders in several other areas are staging them now through September. Prices vary. For more information, contact www.utahparade.com.

MORE INFO:

–Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes: June 1-9
–Cache Valley Parade of Homes: June 15, 16, 19-23
–Salt Lake Parade of Homes: July 27-Aug. 11
–Park City Area Showcase of Homes: Aug. 26-27, Sept. 2-4, 9-10
–Iron County Area Parade of Homes: Aug. 31, Sept. 1-3, 7-9

Copyright © 2007, The Salt Lake TribuneDistributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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Jennifer Bunker CRS GRI
Utah Real Estate Broker