The Denver Parade of Homes used to be all about showing off the best money can buy.
And that’s still the case, said James Czupor, principal of InterPro public relations, which is promoting this year’s event. But since the economic downturn in 2008, it’s been tailored to everyday homebuyers, too.
“There’s still the ‘wow’ factor where you can find some high-end dream homes that are part of the Parade. But if you’re interested in buying, take a look at what kind of home you’re interested in, and go see it,” he said.
This year’s Parade of Homes runs through Labor Day and features 74 homes in 22 communities along the Front Range. All of the homes on the tour are for sale, and range from $244,000 to $2.2 million.
“We’d love for everybody to come out and buy a new home, but the real idea is for people to steal a few bright ideas and improve their lifestyle with what they’re seeing,” said local housing consultant Robert August, who has been involved with the Parade of Homes since its inception in 1986.
People who want to just gawk at beautiful homes should be sure to tour the “dream homes.” Those homes, said Czupor, are any that cost $750,000 or more. A $2-million home in Parker, for example, features a European hillside-inspired infinity pool.
The Parade is free and open to the public.
Here are a few of the eight Aurora homes on this year’s Parade tour.
BROOKFIELD AT TALLYN’S REACH
6959 South Buchanan Street
The “Big Sky” home series from Brookfield Residential in the Tallyn’s Reach neighborhood is one that is tailored to active, outdoor Coloradans.
The home, which is a little over 2,400 square feet, with a little over 1,000 square feet as part of its finished basement, includes unique features such as multiple porches.
One porch is right next to the two-car garage and next to a “mud room” that includes a dark wood drop station, cabinetry and benches. The eight-foot-high dark wood storage cabinets include ample seating that’s perfect for taking off ski or snowboard boots before putting them outside to dry.
The other porch is a raised, covered patio facing the backyard that looks onto Pike’s Peak.
The kitchen is one of the most beautiful features of this home, replete with natural-looking, checkered cork walls, dark stained-wood cabinets, and a Bosch stainless steel stove with a chimney-style hooded vent and an instant water boiler faucet.
Wood and tile stairs leading both upstairs and into the walkout basement enhance the home’s Western romantic feel. The walkout basement also includes a swirling amber painted concrete floor. The result is a home with a modern touch to the rustic, Western aesthetic.
The double-entry shower with a rain faucet is also not to be missed.
The four-bedroom home is listed at $446,880.
THE OVERLOOK AT WHEATLANDS
6554 South Harvest Street
This model is an example homes being sold at the Overlook at The Wheatlands, a neighborhood created by Elacora.
The ranch-style home, which is nearly 3,000 square feet, features a flexible floor plan, with the main floor the hub of all activity.
The open kitchen overlooks the family room and features a center island with breakfast bar, slab granite counters, 42-inch upper cabinets and a large pantry.
“This is our first community in Colorado,” said Karyn Jansen, a community sales manager with the California-based builder.
The three-bedroom home is listed at $550,000.
VILLAGE HOMES AT SOUTHSHORE
7065 S. Robertsdale Way
This home is located in Aurora’s Southshore community, where homes border eight miles of hiking and biking trails along the reservoir. This community also offer residents facilities like a boathouse with a paddleboat and Huck Finn-style fishing dock, as well as a lighthouse-themed recreation center with a saltwater pool and fitness equipment.
There are three models available to tour from Colorado-based builder Village homes in Southshore. Of the three, the “Huntington” has the most-attractive design, with high ceilings, a spacious kitchen, and fun, eclectic decorations.
“It’s really open with tons of natural light,” said Christie Reed, a community sales manager with Village homes, of the model.
The table setting created for this home is particularly bemusing—mixing natural wood pieces with star fish next to a glass cake cover placed over a Martinelli’s champagne bottle.
The beachy, fun feel to the Huntington extends into its bathroom that contains unique, weaved wallpaper and even the basement has creative touches such as stone-enclosed window wells.
The three-bedroom home is listed at $355,400.