2018 FALL PARADE OF HOMES

Biannual event showcases 33 homes

For 27 years the Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico, has been a staple of the fall scene in the Albuquerque metro area.

This year should be no different as there is a little something for everyone, namely the latest trends in the construction business.

It’s also an occasion for builders to highlight their talents.

For Mike Fietz, the man behind the relatively new Westway Homes, it’s a chance to introduce his company to the public.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase our product,” he said. “For name recognition, brand recognition, it’s an exciting time, especially for our company. We’re thrilled to be able to tell our story.”

Westway is one of 22 builders who have a total of 33 homes in the Parade, which runs this Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as October 19 - 21.

This has become the fairly typical turnout for the fall parade, said Diana Lucero, Parade chairwoman and vice president of construction lending for New Mexico Bank & Trust.

The spring show, which was added several years ago, has become popular as builders gear up for the summer building rush and break out new concepts, Lucero said.

“I think that it actually has been our norm since we’ve split into the two parades,” she said. “We are seeing a little more in the spring, with a little more interest as people finish things up over the holidays. But I talk to a lot of builders and they all look forward to getting products in the Parade. It is what gives them a huge start for the year. It is one of their biggest marketing tools.”

Of course, the fall parade is linked to the second weekend of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, that gives it a good boost and gives out-of-town visitors – especially ones who may be thinking of moving here – a chance to get a good look at what the building community has to offer, said Lana McClure, HBA vice president of operations.

“I think originally when the Parade started we had the second week of Balloon Fiesta as our first week so we could piggy back on some of that traffic,” she said.

“It is a terrific symbiotic relationship,” McClure said.“With a lot of people from out-oftown in Albuquerque, they love seeing southwestern-style homes,” she said. “We have New Mexico style that people love, but they are also going to see a lot of different styles when they go see these homes. There’s a really good mix of the different styles of homes.”

Homes start at $191,535 for a DR Horton model, with the top end being Altair’s $1.22 million home in High Desert. The latter is one of four homes checking in at more than $1 million.